FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title I, Part C, 29 U.S.C. 730 and 750.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities that reside on Federal or State reservations in order to prepare them for suitable employment.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Projects provide financial assistance for the establishment and operation of tribal vocational rehabilitation service projects for American Indians with disabilities residing on reservations.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Governing bodies of Indian tribes or consortia of those governing bodies on Federal and State reservations may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   American Indians with disabilities residing on a Federal or State reservation (including Native Alaskans) and meet the definition of an individual with a disability in Section 7 (8) (A) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The standard application form as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Application Procedure:   Applications should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and the Assistant Secretary, OSERS, for new projects and the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services for continuation projects.

Deadlines:   Contact headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   The range is approximately 90 to 120 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Projects with multi-year project periods may be continued based on an annual review of accomplishments and availability of adequate funds. Funds for years two, and three of a multi-year project are available through the submission of a continuation application.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Projects generally require ten percent matching in cash or in-kind.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Project support is available for up to 3 years depending upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Funds are granted on a twelve month basis. A grant may be extended for up to 2 additional years if the grantee meets the requirements in 34 CFR 371.5. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual financial reports and progress reports must be submitted as prescribed by grant award terms and conditions.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Case records are for individual clients. Fiscal records are prescribed for audit purposes. Retention of records are required for three years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $23,998,000; FY 02 est $25,998,000; and FY 03 est $26,804,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Estimated range of new awards in FY 2016 is $365,000 to $1,550,000; Median new award: $550,000.

Sixty-six projects were funded in fiscal year 2001. Projects provide a range of vocational rehabilitation service comparable to those provided by the State agency on mental and physical restoration and job placement training. Projects have demonstrated improvements in the provision of services by implementing management systems, data collection models, and the utilization of service codes comparable to those by State rehabilitation agencies.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, and 85. Vocational Rehabilitations Service Projects for American Indians with Disabilities regulations 34 CFR 371.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   August Martin, Department of Education, OSERS Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., , Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: august.martin@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7410

Web Site Address:  
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Projects provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on reservations comparable to the services provided under Title I to other individuals with disabilities who reside in the State. These projects increase the successful outreach and outcome of services to an underserved population.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The availability of funds is published in the Federal Register. Applications for discretionary grants are subject to peer review procedures by Federal and nonfederal experts that lead to recommendations for approval or disapproval. Criteria include plan of operation, quality of key personnel, budget and cost- effectiveness, evaluation plan, adequacy of resources, and evidence of need. These criteria are published in the program regulations at 34 CFR 371.