FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III, Section 302(g)(3), 29 U.S.C. 774.

This program is designed to support special projects for training State vocational rehabilitation unit personnel in program areas essential to the effective management of the unit's program of vocational rehabilitation services or in skill areas that enable staff personnel to improve their abilities to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Projects are designed to: (1) Address recruitment and retention of qualified rehabilitation professionals; (2) provide for successful planning; (3) provide for leadership development and capacity building; and (4) provide training on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Training grants may only be made to agencies designated to administer the State vocational rehabilitation program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   State vocational rehabilitation agencies, including territories/possessions, may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Individuals employed by designated State rehabilitation agencies will benefit.

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

Pre-application Coordination:   The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   New applications are made to the Department of Education, Application Control center, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. 20208-4724. Attention 84.265. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Grants are awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration through its regional offices. All new applications are reviewed by a panel of at least three individuals. Each panel will generally include two or more nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the proposed area of training.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 120 to 160 days.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Renewals are available only through the new application process. Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of adequate funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Grantees are required to share ten percent of the costs of projects.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Projects may generally be supported for a maximum of 3 years. Funds are granted on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

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

Audits:   Audits must be conducted on a continuing basis or at scheduled intervals, usually once a year, but at least once every 2 years. 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:   Proper records must be maintained for 3 years after project completion or until all audit questions are resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

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

Obligations:   (Grants and Contracts) FY 01 $6,000,000; FY 02 est $6,000,000; and FY 03 est $6,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$7,400 to $240,000. Average: $70,000.

State vocational rehabilitation agencies employ more than 25,000 individuals. It is estimated that more than 13,000 individuals participated in one or more activities sponsored under the State VR Unit In-Service Training Program. Agencies reported that special emphasis was given to training staff on human resource development and on providing rehabilitation services to under served populations.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 385 and 388.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Rehabilitation Services Administration regional offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses.

Headquarters Office:   Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-2649. Contact: Timothy Muzzio. Telephone: (202) 205-8926.

Web Site Address:   http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Projects were funded for providing in-service training to the staffs of 80 agencies in fiscal year 1995. Prior to enactment of Public Law 102-569, institutions of higher education and other private nonprofit organizations were eligible for funding under this program.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The relevance of the content of the training to the mission of the public rehabilitation program is considered. Priorities for certain projects are stated in the application notice. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 385 and 388.