FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part D, Subpart 1, as amended by Public Law 105-17, 20 U.S.C. 1452-1456.

To assist State educational agencies and their partners in reforming and improving their systems for providing educational, early intervention, and transitional services, including their systems for professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination of knowledge about best practices to improve results for children with disabilities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: State educational agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, and other individuals with disabilities, and their families benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation: None.

Pre-application Coordination: This program is covered under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as a single point of contact in his or her State to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure: The standard application forms as furnished by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Award Procedure: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts.

Deadlines: Deadlines are published in the Federal Register. Contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Range is from 90 to 120 days.

Appeals: Not applicable.

Renewals: Awards may be renewed annually for up to 5 years throughout the project period of the award, depending upon the availability of appropriations.

Formula and Matching Requirements: None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Typically from 1 to 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations.

Reports: Progress reports shall be made on an annual basis. Final reports shall be made at the en of the project period. Cash balance reports will be required annually.

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: As stated in award terms and conditions, the awardee shall maintain accounts, records, and other evidence pertaining to all costs incurred, revenues or other applicable credits acquired under this grant.

Account Identification: 91-0300-0-1-500.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $49,200,000; FY 02 est $51,700,000; and FY 03 est $51,700,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: The average award in fiscal year 2001 is $1,067,000.

In fiscal year 2001, 46 awards were made.

None.

Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.

Headquarters Office: Division of Monitoring and State Improvement, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Larry Wexler. Telephone: (202) 205-5390.

Web Site Address:  http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/index.html.

First awards under this program will be made in fiscal year 2000.

Criteria for selecting among grant applications will normally be selected from those in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Part 75.210.