FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part D, Subpart 2, Sections 674, as amended, Public Law 105-17, 20 U.S.C. 1474.

To assess the progress in implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including State and local efforts to provide (1) Free appropriate public education to children with disabilities; and (2) early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities who would be at risk of having substantial developmental delays if early intervention services were not provided.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: A State educational agency, a local educational agency, an institution of higher education, any other public agency, a private non-profit organization, an outlying area, an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act), and a for-profit organization, if the Secretary finds it appropriate in light of the purposes of a particular competition for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. The Secretary may limit the entities eligible for an award to categories of these eligible entities. The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible through September 30, 2001.

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, "Intergovernment 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 and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. The program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

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

Deadlines: 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. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Formula and Matching Requirements: The Secretary may require a recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to share in the cost of a project. 20 U.S.C. 1461 (f)(2).

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

Reports: Progress reports shall be made on an annual basis. Final reports shall be made at the end 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 expand 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 grant or contract 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 $16,000,000; FY 02 est $15,000,000; and FY 03 est $15,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Awards typically range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 per year.

Six awards will be made in fiscal year 2001.

None.

Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.

Headquarters Office: Division of Research to Practice, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Jeffrey Payne. Telephone: (202) 205-8883.

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

Ten new awards under this program were made in fiscal year 1999.

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.