Rehabilitation Training-Continuing Education (84.264)

 

Program

84.264 Rehabilitation Training-Continuing Education

 

Federal Agency

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

 

Authorization

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

 

Program Number

84.264

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To support training centers that serve either a Federal region or another geographical area and provide for a broad integrated sequence of training activities that focus on meeting recurrent and common training needs of employed rehabilitation personnel throughout a multi-State geographical area.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Training grants are limited to support of continuing education programs for personnel such as rehabilitation counselors, administrators, independent living specialists, audiologists, rehabilitation teachers for individuals who are blind, rehabilitation technology specialists who provide vocational, independent living, and client assistance services to individuals with disabilities.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Institutions of higher education, State vocational rehabilitation agencies (including territories/possessions), and other public or nonprofit agencies and organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals employed in positions related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication 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, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725. Attention: 84.264. Continuation applications, unless otherwise indicated in the award notice, are submitted to the appropriate regional office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

With the exception of grants identified as "national significance," new and continuation 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

Deadlines are published in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

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 in the cost of projects with the proportion subject to individual negotiation.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects may be supported for a maximum of 5 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. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. 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 three years after the project is completed or until all audit questions are resolved.

 

Program Accomplishments

Training by the projects addressed rehabilitation staff training needs in human resource development, independent living rehabilitation, management of rehabilitation facilities, and supported employment.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $10,000,000; FY 03 est $10,000,000; and FY 04 est $10,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$271,000 to $498,000. Average: $384,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 385 and 389.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

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, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 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

Eleven of the RCEPs provide training for State agency staff. The remaining RCEPs provide training for the staffs of related public and private nonprofit rehabilitation agencies.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The relevance of the content of the training to the mission of the public rehabilitation program and priorities for projects in the application notice are considered. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 385 and 389.