Special Education-Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities (84.325)

 

Program

84.325 Special Education-Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part D, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Section 673, as amended, Public Law 105-17, 20-U.S.C. 1473.

 

Program Number

84.325

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

(1) To help address State-identified needs for qualified personnel in special education, related services, early intervention, and regular education, to work with children with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the skills and knowledge, that are needed to serve children with disabilities and that such skills and knowledge are derived from practices determined to be successful through research and experience.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements or Contracts).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds must be used to prepare personnel to serve children with both low and high-incidence disabilities, leadership personnel, and for special projects. Awards are made only to eligible applicants that meet State and professionally recognized standards for the preparation of special education and related services personnel, if the purpose of the project is to assist personnel in obtaining degrees.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

A State educational agency, a local education agency, an institution of higher education, any other public agency, a private nonprofit 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.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication 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 and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts.

Deadlines

Deadlines are published in the Federal Register or you may contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Awards may require a recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to share in the cost of a project. (See 20 U.S.C. 1461 (f)(2).)

 

Assistance Considerations

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. (See 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.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

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 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 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.

 

Program Accomplishments

It is anticipated that approximately 60 awards will be made.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0300-0-1-500.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $90,000,000; FY 03 est $91,899,000; and FY 04 est $90,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies by competition. Awards typically range from $200,000 to $400,000 per year.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

None.

 

Related Programs

84.027, Special Education_Grants to States; 84.173, Special Education_Preschool Grants; 84.184, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities_National Programs; 84.323, Special Education_State Program Improvement Grants for Children with Disabilities; 84.324, Special Education_Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities; 84.326, Special Education_Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities; 84.327, Special Education_Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities; 84.328, Special Education_Parent Information Centers; 84.329, Special Education_Studies and Evaluations.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Department of Education, OSERS Office of Special Education Programs 400 Maryland Ave, S.W., Rm. 3512, MES Washington, DC 20202-2500 Contact: Pat Wright. E-mail Address pat.wright@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 401-7659.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Program funds support projects in a variety of areas, including leadership personnel and personnel to serve children with low- and high- incidence disabilities. The program also supports projects of national significance that address personnel issues with broad applicability. Awards for personnel to serve children with low-incidence disabilities are desgsined to help ensure the availability of quality personnel in this area by providing financial aid as an incentive to students, and by supporting pre-service programs that might not otherwise receive supports. Awards to prepare personnel to serve children with high-incidence disabilities address the needs of children with disabilities such as specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, or mental retardation. These awards are designed to foster reform and innovation in existing personnel preparation programs by incorporating best practices and research-based knowledge into programs. Awards for leadership personnel support training for personnel at the advanced graduate, doctoral, or post-doctoral level.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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.