Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities-Grants for Protection and Advocacy Systems (93.618)

 

Program

93.618 Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities-Grants for Protection and Advocacy Systems

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

 

Authorization

Help America Vote Act, Title II, Part 5, Section 291, Public Law 107-252.

 

Program Number

93.618

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

Section 291 of HAVA provides that funds be made available to Protection and Advocacy Systems to: (1) ensure full participation in the electoral process for individuals with disabilities; (2) provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process; (3) participate in advocacy and education efforts revolving around HAVA implementation efforts in their State or Territory; (4) training and education of election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers regarding the rights of the voters with disabilities and best practices in working with individuals with disabilities; (5) assist individuals with disabilities in filing complaints under the State-based administrative grievance procedure required by HAVA and represent individuals with disabilities in any hearing that may be held regarding the complaint; (6) provide assistance to States and other governmental entities regarding the physical accessibility of polling places; and (7) obtain training and technical assistance on voting issues, including education regarding accessible voting equipment and systems. Once educated, the information may be used to inform others of the availability of accessible voting equipment and its use.

 

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist Protection and Advocacy Systems to ensure full participation in the electoral process of individuals with a full-range of disabilities. Grant funds are only available for five years after the appropriation year, as required by 31 U.S.C. Section 1552.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States and Territories who have a Protection and Advocacy System in place in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals with full-range of disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation

Cost will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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. Environmental impact information is not required 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

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) for each territory and state must submit an application by the requested deadline as indicated in the Program Instruction. The application may be in the format of its choice addressing the seven areas in emphasis which the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds should be used. Funds requested by the P&As are used to provide education, training and assistance to individuals with disabilities that will promote their participation in the electoral process in seven different areas. The application is faxed, emailed and mailed to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) for furthering review and processing. The application is reviewed thoroughly in accordance with the eligibility criteria as outlined in the program instruction and processed approved by the program office.

Award Procedure

Funds will be awarded annually.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR Part 16.

Renewals

None. Awards are generally made for a 12-month project period.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded annually. The Protection and Advocacy System in each State including the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall receive less than $70,000 and no Territory will receive less than $35,000. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual narrative report that describes how any funds authorized are due no later than December 31st of each year. No cash reports are required. Annual program and annual financial status reports required. Expenditures are to be reported using a Financial Status Report Short Form (SF-269A) submission of annual financial reports are due 90 days after the end of each 12-month period (October 1 - September 30). Monitoring is performed through the review of annual program and financial status reports required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements of 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.

Records

Records must be retained for at least 3 years; records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if all findings have not been resolved.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: FY 2008 55 grants to P&As and 2 grants for T&TA set-aside for a total of 57 grant awards. Fiscal Year 2009: FY 2009 55 grants to P&As and 2 grants for T&TA set-aside for a total of 57 grant awards. Fiscal Year 2010: FY 2009 55 grants to P&As and 2 grants for T&TA set-aside for a total of 5y grant awards.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $4,888,300; FY 09 est $4,888,100; FY 10 est $4,888,100 - T&TA P&A set-aside FY 2008 $368,000; FY 2009 $368,000; and FY 2010 estimate $368,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The awards range from $35,00 to $323,000. The average award amount is approximately $144,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 CFR Parts 74 and 92, Grant Administrative Requirements.

 

Related Programs

93.617 Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities_Grants to States

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None. Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201. Contact: Melvenia Wright. Telephone: (202) 690-5557.

Headquarters Office

Melvenia Wright Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20201 Email: mwright@acf.hhs.gov Phone: 202 690-5557

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs.add

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.