[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-30251] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: December 9, 1994] _______________________________________________________________________ Part II Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Notice of Final Priorities; Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals With Disabilities, Youth With Disabilities; Projects With Industry: Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1995; Notice ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RIN 1820-ZA00 Special Demonstrations; and Projects With Industry AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of final priorities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary announces priorities under the following programs administered by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): (1) Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals with Disabilities, (2) Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth with Disabilities, and (3) Projects With Industry (PWI). The Secretary may use these priorities for competitions in fiscal year (FY 1995) and subsequent years. These priorities are intended to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. In addition, the priorities provide for a competitive preference to be given to projects providing program services in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community designated under section 1391 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The Secretary may use the competitive preference in FY 1995 and subsequent years. EFFECTIVE DATE: These priorities take effect on January 9, 1995. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Finch, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3038 MES, Washington, D.C. 20202-2740. Telephone: (202) 205-9796. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains priorities under the following programs: Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals with Disabilities. Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth with Disabilities. Projects With Industry. The purpose of each program is stated separately under the title of that program. Funding of particular projects depends on the availability of funds, the nature of the final priorities, and the quality of the applications received. On July 26, 1994, the Secretary published a notice of proposed priorities for these programs in the Federal Register (59 FR 38086). Note: This notice of final priorities does not solicit applications. Notices inviting applications under these competitions are published in separate notices in this issue of the Federal Register. Analysis of Comments and Changes In response to the Secretary's invitation in the notice of proposed priorities, six parties submitted comments. Two commenters indicated strong support for the priorities as proposed. Four commenters, while supporting the proposed priorities, asked for certain changes in or clarification of the priorities. An analysis of the comments and of the changes in the priorities since publication of the notice of proposed priorities follows. Technical and other minor changes--and suggested changes the Secretary is not legally authorized to make under the applicable statutory authority--are not addressed. Priority for Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth With Disabilities Comment: None. Discussion: The Department of Education has withdrawn the general priority for Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth with Disabilities because of insufficient fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds. The priority was identified as Competition I under this program. Changes: A single competition will be held in FY 1995 under the Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Services to Youth with Disabilities program, listed in the proposed priorities as Competition II. This competition will be limited to projects that propose to provide services to youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance (SED) or serious mental illness (SMI). Comments Regarding Competitive Preference for Programs Within Empowerment Zones and/or Enterprise Communities Comment: Two commenters indicated that a competitive preference should not be given to projects providing services within Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities. Both commenters felt that location should not be a factor in serving individuals with disabilities. One commenter expressed a belief that this was an absolute priority. Discussion: As indicated in the notice of proposed priorities, the Empowerment Zone initiative is a critical element of the Administration's community revitalization strategy. Communities designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities already will have demonstrated a capacity for the type of cooperative planning that is critical to successful rehabilitation partnerships. Therefore, the Secretary has determined that it would serve the purposes of the Special Demonstrations and the Projects With Industry programs to award a competitive preference, providing bonus points to applications that propose to serve these zones and communities. Changes: None. Comments Regarding the Absolute Priority to Provide Transitional Rehabilitation Services for Youths and Young Adults with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Comments: Two commenters opposed the limitation of this priority to the SED and SMI population and indicated the need to support transitional services to youths with other disabilities. Discussion: The Secretary notes that youth and young adults with SED and SMI are among the most underserved individuals with disabilities and, therefore, has decided to target funds under this program to the specific needs of this population. The Department currently supports other transition programs within the Office of Special Education Programs. Competitions in Early Education Programs for Children With Disabilities, Services for Children with Deaf-Blindness, Postsecondary Education Programs for Individuals with Disabilities, Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth with Disabilities Program, and Program for Children with Severe Disabilities will be held in FY 1995. In addition, competitions and funds are available through the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, jointly administered by the Departments of Education and Labor. All of these programs serve a more general population of youth with disabilities and provide the necessary services. Changes: None. Priority Relating to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), the Secretary gives preference to applications that are otherwise eligible for funding under the three programs and that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary may implement this priority for fiscal year 1995 and for any later fiscal year. The Secretary awards 10 bonus points to an application that meets this competitive priority. These bonus points would be in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Competitive Priority--Providing Program Services in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community Background The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program is a critical element of the Administration's community revitalization strategy. The program is a first step in rebuilding communities in America's poverty- stricken inner cities and rural heartlands. It is designed to empower people and communities by inspiring Americans to work together to create jobs and opportunity. Under this program, the Federal Government will designate up to 9 areas as Empowerment Zones and up to 95 areas as Enterprise Communities in accordance with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 1391, as amended by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-66). To be eligible for designation, an area must be nominated by one or more local governments and the State or States in which it is located or by a State-Chartered Economic Development Corporation. A nominated area must be one of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and must have a poverty rate of not less than the level specified in section 1392 of the IRC. The Department anticipates that the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities will be announced by early January 1995. Interested individuals may contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-998-9999 for additional information on the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program, including which communities have applied for designation or which have been selected. In the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program, communities are invited to submit strategic plans that comprehensively address how the community would link economic development with education and training as well as how community development, public safety, human services, and environmental initiatives together will support sustainable communities. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities will be designated by the Department of Agriculture and HUD based on the quality of their strategic plans. Designated areas will receive Federal grant funds and substantial tax benefits and will have access to other Federal programs. The Department of Education is supporting the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community initiative in a variety of ways. It is encouraging Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities to use funds they already receive from Department of Education programs (including Chapter 1 of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act, the Adult Education Act, and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act) to support the comprehensive vision of their strategic plans. In addition, the Department of Education intends to give preferences to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in a number of discretionary grant programs that are well-suited for inclusion in a comprehensive approach to economic and community development. In addition to the Projects With Industry program and the Special Demonstrations programs under the Rehabilitation Act, the Department intends to give preferences to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in the Urban Community Service program, the Parent Training program and Early Childhood Education program under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, and a variety of discretionary programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Relationship of the PWI and Special Demonstrations Programs to the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community Program The Special Demonstrations program for providing vocational rehabilitation services makes grants to expand or otherwise improve vocational and other rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, especially those with the most severe disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation services may include training with a view toward career advancement, training (including on-the-job training) in occupational skills, and rehabilitation technology services. The Special Demonstrations program for providing transitional services to youths with disabilities focuses on the delivery of job training services. The goal of the services is to facilitate a smooth transition of youths from school to work or to higher education. Services under both of these Special Demonstrations programs are designed to assist individuals with disabilities to live and function as contributing members of society by enhancing their opportunities for employment. Minorities with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, and youths and young adults with serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness are among the populations with a high incidence of unemployment and poverty. The purpose of the PWI program is to create and expand job and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the competitive labor market by engaging the talent and leadership of private industry as partners in the rehabilitation process; to identify competitive job and career opportunities and the skills needed to perform those jobs; to create practical settings for job readiness and training programs; and to provide job placements and career advancement. In order to support the purpose of the program, all PWI projects are required to have a Business Advisory Council comprised of representatives of private industry, business concerns, organized labor, and individuals with disabilities and their representatives. The PWI and Special Demonstrations programs under the Rehabilitation Act are ideally suited to play a key role in the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program because studies have shown strong correlations between disability and unemployment and between disability and poverty. These rehabilitation programs serve a common purpose: to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities in obtaining gainful employment. Employment is achieved by providing job training, job placement, transition services, and related vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Just as Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities link economic development and education and training efforts, the Special Demonstrations and PWI programs support projects that strengthen communities by preparing individuals with disabilities for employment in local businesses. Provision of rehabilitation services in an urban or rural high- poverty area that has developed a strategic plan to link economic development to education, training, public safety, and human services will also help achieve the purpose of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act), to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society. Moreover, providing services in a zone or community will help support the purpose of section 21 of the Act to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds and from other traditionally underserved populations are addressed. Communities receiving designations as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities already have demonstrated a capacity for the type of cooperative planning that is critical to successful rehabilitation partnerships. Projects funded under these programs will provide models for partnerships in other distressed areas and will further the National Education Goal that, by the year 2000, every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in the global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Accordingly, the Secretary has determined that it would serve the purposes of the three programs in this notice to award a competitive preference to applications that propose projects that serve these zones and communities. Priority Under each of the following programs, competitive preference will be given to applications that--(1) Propose the provision of substantial services in Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities, as described under each program listed in this notice; and (2) Propose projects that contribute to the strategic plan of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community and that are made an integral component of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community activities. Ten bonus points will be assigned to applications determined to be approvable on the basis of their evaluation under the applicable program selection criteria. Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals With Disabilities Purpose of Program This program is designed to provide financial assistance to projects for expanding or otherwise improving vocational rehabilitation and other rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. Priorities Competitive Priority Competitive preference of 10 bonus points will be given to applications that meet the 2 requirements described previously under the competitive priority for providing program services in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. Under this program a project is considered to be providing substantial services if a minimum of 51 percent of the persons served by the project reside within the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. Invitational Priorities Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet one or more of the following invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications: Invitational Priority 1--Services to Minorities The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that propose to provide culturally sensitive vocational rehabilitation services and make significant outreach efforts to identify and serve individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Invitational Priority 2--Services to People Living With HIV/AIDS The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that propose to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Applicable Program Regulations 34 CFR Parts 369 and 373. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 777a(a)(1). Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth With Disabilities Purpose of Program This program is designed to provide job training for youths with disabilities to prepare them for entry into the labor force, including competitive or supported employment. Priority Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and section 311(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet this absolute priority: Absolute Priority--Transitional Rehabilitation Services for Youths and Young Adults With Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Background Young adults, between the ages of 17 and 26, with serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness are among the most underserved individuals with disabilities. It is estimated that 4 to 9 percent of the total population of young adults exhibit these disorders, but fewer than 1.5 percent are provided services (Kauffman 1989). Youth with SED or SMI display inappropriate behaviors or feelings that seriously impair their abilities to work, live, and function successfully in society. The outcome of successful integrated community employment appears to be facilitated by a well-coordinated, multi-dimensional service approach that uses community-based vocational services; the peer group as a supportive setting; job training combined with other training services that address work-related topics, such as stress management, substance abuse, and medication issues; and individualized long-term supportive services (Cook 1991). Priority The purpose of this priority is to support demonstration projects that develop model systems of comprehensive service delivery to youths and young adults, ages 17 through 26. Projects must provide job training services to youths and young adults with SED or SMI to prepare them for entry into the labor force. Competitive Priority Competitive preference of 10 bonus points will be given to applications that, in addition to meeting the absolute priority described under this competition, meet the 2 requirements described previously under the competitive priority for providing program services in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. Under this program a project is considered to be providing substantial services if a minimum of 51 percent of the persons served by the project reside within the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. Applicable Program Regulations 34 CFR Parts 369 and 376. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 777a(b). Projects With Industry (PWI) Purpose of Program Projects With Industry projects create and expand job and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the competitive labor market by engaging the talent and leadership of private industry as partners in the rehabilitation process. PWI projects identify competitive job and career opportunities and the skills needed to perform those jobs, create practical settings for job readiness and training programs, and provide job placement and career advancement services. Eligibility Requirement Under section 621(e)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, new grant awards under this program can be made only to eligible entities, identified in the program regulations in 34 CFR 379.2, that propose to provide services to individuals with disabilities in States, portions of States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations that are currently unserved or underserved by the PWI program. Each applicant is required to explain in its application why the geographic area it proposes to serve is currently unserved or underserved by the PWI program. Competitive Priority Competitive preference of 10 bonus points will be given to applications that meet the 2 requirements described previously under the competitive priority for providing program services in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. A PWI project may provide services at one or more sites. Under this program a PWI project is considered to be providing substantial services in a zone or community if a minimum of 51 percent of the total number of persons served by the project, irrespective of the number of sites, reside in a zone or community and at least 1 of the project sites is located within the boundaries of a zone or community. If there is only one project site, it must be located within the boundaries of a zone or community. Applicable Program Regulations 34 CFR Parts 369 and 379. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 795g. Intergovernmental Review These programs are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for these programs. Dated: December 5, 1994. Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers: 84.235 Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Individuals with Disabilities; 84.235 Special Projects and Demonstrations for Providing Transitional Rehabilitation Services to Youth with Disabilities; and 84.234 Projects With Industry) [FR Doc. 94-30251 Filed 12-8-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P