[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34671-34687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16836]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.184E]


Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Federal Activities 
Grants Program (Hate Crimes Prevention)

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
1996.
    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. 
Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable 
regulations governing the program, including the Education Department 
General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), the notice contains all of 
the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply 
for a grant under this competition.
    Purpose of Program: To fund the development and implementation of 
innovative, effective strategies for preventing and reducing the 
incidence of crimes and conflicts motivated by hate in localities 
directly affected by hate crimes.
    Eligible Applicants: Public and private nonprofit organizations and 
individuals, including local educational agencies.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: August 2, 1996.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 2, 1996.
    Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
    Estimate Number of Awards: 10.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 12 months.
    Applicable Regulations:
    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) as follows:
    (1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of 
Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations).
    (2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
    (3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department 
Regulations).
    (4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of 
Education Programs and Activities).
    (5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
    (6) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).
    (7) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
    (8) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)).
    (9) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

    Note: As of July 1, 1995, Part 86 of EDGAR no longer applies to 
SEAs and LEAs. It continues to apply to IHEs. This change results 
from the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, Pub.L. 103-382.

    Description of Program: The seventh National Education Goal 
provides that, by the year 2000, all schools in America will be free of 
drugs and violence and the unauthorized presence of firearms and 
alcohol and offer a disciplined environment that is conducive to 
learning. The State grant portion of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and 
Communities Act (SDFSCA) provides funding to 97 percent of school 
districts in the nation to assist them in preventing violence in and 
around schools, promoting safety and discipline for students, and 
preventing the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The 
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Federal Activities Grants Program reinforces 
that effort by supporting the development of innovative programs that 
(1) demonstrate effective new methods of ensuring safe and drug-free 
schools and communities, and (2) ultimately will provide models of 
proven effective practice that will assist schools and communities 
around the nation to improve their programs under the SDFSCA.
    Public and private nonprofit organizations and individuals 
receiving funds under this program may not use funds for construction 
(except for minor remodeling needed to carry out the activities 
described in the application) and medical services, drug treatment or 
rehabilitation, except for pupil services or referral to treatment for 
students who are victims of or witnesses to crime or who use alcohol, 
tobacco, or drugs.
    The term `nonprofit', as applied to a school, agency, organization, 
or institution means a school, agency, organization, or institution 
owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or 
associations, no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may 
lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or 
individual.
    In making awards under this grant program, the Secretary may take 
into consideration the geographic distribution and diversity of 
activities addressed by the projects, in addition to the rank order of 
applications.

Background

    Consistent with the definition used by the Department of Justice, a 
hate crime

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is a criminal offense committed against a person or property that is 
motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, 
religion, ethnic/national origin, or sexual orientation group.
    National attention has focused on the recent wave of church 
burnings and the need to intervene forcefully to prevent these criminal 
acts and to promote tolerance among races, cultures, and religions. A 
recent report in The Washington Post (Wednesday, June 19, 1996, page 
A1) notes: ``The people burning down black churches in the South are 
generally white, male and young, usually economically marginalized or 
poorly educated, frequently drunk or high on drugs, rarely affiliated 
with hate groups, but often deeply driven by racism. * * *'' In the 
last 18 months, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
Firearms, there have been 37 suspicious fires at predominantly African 
American churches and 23 suspicious fires at predominantly white 
churches.
    Data collected from six States as part of the Department of Justice 
study on juvenile hate crime suggest that an estimated 17 percent to 26 
percent of all hate crimes recorded by law enforcement can be 
attributed to persons under the age of 18. The study also identified a 
correlation between involvement in hate crime offenses and gang-related 
crime.
    Priority: The priority in the notice of final priorities for this 
program, as published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register 
and repeated below, applies to this competition.
    Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and 
Communities Act of 1994, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to 
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds 
under this competition only applications that meet the absolute 
priority.
    Absolute Priority--Developing and implementing innovative, 
effective strategies for preventing and reducing the incidence of 
crimes and conflicts motivated by hate in localities directly affected 
by hate crimes. 
    Applicants proposing a project under this priority must--
    (1) Describe the problem that will be addressed, including an 
assessment of the number of persons who will benefit from the project;
    (2) Demonstrate that the community to be served by the project has 
a significant level of crime or conflict motivated by hate;
    (3) Describe the activities to be implemented and explain how they 
are based on research and best practices, how they will lead to 
sustained improvements in the school and community environment, and how 
they will be cost-effective and replicable;
    (4) Provide evidence of collaboration with the following groups in 
the planning and implementation of the program--
    (i) Students and families,
    (ii) Local school officials and teachers,
    (iii) Community leaders and representatives from groups such as 
religious, business, and civic organizations, and
    (iv) Juvenile justice, law enforcement, and community policing 
representatives;
    (5) Identify the roles and responsibilities of each participating 
group;
    (6) Describe the behavioral, developmental, or theoretical basis 
for the proposed project and provide evidence for its effectiveness in 
preventing and reducing the incidence of crimes and conflicts motivated 
by hate;
    (7) Identify the intended audience to be served and describe how 
the proposed activities are appropriate for the target population;
    (8) Provide a detailed plan of implementation, including evidence 
of ability to begin service delivery within four months of the grant 
award;
    (9) Identify performance goals for the project and provide a 
description of how progress toward achieving goals will be measured; 
and
    (10) Provide evidence of the proposed strategy's potential to 
provide a replicable model of effective practice for other schools and 
communities facing similar problems.
    Selection Criteria: (a)(1) The Secretary uses the following 
selection criteria to evaluate applications for new grants under this 
competition.
    (2) The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
    (3) The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses.
    (b) The criteria.--(1) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing 
statute. (30 Points) the Secretary reviews each application to 
determine how well the project will meet the purpose of the Safe and 
Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 including consideration 
of--
    (i) The objectives of the project; and
    (ii) How the objectives of the project further the purposes of the 
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994.
    (2) Extent of need for the project. (30 points) The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project 
meets specific needs recognized in the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and 
Communities Act of 1994, including consideration of--
    (i) The needs addressed by the project;
    (ii) How the applicant identified those needs;
    (iii) How those needs will be met by the project; and
    (iv) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs.
    (3) Plan of Operation. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the 
project, including--
    (i) The quality of the design of the project;
    (ii) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and 
ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;
    (iii) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose 
of the program;
    (iv) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and 
personnel to achieve each objective; and
    (v) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are 
otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, 
color, national origin, gender, age, or handicapping condition.
    (4) Quality of key personnel. (7 points)
    (i) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality 
of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including--
    (A) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be 
used);
    (B) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used in the project;
    (C) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) 
(A) and (B) will commit to the project; and
    (D) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment 
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
handicapping condition.
    (ii) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs 
(b)(4)(i) (A) and (B), the Secretary considers--
    (A) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of 
the project; and
    (B) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the 
project.
    (5) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which--
    (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and
    (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.

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    (6) Evaluation plan. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of 
evaluation--
    (i) Are appropriate to the project; and
    (ii) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that 
are quantifiable.
    (Cross-reference: See 34 CFR 75.590 Evaluation by the grantee.)
    (7) Adequacy of resources. (3 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the 
applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, 
equipment, and supplies.
    Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: This program is 
subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.
    The objective of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying 
on State and local processes for State and local government 
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
    Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of 
Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process 
under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities 
in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of 
Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established 
in each State under the Executive order. If you want to know the name 
and address of any State Single Point of Contact, see the list 
published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1995 (60 FR 40980 and 
40981).
    In States that have not established a process or chosen a program 
for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit 
comments directly to the Department.
    Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a 
State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide, 
regional, and local entities must be received by the date indicated in 
this notice at the following address: The Secretary, E.O.12372--CFDA # 
84.184E, U.S. Department of Education, Room 6213, 600 Independence 
Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-0125.
    Recommendations or comments may be hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. 
(Washington, D.C. time) on the date indicated in this notice.
    Please note that the above address is not the same address as the 
one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not 
send applications to the above address.

Instructions for transmittal and receipt of applications.

    (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant 
shall--
    (1) Mail the original and two copies of the application to: U.S. 
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA # 
84.184E), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725.

    Note: All applications must be received by August 2, 1996. 
Applications received after that time will not be eligible for 
funding. Postmarked dates will not be accepted.

    (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 
4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the deadline date to: U.S. 
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 
84.184E), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, 
S.W., Washington, D.C.

    Notes:
    (1) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application 
Receipt Acknowledgement to each applicant. If an applicant fails to 
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from 
the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the 
U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 
708-9494.
    (2) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not 
provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for 
Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which the application is 
being submitted.

    Application Instructions and Forms: The appendix to this 
application is divided into three parts plus a statement regarding 
estimated public reporting burden and various assurances and 
certifications. These parts and additional materials are organized in 
the same manner that the submitted application should be organized. The 
parts and additional materials are as follows:
    PART I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 
4-88)) and instructions.
    PART II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 
524) and instructions.
    PART III: Application Narrative.
    ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
    Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
    Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
0013).
    Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) 
and instructions. (Note: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees 
and should not be transmitted to the Department.)
    Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if 
applicable) and instructions. This document has been marked to reflect 
statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management 
and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
    Notice to All Applicants.
    An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the 
application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. 
However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications 
must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a 
completed application form has been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlotte D. Gillespie, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Ave., SW, Room 604 Portals, 
Washington, D.C. 20202-6123. 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.
    Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including 
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can 
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), 
telephone (202) 260-9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at 
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases); or 
on the World Wide Web at (http://www/ed/gov/money.html). However, the 
official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is 
the notice published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7131

    Dated: June 26, 1996.
Gerald N. Tirozzi,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

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Part III--Application Narrative

Instructions for Part III--Application Narrative

    Before preparing the Application Narrative an applicant should read 
carefully the description of the program, the information regarding 
priorities, and the selection criteria the Secretary uses to evaluate 
applications.
    The narrative should encompass each function or activity for which 
funds are being required and should--
    1. Begin with an Abstract; that is, a summary of the proposed 
project;
    2. Describe the proposed project in light of each of the selection 
criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in this 
application package; and
    3. Include any other pertinent information that might assist the 
Secretary in reviewing the application.
    The Secretary strongly requests the applicant to limit the 
Application Narrative to no more than 25 double-spaced, typed pages (on 
one side only), although the Secretary will consider applications of 
greater length.

Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this 
information collection is OMB No. 1810-0551, Exp. Date: 9/11/96. The 
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to 
average 28 hours per response, including the time to review 
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, 
and complete and review the information collection. If you have any 
comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions 
for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, 
Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding 
the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly 
to: Charlotte D. Gillespie, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, Office 
of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 
600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-6123.

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Notice to All Applicants

    Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this 
enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in the Department of 
Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to 
applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This 
provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving 
America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382).
    To Whom Does This Provision Apply?
    Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary grant 
awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE 
INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN 
ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM.
    What Does This Provision Require?
    Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an 
individual person) to include in its application a description of the 
steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and 
participation in, its federally-assisted program for students, 
teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs.
    This section allows applicants discretion in developing the 
required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that 
can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: 
gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on 
local circumstances, you can determine whether these or other barriers 
may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from equitable access or 
participation. Your description need not be lengthy; you may provide a 
clear and succinct description of how you plan to address those 
barriers that are applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the 
information my be provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, 
may be discussed in connection with related topics in the application.
    Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil 
rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their 
projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may 
affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully 
participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent 
with program requirements and its approved application, an applicant 
may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it 
identifies.
    What are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement 
of This Provision?
    The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may 
comply with section 427.
    (1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy 
project serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, 
might describe in its application how it intends to distribute a 
brochure about the proposed project to such potential participants in 
their native language.
    (2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials 
for classroom use might describe how it will make the materials 
available on audio tape or in braille for students who are blind.
    (3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program 
for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely 
than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it tends to 
conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment.
    We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing 
effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their 
grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the 
requirements of this provision.
Estimated Burden Statement
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this 
information collection is 1801-0004 (Exp. 8/31/98). The time required 
to complete this information collection is estimated to vary from 1 to 
3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 hours, including the time 
to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather and 
maintain the data needed, and complete and review the information 
collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the 
time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write 
to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651.

[FR Doc. 96-16836 Filed 6-28-96; 9:01 am]
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