[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15467-15468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8175]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for Training and Technical Assistance for 
the Seniors for Schools Initiative

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(``Corporation'') announces the availability of up to $350,000 to 
provide training and technical assistance to programs that receive 
grants under the Corporation's Seniors for Schools Initiative. The 
purpose of the initiative is to mobilize the time, talent, experience, 
and resources of seniors to tutor and mentor public school children in 
kindergarten through third grade. The initiative will (1) build on the 
experience of the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior 
Volunteer Program; and (2) recruit adults over the age of 55, without 
regard to their economic status, to work in teams with young children 
in a variety of roles, including helping them to read independently by 
the end of the third grade.

DATES: All applications must be received by 6 p.m. Eastern Standard 
Time, May 15, 1997. Facsimiles will not be accepted. All applicants 
must be able to provide training and technical assistance to the 
selected programs, beginning on July 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested organizations may request application materials 
by writing to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 
Attn.: Tess Scannell, Room 9201, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information, contact Tess Scannell 
at (202) 606-5000, ext. 190. This notice may be requested in an 
alternative format for the visually impaired.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Corporation is a federal government corporation that encourages 
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in community-based 
service. This service addresses the nation's educational, public 
safety, environmental, and other human needs to achieve direct and 
demonstrable results. In supporting service programs, the Corporation 
fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us 
together as a people, and provides educational opportunity for those 
who make a substantial commitment to service.
    On August 27, 1996, President Clinton announced the America Reads 
Challenge, which includes a vital national service component. The goal 
of this campaign is to ensure that every child can read independently 
by the end of the third grade. To achieve this goal, the President has 
called for a substantial increase in the number of tutors and mentors 
available to young children.
    Under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq., the Corporation may ``support innovative and 
model programs.'' Under this statutory authority, the Corporation 
intends to meet the America Reads Challenge by adopting the goals of 
this initiative and helping to mobilize thousands of volunteers to 
serve as tutors. One of the Corporation's efforts will be the Seniors 
for Schools Initiative, which will involve recruiting men and women 
over the age of 55, without regard to their economic status, to work in 
teams and make a significant commitment to help children learn to read. 
This initiative will build on the experience of the Foster Grandparent 
Program and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program--programs that have 
worked extensively with children in school settings for many years. The 
Corporation intends to fund eight to ten programs, each implementing 
the Seniors for Schools Initiative in a different community.
    To support the Seniors for Schools programs, the Corporation 
intends to enter into a cooperative agreement with an organization to 
provide training and technical assistance that strengthens the 
programs' performance and effectiveness. Through this notice, the 
Corporation invites applications from organizations that wish to be 
considered for the training and technical assistance award.

Eligible Applicants

    Public agencies (including federal, state, and local agencies and 
other units of government); non-profit organizations (including youth-
serving groups, groups that serve older persons, community-based 
organizations, service organizations, etc.); institutions of higher 
education; Indian tribes; and for-profit companies are eligible to 
apply. Organizations may apply to provide training and technical 
assistance in partnership with organizations seeking other Corporation 
funds. Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization 
described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(4)) which engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible 
to apply.

Estimated Number of Awards

    The Corporation anticipates making one award.

Period of Performance

    The period of performance for the cooperative agreement is up to 24 
months, contingent upon performance and the availability of 
appropriations. All applicants must be able to provide training and 
technical assistance beginning on July 1, 1997.

Selection Criteria

    The Corporation will initially determine whether the organization 
is eligible and whether the application contains the information 
required in the application materials. After this initial screening, 
the Corporation will assess applications based on the criteria listed 
below:
    1. The quality of the proposed activities based on the scope of 
activities and approaches proposed to be used to provide training, 
materials, and other resources, and the technical support that programs 
need to meet their objectives.

[[Page 15468]]

    2. The ability of the organization to provide training and 
technical assistance to multiple programs.
    3. The qualifications and experience of key personnel who will 
provide the training and technical assistance.
    4. The cost-effectiveness of the proposed activities and the degree 
to which the applicant proposes a reasonable estimate of the amount of 
services the organization will be able to provide with the requested 
amount of funds and the applicant's existing resources.

Applicable Regulations

    Regulatory provisions governing this award are codified in 45 CFR 
part 2532.

Statutory Authority

    Corporation authority to award this cooperative agreement is 
codified in 42 U.S.C. 12653.

    Dated: March 26, 1997.
Barry W. Stevens,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 97-8175 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P