[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42427-42430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16009]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Special Demonstration Programs--Model Transitional 
Rehabilitation Services for Youth and Young Adults With Disabilities; 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.235S.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: July 19, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 19, 2004.
    Eligible Applicants: Public or nonprofit agencies or organizations, 
including institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, 
State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, community rehabilitation 
programs, and Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $250,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 8.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Full Text of Announcement:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to eligible 
entities to support activities that increase the provision, extent, 
availability, scope, and quality of rehabilitation services.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority 
is from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 373.6(a)(1), (a)(2), 
(b)(2), and (b)(10)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Special Demonstration Programs--Model Demonstrations to Increase 
Meaningful Community Integration, Postsecondary Education, and 
Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Youth and Young Adults With 
Disabilities Through Research-Based Mentoring Methods
    Special demonstration projects under this priority must focus on 
research-based mentoring methods that provide appropriate supports for 
transition-age youth and young adults with disabilities. The projects 
must demonstrate research-based mentoring models that are aimed at 
increasing meaningful community integration, postsecondary education, 
and employment outcomes. To meet the requirements, an applicant must--
    (1) Describe the research-based mentoring models that will be 
demonstrated through its project;
    (2) Describe the outreach methods used to select project 
participants and the criteria by which mentors will be recruited;
    (3) Describe how the proposed project will increase self-advocacy, 
high-level personal and career expectations, and decisionmaking. At a 
minimum, the project must describe how mentors will help consumers 
develop and improve self-confidence, community integration skills, work 
skills, self-determination skills, advocacy, and decisionmaking;
    (4) Describe clear program objectives, goals, and outcomes, 
including expected outcomes in the areas of community integration, 
postsecondary education, and employment. Descriptions must include 
targets, such as the estimated number of individuals to be served and 
the number of those who are expected to become enrolled in higher 
education, and well-defined operational guidelines;
    (5) Describe, in specific detail, the data that will be collected 
in order to measure the project's success in achieving its goals and 
meeting its targets;
    (6) Describe the design and implementation of an internal 
evaluation plan for which--
    (a) The methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and 
appropriate to the objectives, outcomes, and goals of the project;
    (b) The methods of evaluation include the use of objective 
performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes 
of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to 
the extent possible; and
    (c) The methods of evaluation provide performance feedback and 
permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended 
outcomes; and
    (7) Include a plan to widely disseminate the results of the 
project, including any mentoring methods that demonstrate positive 
results, so the mentoring model may be adapted, replicated, or 
integrated into State VR agencies and disability organizations.
    Definitions:

[[Page 42428]]

    For the purposes of this competition, the following definitions 
apply:
    Employment outcome means, with respect to an individual, entering 
or retaining full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive 
employment in the integrated labor market, supported employment, or any 
other type of employment in an integrated setting, including self-
employment, telecommuting, or business ownership, that is consistent 
with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, 
abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. (See 34 CFR 
361.5(b))
    Institution of higher education means an educational institution in 
any State that--
    (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate;
    (2) Is legally authorized within such a State to provide a program 
of education beyond secondary education;
    (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;
    (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
    (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of 
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is 
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation 
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
    The term ``institution of higher education'' also includes--
    (6) Any school that provides not less than a one-year program of 
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized 
occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), (4), 
and (5) of this definition; and
    (7) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any 
State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (1) of this 
definition, admits as regular students persons who are beyond the age 
of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution 
is located. (See 20 U.S.C. 1001)
    Mentor, as generally defined, means a more successful, experienced 
person who can impart advice, support, insight, and knowledge on 
employment and other life activities to a less experienced person.
    Mentoring, as generally defined, means the act of a mentor 
providing guidance in the form of teaching and support, encouraging and 
motivating, assisting with career and professional development, 
assisting with goal achievement, and linking the less experienced 
person to others who can help enhance growth and development.
    Youth and young adults with disabilities means individuals with 
disabilities who are between the ages of 16 and 26 inclusive when 
entering the program. (See 34 CFR 373.4)

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 773(b).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, and 99. (b) The regulations for this program in 
34 CFR part 373.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $250,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 8.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Public or nonprofit agencies or 
organizations, including institutions of higher education, for-profit 
organizations, State VR agencies, community rehabilitation programs, 
and Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll 
free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 
1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.235S.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts 
Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
room 5075, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: 
(202) 245-7562.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submissions: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page 
Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where 
you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use 
to evaluate your application. We suggest that you limit Part III to 
approximately 35 double-spaced pages.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: July 19, 
2004. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 19, 2004.
    The dates and times for the transmittal of applications by mail or 
by hand (including a courier service or commercial carrier) are in the 
application package for this competition. The application package also 
specifies the hours of operation of the e-Application Web site.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However, in order to 
ensure that these FY 2004 grants are made before September 30, 2004, 
the 60-day intergovernmental review period has been waived.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We specify limitations on indirect costs 
in 34 CFR 373.22. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand (including a courier 
service or commercial carrier) are in the application package for this 
competition.

[[Page 42429]]

Application Procedures

    Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for 
transmitting applications differ from those in EDGAR (34 CFR 
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make 
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined 
that proposed rulemaking is not required.

    Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications: We are 
continuing to expand our pilot project for electronic submission of 
applications to include additional formula grant programs and 
additional discretionary grant competitions. Special Demonstration 
Programs--Model Transitional Rehabilitation Services for Youth and 
Young Adults With Disabilities--CFDA Number 84.235S is one of the 
programs included in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under 
Special Demonstration Programs--Model Transitional Rehabilitation 
Services for Youth and Young Adults With Disabilities, you may submit 
your application to us in either electronic or paper format.
    The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant 
Application System (e-Application). If you use e-Application, you will 
be entering data online while completing your application. You may not 
e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. If you 
participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter online will be saved 
into a database. We request your participation in e-Application. We 
shall continue to evaluate its success and solicit suggestions for its 
improvement.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
     Your participation is voluntary.
     When you enter the e-Application system, you will find 
information about its hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to initiate an e-
Application package.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including the 
Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your e-Application must comply with any page limit 
requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will include a PR/Award 
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after following 
these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    2. The institution's Authorizing Representative must sign this 
form.
    3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard copy signature page of the ED 424.
    4. Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 
245-6272.
     We may request that you give us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you elect to participate in the e-Application pilot 
for Special Demonstration Programs--Model Transitional Rehabilitation 
Services for Youth and Young Adults With Disabilities and you are 
prevented from submitting your application on the application deadline 
date because the e-Application system is unavailable, we will grant you 
an extension of one business day in order to transmit your application 
electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this 
extension if--
    1. You are a registered user of e-Application, and you have 
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
GRANTS help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
    You may access the electronic grant application for Special 
Demonstration Programs--Model Transitional Rehabilitation Services for 
Youth and Young Adults With Disabilities at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118.
    4. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals. Program officials must develop performance 
measures for all of their grant programs to assess their performance 
and effectiveness. The Rehabilitation Services Administration has 
established the following indicators to assess the effectiveness of 
mentoring models developed under this Special Demonstration Program:
     The percentage of youth and young adults with disabilities 
served by these projects who become enrolled in an institution of 
higher education.
     The percentage of youth and young adults with disabilities 
served by these

[[Page 42430]]

projects who achieve an employment outcome.
    Each grantee must report on these indicators in its annual 
performance report. All grantees must submit annual performance reports 
documenting their performance and evaluation findings, as required by 
34 CFR 75.590 and section 306 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Romero, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5029, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7645 or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, you may call 
the TDD number at (800) 437-0833.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: July 9, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-16009 Filed 7-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P