[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60094-60096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22534]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

45 CFR Parts 2551, 2552, and 2553


Senior Corps

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), hereby amends its regulations for 
three programs (Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents and RSVP). These 
amendments make technical corrections to the final rules issued on 
April 14, 2004, for the Foster Grandparent Program, and on April 19, 
2004, for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. They also clarify 
the eligibility of and requirements for faith-based organizations to 
serve as Senior Corps sponsors and volunteer stations under all three 
programs.

DATES: Effective on October 7, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Peter Boynton at (202) 606-5000, 
ext. 499 or by e-mail: [email protected].

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Parts 2551, 2552, and 2553

    Aged, Grant programs-social programs, Volunteers.


0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Corporation for National 
and Community Service amends 45 CFR parts 2551, 2552, and 2553 as 
follows:

PART 2551--SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for part 2551 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  2551.12, revise paragraphs (r) and (w) to read as follows:


Sec.  2551.12  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (r) Sponsor. A public agency or private non-profit organization, 
either secular or faith-based, that is responsible for the operation of 
a Senior Companion project.
* * * * *
    (w) Volunteer station. A public agency, secular or faith-based 
private non-profit organization, or proprietary health care 
organization that accepts the responsibility for assignment and 
supervision of Senior Companions in health, education, social service 
or related settings such as multi-purpose centers, home health care 
agencies, or similar establishments. Each volunteer station must be 
licensed or otherwise

[[Page 60095]]

certified, when required, by the appropriate state or local government. 
Private homes are not volunteer stations.


0
3. Revise Sec.  2551.21 to read as follows:


Sec.  2551.21  Who is eligible to serve as a sponsor?

    The Corporation awards grants to public agencies, including Indian 
tribes and non-profit private organizations, both secular and faith-
based, in the United States that have the authority to accept and the 
capability to administer a Senior Companion project.


0
4. In Sec.  2551.23, revise paragraph (c)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  2551.23  What are a sponsor's program responsibilities?

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Ensuring that a volunteer station is a public or non-profit 
private organization, whether secular or faith-based, or an eligible 
proprietary health care agency, capable of serving as a volunteer 
station for the placement of Senior Companions;
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  2551.121 by redesignating paragraph (g) as paragraph 
(g)(1) and adding paragraph (g)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  2551.121  What legal limitations apply to the operation of the 
Senior Companion Program and to the expenditure of grant funds?

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (2) A sponsor or volunteer station may retain its independence and 
may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, 
development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, 
provided that it does not use Corporation funds to support any 
inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious 
instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or services 
funded. If an organization conducts such activities, the activities 
must be offered separately, in time or location, from the programs or 
services funded under this part.
* * * * *

PART 2552--FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

0
6. The authority citation for part 2552 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.


0
7. In Sec.  2552.12, revise paragraphs (u) and (z) to read as follows:


Sec.  2552.12  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (u) Sponsor. A public agency or private non-profit organization, 
either secular or faith-based, that is responsible for the operation of 
a Foster Grandparent project.
* * * * *
    (z) Volunteer station. A public agency, secular or faith-based 
private non-profit organization, or proprietary health care 
organization that accepts the responsibility for assignment and 
supervision of Foster Grandparents in health, education, social service 
or related settings such as multi-purpose centers, home health care 
agencies, or similar establishments. Each volunteer station must be 
licensed or otherwise certified, when required, by the appropriate 
state or local government. Private homes are not volunteer stations.


0
8. Revise Sec.  2552.21 to read as follows:


Sec.  2552.21  Who is eligible to serve as a sponsor?

    The Corporation awards grants to public agencies, including Indian 
tribes and non-profit private organizations, both secular and faith-
based, in the United States that have the authority to accept and the 
capability to administer a Foster Grandparent project.


0
9. In Sec.  2552.23, revise paragraph (c)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  2552.23  What are a sponsor's program responsibilities?

* * * * *
    (c) * *
    (1) Ensuring that a volunteer station is a public or non-profit 
private organization, whether secular or faith-based, or an eligible 
proprietary health care agency, capable of serving as a volunteer 
station for the placement of Foster Grandparents;
* * * * *

0
10. Amend Sec.  2552.121 by redesignating paragraph (g) as paragraph 
(g)(1) and adding a new paragraph (g)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  2552.121  What legal limitations apply to the operation of the 
Foster Grandparent Program and to the expenditure of grant funds?

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (2) A sponsor or volunteer station may retain its independence and 
may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, 
development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, 
provided that it does not use Corporation funds to support any 
inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious 
instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or services 
funded. If an organization conducts such activities, the activities 
must be offered separately, in time or location, from the programs or 
services funded under this part.
* * * * *

PART 2553--THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

0
11. The authority citation for part 2553 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.


0
12. In Sec.  2553.12, revise paragraphs (o) and (r) to read as follows:


Sec.  2553.12  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (o) Sponsor. A public agency or private non-profit organization, 
either secular or faith-based, that is responsible for the operation of 
an RSVP project.
* * * * *
    (r) Volunteer station. A public agency, secular or faith-based 
private non-profit organization, or proprietary health care 
organization that accepts the responsibility for assignment and 
supervision of RSVP volunteers in health, education, social service or 
related settings such as multi-purpose centers, home health care 
agencies, or similar establishments. Each volunteer station must be 
licensed or otherwise certified, when required, by the appropriate 
state or local government. Private homes are not volunteer stations.


0
13. Revise Sec.  2553.21 to read as follows:


Sec.  2553.21  Who is eligible to serve as a sponsor?

    The Corporation awards grants to public agencies, including Indian 
tribes and non-profit private organizations, both secular and faith-
based, in the United Sates that have authority to accept and the 
capability to administer an RSVP project.
0
14. In Sec.  2553.23, revise paragraph (c)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  2553.23  What are a sponsor's program responsibilities?

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Ensuring that a volunteer station is a public or non-profit 
private organization, whether secular or faith-based, or an eligible 
proprietary health care agency, capable of serving as a volunteer 
station for the placement of RSVP volunteers to meet locally identified 
needs;
* * * * *

0
15. Amend Sec.  2553.91 by redesignating paragraph (g) as paragraph 
(g)(1) and

[[Page 60096]]

adding a new paragraph (g)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  2553.91  What legal limitations apply to the operation of the 
RSVP Program and to the expenditure of grant funds?

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (2) A sponsor or volunteer station may retain its independence and 
may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, 
development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, 
provided that it does not use Corporation funds to support any 
inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious 
instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or services 
funded. If an organization conducts such activities, the activities 
must be offered separately, in time or location, from the programs or 
services funded under this part.
* * * * *

    Dated: September 30, 2004.
Tess Scannell,
Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 04-22534 Filed 10-6-04; 8:45 am]
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