[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13575-13578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5565]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project; National Data and 
Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information:
    Proposed priority--National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Projects and Centers Program--Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Project (DRRP)--National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model 
Systems.
    CFDA Number: 84.133A-4.

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority under the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by 
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
(NIDRR). Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a DRRP that 
will serve as a National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model 
Systems. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions 
in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take this action to focus 
research attention on areas of national need. We intend this priority 
to contribute to improved outcomes for individuals with burn injury.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 6, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this notice to Lynn Medley, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5140, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700.
    If you prefer to send your comments by email, use the following 
address: [email protected]. You must include ``Proposed Priority for 
the National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems'' 
in the subject line of your electronic message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Medley. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 
or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of proposed priority is in 
concert with NIDRR's currently approved Long-Range Plan (Plan). The 
Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006 
(71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
    Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve 
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2) 
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to 
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique 
needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine best 
strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for 
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps;

[[Page 13576]]

(5) identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) 
disseminate findings.
    This notice proposes a priority that NIDRR intends to use for a 
DRRP competition in FY 2012 and possibly later years. However, nothing 
precludes NIDRR from publishing additional priorities, if needed. 
Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make an award for this 
priority. The decision to make an award will be based on the quality of 
applications received and available funding.
    Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding 
this notice. To ensure that your comments have maximum effect in 
developing the notice of final priority, we urge you to identify 
clearly the specific topic that each comment addresses.
    We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific 
requirements of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and their overall 
requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result from this 
proposed priority. Please let us know of any further ways we could 
reduce potential costs or increase potential benefits while preserving 
the effective and efficient administration of the program.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about this notice in Room 5140, 550 12th Street SW., PCP, 
Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Washington, 
DC time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays.
    Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an 
appointment for this type of accommodation or auxiliary aid, please 
contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact.
    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program is to plan and 
conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related 
activities, including international activities; to develop methods, 
procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full 
inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, 
family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals 
with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe 
disabilities; and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized 
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects

    The purpose of NIDRR's DRRPs, which are funded through the 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is 
to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by developing methods, 
procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that advance a wide range 
of independent living and employment outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. 
DRRPs carry out one or more of the following types of activities, as 
specified and defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through 350.19: Research, 
training, demonstration, development, dissemination, utilization, and 
technical assistance.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    Proposed Priority: This notice contains one proposed priority.

National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems

    Background:
    It is estimated that there are more than 1 million burn injuries in 
the United States each year. Approximately 450,000 of these burn 
injuries are treated annually in emergency departments, hospital 
outpatient clinics, free-standing urgent care centers, or private 
physician offices, and 45,000 are severe enough to require 
hospitalization (Esselman et al., 2006; American Burn Association, 
2011).
    In recent years, burn survivability has increased dramatically. 
This improvement in survival rates has brought rehabilitation issues to 
the forefront of care for burn survivors and led to increased demands 
for research-based knowledge about the post-acute experiences and needs 
of burn survivors (Esselman et al., 2006).
    NIDRR created the Burn Injury Rehabilitation Model Systems of Care 
(BMS) in 1994 to provide leadership in rehabilitation, a key component 
of exemplary burn care, and to advance the research base of 
rehabilitation services for burn survivors. NIDRR currently funds 4 BMS 
Centers throughout the United States. Each center provides a 
coordinated system of burn injury care to individuals who sustain a 
burn injury, including emergency care, acute care management, 
comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term interdisciplinary 
community re-entry services. In addition, the BMS Centers conduct 
research to generate new knowledge about the natural course of burn 
injury and rehabilitation treatment and outcomes following burn injury.
    The BMS Centers have developed a longitudinal database that 
contains information on approximately 4,700 people injured with burns 
since 1994 (BMS Database). Since 1994, BMS Centers have collected 
longitudinal data on database participants at six months, twelve 
months, and twenty-four months after injury. In the 2006-2011 funding 
cycle, the BMS Centers conducted a pilot test to determine the 
feasibility of also collecting longitudinal data at five years and ten 
years after injury. As a result of this pilot test, NIDRR has decided 
to extend longitudinal data collection for 2012-2017 to include all 
participants and to occur every fifth year after injury (five years, 
ten years, fifteen years, etc.).
    The BMS Database is emerging as an important source of information 
about the characteristics and life course of individuals with burn 
injury and can be used to examine specific outcomes of burn injury. 
NIDRR seeks to build upon this database by continuing to fund a 
National Data and Statistical Center for the BMS (National BMS Data 
Center), which maintains the BMS Database, improves the quality of 
information that is entered into it, and facilitates the use of the 
data by BMS researchers and the public.
    The BMS Database is a collaborative project in which all of the BMS 
Centers are required to participate. The data for the BMS Database are 
collected by the BMS Centers. The directors of the BMS Centers, 
including the National BMS Data Center, in consultation with NIDRR, 
determine the parameters of the BMS Database, including the number and 
type of variables to be examined, the criteria for including 
individuals with burn injuries in the BMS Database, and the frequency 
and timing of data collection.
    The specifications of the BMS Database as it is currently 
implemented (including information about the number of database 
participants, the variables in the database, and the longitudinal 
intervals at which data are collected) can be obtained from the BMS 
Database Coordination Center at http://bms-dcc.ucdenver.edu/.
    References:

American Burn Association (2011). Burn Incidence and Treatment in 
the United States: 2011 Fact Sheet. http://www.ameriburn.org/resources_factsheet.php.
Esselman, P., Thombs, B., Fauerbach, J.,

[[Page 13577]]

Magyar-Russell, G., Price, M. (2006). Burn Rehabilitation State of 
the Science Review. American Journal of Physical Medicine and 
Rehabilitation, 85 (2006) 383-413.

    Proposed Priority:
    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services proposes a priority for the establishment of a National Data 
and Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems (National BMS Data 
Center). The National BMS Data Center must advance medical 
rehabilitation by increasing the rigor and efficiency of scientific 
efforts to assess the experiences and outcomes of individuals with burn 
injury. To meet this priority, the National BMS Data Center's research 
and technical assistance must be designed to contribute to the 
following outcomes:
    (a) Maintenance of a national longitudinal database (BMS Database) 
for data submitted by each of the Burn Model Systems Centers (BMS 
Centers). This database must provide confidentiality, quality control, 
and data-retrieval capabilities, using cost-effective technology and 
user-friendly interfaces.
    (b) High-quality, reliable data in the BMS Database. The National 
BMS Data Center must contribute to this outcome by providing training 
and technical assistance to BMS Centers on subject retention and data 
collection procedures, data entry methods, and appropriate use of study 
instruments, and by monitoring the quality of the data submitted by the 
BMS Centers.
    (c) High-quality data collected from database participants of all 
racial/ethnic backgrounds. The National BMS Data Center must contribute 
to this outcome by providing knowledge, training, and technical 
assistance to the BMS Centers on culturally appropriate methods of 
longitudinal data collection and participant retention.
    (d) Rigorous research conducted by BMS Centers and investigators 
from outside of the BMS network who are analyzing data from the BMS 
Database. The National BMS Data Center must contribute to this outcome 
by making statistical and other methodological consultation available 
for research projects that use the BMS Database, as well as site-
specific research projects being conducted by the BMS Centers.
    (e) Improved efficiency of the BMS Database operations. The 
National BMS Data Center must pursue strategies to achieve this 
outcome, such as collaborating with the National Data and Statistical 
Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, the National Data and 
Statistical Center for Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems, and the Model 
Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC).
    (f) Improved reports for the public from the BMS Database. The 
National BMS Data Center must produce a report based on the BMS 
Database at least once a year that provides basic demographic, 
epidemiological, and outcome information about burn survivors. The 
National BMS Data Center must collaborate with the MSKTC to distribute 
information about burn injury and burn rehabilitation to the public 
through a NIDRR-funded Web site and other media.
    Types of Priorities:
    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) 
selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of 
comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    Final Priority:
    We will announce the final priority in a notice in the Federal 
Register. We will determine the final priority after considering 
responses to this notice and other information available to the 
Department. This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional 
priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection criteria, subject 
to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through 
a notice in the Federal Register.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Secretary must determine whether 
this regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to 
the requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely 
to result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, 
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local or 
Tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to 
as an ``economically significant'' rule);
    (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the 
Executive order.
    This proposed regulatory action is not a significant regulatory 
action subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866.
    We have also reviewed this regulatory action under Executive Order 
13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles, 
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in 
Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order 
13563 requires that an agency--
    (1) Propose or adopt regulations only on a reasoned determination 
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits 
and costs are difficult to quantify);
    (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, 
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into 
account--among other things and to the extent practicable--the costs of 
cumulative regulations;
    (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
    (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather 
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must 
adopt; and
    (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or 
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide 
information that enables the public to make choices.
    Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best 
available

[[Page 13578]]

techniques to quantify anticipated present and future benefits and 
costs as accurately as possible.'' The Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs of OMB has emphasized that these techniques may 
include ``identifying changing future compliance costs that might 
result from technological innovation or anticipated behavioral 
changes.''
    We are taking this regulatory action only on a reasoned 
determination that its benefits justify its costs. In choosing among 
alternative regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches that 
maximize net benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the 
Department believes that this proposed priority is consistent with the 
principles in Executive Order 13563.
    We also have determined that this regulatory action would not 
unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the 
exercise of their governmental functions.
    In accordance with both Executive orders, the Department has 
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action. 
The potential costs associated with this regulatory action are those 
resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as 
necessary for administering the Department's programs and activities.
    The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers Programs have been well established over the years in that 
similar projects have been completed successfully. This proposed 
priority would generate new knowledge through research and development. 
Another benefit of this proposed priority is that the establishment of 
new DRRPs would improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The 
new DRRP would generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new 
information that would improve the options for individuals with 
disabilities to perform activities of their choice in the community.
    Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible 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, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. 
If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can 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). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: March 2, 2012.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-5565 Filed 3-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P