[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32144-32152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14371]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Rehabilitation Training:
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program--Vocational Rehabilitation
Counseling and Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term
Training Program--Rehabilitation Specialty Areas
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The mission of the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is to improve early childhood,
educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all
people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the
Nation. The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for four separate
competitions under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program,
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers 84.129B, 84.129H,
84.129P, and 84.129Q. The Long-Term Training Program will provide
training in Rehabilitation Counseling (84.129B), Rehabilitation of
Individuals Who Are Mentally Ill (84.129H), Rehabilitation of
Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Vision Impairments (84.129P), and
Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
(84.129Q). Projects funded under any of these Rehabilitation Long-Term
Training competitions must meet rigorous standards in order to provide
rehabilitation professionals the knowledge, skills, and qualifications
necessary to meet the current challenges facing State vocational
rehabilitation (VR) agencies and related agencies and to assist youth
and adults with disabilities in achieving competitive integrated
employment outcomes and independent living. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0018.
DATES:
Applications Available: July 5, 2019.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 5, 2019.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than July 10, 2019,
OSERS will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide
technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars will be
available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/new-rsa-grants.html.
Pre-Application Q&A Blog: No later than July 15, 2019, OSERS will
open a blog where interested applicants may post questions about the
application requirements for this competition and where OSERS will post
answers to the questions received. OSERS will not respond to questions
unrelated to the application requirements for this competition. The
blog will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/new-rsa-grants.html and will remain open until July 24, 2019. After the blog
closes, applicants should direct questions to the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cassandra P. Shoffler, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5122, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7827. Email:
[email protected].
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Note: This notice invites applications for four separate
competitions. For funding information regarding each of the four
competitions, refer to the chart under Award Information in section
II of this notice.
Purpose of Program: The Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program
is designed to support projects that provide academic training in areas
of personnel shortages identified by the Secretary to increase the
number of personnel trained in providing VR services to individuals
with disabilities.
In FY 2019, the Department plans to make awards in four areas:
Rehabilitation Counseling (84.129B), Rehabilitation of Individuals Who
Are Mentally Ill (84.129H), Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind
or Have Vision Impairments (84.129P), and Rehabilitation of Individuals
Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (84.129Q). Projects must be operated in
a manner consistent with nondiscrimination requirements contained in
the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.
Priorities: This notice includes two absolute priorities.
Applicants for funding under CFDA number 84.129B (Rehabilitation
Counseling) must meet Absolute Priority 1, and applicants for 84.129H
(Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Mentally Ill), 84.129P
(Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Vision
Impairments), and 84.129Q (Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Deaf
or Hard of Hearing) must meet Absolute Priority 2. Absolute Priority 1
is from the notice of final priority for this program published in the
Federal Register on November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66271) (www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-11-05/pdf/2013-26500.pdf), and Absolute Priority 2
is from the notice of final priority published in the Federal Register
on July 23, 2014 (79 FR 42680) (www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-07-23/pdf/2014-17370.pdf).
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2019, and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling.
Under this priority, the Department funds programs leading to a
master's degree in VR counseling. The goal of this priority is to
increase the skills of VR counseling scholars so that upon successful
completion they are prepared to effectively meet the needs and demands
of consumers with disabilities and employers.
Under this priority, applicants must:
(a) Provide data on the current and projected employment needs and
personnel shortages in State VR agencies and other related agencies as
defined in 34 CFR 386.4 in their local area, region, and State, and
describe how the proposed program will address those employment needs
and personnel shortages.
(b) Describe how the VR counseling program will provide
rehabilitation counselors the skills and knowledge that will help
ensure that the individuals with disabilities that they serve can meet
current demands and
[[Page 32145]]
emerging trends in the labor market, including how:
(1) The curriculum provides a breadth of knowledge, experience, and
rigor that will adequately prepare scholars to meet the employment
needs and goals of VR consumers and aligns with evidence-based
practices and with competency-based skills (e.g., advanced counseling
skills, critical thinking skills, and skills in building collaborative
relationships) in the field of VR counseling;
(2) The curriculum prepares scholars to meet all applicable
certification standards;
(3) The curriculum addresses new or emerging consumer employment
needs or trends at the national, State, and regional levels;
(4) The curriculum teaches scholars to address the needs of
individuals with a range of disabilities and individuals with
disabilities who are from diverse cultural backgrounds;
(5) The curriculum will train scholars to recognize the assistive
technology needs of consumers throughout the rehabilitation process so
that they will be better able to coordinate the provision of
appropriate assistive technology services and devices in order to
assist the consumer to obtain and retain employment;
(6) The curriculum will teach scholars to work effectively with
employers in today's economy, including by teaching strategies for
developing relationships with employers in their State and local areas,
identifying employer needs and skill demands, making initial employer
contacts, presenting job-ready clients to potential employers, and
conducting follow-up with employers; and
(7) The latest technology is incorporated into the methods of
instruction (e.g., the use of distance education to reach scholars who
live far from the university and the use of technology to acquire labor
market information).
(c) Describe their methods to:
(1) Recruit highly capable prospective scholars who have the
potential to successfully complete the academic program, all required
practicum and internship experiences, and the required service
obligation;
(2) Educate potential scholars about the terms and conditions of
the service obligation under 34 CFR 386.4, 386.34, and 386.40 through
386.43 so that they will be fully informed before accepting a
scholarship;
(3) Maintain a system that ensures that scholars sign a payback
agreement and an exit form when they exit the program, regardless of
whether they drop out, are removed, or successfully complete the
program;
(4) Provide academic support and counseling to scholars throughout
the course of the academic program to ensure successful completion;
(5) Ensure that all scholars complete an internship in a State VR
agency as a requirement for program completion. In such cases where an
applicant can provide sufficient justification that it is not feasible
for all students receiving scholarships to meet this requirement, the
applicant may require scholars to complete an internship in a State VR
agency or a related agency, as defined in 34 CFR 386.4. Circumstances
that would constitute sufficient justification may include, but are not
limited to, a lack of capacity at the State VR agency to provide
adequate supervision of scholars during their internship experience or
the physical distance between scholars and the nearest office of the
State VR agency (e.g., for scholars enrolled in distance-learning
programs or at rural institutions). Applicants should include written
justification in the application or provide it to Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) for review and approval by the
appropriate RSA Project Officer no later than 30 days prior to a
scholar beginning an internship in a related agency;
(6) Provide career counseling, including informing scholars of
professional contacts and networks, job leads, and other necessary
resources and information to support scholars in successfully obtaining
and retaining qualifying employment;
(7) Maintain regular contact with scholars upon successful program
completion (e.g., matching scholars with mentors in the field), to
ensure that they have support during their search for qualifying
employment as well as support during the initial months of their
employment;
(8) Maintain regular communication with scholars after program exit
to ensure that scholar contact information is up-to-date and that
documentation of employment is accurate and meets the regulatory
requirements for qualifying employment; and
(9) Maintain accurate information on, while safeguarding the
privacy of, current and former scholars from the time they are enrolled
in the program until they successfully meet their service obligation.
(d) Describe a plan for developing and maintaining partnerships
with State VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation service
providers that includes:
(1) Coordination between the grantee and the State VR agencies and
community-based rehabilitation service providers that will promote
qualifying employment opportunities for scholars and formalized on-
boarding and induction experiences for new hires;
(2) Formal opportunities for scholars to obtain work experiences
through internships, practicum agreements, job shadowing, and mentoring
opportunities; and
(3) A scholar internship assessment tool that is developed to
ensure a consistent approach to the evaluation of scholars in a
particular program. The tool should reflect the specific
responsibilities of the scholar during the internship. The grantee and
worksite supervisor are encouraged to work together as they see fit to
develop the assessment tool. Supervisors at the internship site will
complete the assessment detailing the scholar's strengths and areas for
improvement that must be addressed and provide the results of the
assessment to the grantee. The grantee should ensure that (A) scholars
are provided with a copy of the assessment and all relevant rubrics
prior to beginning their internship, (B) supervisors have sufficient
technical support to accurately complete the assessment, and (C)
scholars receive a copy of the results of the assessment within 90 days
of the end of their internship.
(e) Describe how scholars will be evaluated throughout the entire
program to ensure that they are proficient in meeting the needs and
demands of today's consumers and employers, including the steps that
will be taken to provide assistance to a scholar who is not meeting
academic standards or who is performing poorly in a practicum or
internship setting.
(f) Describe how the program will be evaluated. Such a description
must include:
(1) How the program will determine its effect over a period of time
on filling vacancies in the State VR agency with qualified counselors
capable of providing quality services to consumers;
(2) How input from State VR agencies and community-based
rehabilitation service providers will be included in the evaluation;
(3) How feedback from consumers of VR services and employers
(including the assessments described in paragraph (d)(3)) will be
included in the evaluation;
(4) How data from other sources, such as those from the Department,
on the State VR program will be included in the evaluation; and
(5) How the data and results from the evaluation will be used to
make necessary adjustments and improvements to the program.
[[Page 32146]]
Absolute Priority 2: Rehabilitation Specialty Areas.
Under this priority, the Department funds programs leading to a
master's degree or certificate in one of three specialty areas: (1)
Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Mentally Ill; (2) Specialized
Personnel for Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind or Have
Vision Impairments; and (3) Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Deaf
or Hard of Hearing. The goal of this priority is to increase the skills
of scholars in these rehabilitation specialty areas so that, upon
successful completion of their master's degree or certificate programs,
they are prepared to effectively meet the needs and demands of
consumers with disabilities.
Under this priority, applicants must:
(a) Provide data on the current and projected employment needs and
personnel shortages in the specialty area in State VR agencies and
other related agencies as defined in 34 CFR 386.4 in their local area,
region, and State, and describe how the proposed program will address
those employment needs and personnel shortages.
(b) Describe how the proposed program will provide rehabilitation
professionals with the skills and knowledge that will help ensure that
the individuals with disabilities whom they serve can meet current
demands and emerging trends in the labor market, including how:
(1) The curriculum provides a breadth of knowledge, experience, and
rigor that will adequately prepare scholars to meet the employment
needs and goals of VR consumers and aligns with evidence-based and
competency-based practices in the rehabilitation specialty area;
(2) The curriculum prepares scholars to meet all applicable
certification standards;
(3) The curriculum addresses new or emerging consumer needs or
trends at the national, State, and regional levels in the
rehabilitation specialty area;
(4) The curriculum teaches scholars to address the needs of
individuals with disabilities who are from diverse cultural
backgrounds;
(5) The curriculum trains scholars to assess the assistive
technology needs of consumers, identify the most appropriate assistive
technology services and devices for assisting consumers to obtain and
retain employment, and train consumers to use such technology;
(6) The curriculum teaches scholars to work with employers
effectively in today's economy, including by teaching strategies for
developing relationships with employers in their State and local areas,
identifying employer needs and skill demands, making initial employer
contacts, presenting job-ready clients to potential employers, and
conducting follow-up with employers; and
(7) The latest technology is incorporated into the methods of
instruction (e.g., the use of distance education to reach scholars who
live far from the university and the use of technology to acquire labor
market information).
(c) Describe their methods to:
(1) Recruit highly capable prospective scholars who have the
potential to successfully complete the academic program, all required
practicum and internship experiences, and the required service
obligation;
(2) Educate potential scholars about the terms and conditions of
the service obligation under 34 CFR 386.4, 386.34, and 386.40 through
386.43 so that they will be fully informed before accepting a
scholarship;
(3) Maintain a system that ensures that scholars sign a payback
agreement and an exit form when they exit the program, regardless of
whether they drop out, are removed, or successfully complete the
program;
(4) Provide academic support and counseling to scholars throughout
the course of the academic program to ensure successful completion;
(5) Ensure that all scholars complete an internship in a State VR
agency or a related agency as a requirement for completion of a program
leading to a master's degree. The internship must be in a State VR
agency unless the VR agency does not directly perform work related to
the scholar's course of study or an applicant can provide sufficient
justification that it is not feasible for all students receiving
scholarships to complete an internship in a State VR agency. In such
cases, the applicant may require scholars to complete an internship in
a related agency, as defined in 34 CFR 386.4. Circumstances that would
constitute sufficient justification may include, but are not limited
to, a lack of capacity at the State VR agency to provide adequate
supervision of scholars during their internship experience and the
physical distance between scholars and the nearest office of the State
VR agency (e.g., for scholars enrolled in distance-learning programs or
at rural institutions). Applicants should include a written
justification in the application or provide it to RSA for review and
approval by the appropriate RSA Project Officer no later than 30 days
prior to a scholar beginning an internship in a related agency. For
applicants proposing a certificate program, the requirement for an
internship in a State VR agency or a related agency is waived unless
the certificate program has an internship requirement;
(6) Provide career counseling, including informing scholars of
professional contacts and networks, job leads, and other necessary
resources and information to support scholars in successfully obtaining
and retaining qualifying employment;
(7) Maintain regular contact with scholars upon successful program
completion to ensure that they have support during their search for
qualifying employment as well as support during the initial months of
their employment (e.g., by matching scholars with mentors in the
field);
(8) Maintain regular communication with scholars after program exit
to ensure that their contact information is current and that
documentation of employment is accurate and meets the regulatory
requirements for qualifying employment; and
(9) Maintain accurate information on, while safeguarding the
privacy of, current and former scholars from the time they are enrolled
in the program until they successfully meet their service obligation.
(d) Describe a plan for developing and maintaining partnerships
with State VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation service
providers that includes:
(1) Coordination between the grantee and the State VR agencies and
community-based rehabilitation service providers that will promote
qualifying employment opportunities for scholars and formalized on-
boarding and induction experiences for new hires;
(2) Formal opportunities for scholars to obtain work experiences
through internships, practicum agreements, job shadowing, and mentoring
opportunities; and
(3) When applicable, a scholar internship assessment tool that is
developed to ensure a consistent approach to the evaluation of scholars
in a particular program. The tool should reflect the specific
responsibilities of the scholar during the internship. The grantee and
worksite supervisor are encouraged to work together as they see fit to
develop the assessment tool. Supervisors at the internship site will
complete the assessment detailing the scholar's strengths and areas for
improvement that must be addressed and provide the results of the
assessment to the grantee. The grantee should ensure that (i) scholars
are provided with a copy of the assessment and all relevant rubrics
prior to beginning their internship, (ii) supervisors have sufficient
technical
[[Page 32147]]
support to accurately complete the assessment, and (iii) scholars
receive a copy of the results of the assessment within 90 days of the
end of their internship.
(e) Describe how scholars will be evaluated throughout the entire
program to ensure that they are proficient in meeting the needs and
demands of today's consumers and employers, including the steps that
will be taken to provide assistance to a scholar who is not meeting
academic standards or who is performing poorly in a practicum or
internship setting.
(f) Describe how the program will be evaluated. Such a description
must include:
(1) How the program will determine its effect over a period of time
on filling vacancies in the State VR agency with qualified
rehabilitation professionals capable of providing quality services to
consumers;
(2) How input from State VR agencies and community-based
rehabilitation service providers will be included in the evaluation;
(3) How feedback from consumers of VR services and employers
(including the assessments described in paragraph (d)(3)) will be
included in the evaluation;
(4) How data from other sources, such as those from the Department
on the State VR program, will be included in the evaluation; and
(5) How the data and results from the evaluation will be used to
make necessary adjustments and improvements to the program.
Within these two absolute priorities, we are particularly
interested in applications that address the following invitational
priority.
Invitational Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an
application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or
absolute preference over other applications.
This priority is:
Invitational Priority--Self-Employment, Business Ownership, and
Telecommuting:
Applications that demonstrate through curriculum and instructional
materials that the training to VR counselors includes information
related providing VR services to individuals with disabilities pursuing
self-employment, business ownership, and telecommuting.
Program Requirements: The program requirements for this competition
are from 34 CFR part 386, and are as follows:
Grantees are required to maintain a system that safeguards the
privacy of current and former scholars from the time they are enrolled
in the program until they successfully meet their service obligation
through qualified employment or monetary repayment. This system must
ensure that the payback agreement is signed by each scholar prior to
the disbursement of initial funds and for each subsequent year that
funds are disbursed and contain the terms and conditions outlined in
the regulations at 34 CFR part 386.
Each grantee must--
(a) Provide an original signed/executed payback agreement to RSA
(34 CFR 386.34(c) and (d)), regardless of whether the scholars drop
out, are removed, or successfully complete the program;
(b) Establish, publish, and apply reasonable standards for
measuring whether a scholar is maintaining satisfactory progress in the
scholar's program of study (34 CFR 386.34(e));
(c) Ensure exit certification forms are signed by each scholar and
clearly delineate pertinent grant information and the scholar's
responsibilities to meet the service obligation (34 CFR 386.34(f));
(d) Collect documentation that the employment, not including work
completed as part of an internship, practicum, or other work-related
requirement necessary to complete the educational program (34 CFR
386.34(g)(2)), meets the requirements of 34 CFR 386.40(a)(7); and
(e) Maintain payback records for not less than one year beyond the
period when all scholars have completed their service obligation or
entered into repayment. (34 CFR 386.34(g) and 34 CFR 386.34(j)).
Specifically, each grantee is required to maintain the following
scholar information:
(a) Current contact information for all students receiving
scholarships, including home address, email, and a phone number (home
or cell).
(b) A point of contact for each scholar in the event that the
grantee is unable to contact the student. This contact must be at least
21 years of age and may be a parent, relative, spouse, partner,
sibling, or guardian.
(c) Cumulative financial support granted to scholars.
(d) Scholar debt in years.
(e) Program completion date and reason for exit for each scholar.
(f) Annual documentation from the scholar's employer(s) until the
scholar completes the service obligation. This documentation must
include the following elements in order to verify qualified employment:
Start date of employment to the present date, confirmation of full-time
or part-time employment (if the scholar is working part-time the number
of hours per week must be included in the documentation), type of
employment, and a description of the roles and responsibilities
performed on the job. This information is required for each employer if
the scholar has worked in more than one setting in order to meet the
service obligation.
(g) If the scholar is employed in a related agency, documentation
to validate that there is a relationship between the related agency and
the State VR agency. This may be a formal or informal contract,
cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or related
document.
(h) Annual documentation from the scholar's institution of higher
education to verify dates of deferral, if applicable. An educational
deferral may be granted to the scholar who is pursuing higher education
specifically in the field of rehabilitation but not to a scholar
pursuing education in any other field of study (Sec. 386.41(b)(1)).
The documentation may be prepared by the scholar's advisor or
department chair and must include: Confirmation of enrollment date,
estimated graduation date, confirmation that the scholar is enrolled in
a full-time course of study, and confirmation of the scholar's intent
to fulfill the service obligation upon completion of the program.
Grantees are required to report annually to RSA on the data
elements described above using the RSA Grantee Reporting Form, OMB
number 1820-0617, an electronic reporting system supported by the RSA
Payback Information Management System (PIMS). In addition, grantees
must use all forms required by RSA to prepare and process repayment, as
well as requests for deferral and exceptions. The RSA Grantee Reporting
Form collects specific data, including the number of scholars entering
the rehabilitation workforce, the rehabilitation field each scholar
enters, and the type of employment setting each scholar chooses (e.g.,
State VR agency, nonprofit service provider, or professional practice
group). This form allows RSA to measure results against the goal of
increasing the number of qualified VR personnel working in State VR and
related agencies.
Grantees are required to inform the scholars that upon graduation
they will need to verify the accuracy of data in the system, submit
employment data, request exceptions and deferrals, and upload
documentation in PIMS; and grantees and scholars are required to inform
the employers that they will be
[[Page 32148]]
required to verify scholar employment information within the PIMS.
In addition, all Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grantees must
submit the following quantitative and qualitative data in a semiannual
and annual performance report:
(a) Program activities that occurred during each fiscal year from
October 1 to March 31 and projected program activities to occur from
April 1 to September 30 should be included in the semiannual
performance report. Program activities that occur during each fiscal
year from October 1 to September 30 must be included in the annual
performance report. For subsequent reporting years, grantees confirm
projections made from the prior year.
(b) Summary of academic support and counseling provided to scholars
to ensure successful completion.
(c) Summary of career counseling provided to scholars upon program
completion to ensure that they have support during their search for
qualifying employment, as well as during their initial months of their
employment. This may include but is not limited to informing scholars
of professional contacts, networks, and job leads, matching scholars
with mentors in the field, and connecting scholars to other necessary
resources and information.
(d) Summary of partnership and coordination activities with State
VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation providers. This may
include, but is not limited to, obtaining input and feedback regarding
curricula from State VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation
providers; organizing internships, practicum agreements, job shadowing,
and mentoring opportunities; and assessing scholars at the work site.
(e) Assistance provided to scholars who may not be meeting academic
standards or who are performing poorly in a practicum or internship
setting.
(f) Results of the program evaluation, as well as information
describing how these results will be used to make necessary adjustments
and improvements to the program.
(g) Results from scholar internship, practicum, job shadowing, or
mentoring assessments, as well as information describing how those
results will be used to ensure that future scholars receive all
necessary preparation and training prior to program completion.
(h) Results from scholar evaluations and information describing how
these results will be used to ensure that future scholars will be
proficient in meeting the needs and demands of today's consumers and
employers.
(i) Number of scholars who began an internship during the reporting
period.
(j) Number of scholars who completed an internship during the
reporting period.
(k) Number of scholars who dropped out or were dismissed from the
program during the reporting period.
(l) Number of scholars receiving RSA scholarships during the
reporting period.
(m) Number of scholars who graduated from the program during the
reporting period.
(n) Number of scholars who obtained qualifying employment during
the reporting period.
(o) Number of vacancies filled in the State VR agency with
qualified counselors from the program during the reporting period.
(p) A budget and narrative detailing expenditures covering the
period of October 1 through March 31 and projected expenditures from
April 1 through September 30. The budget narrative must also verify
progress towards meeting the 10 percent match requirement. For
subsequent reporting years, grantees will confirm projections made from
the prior year.
(q) Other information, as requested by RSA, in order to verify
substantial progress and effectively report program impact to Congress
and key stakeholders.
Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project: In deciding whether to
continue funding any Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grant for the
fourth and fifth years, the Department will consider the requirements
of 34 CFR 75.253(a), including:
(a) The recommendation of the RSA project officer who will monitor
the reported annual performance of the grantee's training program and
measure it against the projections stated in the grantee's application.
This review will consider the number of students actually enrolled in
the grantee's training program, the number of students who successfully
enter qualifying employment with the State VR agencies, and the number
who obtain qualifying employment at other related agencies;
(b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of
the grant award have been or are being met by the grantee, including
the submission of annual performance reports and annual RSA Scholar
Payback Program reports, and adherence to fiduciary responsibilities
related to the budget submitted in the application per 2 CFR part 200,
``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards,'' and the Education Department General
Administrative Regulations; and
(c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the grantee's
training program and activities and the degree to which the training
program and activities and their outcomes have contributed to
significantly improving the quality of VR professionals ready for
employment with State VR agencies and related agencies, as measured by
the percentage of students entering qualified employment under 34 CFR
386.34.
Note: While applicants may not hire staff or select trainees based
on race or national origin or ethnicity, they may conduct outreach
activities to increase the pool of eligible minority candidates. We may
disqualify and not consider for funding any applicant that indicates
that it will hire or train a certain number or percentage of minority
candidates.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86,
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 385 and
386. (e) The notices of final priority, published in the Federal
Register on November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66271) and on July 23, 2014 (79 FR
42680).
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: $9,291,703.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: See chart.
Maximum Award: See chart.
[[Page 32149]]
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: See chart.
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program--Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and
Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program--Rehabilitation Specialty Areas
[Application notice for fiscal year 2019]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum award
Estimated (budget period For further information
CFDA No. and name number of of 12 months) Project period contact
awards \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.129B Long-Term Training-- 30 $200,000 Up to 60 months..... Cassandra Shoffler, 202-
Rehabilitation Counseling. 245-7827,
[email protected]
ov, PCP, Room 5122.
84.129H Long-Term Training-- 12 150,000 Up to 60 months..... Darryl Glover, 202-245-
Mental Illness. 7339,
[email protected],
PCP, Room 5070C.
84.129P Long-Term Training-- 9 150,000 Up to 60 months..... Karen Holliday, 202-245-
Blindness. 7318,
[email protected],
PCP, Room 5090.
84.129Q Long-Term Training-- 2 150,000 Up to 60 months..... Cassandra Shoffler, 202-
Deafness. 245-7827,
[email protected]
ov, PCP, Room 5122.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ We will not make an award exceeding $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for 84.129B or $150,000
for a single budget period of 12 months for 84.129H, 84.129P, and 84.129Q.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States and public or private nonprofit
agencies and organizations, including Indian Tribes and institutions of
higher education.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing of at least 10 percent of
the total cost of the project is required of grantees under the
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program. The Secretary may waive part
of the non-Federal share of the cost of the project after negotiations
if the applicant demonstrates that it does not have sufficient
resources to contribute the entire match (34 CFR 386.30). The Secretary
does not, as a general matter, anticipate waiving this requirement in
the future. Furthermore, given the importance of matching funds to the
long-term success of the project, eligible entities must identify
appropriate matching funds in the proposed budget. Finally, the
selection criteria include factors such as ``the adequacy of support,
including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from
the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization'' and
``the relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the
proposed project to the implementation and success of the project,''
which may include a consideration of demonstrated matching support.
Note: Under 34 CFR 75.562(c), an indirect cost reimbursement on a
training grant is limited to the recipient's actual indirect costs, as
determined by its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight
percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less.
Indirect costs in excess of the limit may not be charged directly, used
to satisfy matching or cost-sharing requirements, or charged to another
Federal award.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Rehabilitation
Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training competition, your
application may include business information that you consider
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However,
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to
make an award by the end of FY 2019.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended 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 recommend
that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 45 pages
and (2) use the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
[[Page 32150]]
The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of
support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the
application narrative.
6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information
provided.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and 386.20, and are as follows:
(a) Relevance to State-Federal vocational rehabilitation service
program. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the proposed project appropriately relates to the mission of
the State-Federal vocational rehabilitation service program.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows that the project
can be expected either--
(i) To increase the supply of trained personnel available to State
and other public or nonprofit agencies involved in the rehabilitation
of individuals with disabilities through degree or certificate granting
programs; or
(ii) To improve the skills and quality of professional personnel in
the rehabilitation field in which the training is to be provided
through the granting of a degree or certificate.
(b) Nature and scope of curriculum. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
demonstrates the adequacy of the proposed curriculum.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The scope and nature of the coursework reflect content that can
be expected to enable the achievement of the established project
objectives;
(ii) The curriculum and teaching methods provide for an integration
of theory and practice relevant to the educational objectives of the
program;
(iii) For programs whose curricula require them, there is evidence
of educationally focused practical and other field experiences in
settings that ensure student involvement in the provision of vocational
rehabilitation, supported employment, customized employment, pre-
employment transition services, transition services, or independent
living rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities,
especially individuals with significant disabilities;
(iv) The coursework includes student exposure to vocational
rehabilitation, supported employment, customized employment, employer
engagement, and independent living rehabilitation processes, concepts,
programs, and services; and
(v) If applicable, there is evidence of current professional
accreditation by the designated accrediting agency in the professional
field in which grant support is being requested.
(c) Quality of project services (25 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the training or professional development
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice
among the recipients of those services.
(ii) The extent to which the training or professional development
services to be provided by the proposed project are likely to alleviate
the personnel shortages that have been identified or are the focus of
the proposed project.
(iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
(d) Quality of project personnel (10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator.
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel.
(iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(e) Adequacy of resources (20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers one or more of the following factors:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization.
(ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
(iii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project.
(iv) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and
benefits.
(v) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
(f) Quality of the management plan (15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project, the Secretary considers one or more of the following
factors:
(i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks.
[[Page 32151]]
(ii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products
and services from the proposed project.
(iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project.
In addition to the selection criteria listed above, the Secretary,
in making awards under this program and in accordance with 34 CFR
385.33, considers such factors as the two listed below from 34 CFR
385.33, which will not be scored by the peer review panel--
(a) The geographical distribution of projects in each
Rehabilitation Training Program category throughout the country; and
(b) The past performance of the applicant in carrying out similar
training activities under previously awarded grants, as indicated by
such factors as compliance with grant conditions, soundness of
programmatic and financial management practices and attainment of
established project objectives.
These criteria will be used after non-Federal reviewers score the
applications. The criterion related to geographical distribution of
projects will be applied to fund out of rank order if the top ranked
applications do not represent a geographical distribution throughout
the country. The criterion related to past performance will be applied
to all applications that are recommended for funding.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
When reviewing prior performance under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3) and
conducting risk assessments pursuant to 2 CFR 200.205, the Secretary
will consider factors such as whether applicants that have submitted
applications under multiple competitions described in this notice have
demonstrated sufficient institutional capacity through the commitment
of adequate resources, as described in the selection criteria, and
suitable past performance to fully implement multiple awards. In
reviewing capacity, the Secretary will consider factors such as whether
potential grantees have demonstrated sufficient staffing, an adequate
pool of potential scholars, and existing relationships with VR and
related agencies to place scholars from multiple grants in appropriate
internships. Based on these reviews, the Secretary will take
appropriate action under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), 2 CFR 200.205, and 2 CFR
3474.10, before making awards to a grantee under multiple competitions
described in this notice.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not
responsible.
4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
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); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance
[[Page 32152]]
report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary.
If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit semiannual and annual
performance reports that provide the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the
effectiveness of programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting
outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results
against those goals.
GPRA Measure 1: The percentage of master's level counseling
graduates fulfilling their payback requirements through qualifying
employment.
GPRA Measure 2: The percentage of master's level counseling
graduates fulfilling their payback requirements through qualifying
employment in State VR agencies.
GPRA Measure 3: The Federal cost per master's level RSA-supported
rehabilitation counseling graduate.
In addition, the following RSA Program Measures apply to the
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program:
Program Measure 1: Number of scholars enrolled during the reporting
period.
Program Measure 2: Number of scholars who dropped out or were
dismissed from the program during the reporting period.
Program Measure 3: Number of scholars who graduated with a master's
degree from the program during the reporting period.
Program Measure 4: Number of scholars who obtained employment in a
State VR agency during the reporting period.
Program Measure 5: Number of scholars who maintained or advanced in
their employment in a State VR agency during the reporting period.
Annual project progress toward meeting project goals must be posted
on the project website or university website.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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 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.
Johnny W. Collett,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2019-14371 Filed 7-3-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P