[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 32 (Friday, February 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10253-10260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03418]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Training and Information for Parents 
of Children With Disabilities--Community Parent Resource Centers

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for 
Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities--
Community Parent Resource Centers, Assistance Listing Number 84.328C. 
These centers will provide objective information, resources, and 
impartial training that support parents and youth in working in 
partnership with professionals to establish and meet high expectations 
for children and youth with disabilities. This notice relates to the 
approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 19, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 20, 2021.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Office of Special Education 
Programs (OSEP) will conduct a pre-application meeting specific to this 
competition via webinar on March 24, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. 
In addition, no later than February 24, 2021, OSEP will post a pre-
recorded informational webinar designed to provide technical assistance 
to interested applicants. Information about the teleconference and the 
pre-recorded webinar may be found at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 21, 2021.

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: Carmen Sanchez, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5162, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20212-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-6595. 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

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Training and Information for 
Parents of Children with Disabilities--Community Parent Resource 
Centers, Assistance Listing Number 84.328C, is to ensure that parents 
of children with disabilities receive impartial training and objective 
information to help improve outcomes and raise expectations for their 
children.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and (v), this 
absolute priority is based on allowable activities specified in the 
statute, or otherwise authorized in the statute (see sections 672 and 
681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 
U.S.C. 1472 and 1481).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this

[[Page 10254]]

priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider 
only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Community Parent Resource Centers.

Background

    The purpose of this priority is to fund 25 Community Parent 
Resource Centers (CPRCs) in geographically defined communities. The 
CPRCs are designed to meet the information and training needs of 
parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, 
ages birth through 26 (collectively, ``children with disabilities''), 
and youth with disabilities who experience significant isolation from 
available sources of information and support. These parents can 
include, for example, low-income parents, parents with limited English 
proficiency, and parents with disabilities. Youth can include, for 
example, youth living in low-income households and youth with limited 
English proficiency.
    These CPRCs, consistent with the statute, will provide 
individualized assistance, training, and resources to help parents work 
with schools, early childhood providers, and early childhood and 
educational systems to meet the unique needs of their children and set 
high expectations and challenging objectives for every child with a 
disability. CPRCs will also provide high-quality, accurate, and 
impartial information to families of children with disabilities on the 
range of educational options that may be available in their State and 
local community and will coordinate with Parent Training and 
Information Centers (PTIs) (Assistance Listing Number 84.328M) funded 
to serve their communities.
    CPRCs (www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/) promote the 
effective education of children with disabilities by ``strengthening 
the role and responsibility of parents and ensuring that families of 
such children have meaningful opportunities to participate in the 
education of their children at school and at home'' (section 
601(c)(5)(B) of IDEA, 20 U.S.C. 1400(c)(5)(B)). CPRCs, consistent with 
section 672(b)(4) of IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1472(b)(4)), meet the specific 
needs of families who experience significant isolation from available 
sources of information and support, such as underserved families, 
families with limited English proficiency, and families in which a 
parent may also experience a disability, among others. CPRCs help 
parents: (a) Navigate systems providing early intervention, special 
education and related services, general education, and postsecondary 
options; (b) understand the educational and service options available 
to them and their children; (c) understand the nature of their 
children's disabilities; (d) learn about their rights and 
responsibilities under IDEA; (e) expand their knowledge of evidence-
based \1\ practices to help their children succeed; (f) strengthen 
their collaboration with professionals; (g) locate resources for 
themselves and their children; and (h) advocate for improved child 
outcomes and student achievement, increased graduation rates, and 
improved postsecondary outcomes for all children through participation 
in program and school reform activities.
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    \1\ The term ``evidence-based'' means, at a minimum, 
demonstrating a rationale (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1).
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    By providing parents with impartial information and individualized 
assistance and training, CPRCs enable parents to--(a) make informed 
decisions when choosing educational and early learning options that 
best meet the needs of their children; (b) help their children meet 
developmental and academic goals; (c) help their children meet 
challenging expectations established for all children; and (d) prepare 
their children to achieve positive postsecondary outcomes that lead to 
lives that are as productive and independent as possible. In addition, 
CPRCs help youth with disabilities understand their rights and 
responsibilities and learn self-advocacy skills to prepare them to lead 
productive lives as independently as possible.
    CPRCs are also valuable partners to State and local agencies, 
providing expertise on how to better support families and youth with 
disabilities so that they can effectively and efficiently access IDEA 
services.

Priority

    The Department intends to fund 25 grants to establish and operate 
25 CPRCs in geographically defined communities proposed by the 
applicants.
    At a minimum, the CPRCs must--(a) increase parents' \2\ capacity to 
help their children with disabilities \3\ improve their early learning, 
school-aged, and postsecondary outcomes; (b) increase parents' 
knowledge of educational and early learning options; and (c) increase 
youth with disabilities' capacity to be effective self-advocates.
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    \2\ The term ``parent'' includes natural, adoptive, and foster 
parents, guardians, and individuals acting in the role of ``parent'' 
as defined in section 602(23) of IDEA, 20 U.S.C. 1401(23).
    \3\ The term ``disabilities'' refers to the full range of 
disabilities described in section 602(3) of IDEA, 20 U.S.C. 1401(3).
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    In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered 
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the following 
application and administrative requirements in this priority:
    (a) In the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' the applicant must--
    (1) Present appropriate information on--
    (i) The needs of parents in the geographically defined community 
proposed, including, but not limited to, underserved parents, low-
income parents, parents with limited English proficiency, and parents 
with disabilities;
    (ii) The needs of youth with disabilities in the geographically 
defined community proposed, such as incarcerated youth, youth in foster 
care, and youth with limited English proficiency, among others; and
    (iii) The variety of educational options available within the State 
and local communities, and how parents and youth are made aware of 
these options; and
    (2) Demonstrate how the proposed project will, within the 
geographically defined community proposed,--
    (i) Address the needs of parents of children with disabilities for 
high-quality services that increase parents' capacity to help their 
children with disabilities improve their early learning, school-aged, 
and postsecondary outcomes. To meet this requirement the applicant 
must--
    (A) Demonstrate knowledge of best practices on providing training 
and information to the variety of parents in the geographically defined 
community proposed;
    (B) Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in outreach and family-
centered services;
    (C) Demonstrate knowledge of current education practices and policy 
initiatives to improve outcomes in early intervention and early 
childhood education, general and special education, transition 
services, and postsecondary options; and
    (D) Demonstrate knowledge of how to identify and work with 
appropriate partners in the community and State, including local 
providers and lead agencies providing services under Part C of IDEA 
(Part C); State and local educational agencies; State child welfare 
agencies; disability-specific systems and entities serving families, 
such as the State's protection and advocacy system; vocational 
rehabilitation (VR) agencies; and other nonprofits serving families in 
order to improve outcomes; and

[[Page 10255]]

    (ii) Address the needs of youth with disabilities for high-quality 
services that increase their capacity to be effective self-advocates. 
To meet this requirement the applicant must--
    (A) Demonstrate knowledge of best practices for providing training 
and information to the variety of youth with disabilities in the 
geographically defined community proposed;
    (B) Demonstrate knowledge of current education practices and policy 
initiatives in self-advocacy; and
    (C) Demonstrate knowledge of how to work with appropriate partners 
serving youth with disabilities, including State and local VR agencies, 
other nonprofits, and independent living centers that provide 
assistance such as postsecondary education options, employment 
training, and supports.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of project design and services,'' how the proposed project 
will--
    (1) Use a project logic model \4\ to guide the development of 
project plans and activities within the geographically defined 
community proposed;
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    \4\ Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to 
be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes. See 34 CFR 77.1.
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    Note: The following websites provide more information on logic 
models and conceptual frameworks: www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel 
and www.osepideasthatwork.org/resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptual-framework.
    (2) Develop and implement an outreach plan to inform parents of 
children with disabilities, who experience significant isolation from 
available sources of information and support, of how they can benefit 
from the services provided by the CPRC;
    (3) Develop and implement an outreach plan to inform youth with 
disabilities how they can benefit from the services provided by the 
CPRC;
    (4) Provide high-quality services that increase parents' capacity 
to help their children with disabilities improve their early learning, 
school-aged, and postsecondary outcomes. To meet this requirement the 
applicant must include information as to how the services will--
    (i) Increase parents' knowledge of--
    (A) The nature of their children's disabilities, including their 
children's strengths and academic, behavioral, and developmental 
challenges;
    (B) The importance of having high expectations for their children 
and how to help them meet those expectations;
    (C) The local, State, and Federal resources available to assist 
them and their children and local resources that strengthen their 
connection to their communities;
    (D) IDEA and IDEA regulations, and State regulations, policies, and 
practices implementing IDEA, including--
    (1) Their rights and responsibilities under IDEA, including 
procedural safeguards and dispute resolution;
    (2) Their role on Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and 
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams and how to effectively 
participate on IFSP and IEP Teams; and
    (3) How services are provided under IDEA;
    (E) Other relevant educational and health care legislation, 
including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended (ESEA); the Rehabilitation Act, especially section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the provisions established by the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); and the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA);
    (F) Transition services, at all levels, including Part C early 
intervention to Part B preschool, preschool to elementary school, 
elementary school to secondary school, secondary school to 
postsecondary education and workforce options, and re-entry of 
incarcerated youth to school and the community;
    (G) The options available within the State and their community to 
educate and help their children meet educational and developmental 
outcomes;
    (H) How their children can access and participate in the general 
education curriculum and inclusive early learning programs, including 
access to corresponding academic standards and assessments, 
extracurricular and enrichment opportunities, and other initiatives 
available to all children;
    (I) Early intervention and education practices that improve 
outcomes and help children meet high expectations; and
    (J) School reform efforts to improve student achievement and 
increase graduation rates; and
    (ii) Increase parents' capacity to--
    (A) Effectively support their children with disabilities and 
participate in their children's education;
    (B) Make informed decisions when choosing educational and early 
learning options that best meet the needs of their children;
    (C) Communicate effectively and work collaboratively in partnership 
with early intervention service providers, school-based personnel, 
related services personnel, and administrators;
    (D) Resolve disputes effectively; and
    (E) Participate in school reform activities to improve outcomes for 
all children;
    (5) Provide high-quality services that increase youth with 
disabilities' capacity to be effective self-advocates. To meet this 
requirement the applicant must include information as to how the 
services will--
    (i) Increase the knowledge of youth with disabilities about--
    (A) The nature of their disabilities, including their strengths and 
their academic, behavioral, and developmental challenges;
    (B) The importance of having high expectations for themselves and 
how to meet those expectations;
    (C) The resources available to support their success in secondary 
and postsecondary education and employment and full participation in 
their communities;
    (D) IDEA, Section 504, the Rehabilitation Act, WIOA, ADA, and other 
legislation, regulations, and policies that affect people with 
disabilities;
    (E) Their rights and responsibilities while receiving services 
under IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act, and WIOA, and after transitioning 
to post-school programs, services, and employment;
    (F) How they can participate on IEP Teams;
    (G) The options available within the State and their community to 
help them meet their educational and post-transition outcomes; and
    (H) Supported decision making necessary to transition to adult 
life; and
    (ii) Increase the capacity of youth with disabilities to--
    (A) Advocate for themselves, including communicating effectively 
and working collaboratively in partnership with providers; and
    (B) Make informed decisions when choosing educational options that 
best meet their needs;
    (6) Use various methods to deliver services, including in-person 
and remotely through the use of technology;
    (7) Use best practices for providing training and information to 
adult learners and youth;
    (8) Establish cooperative partnerships with the PTI funded in the 
State under section 671 of IDEA serving the CPRC's geographically 
defined community;
    (9) Establish cooperative partnerships with the Parent Training and 
Information Centers funded under the Rehabilitation Act (Assistance 
Listing Number 84.235F), the Regional Parent

[[Page 10256]]

Technical Assistance Centers (Regional PTACs) (Assistance Listing 
Number 84.328R) region to which they belong, and the Center for Parent 
Information and Resources (Assistance Listing Number 84.328R); and
    (10) Network with local, State, and national organizations and 
agencies, such as protection and advocacy agencies and VR agencies that 
serve parents and families of children with disabilities, to better 
support families and children with disabilities to effectively and 
efficiently access IDEA and pre-employment transition services.
    (c) In the narrative section of the application under ``Quality of 
the project evaluation,'' include an evaluation plan for the project as 
described in the following paragraphs. The evaluation plan must 
describe: Measures for evaluating the quality, accuracy, and 
impartiality of project services and products; measures of progress in 
implementation, including the criteria for determining the extent to 
which the project's products and services have met the goals for 
reaching its target population; measures of intended outcomes or 
results of the project's activities in order to evaluate those 
activities; and how well the goals or objectives of the proposed 
project, as described in its logic model, have been met.
    (d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel,'' how--
    (1) The applicant and any key partners have adequate resources to 
carry out the proposed activities;
    (2) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits;
    (3) The proposed project will encourage 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, as appropriate; and
    (4) The proposed key project personnel, consultants, and 
subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the 
proposed activities and achieve the project's intended outcomes.
    (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the management plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the project's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key project personnel, 
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
    (ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the project tasks;
    (2) Key project personnel and any consultants and subcontractors 
will be allocated and how these allocations are appropriate and 
adequate to achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
services provided are of high quality, impartial, relevant, and useful 
to recipients;
    (4) The board of directors will be used to provide appropriate 
oversight to the project;
    (5) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including those of families using a variety of education 
options, youth, educators, and State and local providers, among others, 
in its development and operation;
    (6) The proposed project will ensure that the annual performance 
reports submitted to the Department will--
    (i) Be accurate and timely;
    (ii) Include information on the projects' outputs and outcomes; and
    (iii) Include, at a minimum, the number and demographics of parents 
and youth to whom the CPRC provided information and training, the 
parents' and youth's unique needs, and the levels of service provided 
to them; and
    (7) The project management and staff will--
    (i) Make use of the technical assistance (TA) and products provided 
by the OSEP-funded Center on Parent Information and Resources, Regional 
PTACs, and other TA centers, as appropriate;
    (ii) Participate in developing individualized TA plans with the 
Regional PTAC, as appropriate; and
    (iii) Facilitate one site visit from the Regional PTAC during the 
grant cycle.
    (f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant 
must--
    (1) Include, in Appendix A, a logic model for the project;
    (2) Include, in Appendix A, personnel-loading charts and timelines, 
as applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the 
narrative;
    (3) Include, in the budget, travel funds to support the project 
director's attendance annually at one meeting sponsored by OSEP or the 
Regional PTACs, at a minimum;
    (4) Maintain a website that meets government or industry-recognized 
standards for accessibility and that includes, at a minimum, a current 
calendar of upcoming events, free informational publications for 
families, and links to webinars or other online multimedia resources; 
and
    (5) Assure that the information provided to parents is accurate and 
impartial.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1472 and 1481.
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    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.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: Congress has appropriated $27,411,000 
for the Training and Information for Parents of Children with 
Disabilities program for FY 2021, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $3,000,000 for this competition.
    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: $120,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $120,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 25.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Local parent organizations.
    Note: A ``local parent organization'' is a private nonprofit 
organization (other

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than an institution of higher education (IHE)). Section 672(a)(2) of 
IDEA requires that an eligible local parent organization--
    (a) Has a board of directors the majority of whom are parents of 
children with disabilities ages birth through 26 from the community to 
be served; and
    (b) Has as its mission serving parents of children with 
disabilities who--
    (1) Are ages birth through 26; and
    (2) Have the full range of disabilities described in section 602(3) 
of IDEA.
    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you 
may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the 
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an 
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State 
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the 
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and 
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private 
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly 
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item 
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent 
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent 
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under 
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations suitable to carry 
out the activities proposed in the application.
    The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an 
approved application.
    4. Other General Requirements: (a) Recipients of funding under this 
program must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment 
qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this 
program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of 
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 
IDEA).

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 
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. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative 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 50 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, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance 
provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the 
table of contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the 
reference list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the 
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative, 
including all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen 
shots.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Significance. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses; and
    (ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project.
    (b) Quality of project design and services. (30 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 goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and 
effective practice;
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended 
recipients or beneficiaries of those services;
    (iv) 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; and
    (v) The extent to which the TA services to be provided by the 
proposed

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project involve the use of efficient strategies, including the use of 
technology, as appropriate, and the leveraging of non-project 
resources.
    (c) Quality of the project evaluation. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project;
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate 
to the context within which the project operates;
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes; and
    (iv) The extent to which 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.
    (d) Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel. (20 
points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources and quality 
of project personnel for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources and quality of project 
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 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 extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed 
project;
    (iii) 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;
    (iv) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel;
    (v) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (e) 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 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;
    (ii) 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;
    (iii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project; and
    (iv) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate.
    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).
    3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors:
    In the past, the Department has had difficulty finding peer 
reviewers for certain competitions because so many individuals who are 
eligible to serve as peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The 
standing panel requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have 
placed additional constraints on the availability of reviewers. 
Therefore, the Department has determined that, for some discretionary 
grant competitions, applications may be separated into two or more 
groups and ranked and selected for funding within specific groups. This 
procedure will make it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers 
by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to 
serve as reviewers for any particular group of applicants will not have 
conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, 
and fairness of the review process, while permitting panel members to 
review applications under discretionary grant competitions for which 
they also have submitted applications.
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions:
    Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under this 
competition the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by 
applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific 
conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, 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.
    5. 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 200.206(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.

[[Page 10259]]

    6. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

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 report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case, the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures:
    Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and 
for Department reporting requirements under 34 CFR 75.110, the 
Department has established a set of performance measures, including 
long-term measures, that are designed to yield information on the 
quality, relevance, and usefulness of the materials, products, and 
services of the Training and Information for Parents of Children with 
Disabilities program. These measures are:
     Program Performance Measure 1: The percentage of materials 
used by projects that are deemed to be of high quality;
     Program Performance Measure 2: The percentage of products 
and services deemed to be of high relevance to educational and early 
intervention policy and practice;
     Program Performance Measure 3: The percentage of all 
products and services deemed to be useful to improve educational or 
early intervention policy or practice; and
     Program Performance Measure 4: The percentage of 
individuals with disabilities and their families receiving PTI services 
who report enhanced knowledge and understanding of IDEA services.
    Grantees will be required to report information on their project's 
performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 75.590).
    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: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    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

[[Page 10260]]

search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents 
published by the Department.

David Cantrell,
Deputy Director, Office of Special Education Programs. Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-03418 Filed 2-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P