[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32909-32915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13190]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Rehabilitation Short-Term Training:
Client Assistance Program
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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[[Page 32910]]
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is issuing a
notice inviting applications (NIA) for Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021
for the Rehabilitation Short-Term Training--Client Assistance Program
(CAP Training), Assistance Listing Number 84.246K. This notice relates
to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-
0018.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 23, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 9, 2021.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation
that provides general information related to the Rehabilitation
Services Administration's (RSA) discretionary grant competitions and a
PowerPoint presentation specifically related to this Rehabilitation
Short-Term Training program competition at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx. OSERS will conduct a pre-application meeting
specific to this competition via conference call to respond to
questions. Information about the pre-application meeting will be
available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx prior to the date
of the call. OSERS invites you to send questions to [email protected] in
advance of the pre-application meeting. The teleconference information,
including the 84.246K pre-application meeting summary of the questions
and answers, will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx within six days after the pre-application meeting.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: October 6, 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: Felipe Lulli, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5051, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20212-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7425. 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 Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program
is designed to provide short-term training and technical instruction in
areas of special significance to the vocational, medical, social, and
psychological rehabilitation programs, supported employment program,
independent living services programs, and Client Assistance Program
(CAP), including special seminars, institutes, workshops, and other
short-term courses. Short-term training projects may be of regional or
national scope.
Priority: This priority is from the notice of final priority (NFP)
for this program published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
Absolute Priority: For FFY 2021, this is an absolute priority.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this
absolute priority.
This priority is:
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training--Client Assistance Program (CAP
Training).
This CAP Training priority is designed to provide CAP professionals
the necessary knowledge, competencies, and skills to inform, assist,
and advocate for clients and client-applicants regarding expanded
education, training, and competitive integrated employment
opportunities and other services and benefits available under the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA).
Under this priority, the grantee must provide comprehensive and in-
depth training and technical assistance activities that provide updated
information about CAP duties and responsibilities under the
Rehabilitation Act; expanded vocational rehabilitation (VR) service
provisions in the Rehabilitation Act, including section 113 on pre-
employment transition services and section 511 regarding limitations on
use of subminimum wage; and on other education, training, and
employment opportunities under WIOA, including career pathways,
apprenticeships, and customized employment. The training and technical
assistance must enhance CAP professionals' individual and systems
advocacy competencies and their leadership, relationship-building, and
outreach skills. In addition, the training and technical assistance
must strengthen the institutional effectiveness of the CAPs in the
individual States through strategic planning and resource management
capacity-building activities. In providing the training and technical
assistance, the grantee must consider the challenges and opportunities
experienced by the VR program and other programs authorized under the
Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, and encourage greater
communication and coordination between the CAPs and those programs.
Under this priority, the Secretary funds only applications that
meet the project requirements outlined below. Applicants must describe
major implementation activities, timelines, and milestones for each of
the following project requirements:
(a) Training and technical assistance to increase CAP
professionals' knowledge, skills, and competencies in the four broad
subject areas and related topics:
(1) The Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, including--
(i) CAP duties and responsibilities under section 112(a) of the
Rehabilitation Act and other pertinent provisions including section
101(a)(16) regarding CAP consultation on draft policies and procedures
governing the provision of VR services and section 105(b) regarding CAP
membership on the State Rehabilitation Councils (SRC);
(ii) VR service provision requirements in the Rehabilitation Act
and its regulations, policy guidance, and legal decisions, including
those regarding section 113 on pre-employment transition services and
section 511 regarding limitations on use of subminimum wage;
(iii) Requirements related to other projects, programs, and
services under the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, including
the independent living programs authorized in Title VII;
(iv) Expanded training, education, and employment opportunities
under WIOA, including but not limited to the provision of pre-
employment transition services, apprenticeships, customized employment,
career pathways, and the focus on postsecondary credential attainment,
including advanced degrees;
(v) Challenges and opportunities in implementing the expanded VR
service provisions and other benefits available under the
Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, including consideration of
Federal and State statutes, regulations, and policies that impact the
delivery of VR services in the States, such as the transition services
provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
(vi) Obstacles that individuals with disabilities--including
individuals with the most significant disabilities, students and youth
with disabilities,
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members of traditionally unserved or underserved groups, and
individuals in economically disadvantaged communities--experience in
accessing VR services and other services and benefits under
Rehabilitation Act; and
(vii) The complementary roles of CAPs, State VR agencies, SRCs,
community rehabilitation programs, WOIA core partners, and key
stakeholders of the VR program and other services and programs
authorized by the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA.
(2) Discrete skills related to CAP duties and responsibilities,
including--
(i) Individual advocacy;
(ii) Systems advocacy;
(iii) Alternate dispute resolution; and
(iv) Leadership, relationship-building, and outreach.
(3) Strategic planning, including--
(i) Assessments of the State's program priorities, challenges,
needs, and opportunities in implementing the expanded VR program
provisions and other benefits and services under the Rehabilitation
Act, as amended by WIOA. Strategic assessments may include targeted
reviews of the Unified or Combined State Plans, monitoring reports,
Annual Client Assistance Program Report (RSA-227), other State Plans
and reports, and input from agency leadership and staff, SRC members,
clients, applicants, and other key stakeholders;
(ii) Development of the individual CAPs' strategic goals and action
plans (including their particular training or technical assistance
needs), based on identified program priorities, challenges, needs, and
opportunities; and
(iii) Strategic outreach and engagement with State VR agencies,
SRCs, and other stakeholders associated with the programs and services
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act to increase collaboration in
support of improved service delivery and outcomes in the State.
(4) Resource management, including--
(i) Budgeting and financial oversight practices in support of
strategic goals and objectives, consistent with Generally Accepted
Accounting Practices; and
(ii) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, at 2 CFR part 200, pertinent to
CAP and VR program operations.
(b) Comprehensive plan for the provision of training and technical
assistance on the required subject areas and topics, based on a
comprehensive assessment of CAP professionals' needs. The training and
technical assistance plan must describe the following:
(1) Subject areas and topics, specifically, how they will be
prioritized and made available in the initial year and subsequent years
of the project;
(2) Training activities, consisting of both established training
modules and ad hoc training responsive to emerging circumstances or
trends;
(3) Technical assistance, consisting of individualized assistance
on applying principles and practices from training on the required
subject areas and topics, as well as consultation on options for
applying existing law, regulations, and RSA-issued guidance to specific
factual circumstances that arise in the course of CAP professionals'
individual or systems advocacy efforts;
(4) Training and technical assistance curricula, materials, and
tools, which may incorporate the resources developed by current and
former RSA VR technical assistance centers and demonstration projects,
available at the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training
Materials;
(5) Information delivery methods, including in-person and virtual
activities, communities of practice, social media, and searchable
databases; and
(6) State-of-the-art communication tools and platforms, including
an interactive project website, distance learning and convening
technologies, and searchable databases.
The comprehensive needs assessment may comprise selective reviews,
on a national basis, of RSA-227s, Unified or Combined State Plans, RSA
State monitoring reports, other State Plans and reports, and input from
CAP professionals and key stakeholders, including VR agency and SRC
representatives.
(c) Quality control processes to ensure that training and technical
assistance activities and materials are updated to reflect the
statutory and regulatory changes in the Rehabilitation Act, as amended
by WIOA, the RSA policy guidance updates, and future reauthorizations
of the Rehabilitation Act.
(d) Coordination with and leveraging the resources of RSA's
vocational rehabilitation technical assistance centers and other
Federal or non-Federal programs, including the National Technical
Assistance Center on Transition and the recently funded RSA technical
assistance centers on Quality Employment and Quality Management in the
development and delivery of CAP Training project activities,
curriculum, materials, and tools.
(e) Coordination with the entity providing training and technical
assistance to the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights program,
consistent with section 509 of the Rehabilitation Act.
(f) Comprehensive evaluation plan based on performance measures
established in this notice inviting applications, consistent with the
Government Performance and Results Act.
CAP Training performance will be assessed based on the following
considerations:
(a) Increased capacity to provide individual and systems advocacy,
alternative dispute resolution, and outreach to unserved or underserved
populations, as reported by the CAP professionals.
(b) Trends in pertinent CAP services, including individual and
systems advocacy.
(c) Relationship between the observed CAP services trends and the
training and technical assistance provided under this priority.
The performance evaluation will be based on a variety of
quantitative and qualitative data sources, including, but not limited
to:
(a) RSA-227;
(b) Pre- and post-training assessments;
(c) Questionnaires, surveys, and focus groups;
(d) Success stories; and
(e) Peer reviews.
The evaluation plan must include a logic model that outlines the
proposed project activities, outputs, outcomes, baselines, and targets.
The plan also must describe how the evaluation results will be used to
promote continuous program improvement throughout the grant's period of
performance.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772(a)(1).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the
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
[[Page 32912]]
the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program
in 34 CFR parts 385 and 390. (e) The NFP.
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 grant.
Estimated Available Funds: $308,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $308,000 for a
single budget period of 12 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States and public or private nonprofit
agencies and organizations, including Indian Tribes and institutions of
higher education.
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: Under 34 CFR 390.40, a grantee must
contribute to the cost of a project under this program in an amount
satisfactory to the Secretary. The part of the costs to be borne by the
grantee is determined by the Secretary at the time of the grant award.
For the purposes of this competition, the grantee is required to
contribute at least 10 percent of the total cost of the project under
this program. Furthermore, given the importance of cost sharing funds
to the long-term success of the project, eligible entities must
identify appropriate non-Federal funds in the proposed budget.
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 not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out
project activities described in its application. Under 34 CFR
75.708(e), a grantee may contract for supplies, equipment, and other
services in accordance with 2 CFR part 200.
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. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the CAP 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.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. 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 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.
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 one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all the application narrative.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 390.30 and 34 CFR 75.210, have a maximum score of 100
points, and are as follows:
(a) Relevance to State-Federal 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 rehabilitation service programs.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows that the
proposed project can be expected to improve the skills and competence
of--
(i) Personnel engaged in the administration or delivery of
rehabilitation services; and
(ii) Others with an interest in the delivery of rehabilitation
services.
(b) Quality of the project design. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
[[Page 32913]]
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, 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 design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs.
(c) Quality of project services. (20 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 services to be provided by the
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended
recipients or beneficiaries of those services.
(d) Quality of project personnel. (15 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 key project personnel.
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(e) Adequacy of resources. (10 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 the following factors:
(i) 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.
(ii) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization.
(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 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.
(g) 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 will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.
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. 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.
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 200.206(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.
5. 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
[[Page 32914]]
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 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 their programs by engaging in strategic planning,
setting outcomes-related goals, and measuring results against those
goals.
The GPRA performance measures for this program are as follows:
(1) The number and percentage of cases closed in the VR client or
applicant's favor.
(2) The number and percentage of individual cases resolved through
Alternative Dispute Resolution.
(3) The percentage of individual CAP programs reporting that their
systemic advocacy resulted in a change in policy or practice of an
agency.
(4) The number of non-litigation systemic activities not involving
individual representation that resulted in the change of one or more
policies or practices of an agency.
The program performance measures for this program are as follows:
(1) The number and percentage of CAP professionals reporting
increased capacity to provide individual and systems advocacy on the
expanded VR service provisions and opportunities under WIOA, as a
result of the training and technical assistance activities under this
priority.
(2) The number and percentage of CAP professionals reporting
increased capacity to reach priority unserved or underserved
populations in their States, as a result of the training and technical
assistance activities under this priority.
(3) The number and percentage of CAP professionals reporting
increased strategic planning and resource management capabilities, as a
result of the training and technical assistance activities under this
priority.
The CAP Training grantee must collect the quantitative and
qualitative data necessary to track and report on the GPRA and program
measures, including an estimated total number of CAP professionals
nationwide.
Annual project progress toward meeting the performance measures and
project goals must be posted on the project 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, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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
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[[Page 32915]]
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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. 2021-13190 Filed 6-17-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P