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84.129 REHABILITATION LONG-TERM TRAINING

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III, Section 302, 29 U.S.C. 774.

OBJECTIVES
To support projects to provide academic training in areas of personnel shortages identified by the Secretary to increase the number of personnel trained in providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Training grants are provided in fields directly related to the vocational and independent living rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, such as rehabilitation counseling, independent living, rehabilitation medicine, physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics-orthotics, speech-language, pathology and audiology, rehabilitation of individuals who are blind and individuals who are deaf, and rehabilitation technology. A grantee must use at least 75 percent of the total award for scholarships.

Applicant Eligibility
Institutions of Higher Education, State vocational rehabilitation agencies (including territories), and other public or nonprofit agencies and organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals preparing for employment in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation
An application should show evidence of current accreditation by or seeking of accreditation from the designated accreditation agency in the respective professional field. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure
New applications are made to Department of Education, Application Control Center, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4725. Attn: 84.129. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure
New and continuation grants are awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. All new applications are reviewed by a panel of at least three individuals. Each panel consists of nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the related field.

Deadlines
Deadlines are published in the Federal Register; contadct the program office for application deadlines and other information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 120 to 160 days.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Renewals are available only through the new application process. Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of adequate funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance.

Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share may not be more than 90 percent of the total cost of a project under this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects are generally supported for a maximum of 5 years; with budget periods of 12 months. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Reports
Annual financial and progress reports must be submitted as required by grant award terms and conditions.

Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records
Proper records must be maintained for a period of time equal to the time required to fulfill the obligations of each grantee to determine whether a scholar has met the work-or-repay provision in 34 CFR 386.34, or until all audit questions are resolved.

Account Identification
91-0301-0-1-506.

Obligations
(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $19,267,000; FY 08 est $19,524,000; and FY 09 $19,549,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$70,000 to $100,000. Average: $100,000 in FY 08.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Approximately 1505 awards are supported annually.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 385 and 386.

Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.

Headquarters Office
Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2649. Contact: Ruth Brannon. Telephone: (202) 245-7278.

Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/RSA

RELATED PROGRAMS
None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
(1) Residency scholarships in physical medicine and rehabilitation; (2) graduate scholarships in rehabilitation counseling; (3) graduate scholarships in rehabilitation administration; and (4) undergraduate scholarships in rehabilitation service.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
The relevance of the purpose of the content and the training project to the administratively established mission of the public rehabilitation program and the objectives of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The methodology to be employed in implementing the project and its feasibility for the achievement of the established educational objectives. The existence of a working relationship with the State vocational rehabilitation agency and other agencies and rehabilitation facilities providing vocational rehabilitation services. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 385 and 386.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)