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| 84.169 INDEPENDENT LIVING_STATE GRANTS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B, 29 U.S.C. 796a-796e-3. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To assist States in maximizing the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream American society, by providing financial assistance for providing, expanding, and improving the provision of independent living services. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Formula Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Funds received under this Part may be used to support the operation of the Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC), States may also use funds received under this Part for one or more of the following purposes: to provide independent living services to individuals with significant disabilities; to demonstrate ways to expand and improve independent living services; to support the operations of centers for independent living; to increase the capacities of public or nonprofit agencies and organizations and other entities to develop comprehensive approaches or systems for providing independent living services; to conduct studies and analyses, gather information, develop model polices and procedures, and present information, approaches, strategies, findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Federal, State, and local policymakers in order to enhance independent living services for individuals with disabilities; to train individuals with disabilities and individuals providing services to individuals with disabilities and other persons regarding the independent living philosophy; and to provide outreach to populations that are unserved or underserved by programs under this title, including minority groups and urban and rural populations. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| State agencies (including Territories) designated as the State unit to administer the State's independent living rehabilitation services program may apply. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Individuals with significant physical, mental, cognitive, or sensory impairments. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| The State agency must certify the availability of State funds for matching purposes. The match for this program may be in-kind. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| 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. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. |
| Application Procedure |
| In order to be eligible for an allocation under this program, States must submit a State plan for independent living rehabilitation services (meeting requirements established under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended) no later than July 1, of the year preceding the year for which the plan is submitted. Beginning in fiscal year 1996, State applicants must submit a 3-year State plan. This plan must be submitted not later than July 1, of the year preceding the first year of the forth coming 3-year period. The plan is updated whenever necessary to reflect a material change in the administration of the plan. The State may choose to submit a consolidated 3-year rehabilitation plan that includes independent living rehabilitation services and either vocational rehabilitation services or both the State's rehabilitation plans and the State's plan for services for persons with developmental disabilities developed under the Developmental Disabilities Act. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. |
| Award Procedure |
| A notice of annual allotment to the State is issued. Initial distributions are subject to reallocation at the end of the fiscal year. States receive annual grant award notices and funds may be withdrawn under the Electronic Transfer System. |
| Deadlines |
| Three-year State plans for independent living rehabilitation services are submitted for approval no later than July 1, of the third year of each 3-year cycle. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| The range has not been specified. |
| Appeals |
| After reasonable effort has been made to resolve the questions involved, the State may appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the State is located. |
| Renewals |
| Awards are made on an annual basis and may be renewed for up to two additional years, for a total of three years under an approved State Plan for Independent Living. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| Federal funds are distributed based on the percentage each State's population constitutes of the total population of the United States. The source is the Population Estimates Annual, Bureau of the Census. The Federal share for any fiscal year is one State dollar for every Federal dollar. The State contribution may be cash or in-kind. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Awards are made on an annual basis. |
| Reports |
| As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for State-administered programs (34 CFR 76). Performance reports are required annually. |
| Audits |
| The Education Department periodically conducts audits and site visits of designated State unit programs funded under Part B. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 30, 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 |
| As required by EDGAR for State-administered programs (34 CFR 76). Generally, States and subgrantees must retain records related to grant funds and compliance for a period of 5 years. |
| Account Identification |
| 91-0301-0-1-506. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $22,588,000; FY 08 est $22,193,000; and FY 09 est $22,193,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| The average award was $428,000 in FY 2007. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Funds were awarded to 78 designated State units. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Independent Living Regulations 34 CFR 364 and 365. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Thomas Kelley. E-mail: thomas.kelley@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 245-7404. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailstate/index.html |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 84.132, Centers for Independent Living; 84.177, Rehabilitation Services_Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| None. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| An approved State plan is a condition for receipt of funds under Title VII, Part B of the Rehabilitation Act. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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