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84.264 REHABILITATION TRAINING_CONTINUING EDUCATION

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

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

OBJECTIVES
To support training centers that serve either a Federal region or another geographical area and provide for a broad integrated sequence of training activities that focus on meeting recurrent and common training needs of employed rehabilitation personnel throughout a multi-State geographical area.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Training grants are limited to support of continuing education programs for personnel such as rehabilitation counselors, administrators, independent living specialists, audiologists, rehabilitation teachers for individuals who are blind, rehabilitation technology specialists who provide vocational, independent living, and client assistance services to individuals with disabilities.

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

Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals employed in positions related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation
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 the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4725. Attn: 84.264. 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 will include nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the proposed area of training.

Deadlines
Deadlines are published in the Federal Register. Contact the program office for application deadlines.

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
Grantees are required to share in the cost of projects with the proportion subject to individual negotiation.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects may be supported for a maximum of 5 years, 12-month budget periods. 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
Audits must be conducted on a continuing basis or at scheduled intervals, usually once a year, but at least once every 2 years. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. 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 as required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) or until all audit questions are resolved.

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

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $10,071,000; FY 08 est $8,090,000; and FY 09 est $8,090,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Competition in FY 08 ranges from $711,000 to $969,000 for each 12 month period.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Training by the projects addressed rehabilitation staff training needs in human resource development, independent living rehabilitation, management of rehabilitation facilities, and supported employment.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
Regulations can be found in 34 CFR 385 and 389.

Regional or Local Office
None.

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
84.126, Rehabilitation Services-Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
RCEPs provide training for State agency staff and for the staffs of related public and private nonprofit rehabilitation agencies.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
The relevance of the content of the training to the mission of the public rehabilitation program and priorities for projects in the application notice are considered. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 385 and 389.


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