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| 84.132 CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C, 29 U.S.C. 796f-796f-6. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To provide independent living services to individuals with significant disabilities to assist them to function more independently in family and community settings, by developing and supporting a statewide network of centers for independent living. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Contracts). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Federal funds are used for the establishment and operation of centers for independent living which offer a combination of services. Services must include independent living core services which mean information and referral services, training in independent living skills, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, and as appropriate, a combination of any other independent living services specified in Title II of the Rehabilitation Act. Each center must have a governing board composed of a majority of persons with significant disabilities. The majority of the staff and individuals in decision making positions must be individuals with disabilities. Not less than 1.8 percent and not more than two percent of Federal funds appropriated for the program must be reserved to provide training and technical assistance under contracts with entities experienced in the operation of centers for independent living. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| The principal eligible applicants are the private nonprofit agencies that received funding directly or through subgrants or contracts under the Centers for Independent Living program in fiscal year 1992. If funds remain available after all principal eligible applicants have been funded, other centers for independent living (as defined in Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act) and State agencies may receive funding based on satisfactory applications (including territories and outlying areas). |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Individuals with significant physical, mental, cognitive, or sensory impairments whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited. Eligibility shall not be based on the presence of any one or more specific significant disabilities. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications for new awards from eligible agencies should be submitted to the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-4725, unless otherwise directed in the Federal Register Announcement. |
| Award Procedure |
| New awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Assistant Secretary of OSERS, based on the findings of Federal and nonfederal reviews of applications to ensure the applicants satisfactorily demonstrate that they have met the standards and assurances described in Section 725 (b) and (c) the Rehabilitation Act. |
| Deadlines |
| Contact headquarters office for application deadlines. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| From 60 to 90 days. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Projects may be continued based on a self-evaluation report activities, and accomplishments as described in the Center's self-evaluation and annual report requirements under Section 725 (c)(8) of the Act, submittal of a continuation application, and the availability of funds. Renewals are available through the regular continuation application process. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Existing projects are approved on an annual basis with funding on a twelve month basis. New projects are funded for five years with funding approved on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds. |
| Reports |
| Annual and fiscal progress reports and self-evaluations (A-F Reports) must be submitted as prescribed by Section 725 (c)(8) of the Rehabilitation Act, and 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 |
| Fiscal records must be maintained for 3 years after the grant ends and the final financial report is submitted or until all audit questions are resolved. |
| Account Identification |
| 91-0301-0-1-506. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $74,638,000; FY 08 est $73,334,000; and FY 09 $73,334,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Range: $785,000 to $7,350,000. Average: $1,381,000 in FY 2007. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Grants supported the operation of approximately 340 centers in FY 2007. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Program Regulations at 34 CFR 364 and 366. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Veronica Hogan. E-mail: veronica.hogan@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 245-7378. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.ed.gov/programs/cil/index.html |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 84.169, Independent Living_State Grants; 84.177, Rehabilitation Services_Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Provided services vary from one center to another. Centers provide a combination of services, including: information and referral; independent living skills training; individual and systems advocacy; counseling services; housing; rehabilitation technology; mobility training; life skills training; interpreter and reader services; personal assistance services; accessible transportation; supported living; therapeutic treatment; provision of prostheses and other devices; and other services described in Section 7 (30)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Selection criteria for this program include extent of need for the project, past performance, satisfaction of the standards and assurances set forth in Section 725, quality of key personnel, budget and cost-effectiveness, evaluation plan, plan of operation, and involvement of individuals with significant disabilities. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations at 34 CFR 366. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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