[Federal Register: March 26, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 59)]
[Notices]
[Page 13379-13381]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[[Page 13379]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part XV
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With Disabilities;
Grants for Personnel Training; Notice Inviting Applications for New
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996; Notice
[[Page 13380]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.029G]
Training Personnel for the Education of Individuals With
Disabilities; Grants for Personnel Training; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996
PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The purpose of Training Personnel for the Education
of Individuals with Disabilities Program--Grants for Personnel Training
is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of personnel
available to serve infants, toddlers, children and youth with
disabilities.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, and other appropriate nonprofit agencies.
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR
Part 318.
In some instances, the description of the absolute priority
identified below differs from applicable regulatory provisions in 34
CFR 318. These changes, as well as any supplementary information
provided under the priority that is not found in the regulations,
represent interpretative guidance and are provided for purposes of
clarification. These interpretations do not substantively change the
regulations.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
PRIORITY: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), and 34 CFR 318, the Secretary
gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following
priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only those
applications that meet this absolute priority:
Absolute Priority--Grants for Preservice Personnel Training
(84.029G).
This priority supports projects designed to provide preservice
preparation of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, children and
youth with disabilities. Projects must address either:
(1) The development of new programs to establish expanded capacity
for quality preservice training; or
(2) The improvement of existing programs designed to increase the
capacity and quality of preservice training.
In addition, projects must address one or more of the following
training components:
(1) Preparation of Personnel for Careers in Special Education. This
component supports preservice preparation of personnel for careers in
special education. Preservice training includes additional training for
currently employed teachers seeking additional degrees, certifications,
or endorsements. Training may occur at one or more of the following
levels: baccalaureate, master's, or specialist. Under this component,
``personnel'' includes special education teachers, speech-language
pathologists, audiologists, adapted physical education teachers,
vocational educators, and instructive and assistive technology
specialists.
(2) Preparation of Related Services Personnel. This component
supports preservice preparation of individuals to provide
developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that assist
children and youth with disabilities to benefit from special education.
These include paraprofessional personnel, therapeutic recreation
specialists, school social workers, health service providers, physical
therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, counselors
(including rehabilitation counselors), interpreters, orientation and
mobility specialists, respite care providers, art therapists,
volunteers, physicians, and other related services personnel. For
purposes of this component, the Department considers the term
``interpreters'' to be limited to interpreters for the deaf.
(i) Projects to train personnel identified as special education
personnel under training component (1) are not appropriate for purposes
of this component, even if those personnel may be considered related
services personnel in other settings (e.g., speech language
pathologists).
(ii) This component is not designed for general training. Projects
must include inducements and preparation to increase the probability
that graduates will direct their efforts toward supportive services to
special education. For example, a project in occupational therapy (OT)
might support a special focus in pediatric or juvenile psychiatric OT;
support those students whose career goal is OT in the school; or
provide for practica, and internships in school settings.
(3) Training Early Intervention and Preschool Personnel. This
component supports projects that are designed to provide preservice
preparation of personnel who serve infants, toddlers, and preschool
children with disabilities, and their families. Personnel may be
prepared to provide short-term services or long-term services that
extend into a child's school program. The proposed training program
must have a clear and limited focus on the special needs of children
within the age range from birth through five, and must include
consideration of family involvement in early intervention and preschool
services. Training programs under this priority must have a significant
interdisciplinary focus.
Applications Available: April 23, 1996.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June, 10, 1996.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 10, 1996.
Estimated Number of Awards: 23.
Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000 to $480,000.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Available Funds: In fiscal year 1996, approximately $6,750,000 will
be available to support an estimated 23 projects (grant awards) under
this absolute priority (competition). While the total average award is
estimated at $290,000, it is anticipated that the average range per
component would be $100,000 to $160,000. Multi-year projects will be
level funded unless there are increases in costs attributable to
significant changes in activity level, and funds are available.
The Congress has not yet enacted a fiscal year 1996 appropriation
for the Department of Education. The Department is publishing this
notice in order to give potential applicants adequate time to prepare
applications. The estimate of the amount of funds that will be
available for this competition is based, in part, on the President's
1996 budget request and, in part, on the level of funding available for
fiscal year 1995.
Potential applicants should note, however, that the Congress is
considering proposals to reduce funding in 1996 for the Training
Personnel for the Education of Individuals with Disabilities Program
administered by the Department. Final action on the 1996 appropriation
may require the Department to cancel this competition or to
significantly reduce the number or size of grant awards that will be
made under the competition announced in this notice.
Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates
in this notice.
WAIVER OF RULEMAKING: It is the practice of the Secretary to offer
interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553).
However, this application notice restates existing priorities in 34 CFR
318. In addition, the Secretary has determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
[[Page 13381]]
553(b)(A), that rulemaking requirements do not apply to the changes to
applicable regulatory provisions contained in this notice. These
changes reflect the Secretary's interpretation of existing regulations
and are provided solely for purposes of clarification.
FOR APPLICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer, U.S.
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Switzer
Building, Room 3072, Washington, D.C. 20202-2651. Telephone: (202) 205-
9058. FAX: (202) 205-9070. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953.
Internet: Marlene__Spencer@ed.gov
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha B. Bokee, U.S. Department of
Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3078, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. Telephone: (202) 205-5509. FAX: (202) 205-
9070. Internet: Martha__ Bokee@ed.gov
Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board),
telephone (202) 260-9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ed.gov/money.html However, the
official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is
the notice published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1431.
Dated: March 20, 1996.
Howard R. Moses,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 96-7212 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P