[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