Program Descriptions
Program Number
84.315
Title
Capacity Building For Traditionally Underserved Populations
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 21, 29 U.S.C. 718b.
Status
Active
Objectives
To enhance the capacity and increase the participation of historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions of higher education, and other institutions of higher education where minority enrollment is at least 50 percent, in competitions for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants are limited to: awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under the programs authorized under titles II, III, VI, and VII of the Rehabilitation Act; awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to conduct research, training, technical assistance, or related activities, to improve services provided under the Rehabilitation Act, especially services provided to individuals from minority backgrounds; and awards to eligible entities to provide outreach and technical assistance to minority entities and Indian tribes to promote their participation in activities funded under the Rehabilitation Act.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States and public and nonprofit agencies and organizations may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Historically Black colleges and universities; (2) Hispanics serving institutions of higher education; (3) Indian tribal colleges and universities (4) other institutions of higher education whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent; and (5) Indian Tribes.
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.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Department of Education 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 that the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the notice published in the Federal Register. Contact the program office for more information.
Award Procedure
All new applications are reviewed by a panel of at least three individuals. Each panel will generally include two or more nonfederal consultants with experience and training in the proposed area of training. Each panel will include a person with a disability and an individual from a minority background.
Deadlines
Deadlines will be published in the Federal Register. Contact the program office for application deadlines and information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The range of approval/disapproval time is approximately 120 to 150 days following the application deadline.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects generally may be supported for 1 to 5 years, with budget periods so 12-months. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual financial and progress reports must be submitted as required by the grant award's 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
As required by EDGAR.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0301-0-1-506.
Obligations
(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $2,291,000; FY 08 est $2,900,000; and FY 09 est $2,802,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range of awards is $225,000 - $250,000 in FY 2007.
Program Accomplishments
Some program accomplishments include the following: (1) Extensive training on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and other key disability legislation; (2) the establishment of State-wide consortia of public agencies and organizations to better coordinate the delivery of vocational rehabilitation and other related services to persons with disabilities from minority backgrounds; (3) sponsoring and co-sponsoring of national and regional conferences of rehabilitation providers such as the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) and others; (4) establishment of rehabilitation training programs at colleges and universities; (5) increase in the number of applications and funding of projects from minority institutions of higher education; (6) implementation of national satellite broadcasts to discuss rehabilitation with participants from institutions of higher education, rehabilitation State agencies, independent living centers, supported employment programs and other agencies and organizations involved in the administration of rehabilitation programs.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Education Department General Administrative Regulations. For more information contact the program office.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Department of Education, OSERS Rehabilitation Services Administration 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2649. Contact: Ellen Chesley. E-mail: ellen.chesley@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 245-7300.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html
Related Programs
None.
Examples of Funded Projects
Projects have supported training, technical assistance, and related activities provided by minority institutions of higher education and Indian tribes and to improve services provided under the Rehabilitation Act, especially services provided to individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The selection criteria contained in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations are used to evaluate this program.
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