Objectives: To provide discretionary grant funds to State vocational rehabilitation agencies and public nonprofit organizations for special projects and demonstrations which hold promise of expanding and otherwise improving services to individuals with disabilities over and above those provided by the Basic Support Program administered by States.
84.128 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Recreation projects are awarded to States and to public and other nonprofit agencies or organizations. Grants cannot be made directly to individuals. Migratory and Seasonal Farmworker projects are funded by grants to State vocational rehabilitation agencies (including territories/possessions) and to nonprofit agencies in collaboration with the State agencies. Eligible applicants for supported employment projects include public and nonprofit community rehabilitation programs and designated State vocational rehabilitation agencies, and other public and private agencies and organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals with disabilities and individuals with severe disabilities as defined in Sections 7(8)(A) and 7(15)(A), respectively, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The supported employment program is to serve individuals with the most severe disabilities.
Credentials/Documentation: Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will also be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.
84.128 APPLICATION & AWARD PROCESS:
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: Applications should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 600 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725, or in certain cases to the appropriate RSA Regional Commissioner, OSERS. 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 programs is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure: Awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and the Assistant Secretary, OSERS for new projects.
Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: About 120 to 150 days.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: 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. Renewals are available only through a new application process.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Funding priorities are announced in the Federal Register. Grants for migrant seasonal farm workers projects are made to State rehabilitation agencies and to nonprofit agencies working in collaboration with the State agencies. Supported employment projects are intended to improve the provision of supported employment services to individuals with the most severe disabilities. Applications for discretionary grants are subjected to peer review procedures leading to recommendations for approval or disapproval by Federal and nonfederal experts. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR 369-379.
Examples of Funded Projects: An outreach effort to identify and provide necessary vocational rehabilitation services for migratory and seasonal agricultural workers with disabilities. Assist persons with severe disabilities returning to the community to achieve the optimal vocational adjustment of which they are capable. Implement community-based supported employment projects to serve: individuals with the most severe disabilities. Provide recreational services to individuals with disabilities a priority to integrate these individuals into regular recreation programs.
Range & Average of Financial Assistance: Range from $70,000 to $547,000; $120,000.
84.128 RELATED PROGRAMS:
84.128 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Rehabilitation service projects
complement the basic State Grant Program. In 1995 there were 39
recreation projects; 10 migratory and seasonal farmworkers projects; 21
community-based projects; and 10 statewide systems change projects
in supported employment.
84.128 FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:
Federal Agency:
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL
EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Type of Assistance:
Project Grants (Contracts).
Obligations:
(Grants and contracts) FY 95 $1,419,994 (for
migratory and seasonal farmworkers) $2,595,999 (for recreation)
$10,616,000 (for supported employment); FY 96 est $1,421,000 (migratory
workers and seasonal farmworkers) $2,596,000 (recreation) and
$900,000,000 (supported employment); and FY 97 est $1,850,000 (migratory
workers and seasonal farmworkers) $2,596,000 (recreation) and $1,811,688
(for supported employment).
Budget Account Number:
91-0301-0-1-506.
Authorization:
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title III,
Sections 311(c), 312, and 316, 29 U.S.C. 777a, 777b, and 777f.
Regulations, Guidelines, & Literature:
34 CFR 369, 375, 378, and
380. Specific guidelines and literature may be obtained from the
RSA Regional Offices or the headquarters offices.
Regional or Local Office:
State Vocational Rehabilitation
Agencies or the RSA Regional Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for list of regional offices.
Headquarters Office:
Rehabilitation Services Administration,
Switzer Bldg., 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact:
Fred Isbister. Phone: (202) 205-9297. Use the same number for FTS.
84.128 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula & Matching Requirements:
Generally matching is
required; the Migratory Worker program requires 10% matching.
The Federal share of the costs of the Recreation program shall be 100
percent for the first year, 75% for the second year, and 50
percent for the third year with corresponding matching requirements for
the second and third years. There are no matching requirements for the
supported employment program.
Length & Time Phasing of Assistance:
Project support may be
available for up to three to five years depending upon satisfactory
performance and availability of funds. Funds are granted on a 12
month basis.
Uses & Use Restrictions:
Supported employment, migrant workers,
seasonal farmworkers, and recreational programs. Projects provide
financial assistance for vocational rehabilitation services to migratory
agricultural or seasonal farmworkers; funding to expand or otherwise
improve the provision of supported employment services to individuals
with the most severe disabilities through statewide, community-based,
and technical assistance projects; and projects that initiate programs
of recreation for individuals with disabilities.
84.128 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Annual financial reports and progress reports must be
submitted as prescribed by grant award terms and conditions.
Audits:
Audits must be conducted on a continuing basis or at
scheduled intervals. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular
No. A-128, "Audits of State and Local Governments," State and local
governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more
within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year.
State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000
within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit in accordance with
Circular No. A-128, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations
governing the programs in which they participate.
Records:
Fiscal records must be maintained for the periods of
time specified in the grant award.
What now?