[Federal Register: September 28, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 189)]
[Notices]
[Page 49647-49653]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se01-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Grant
Applications Under Part D, Subpart 2 of the Individuals With
Disabilities Education Act
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year
(FY) 2002.
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SUMMARY: This notice provides closing dates and other information
regarding the transmittal of applications for FY 2002 competitions
under three programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA), as amended. The three programs are: (1) Special
Education--Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for
Children with Disabilities (five priorities); (2) Special Education--
Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities (one
priority); and (3) Special Education--Training and Information for
Parents of Children with Disabilities (one priority).
National Education Goals
The eight National Education Goals focus the Nation's education
reform efforts and provide a framework for improving teaching and
learning.
These priorities address the National Education Goals by helping to
improve results for children with disabilities.
Waiver of Rulemaking
It is generally our practice to offer interested parties the
opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. However, section
661(e)(2) of IDEA makes the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553)
inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.
General Requirements
(a) The projects funded under this notice must make positive
efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities in project activities (see section 606 of IDEA).
(b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this notice must
involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with
disabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating the projects
(see section 661(f)(1)(A) of IDEA).
(c) The projects funded under these priorities must budget for a
two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year
of the project.
(d) In a single application, an applicant must address only one
absolute priority in this notice.
(e) Part III of each application submitted under a priority in this
notice, the application narrative, is where an applicant addresses the
selection criteria that are used by reviewers in evaluating the
application. You must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than
the number of pages listed under each applicable priority and in the
table at the end of this notice, using the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5" x 11" (on one side only) with one-
inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).
Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, and captions, as well as all text in charts,
tables, figures, and graphs.
If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than
a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18
characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter,
do not use more than 12 characters per inch.
The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II--
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the
resumes, the bibliography or references, or the letters of support.
However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III.
We will reject without consideration or evaluation any application
if --
You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the
page limit.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND RESULTS FOR
CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES [CFDA 84.324]
Purpose of Program: To produce, and advance the use of, knowledge
to improve educational and early intervention results and outcomes for
infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.
Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies;
institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; and
Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99; (b) The selection criteria for the
priorities under this program that are drawn from the EDGAR general
selection criteria menu. The specific selection criteria for each
priority are included in the funding application packet for the
applicable competition.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
PRIORITY
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet
one of the following priorities:
Absolute Priority 1--Student-Initiated Research Projects (84.324B)
This priority provides support for short-term (up to 12 months)
postsecondary student-initiated research projects focusing on special
education and related services for children with disabilities and early
intervention services for infants and toddlers with
[[Page 49648]]
disabilities, consistent with the purposes of the program, as described
in section 672 of the Act.
Projects must--
(a) Develop research skills in postsecondary students; and
(b) Include a principal investigator who serves as a mentor to the
student researcher while the project is carried out by the student.
Project Period: Up to 12 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $20,000. Consistent with
EDGAR 34 CFR 75.104(b), we will reject any application that proposes a
project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum
award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 25 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
Absolute Priority 2--Field-Initiated Research Projects (84.324C)
This priority provides support for a wide range of field-initiated
research projects that support innovation, development, exchange, and
use of advancements in knowledge and practice as described in section
672 of the Act including the improvement of early intervention,
instruction, and learning for infants, toddlers, and children with
disabilities.
Projects must--
(a) Prepare their procedures, findings, and conclusions in a manner
that will improve results and outcomes for children with disabilities
by informing other interested researchers and advancing professional
practice or improving programs and services to infants, toddlers, and
children with disabilities and their families; and
(b) Disseminate project procedures, findings, and conclusions to
appropriate research institutes and technical assistance providers.
Invitational Priorities
Within absolute priority 2 for FY 2002, we are particularly
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following
invitational priorities.
However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give to an application
that meets one or more of these invitational priorities a competitive
or absolute preference over other applications.
(a) Projects to address the specific problems of over-
identification and under-identification of children with disabilities.
(See section 672(a)(3) of the Act).
(b) Projects to develop and implement effective strategies for
addressing inappropriate behavior of students with disabilities in
schools, including strategies to prevent children with emotional and
behavioral problems from developing emotional disturbances that require
the provision of special education and related services. (See section
672(a)(4) of the Act).
(c) Projects studying and promoting improved alignment and
compatibility of regular and special education reforms concerned with
curriculum and instruction, evaluation and accountability, and
administrative procedures in order to improve results and outcomes for
children with disabilities. (See section 672(b)(2)(D) of the Act).
(d) Projects that advance knowledge about the coordination of
education with health and social services in order to improve results
and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families. (See
section 672(b)(2)(G) of the Act).
Competitive Preference
Within this absolute priority, we will give the following
competitive preference points under section 606 of IDEA and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for
funding under this priority:
Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice.
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
Therefore, within this competitive preference, applicants can be
awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded under
the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum
total of 110 points.
Project Period: The majority of projects will be funded for up to
36 months. Only in exceptional circumstances--such as research
questions that require repeated measurement within a longitudinal
design--will projects be funded for more than 36 months, up to a
maximum of 60 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $180,000. Consistent
with EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
Absolute Priority 3--Model Demonstration Projects for Children with
Disabilities (84.324M)
This priority supports model demonstration projects that improve
results and outcomes for children with disabilities. Projects must
develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate new or improved
approaches for providing early intervention, special education, and
related services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities
and students with disabilities who are pursuing post-school employment,
postsecondary education, or independent living goals. Projects
supported under this priority are expected to be major contributors of
models or components of models for service providers and for outreach
projects funded under IDEA.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
A model demonstration project must--
(a) Develop and implement the model with specific components or
strategies that are based on theory, research, or evaluation data
documenting improved results and outcomes;
(b) Determine the effectiveness of the model and its components or
strategies by using multiple measures of results; and
(c) Produce detailed procedures and materials that would enable
others to replicate the model.
Federal financial participation for a project funded under this
priority will not exceed 90 percent of the total annual costs of
development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of the
project (see section 661(f)(2)(A) of IDEA).
In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in
Washington, DC mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of
this notice, projects must budget for another annual meeting in
Washington, DC to collaborate with the Federal project officer and the
other projects funded under this priority, to share information and
discuss model development, implementation, evaluation, and
dissemination issues.
Competitive Preferences
Within this absolute priority, we will give the following
competitive
[[Page 49649]]
preference points under section 606 of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i),
to applications that are otherwise eligible for funding under this
priority:
Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice.
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum
total of 110 points.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $175,000. Consistent
with EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount for that year.
Page Limit: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
Absolute Priority 4--Initial Career Awards (84.324N)
Background
There is a need to enable individuals in the initial phases of
their careers to initiate and develop promising lines of research that
would improve results and outcomes for children with disabilities and
their families through better early intervention services for infants
and toddlers, and special education and related services for children
with disabilities. Support for research activities among individuals in
the initial phases of their careers is intended to develop the capacity
of the early intervention and special education research community to
more effectively meet the needs of children with disabilities and their
families. This priority would address the additional need to provide
support for a broad range of field-initiated research projects--
focusing on the special education and related services for children
with disabilities and early intervention for infants and toddlers--
consistent with the purpose of the program as described in section 672
of the Act.
Priority: The purpose of this priority is to award grants to
eligible applicants for the support of individuals in the initial
phases of their careers to initiate and develop promising lines of
research consistent with the purposes of the program. For purposes of
this priority, the initial phase of an individual's career is
considered to be the first three years after completing a doctoral
program and graduating (i.e., for fiscal year 2002 awards, projects may
support individuals who completed a doctoral program and graduated no
earlier than the 1998-1999 academic year).
At least 50 percent of the initial career researcher's time must be
devoted to the project.
Projects must--
(a) Pursue a line of research that is developed either from theory
or a conceptual framework. The line of research must establish
directions for designing future studies extending beyond the support of
this award. The project is not intended to represent all inquiry
related to the particular theory or conceptual framework; rather, it is
expected to initiate a new line or advance an existing one;
(b) Include, in design and conduct, sustained involvement with one
or more nationally recognized experts having substantive or
methodological knowledge and expertise relevant to the proposed
research. The experts do not have to be at the same institution or
agency at which the project is located, but the interaction with the
project must be sufficient to develop the capacity of the initial
career researcher to effectively pursue the research into mid-career
activities;
(c) Prepare procedures, findings, and conclusions in a manner that
improve results and outcomes for children with disabilities by
informing other interested researchers and is useful for advancing
professional practice or improving programs and services to infants,
toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families; and
(d) Disseminate project procedures, findings, and conclusions to
appropriate research institutes and technical assistance providers.
Invitational Priority
Within absolute priority 4 for FY 2002, we are particularly
interested in applications that meet the following invitational
priority. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give to an
application that meets the priority a competitive or absolute
preference over other applications.
Projects that include, in the design and conduct of the research
project, a practicing teacher or clinician, in addition to the required
involvement of nationally recognized experts.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $75,000. Consistent with
EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that proposes
a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum
award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 30 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
Absolute Priority 5--Outreach Projects for Children with Disabilities
(84.324R)
This priority supports projects that will improve results and
outcomes by assisting educational and other agencies in replicating
proven models, components of models, and other exemplary practices that
improve services for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and
students with disabilities who are pursuing post-school employment,
postsecondary education, or independent living goals.
For the purposes of this priority, a ``proven model'' is a
comprehensive description of a theory or system that, when applied, has
been shown to be effective by evidence of improved results and
outcomes. ``Exemplary practices'' are effective strategies and methods
used to deliver educational, related, or early intervention services.
The models, components of models, or exemplary practices selected for
outreach may include those developed for pre-service and in-service
personnel preparation, and do not need to have been developed through
projects funded under IDEA, or by the applicant.
Important elements of an outreach project include but are not
limited to:
(a) Providing supporting data or other documentation in the
application regarding the effectiveness of the model, components of a
model, or exemplary practices selected for outreach;
(b) Selecting implementation sites in multiple regions within one
State or multiple States and describing the criteria for their
selection;
(c) Describing the expected costs, needed personnel, staff
training, equipment, and sequence of implementation activities
associated with the replication efforts, including a description of any
modifications to the model or practice made by the sites;
[[Page 49650]]
(d) Including public awareness, product development and
dissemination, training, and technical assistance activities as part of
the implementation of the project; and
(e) Coordinating dissemination and replication activities conducted
as part of outreach with dissemination projects, technical assistance
providers, consumer and advocacy organizations, State and local
educational agencies, and the lead agencies for Part C of IDEA, as
appropriate.
Projects must prepare products from the project in formats that are
useful for specific audiences, including parents, administrators,
teachers, early intervention personnel, related services personnel, and
individuals with disabilities. (See section 661(f)(2)(B) of IDEA).
Federal financial participation for a project funded under this
priority will not exceed 90 percent of the total annual costs of
development, operation, and evaluation of the project (see section
661(f)(2)(A) of IDEA).
Applicants must (1) specify in the application whether the primary
focus of the models, components of models, or exemplary practices
intended for outreach are for pre-service or in-service personnel
preparation, and (2) specify the use of scientifically based research
demonstrating improved results and outcomes for children with
disabilities and their families.
In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in
Washington, DC mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of
this notice, projects must budget annually for another annual meeting
in Washington, DC to collaborate with the Federal project officer and
the other projects funded under this priority, to share information and
discuss project implementation issues.
Competitive Preference
Within this absolute priority, we will give the following
competitive preference points under section 606 of IDEA and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for
funding under this priority:
Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice.
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum
total of 110 points.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $175,000. Consistent
with EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
[CFDA 84.327]
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to improve
results and outcomes for children with disabilities by promoting the
development, demonstration, and utilization of technology and to
support educational media activities designed to be of educational
value to children with disabilities. This program also provides support
for some captioning, video description, and cultural activities.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99; (b) The selection criteria for the
priorities under this program that are drawn from the EDGAR general
selection criteria menu. The specific selection criteria for each
priority are included in the funding application packet for the
applicable competition.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies;
institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States;
Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.
PRIORITY
Under section 687 of IDEA and 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only
applications that meet the following priority:
Absolute Priority 1--Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for
Students With Disabilities (84.327A)
The purpose of this priority is to support projects that--
(a) Develop or select and describe a technology-based approach for
achieving one or more of the following purposes for early intervention,
preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school students with
disabilities: (1) improving the results of education or early
intervention; (2) improving access to and participation in the general
curriculum, or developmentally appropriate activities for preschool
children; and (3) improving accountability and participation in
educational reform. The technology-based approach must be an innovative
combination of a new technology and additional materials and
methodologies that enable the technology to improve educational or
early intervention results and outcomes for children with disabilities;
(b) Justify the approach on the basis of scientifically rigorous
research or theory that supports the effectiveness of the technology-
based approach for achieving one or more of the purposes presented in
paragraph (a);
(c) Clearly identify and conduct work in ONE of the following
phases:
(1) Phase 1--Development: Projects funded under Phase 1 must
develop and refine a technology-based approach, and test its
feasibility for use with students with disabilities. Activities may
include development, adaptation, and refinement of technology,
curriculum materials, or instructional methodologies. Activities must
include formative evaluation. The primary product of Phase 1 should be
a promising technology-based approach that is suitable for field-based
evaluation of effectiveness in improving results and outcomes for
children with disabilities.
(2) Phase 2--Research on Effectiveness: Projects funded under Phase
2 must select a promising technology-based approach that has been
developed in a manner consistent with Phase 1, and subject the approach
to rigorous field-based research and evaluation to determine
effectiveness and feasibility in educational or early intervention
settings. Approaches studied in Phase 2 may have been developed with
previous funding under this priority or with funding from other
sources. Products of Phase 2 include a further refinement and
description of the technology-based approach, and sound evidence that,
in a defined range of real world contexts, the approach can
[[Page 49651]]
be effective in achieving one or more of the purposes presented in
paragraph (a).
(3) Phase 3--Research on Implementation: Projects funded under
Phase 3 must select a technology-based approach that has been evaluated
for effectiveness and feasibility in a manner consistent with Phase 2,
and must study the implementation of the approach in multiple, complex
settings to acquire an improved understanding of the range of contexts
in which the approach can be used effectively, and the factors that
determine the effectiveness and sustainability of the approach in this
range of contexts. Approaches studied in Phase 3 may have been
developed and tested with previous funding under this priority or with
funding from other sources. Factors to be studied in Phase 3 include
factors related to the technology, materials, and methodologies that
constitute the technology-based approach. Also to be studied in Phase 3
are contextual factors associated with students, teacher attitudes and
skills, physical setting, curricular and instructional or early
intervention approaches, resources, professional development, policy
supports, etc. Phases 2 and 3 can be contrasted as follows: Phase 2
studies the effectiveness the approach can have, while Phase 3 studies
the effectiveness the approach is likely to have in sustained use in a
range of typical educational settings. The primary product of Phase 3
should be a set of research findings that provide evidence of improved
results and outcomes for children with disabilities and that can be
used to guide dissemination and utilization of the technology-based
approach;
(d) In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in
Washington, DC mentioned in the ``General Requirements'' section of
this notice, budget for another annual trip to Washington, DC to
collaborate with the Federal project officer and the other projects
funded under this priority, and to share information and discuss
findings and methods of dissemination; and
(e) Prepare products from the project in formats that are useful
for specific audiences as appropriate, including parents,
administrators, teachers, early intervention personnel, related
services personnel, researchers, and individuals with disabilities.
Projects for Children From Birth to 3: We intend to fund at least
two projects focusing on technology-based approaches for children with
disabilities, ages birth to 3.
Competitive Preference
Within this absolute priority, we will give the following
competitive preference points under section 606 of IDEA and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i), to applications that are otherwise eligible for
funding under this priority:
Up to ten (10) points based on the effectiveness of the applicant's
strategies for employing and advancing in employment qualified
individuals with disabilities in project activities as required under
paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of this notice.
In determining the effectiveness of those strategies, we may consider
the applicant's past success in pursuit of this goal.
Therefore, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants
can be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded
under the published selection criteria for this priority. That is, an
applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum
total of 110 points.
Project Period: We intend to fund at least three projects in each
phase. Projects funded under Phase 1 will be funded for up to 24
months. Projects funded under Phase 2 will be funded for up to 24
months. Projects funded under Phase 3 will be funded for up to 36
months. During the final year of projects funded under Phase 3, we will
determine whether or not to fund an optional six-month period for
additional dissemination activities.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $200,000 for projects in
Phases 1 and 2, and $300,000 for projects in Phase 3. Consistent with
EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that proposes
a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated maximum
award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 50 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
SPECIAL EDUCATION--TRAINING AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN
WITH DISABILITIES (CFDA No. 84.328)
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to ensure that
parents of children with disabilities receive training and information
to help improve results and outcomes for their children.
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are local parent
organizations. According to section 682(g) of the Act, a parent
organization is a private nonprofit organization (other than an
institution of higher education) that:
(a) Has a board of directors --
(1) The parent and professional members of which are broadly
representative of the population to be served;
(2) The majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities;
and
(3) That includes individuals with disabilities and individuals
working in the fields of special education, related services, and early
intervention; or
(b) Has a membership that represents the interests of individuals
with disabilities and has established a special governing committee
meeting the requirements for a board of directors in paragraph (a) and
has a memorandum of understanding between this special governing
committee and the board of directors of the organization that clearly
outlines the relationship between the board and the committee and the
decisionmaking responsibilities and authority of each.
According to section 683(c) of the Act, local parent organizations
are parent organizations that must meet one of the following criteria--
(a) Have a board of directors the majority of whom are from the
community to be served; or
(b) Have, as part of their mission, serving the interests of
individuals with disabilities from that community; and have a special
governing committee to administer the project, a majority of the
members of which are individuals from that community.
Examples of administrative responsibilities include controlling the
use of the project funds, and hiring and managing project personnel.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80,
81, 82, 85, 97, 98, and 99; and (b) The selection criteria for this
priority that are drawn from the EDGAR general selection criteria menu.
The specific selection criteria for this priority are included in the
funding application packet for this competition.
PRIORITY
Under sections 661(e)(2) and 683 of the Act, and 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we will give an absolute preference to applications that
meet this absolute priority:
Absolute Priority--Community Parent Resource Centers (84.328C)
The purpose of this priority is to support local parent training
and
[[Page 49652]]
information centers that will help ensure that underserved parents of
children with disabilities, including low-income parents, parents of
children who are English language learners, and parents with
disabilities, have the training and information they need to enable
them to participate effectively in helping their children with
disabilities to--
(a) Meet established developmental goals and, to the maximum extent
possible, those challenging standards that have been established for
all children; and
(b) Be prepared to lead productive independent adult lives, to the
maximum extent possible.
Each community parent training and information center supported
under this priority must--
(a) Provide training and information that meets the training and
information needs of parents of children with disabilities proposed to
be served by the project, particularly underserved parents and parents
of children who may be inappropriately identified;
(b) Assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to
effectively use, procedural safeguards under section 615 of the Act,
including encouraging the use, and explaining the benefits, of
alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as the mediation
process described in the Act;
(c) Serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children with the
full range of disabilities by assisting parents to--
(1) Better understand the nature of their children's disabilities
and their educational and developmental needs;
(2) Communicate effectively with personnel responsible for
providing special education, early intervention, and related services;
(3) Participate in decisionmaking processes and the development of
individualized education programs and individualized family service
plans;
(4) Obtain appropriate information about the range of options,
programs, services, and resources available to assist children with
disabilities and their families;
(5) Familiarize themselves with the provision of special education
and related services in the areas they serve to help ensure that
children with disabilities are receiving appropriate services;
(6) Understand the provisions of the Act for the education of, and
the provision of early intervention services designed to improve
results and outcomes to, children with disabilities; and
(7) Participate in school reform activities;
(d) Contract with the State educational agencies, if the State
elects to contract with the community parent resource centers, for the
purpose of meeting with parents who choose not to use the mediation
process to encourage the use and explain the benefits of mediation,
consistent with section 615(e)(2)(B) and (D) of the Act;
(e) In order to serve parents and families of children with the
full range of disabilities, network with appropriate clearinghouses,
including organizations conducting national dissemination activities
under section 685(d) of the Act, and with other national, State, and
local organizations and agencies, such as protection and advocacy
agencies;
(f) Establish cooperative partnerships with the parent training and
information centers funded under section 682 of the Act;
(g) Be designed to meet the specific needs of families who
experience significant isolation from available sources of information
and support; and
(h) Annually report to the Department on--
(1) The number of parents to whom it provided information and
training in the most recently concluded fiscal year, demographic
information about those parents served; and
(2) The effectiveness of strategies used to reach and serve
parents, including underserved parents of children with disabilities by
providing evidence of how those parents were served effectively.
We intend to fund a maximum of 15 awards.
Competitive Preferences
Within this absolute priority, we will give competitive preference
to applications under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) that meet one or more of
the following priorities:
(a) We will award 20 points to an application submitted by a local
parent organization that has a board of directors, the majority of whom
are parents of children with disabilities, from the community to be
served.
(b) We will award 5 points to an application that proposes to
provide services to one or more Empowerment Zones or Enterprise
Communities that are designated within the areas served by projects. To
meet this priority an applicant must indicate that it will:
(1)(i) Design a program that includes special activities focused on
the unique needs of one or more Empowerment Zones or Enterprise
Communities; or
(ii) Devote a substantial portion of program resources to providing
services within, or meeting the needs of residents of these zones and
communities.
(2) As appropriate, contribute to the strategic plan of the
Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities and become an integral
component of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community activities.
A list of areas that have been selected as Empowerment Zones or
Enterprise Communities is included in the application packet.
(c) We will award up to five (5) points based on the effectiveness
of the applicant's strategies for employing and advancing in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities in project activities as
required under paragraph (a) of the ``General Requirements'' section of
this notice (section 606 of IDEA). In determining the effectiveness of
those strategies, we may consider the applicant's past success in
pursuit of this goal.
Therefore, for purposes of these competitive preferences,
applicants can be awarded up to a total of 30 points in addition to
those awarded under the published selection criteria for this priority.
That is, an applicant meeting all of these competitive preferences
could earn a maximum total of 130 points.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: The maximum award amount is $100,000. Consistent
with EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that
proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount for that year.
Page Limits: The maximum page limit for this priority is 30 double-
spaced pages.
Note: Applications must meet the required page limit standards
that are described in the ``General Requirements'' section of this
notice.
For Applications Contact: Education Publications Center (ED Pubs),
P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, Maryland 20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-
877-4ED-Pubs (1-877-433-7827). FAX: 301-470-1244. Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call (toll free) 1-
877-576-7734.
You may also contact Ed Pubs via its Web site (http://www.ed.gov/
pubs/edpubs.html) or its E-mail address (edpubs@inet.ed.gov).
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify the
competition by the appropriate CFDA number.
For Further Information Contact: Grants and Contracts Services
Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room
3317,
[[Page 49653]]
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 260-9182.
If you use a TDD you may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding
paragraph.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternative format by contacting the Department as listed
above. However, the Department is not able to reproduce in an
alternative format the standard forms included in the application
package.
Intergovernmental Review
All programs in this notice (except for the Research and Innovation
to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program)
are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 and the
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. The objective of the Executive Order is
to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened
federalism by relying on processes developed by State and local
governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial
assistance.
In accordance with the order, we intend this document to provide
early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for
those programs.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Application Notice Fiscal Year 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated
CFDA No. and Name Applications Application intergovernmental Maximum award Project period Page limit ** number of
available deadline date review (per year)* awards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.324B Student Initiated 10/05/01 02/08/02 04/09/02 $20,000 Up to 12 mos....... 25 12
Research Projects.
84.324C Field-Initiated Research 10/05/01 11/16/01 01/16/02 180,000 ***Up to 60 mos.... 50 14
Projects.
84.324M Model Demonstration 10/05/01 11/30/01 01/30/02 175,000 Up to 48 mos....... 50 14
Projects for Children with
Disabilities.
84.324N Initial Career Awards... 10/05/01 11/09/01 01/09/02 75,000 Up to 36 mos....... 30 4
84.324R Outreach Projects for 10/05/01 12/14/01 02/12/02 175,000 Up to 36 mos....... 50 14
Children with Disabilities.
84.324A Steppingstones of 10/05/01 12/07/01 02/05/02 .............. ................... 10
Technology Innovation for
Students with Disabilities.
Phase 1 and 2............... .............. .............. ................. 200,000 Up to 24 mos....... 50
Phase 3..................... .............. .............. ................. 300,000 Up to 36 mos....... 50
84.328C Community Parent 10/05/01 12/21/01 02/19/02 100,000 Up to 36 mos....... 30 10
Resource Centers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Consistent with EDGAR (34 CFR 75.104(b)), we will reject any application that proposes a project funding level for any year that exceeds the stated
maximum award amount for that year. We will consider, and may fund, requests for additional funding as an addendum to an application to reflect the
costs of reasonable accommodations necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to be employed on the project as personnel on project activities.
** Applicants must limit the Application Narrative, Part III of the Application, to the page limits noted above. Please refer to the ``Page Limit''
requirements and the page limit standards described in the ``General Requirements'' section included under each priority description. We will reject
and will not consider an application that does not adhere to this requirement. ***The majority of projects will be funded for up to 36 months. Only in
exceptional circumstances will projects be funded for more than 36 months, up to a maximum of 60 months.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the internet at the following site:
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
To use the PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using the PDF, call the
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or
in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is published in the
Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of
the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is
available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo/nara/index.html
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1405, 1461, 1472, 1474, and 1487.
Dated: September 25, 2001.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and, Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 01-24403 Filed 9-27-01; 8:45 am]
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