[Federal Register: December 26, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 81492-81495]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de00-48]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of Final Funding Priorities for Fiscal Years 2001-2002
for collaborative projects in spinal cord injury research.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services announces final funding priorities for
collaborative spinal cord injury research, a spinal cord injury data
center, and a spinal cord injury dissemination center under the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
for fiscal years 2001-2002. The Assistant Secretary takes this action
to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend these
priorities to improve the rehabilitation services and outcomes for
individuals with disabilities.
DATES: These priorities take effect on January 25, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle. Telephone: (202) 205-
5880. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475. Internet:
donna_nangle@ed.gov
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 person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains final priorities under
the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program
(DRRP) for collaborative spinal cord injury research, a spinal cord
injury data center, and a spinal cord injury dissemination center.
The final priorities refer to NIDRR's Long Range Plan (the Plan).
The Plan can be accessed on the World Wide Web at: www.ed.gov/offices/
OSERS/NIDRR/#LRP.
Goals 2000: Educate America Act
The Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Goals 2000) focuses the
Nation's education reform efforts on the eight National Education Goals
and provides a framework for meeting them. Goals 2000 promotes new
partnerships to strengthen schools and expands the Department's
capacities for helping
[[Page 81493]]
communities to exchange ideas and obtain information needed to achieve
the goals.
These final priorities will address the National Education Goal
that every adult American will be literate and will possess the
knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and
exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The authority for the program to establish research priorities by
reserving funds to support particular research activities is contained
in sections 202(g) and 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(4)). Regulations governing this
program are found in 34 CFR part 350.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. A notice
inviting applications is published in this issue of the Federal
Register.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
On September 1, 2000, the Assistant Secretary published a notice of
proposed priorities in the Federal Register (65 FR 53512). The
Department of Education received 5 letters commenting on the notice of
proposed priorities by the deadline date. Technical and other minor
changes--and suggested changes the Assistant Secretary is not legally
authorized to make under statutory authority--are not addressed.
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program; Collaborative Spinal Cord Injury Research
Comment: One comment suggested that there is a need for research on
initial surgical treatments of the spinal injured patient.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees that this is an appropriate topic for a
collaborative research proposal, but elects to leave the choice of
topics up to the applicant. The peer review process will evaluate the
merits of each proposal.
Changes: None.
Spinal Cord Injury Data Center and Spinal Cord Injury Dissemination
Center
Comment: One comment indicated that the requirement that the data
center must ``incorporate culturally appropriate methods of community
outreach and education in areas such as health and wellness, housing,
transportation, recreation, employment, and other community activities
for individuals with diverse backgrounds with SCI'' is inconsistent
with other requirements of the data center.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees. Culturally appropriate methods must be
applied to the data collection and dissemination activities that are
required of the data center.
Changes: The priority has been changed to reflect this requirement.
Comment: One comment suggested that the data center and
dissemination center should be combined to achieve greater efficiency.
Discussion: Historically, the data base and dissemination
activities have been conducted as separate projects in this program.
Applicants are not precluded from applying for both centers. NIDRR
agrees that collaboration between these centers is important and the
priority has been modified to include this requirement.
Changes: The data center priority has been modified to require
collaboration with the dissemination center.
Comment: One comment suggested that a system for uniform reporting
and collection of presentations by the Model SCI Centers to all
audiences be a requirement of the dissemination center.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees.
Changes: The priority has been changed to require that the center
collect, maintain, and disseminate consumer and professional education
materials.
Comment: One comment noted that, while the dissemination center is
required to collaborate with the Model SCI Centers, the Model SCI
Centers are not required to collaborate with the dissemination center.
Discussion: While the Model SCI Center priority could be
interpreted to require such collaboration, the Model SCI Center grants
have been awarded and the requirements cannot be changed.
Changes: None.
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program
The authority for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
(DRRP) is contained in section 204 of the Rehabilitation of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(4). The purpose of the DRRP
program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects,
training and related activities to--
(a) Develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that
maximizes the full inclusion and integration into society, employment,
independent living, family support, and economic and social self-
sufficiency of individuals with disabilities; and
(b) Improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Act.
Background
The projects in these final priorities are to conduct research in
collaboration with Centers established under the Special Projects and
Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Program. The following
section provides background information regarding that program to
assist applicants in developing appropriate collaboration projects.
Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injury
The authority for Model Spinal Cord Injury Centers (MSCI) is
contained in section 204(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended (29 U.S.C. 764(b)(4)). We may make awards for up to 60 months
through grants or cooperative agreements. The MSCI program provides
assistance to establish innovative projects for the delivery,
demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive medical, vocational, and
other rehabilitation services to meet the wide range of needs of
individuals with SCI.
The MSCI program provides assistance for projects that provide
comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with SCI and
conduct spinal cord research, including clinical research and the
analysis of standardized data in collaboration with other related
projects.
Each MSCI Center establishes a multidisciplinary system of
providing rehabilitation services, specifically designed to meet the
special needs of individuals with SCI. This includes acute care as well
as periodic inpatient or outpatient follow up and vocational services.
MSCI Centers demonstrate and evaluate the benefits and cost
effectiveness of such a system for the care of individuals SCI and
demonstrate and evaluate existing, new, and improved methods and
equipment essential to the care, management, and rehabilitation of
individuals with SCI. MSCI Centers demonstrate and evaluate methods of
community outreach and education for individuals with SCI in connection
with the problems of those individuals in areas such as housing,
transportation, recreation, employment, and community activities.
NIDRR is in the final selection process for MSCI Centers for the
period 2000-2005. The priority announcement and notice inviting
applications were published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2000
(65 FR 14346-14377). Additional information about the MSCI Centers
Program is available on the World Wide Web at www.ncddr.org/rpp/hf/
hfdw/mscis and in the special issue ``Current Research Outcomes from
the Model Spinal Cord Injury Care Systems'', Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 80, No. 11, November 1999. NIDRR's
[[Page 81494]]
currently funded MSCI Centers are at Thomas Jefferson University;
Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research & Education Corp.; University
of Michigan Health Systems, Dept. of Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation; Craig Hospital; Mount Sinai School of Medicine;
University of Miami, School of Medicine; University of Missouri,
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Santa Clara Valley
Medical Center; Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine,
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; University of
Alabama, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; University
of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; Boston Medical
Center Corporation, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; The
Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR); Los Amigos Research &
Education Institute, Inc.; and Shepherd Center, Inc., Crawford Research
Institute. Contact information and project descriptions can be found
for each of these projects on NIDRRs on-line program directory at the
National Rehabilitation Research Information Center (NARIC) at
www.naric.com/search/
Priority for Collaborative Research Projects in Spinal Cord Injury
In the announcement of March 16, 2000 it was indicated that a
separate competition would be held for collaborative projects in SCI.
We now propose to establish a priority for those collaborative
projects. In addition, we proposed to establish a Data Center to
maintain and manage the database of information regarding individuals
with SCI who receive treatment in the MSCI Centers. We also proposed to
establish a Dissemination Center to manage the collection and
dissemination of academic and consumer information developed by those
centers.
Collaborative Spinal Cord Injury Research Projects
Estimates of the number of people living with traumatic SCI range
from 183,000 to 230,000, with an incidence of approximately 10,000 new
cases each year (``Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance,''
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), University of
Alabama at Birmingham. Although SCI predominately affects young adults
(56% of SCIs occur among people aged 16-30 years), there is an
increasing proportion of new SCI cases in the population over 60 years
of age (NSCISC, ibid.). The true significance of traumatic SCI lies not
primarily in the numbers affected, but in the substantial impact on
individuals' lives and the associated substantial health care costs and
living expenses. A traumatic SCI has far-reaching repercussions on the
lives of the injured persons and their families that can be devastating
if not addressed effectively. According to a report from the Agency for
Health Care Policy and Research (Hospital Inpatient Statistics, 1996,
AHCPR Publication No. 99-0034), SCI is the most expensive condition or
diagnosis treated in U.S. hospitals. The estimated lifetime costs for
an individual injured at the age of 25 range from $365,000 for an
incomplete injury to more than $1.7 million for an individual with a
high cervical injury (NSCISC, op cit).
Collaborative research projects are essential in the development of
new knowledge for improved treatment and services for people with SCI.
Multi-center collaboration enables the collection of data from a larger
number of subjects, increasing the statistical reliability of the
information. Collaborative research enables projects with a wider range
of expertise than may be available at a single center. Multi-center
collaboration may also enable comparisons of different health care
delivery systems. Additionally, multi-center projects may facilitate
the inclusion of a more diverse range of individuals with SCI than may
be available at a single center. It is a requirement of this final
priority that the research include two or more centers from the MSCI
Centers Program. However, to achieve the combination of target
populations and professional expertise necessary to answer relevant
questions, collaboration with other NIDRR centers, including the MSCI
centers and centers supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs,
the National Institutes of Health, and other public and private
agencies are encouraged.
Spinal Cord Injury Data Center
The database of the MSCI Centers Program is a collaborative project
in which all of the centers participate. The parameters of the database
are determined by the directors of the centers, in consultation with
NIDRR. The specification of the database as it is currently implemented
can be obtained from the National SCI Statistical Center at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Center may be contacted on the
World Wide Web at www.ncddr.org/rpp/hf/hfdw/mscis/index.html or by e-
mail at NSCISC@uab.edu or by telephone at (205) 934-5049). The SCI data
center will maintain the database, provide technical assistance
regarding data collection, and collaborate with all of the centers to
publish information from the database. Historically the data center has
been funded as a supplement to one of the centers in the program.
However, we propose to establish a separate center to maintain this
information.
Spinal Cord Injury Dissemination Center
The collection and dissemination of academic and consumer education
products produced by the centers has been conducted by collaborative
efforts among the centers in the program. This has resulted in a
bibliography of articles published in professional journals and a
database of consumer education materials. The center is to maintain and
continue to collect and disseminate this information. This center will
be required to collaborate with all of the MSCI Centers and
collaborative research projects as well as the Data Center and other
NIDRR supported dissemination centers, the National Rehabilitation
Information Center (NARIC) and the National Center for the
Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR).
Priority 1: Collaborative Research in Spinal Cord Injury
The Assistant Secretary will fund collaborative projects in SCI
research for the purpose of generating new knowledge through research,
development, or demonstration to improve outcomes for SCI through
improved interventions and service delivery models. A collaborative SCI
Project must:
(1) Conduct a significant and substantial research project in SCI
that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in SCI consistent
with the Plan.
Applicants may select from the following examples of research
objectives related to specific areas of the Plan or other research
objectives, including those that cut across areas of the Plan:
(Chapter 3, Employment Outcomes): Either (1) Assess barriers to
employment of people with SCI; or (2) conduct multi-center evaluation
of direct intervention strategies for improving employment outcomes.
(Chapter 4, Maintaining Health and Function): Either (1) Conduct
multi-center evaluations of interventions to improve outcomes in the
preservation or restoration of function or the prevention and treatment
of secondary conditions; or (2) assess service delivery models that
provide quality care under constraints imposed by recent changes in the
health care financing system.
[[Page 81495]]
(Chapter 5, Technology for Access and Function): Either (1) Conduct
a multi-center evaluation of the impact of selected innovations in
technology and rehabilitation engineering on service delivery; or (2)
assess the impact of selected innovations in technology and
rehabilitation engineering on outcomes such as function, independence,
and employment.
(Chapter 6, Independent Living and Community Integration): Measure
the environmental factors influencing independence and community
integration, employment function, and health maintenance.
(Chapter 7, Associated): Either (1) Evaluate methods to build the
capacity for rehabilitation services for individuals with SCI; or (2)
Investigate the impact of national telecommunications and information
policy on the access of persons with SCI to related education, work,
and other opportunities.
(2) Disseminate research and demonstration findings to SCI centers,
rehabilitation practitioners, researchers, individuals with SCI and
their families or other authorized representatives, and other public
and private organizations involved in SCI care and rehabilitation.
In carrying out these purposes, the project must:
Include two or more centers from the MSCI Centers Program.
Incorporate culturally appropriate methods of community
outreach and education in areas such as health and wellness, housing,
transportation, recreation, employment, and other community activities
for individuals with diverse backgrounds with SCI;
Priority 2: Data Center
The Assistant Secretary will establish a data center to manage and
facilitate the use of information on individuals with SCI collected by
the MSCI Centers. The Data Center must:
(1) Establish a hardware and software system to securely maintain
data from the MSCI Centers. The system must maintain individual
confidentiality and provide for data entry, quality control, data
retrieval, and data analysis.
(2) Train and provide technical assistance to the MSCI Centers on
proper data collection methods, data entry, and utilization of the
database.
(3) Establish methods and procedures to communicate with NIDRR and
the directors of the MSCI Centers regarding submissions to the database
and the quality and utility of data elements.
(4) Demonstrate the capacity to conduct, facilitate, and
disseminate research utilizing the database in collaboration with the
dissemination center.
(5) Develop and facilitate methods for linking the data from the
MSCI Centers with other databases to advance knowledge regarding SCI.
In carrying out these purposes the center must:
Incorporate culturally appropriate methods of data
collection and dissemination, including culturally sensitive
measurement approaches; and
Demonstrate the capacity to provide technical assistance
to the MSCI Centers and to other related projects regarding database
development and maintenance.
Priority 3: Dissemination Center
The Assistant Secretary will establish a center for the purpose of
collecting, maintaining and disseminating academic and consumer
education materials produced by the MSCI Centers and the Collaborative
Research Projects in SCI. The Dissemination Center must:
(1) Establish, maintain, and disseminate a bibliography of the
academic publications of the MSCI Centers and the Collaborative
Research Projects in SCI.
(2) Establish a system to collect, maintain, and disseminate
consumer and professional education materials produced by the MSCI
Centers and the Collaborative Research Projects in SCI.
(3) Establish collaborative relationships with NIDRR supported
dissemination centers, NARIC (www.naric.com) and NCDDR (www.ncddr.org).
In carrying out these purposes, the project must:
Incorporate culturally appropriate methods of community
outreach and education in areas such as health and wellness, housing,
transportation, recreation, employment, and other community activities
for individuals with diverse backgrounds with SCI; and
Establish procedures to collaborate with the SCI Data
Center and other information sources supported by public or private
agencies to facilitate dissemination of information regarding SCI
research.
Additional Selection Criterion
We will use the selection criteria in 34 CFR 350.54 to evaluate
applications under this program. The maximum score for all the criteria
is 100 points; however, we will also use the following criterion so
that up to an additional ten points may be earned by an applicant for a
total possible score of 110 points.
Up to ten (10) points based on the extent to which an application
includes effective strategies for employing and advancing in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities in projects awarded under this
absolute priority. In determining the effectiveness of those
strategies, we will consider the applicant's prior success, as
described in the application, in employing and advancing in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities.
Thus 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.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Electronic Access to This Document
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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: www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 84.133A, Disability
Rehabilitation Research Project)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(4).
Dated: December 18, 2000.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 00-32785 Filed 12-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P