[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 4988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2562]



[[Page 4988]]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.275C]


Partnership Training; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To support the formation of consortia or 
partnerships of public or nonprofit private entities for the purpose of 
providing opportunities for career advancement or competency-based 
training to current employees of public or nonprofit private agencies 
that provide services to individuals with disabilities. Those 
opportunities must include certificate or degree granting programs in 
vocational rehabilitation services and related services.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: States, public or nonprofit private agencies and 
organizations, and institutions of higher education.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Congress expressed a concern that led to the 
inclusion of the partnership training program effort in the 
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. The following is an excerpt from 
the U.S. House of Representatives report on the Rehabilitation Act 
Amendments of 1992, H.R. Rep. No. 102-973, page 117, (1992): ``The 
recruitment, training and retention of personnel continues to be a 
problem in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to 
individuals with disabilities. The personnel training initiative (e.g., 
demonstration grants and technical assistance) provides an opportunity 
to train and retain workers who currently hold entry level or 
paraprofessional positions in public and private agencies that serve 
individuals with disabilities and have demonstrated a commitment to 
remaining in the field of vocational rehabilitation.''
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 4, 1997.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 4, 1997.
    Applications Available: February 5, 1997.
    Available Funds: $400,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 85, and 86.
    Statutory Authorizations: The statutory authorizations in section 
302(e) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, apply to this 
program.
    An entity that receives a grant under this program may use the 
grant for purposes including--
    (1) Establishing a program with an institution of higher education 
to develop creative new programs and coursework options, or to expand 
existing programs, in the fields of vocational rehabilitation services 
and related services including--
    (a) Providing release time for faculty and staff for curriculum 
development;
    (b) Paying for instructional costs and start-up and other program 
development costs;
    (2) Establishing a career development mentoring program using 
faculty and professional staff members of participating agencies as 
role models, career sponsors, and academic advisors for experienced 
State, city, and county employees, and volunteers who--
    (a) Have demonstrated a commitment to working in the fields 
described in paragraph (1)(a) above; and
    (b) Are enrolled in a program relating to such a field at an 
institution of higher education;
    (3) Supporting a wide range of programmatic and research activities 
aimed at increasing opportunities for career advancement and 
competency-based training in fields related to vocational 
rehabilitation and related services; and
    (4) Identifying existing public or private agency and labor union 
personnel policies and benefit programs that may facilitate the ability 
of employees to take advantage of higher education opportunities, such 
as leave time and tuition reimbursement.
    In awarding grants for these projects, the Commissioner ensures 
that the projects are geographically distributed throughout the United 
States in urban and rural areas.

FOR APPLICATIONS: To request an application package, please write to 
U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 3038, 
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2649, Attention Joyce R. Jones; 
or call (202) 205-8351.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Beverly Brightly, U.S. Department 
of Education, Room 3322, Switzer Building, 600 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20202-2649. Telephone: (202) 205-9561. Individuals 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 
a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    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; on the Internet Gopher Server (at <a href="gopher://
gcs.ed.gov">gopher://
gcs.ed.gov</a>); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, 
the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition 
is the notice published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 774.

    Dated: January 29, 1997.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 97-2562 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P