[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11505-11514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4551]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Training and Information for Parents
of Children With Disabilities
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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Overview Information:
Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities.
Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2012.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.328C and
84.328M.
Note: This notice invites applications for two separate
competitions. For key dates, contact person information, and funding
information regarding each competition, see the table in Section II,
Award Information.
DATES:
Applications Available: See table in Section II, Award Information.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: See table in Section II,
Award Information.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: See table in Section II,
Award Information.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
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 for their children.
Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and (v),
these priorities are from allowable activities specified in the
statute, or otherwise authorized in the statute (see sections 671, 672
and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)).
Each of the absolute priorities announced in this notice corresponds to
a separate competition as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Competition
Absolute priority CFDA No.
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1. Community Parent 84.328C
Resource Centers..........................................
2. Parent Training and 84.328M
Information Centers.......................................
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Absolute Priorities: For FY 2012 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from these
competitions, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), for each competition, we consider only applications that
meet the absolute priority for that competition.
The priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1--Community Parent Resource Centers (84.328C)
and Absolute Priority 2--Parent Training and Information Centers
(84.328M).
Background:
Almost 35 years of research and experience has demonstrated that
the education of children with disabilities can be made more effective
by strengthening the ability of parents to participate fully in the
education of their children at school and at home (see section
601(c)(5)(B) of IDEA).
This notice announces two priorities that are designed to help
ensure that parents of children with disabilities have the training and
information they need to participate in the education of their
children.
Absolute Priority 1 supports Community Parent Resource Centers
(CPRCs) designed to meet the specific needs of parents who experience
significant isolation from available sources of information and support
in the geographically defined communities served by the centers. These
parents include low-income parents, parents of limited English
proficient children, and parents with disabilities--.
Absolute Priority 2 supports Parent Training and Information
Centers (PTIs) designed to meet the needs of parents of children with
disabilities living in the States, regions of the States, or
territories served by the centers, particularly underserved parents and
parents of children who may be inappropriately identified as having a
disability. Under these priorities, CPRCs and PTIs will, consistent
with sections 672 and 671 of IDEA, provide parents of children with
disabilities with the training and information they need to enable them
to participate cooperatively and effectively in helping their children
to--
(a) Meet developmental and functional goals and the challenging
academic achievement standards that have been established for all
children; and
(b) Be prepared to lead productive, independent adult lives to the
maximum extent possible.
The following Web site provides further information on the work of
previously funded CPRCs and PTIs: www.parentcenternetwork.org.
Absolute Priority 1--Community Parent Resource Centers (84.328C):
To be considered for funding under the CPRC absolute priority,
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in the
priority. All projects funded under the absolute priority also must
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the
priority.
Application Requirements. An applicant must include in its
application--
(a) A plan to implement the activities described in the Project
Activities section of this priority; and
(b) A budget for attendance at the following:
(1) The three-day Leadership Conference in Washington, DC during
each year of the project period.
(2) The two-day Regional Technical Assistance for Parent Centers
Conference in the region in which the CPRC is located during each year
of the project period. Applicants should refer to
www.parentcenternetwork.org for a list of regions.
Project Activities. To meet the requirements of this priority, the
CPRC, at a minimum, must--
(a) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility;
(b) Provide training and information that meets the training and
information needs of parents of children with disabilities within the
proposed targeted community to be served by the CPRC, particularly
underserved parents and parents of children who may be inappropriately
identified as having a disability;
[[Page 11506]]
Note: For purposes of this priority, ``targeted community to be
served'' refers to a geographically defined, local community whose
members experience significant isolation from available sources of
information and support as a result of cultural, economic,
linguistic, or other circumstances deemed appropriate by the
Secretary.
(c) Carry out the following activities required of parent training
and information centers:
(1) Serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children, from ages
birth through 26, with the full range of disabilities described in
section 602(3) of IDEA.
(2) Ensure that the training and information provided meets the
needs of low-income parents and parents of limited English proficient
children.
(3) Assist parents to--
(i) Better understand the nature of their children's disabilities
and their educational, developmental, and transitional needs;
(ii) Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with
personnel responsible for providing special education, early
intervention services, transition services, and related services;
(iii) Participate in decision-making processes, including those
regarding participation in State and local assessments, and the
development of individualized education programs under Part B of IDEA
and individualized family service plans under Part C of IDEA;
(iv) Obtain appropriate information about the range, type, and
quality of--
(A) Options, programs, services, technologies, practices, and
interventions based on scientifically based research, to the extent
practicable; and
(B) Resources available to assist children with disabilities and
their families in school and at home, including information available
through the Office of Special Education Programs' (OSEP's) technical
assistance and dissemination centers (www.tadnet.org) and through
communities of practice (www.tadnet.org/communities);
(v) Understand the requirements of IDEA related to the provision of
education and early intervention services to children with
disabilities;
(vi) Participate in activities at the school level that benefit
their children; and
(vii) Participate in school reform activities.
(4) In States where the State elects to contract with the CPRC,
contract with the State educational agency (SEA) to provide, consistent
with paragraphs (B) and (D) of section 615(e)(2) of IDEA, individuals
to meet with parents and explain the mediation process.
(5) Assist parents in resolving disputes in the most expeditious
and effective way possible, including encouraging the use of, and
explaining the benefits of, alternative methods of dispute resolution
such as the mediation process described in section 615(e) of IDEA.
(6) Assist parents and students with disabilities to understand
their rights and responsibilities under IDEA, including those under
section 615(m) of IDEA upon the student's reaching the age of majority
(as appropriate under State law).
(7) Assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to
effectively use, procedural safeguards provided under IDEA.
(8) Assist parents in understanding, preparing for, and
participating in the resolution session described in section
615(f)(1)(B) of IDEA;
(d) Establish cooperative partnerships with any Parent Training and
Information Centers (PTIs) and any other CPRCs funded in the State
under sections 671 and 672 of IDEA, respectively;
(e) Be designed to meet the specific needs of families who
experience significant isolation from available sources of information
and support;
(f) Be familiar with the provision of special education, related
services, and early intervention services in the CPRC's targeted
community to be served to help ensure that children with disabilities
are receiving appropriate services;
(g) Respond to requests from OSEP for information about the needs
and experiences of parents served by the center to inform OSEP's
analysis of State progress towards improving outcomes for children with
disabilities;
(h) Annually report to the Department on--
(1) The number and demographics of parents to whom the CPRC
provided information and training in the most recently concluded fiscal
year, including additional information regarding the parents' unique
needs and the levels of service provided to them; 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;
(i) Respond to requests from the OSEP-funded National and Regional
Parent Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), and use the technical
assistance services of the National and Regional PTACs, in order to
serve the families of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities
as efficiently as possible. Regional PTACs are charged with assisting
parent centers with administrative and programmatic issues;
(j) In collaboration with OSEP and the National PTAC, participate
in an annual collection of program data for the PTIs and CPRCs funded
under sections 671 and 672 of IDEA, respectively; and
(k) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer
through phone conversations and email communication.
In addition, the CPRC's board of directors must meet not less than
once in each calendar quarter to review the activities for which the
award was made and annually submit to the Secretary a written review of
the CPRC's activities conducted during the preceding fiscal year.
Competitive Preference Priority: Within this absolute priority, we
give competitive preference to applications that meet the following
priority. For FY 2012 and any subsequent year in which we make awards
from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this
priority is a competitive preference priority.
Competitive Preference Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we
award an additional 5 points to an application that meets this
priority.
This priority is:
Applicants that propose to design a program with specific
activities and services focused on meeting the unique needs of parents
who have children enrolled in either high-poverty schools \1\ or
persistently lowest-achieving schools \2\ within the area served by the
CPRC.
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\1\ For the purpose of this notice, the term ``high-poverty
school'' means a school in which at least 50 percent of students are
eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act or in which at least 50 percent of
students are from low-income families as determined using one of the
criteria specified under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. For middle and high
schools, eligibility may be calculated on the basis of comparable
data from feeder schools. Eligibility as a high-poverty school under
this definition is determined on the basis of the most currently
available data.
\2\ For the purpose of this notice, the term ``persistently
lowest-achieving schools means'', as determined by the State--(i)
Any Title I school in improvement, corrective action, or
restructuring that (a) Is among the lowest-achieving five percent of
Title I schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring
or the lowest-achieving five Title I schools in improvement,
corrective action, or restructuring in the State, whichever number
of schools is greater; or (b) Is a high school that has had a
graduation rate as defined in 34 CFR 200.19(b) that is less than 60
percent over a number of years; and (ii) Any secondary school that
is eligible for, but does not receive, Title I funds that--(a) Is
among the lowest-achieving five percent of secondary schools or the
lowest-achieving five secondary schools in the State that are
eligible for, but do not receive, Title I funds, whichever number of
schools is greater; or (b) Is a high school that has had a
graduation rate as defined in 34 CFR 200.19(b) that is less than 60
percent over a number of years.
To identify the persistently lowest-achieving schools, a State
must take into account both--(i) The academic achievement of the
``all students'' group in a school in terms of proficiency on the
State's assessments under section 1111(b)(3) of the ESEA in reading/
language arts and mathematics combined; and (ii) The school's lack
of progress on those assessments over a number of years in the ``all
students'' group.
[[Page 11507]]
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Note: The 5 points an applicant can earn under this competitive
preference priority are in addition to those points awarded under
the selection criteria for this competition (see Selection Criteria
in section V in this notice). That is, an applicant meeting the
competitive preference priority could earn a maximum total of 105
points.
Absolute Priority 2--Parent Training and Information Centers
(84.328M):
To be considered for funding under the PTIs absolute priority,
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in the
priority. All projects funded under the absolute priority also must
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the
priority.
Application Requirements. An applicant must include in its
application--
(a) A logic model that depicts, at a minimum, the goals,
activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. A logic
model communicates how a project will achieve its outcomes and provides
a framework for both the formative and summative evaluations of the
project;
Note: The following Web site provides more information on logic
models: www.tadnet.org/model_and_performance.
(b) A plan to implement the activities described in the Project
Activities section of this priority;
(c) A plan, linked to the proposed project's logic model, for a
formative evaluation of the proposed project's activities. The plan
must describe how the formative evaluation will use clear performance
objectives to ensure continuous improvement in the operation of the
proposed project, including objective measures of progress in
implementing the project and ensuring the quality of products and
services;
(d) A budget for attendance at the following:
(1) The three-day Leadership Conference in Washington, DC during
each year of the project period.
(2) The two-day Regional Technical Assistance for Parent Centers
Conference, in the region in which the PTI is located, during each year
of the project period. Applicants should refer to
www.parentcenternetwork.org for a list of regions; and
(e) A description specifying the special efforts the PTI will make
to:
(1) Ensure that the needs for training and information of
underserved parents of children with disabilities in the area to be
served, including parents of children attending high-poverty schools
(as defined in footnote 1) and the State's persistently lowest-
achieving schools (as defined in footnote 2), are effectively met; and
(2) Work with community-based organizations, including those that
work with low-income parents and parents of limited English proficient
children.
Project Activities. To meet the requirements of this priority, the
PTI, at a minimum, must--
(a) Maintain a Web site that contains, at a minimum, a current
calendar of upcoming events, free informational publications for
families, and links to webinars or other online multimedia resources.
The Web site must also meet government or industry-recognized standards
for accessibility. Applicants can find more information regarding Web
site accessibility at: http://webaim.org;
(b) Provide training and information that meets the training and
information needs of parents of children with disabilities living in
the area served by the PTI, particularly underserved parents and
parents of children who may be inappropriately identified as having a
disability and including parents of children attending high-poverty
schools and the State's persistently lowest-achieving schools;
(c) Serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children from ages
birth through 26, with the full range of disabilities described in
section 602(3) of IDEA;
(d) Ensure that the training and information provided meets the
needs of low-income parents and parents of limited English proficient
children;
(e) Assist parents to--
(1) Better understand the nature of their children's disabilities
and their educational, developmental, and transitional needs;
(2) Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with personnel
responsible for providing special education, early intervention
services, transition services, and related services;
(3) Participate in decision-making processes, including those
regarding participation in State and local assessments, and the
development of individualized education programs under Part B of IDEA
and individualized family service plans under Part C of IDEA;
(4) Obtain appropriate information about the range, type and
quality of--
(i) Options, programs, services, technologies, practices, and
interventions that are based on scientifically based research, to the
extent practicable; and
(ii) Resources available to assist children with disabilities and
their families in school and at home, including information available
through OSEP's technical assistance and dissemination centers
(www.tadnet.org) and through communities of practice (www.tadnet.org/communities);
(5) Understand the requirements of IDEA related to the provision of
education and early intervention services to children with
disabilities;
(6) Participate in activities at the school level that benefit
their children; and
(7) Participate in school reform activities;
(f) In States where the State elects to contract with the PTIs,
contract with the State educational agency (SEA) to provide, consistent
with paragraphs (B) and (D) of section 615(e)(2) of IDEA, individuals
to meet with parents and explain the mediation process;
(g) Assist parents in resolving disputes in the most expeditious
and effective way possible, including encouraging the use of, and
explaining the benefits of, alternative methods of dispute resolution
such as the mediation process described in section 615(e) of IDEA;
(h) Assist parents and students with disabilities to understand
their rights and responsibilities under IDEA, including those under
section 615(m) of IDEA upon the student's reaching the age of majority
(as appropriate under State law);
(i) Assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to
effectively use, procedural safeguards provided under IDEA;
(j) Assist parents in understanding, preparing for, and
participating in the resolution session described in section
615(f)(1)(B) of IDEA;
(k) Establish cooperative partnerships with any CPRCs and any other
PTIs funded in the State under sections 672 and 671 of IDEA,
respectively;
(l) Network with appropriate clearinghouses, including
organizations conducting national dissemination activities under
section 663 of IDEA and the Department's Institute of Education
Sciences, and with other national, State, and local organizations and
agencies such as protection and advocacy
[[Page 11508]]
agencies that serve parents and families of children with the full
range of disabilities described in section 602(3) of IDEA;
(m) Respond to requests from OSEP for information about the needs
and experiences of parents served by the center to inform OSEP's
analysis of State progress towards improving outcomes for children with
disabilities;
(n) Annually report to the Department on--
(1) The number and demographics of parents to whom the PTI provided
information and training in the most recently concluded fiscal year,
including additional information regarding the parents' unique needs
and the levels of service provided to them; and
(2) The effectiveness of strategies used to reach and serve
parents, including underserved parents of children with disabilities
such as parents of children attending high-poverty schools and the
State's persistently lowest achieving schools, by providing evidence of
how those parents were served effectively;
(o) Respond to requests from the OSEP-funded National and Regional
PTACs and use the technical assistance services of the National and
Regional PTACs in order to serve the families of infants, toddlers, and
children with disabilities as efficiently as possible. Regional PTACs
are charged with assisting parent centers with administrative and
programmatic issues;
(p) In collaboration with OSEP and the National PTAC, participate
in an annual collection of program data for the PTIs and CPRCs funded
under sections 671 and 672 of IDEA, respectively; and
(q) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer
through phone conversations and email communication.
In addition, the PTI's board of directors must meet not less than
once in each calendar quarter to review the activities for which the
award was made and annually submit to the Secretary a written review of
the PTI's activities conducted during the preceding fiscal year.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priorities in this notice.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1471, 1472, and 1481.
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84,
85, 97, 98, and 99.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian tribes.
II. Award Information
Type of Awards: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $11,094,041. Contingent upon the
availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make
additional awards in FY 2013 from the list of unfunded applicants from
the competitions.
Please refer to the ``Estimated Available Funds'' column of the
table in this section for the estimated dollar amounts for individual
competitions. Information concerning funding amounts for individual
States and target populations for the 84.328M competition is provided
in the ``Maximum Award'' column.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: See table.
Maximum Award: See table.
Estimated Number of Awards: See table.
Project Period: See table.
[[Page 11509]]
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Training and Information for Parents of Children With Disabilities Program Application Notice for Fiscal Year 2012
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Estimated Estimated Maximum Estimated
Deadline for Deadline for available average award $ number of
CFDA No. and name Applications transmittal of intergovernmental funds $ size of (See Notes awards Project Page Contact person
available applications review (See Note awards (See 1, 3, and (See Note period limit
2) Note 2) 4) 2)
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84.328C Community Parent February 27, 2012.. April 27, 2012..... June 26, 2012........ $1,100,000 $100,000 $100,000 11 Up to 48 mos. 50 Carmen Sanchez
Resource Centers. (202) 245-6595
PCP-4057
84.328M Parent Training and February 27, 2012.. April 27, 2012..... June 26, 2012........ 9,994,041 354,901 ........... 27 Up to 36 mos. 70 Lisa Gorove (202)
Information Centers (See Note (See Note 3) 245-7357 PCP-4048
3).
Arkansas........................ ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 258,634
California
Region 1.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 791,336
Region 2.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 648,741
Region 3.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 220,881
Region 4.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 577,426
Region 5.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 220,881
Connecticut..................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 276,016
Georgia......................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 664,791
Illinois
Region 1.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 548,612
Region 2.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 281,878
Kansas.......................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 292,033
Michigan
Region 1.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 239,170
Region 2.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 403,970
Montana......................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 227,965
Nebraska........................ ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 224,894
New Jersey...................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 496,829
New Mexico...................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 277,918
Ohio
Region 1.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 241,824
Region 2.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 468,392
Oregon.......................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 283,548
South Carolina.................. ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 289,373
Texas
Region 1.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 667,779
Region 2.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 667,779
Region 3.................... ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 377,223
Utah............................ ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 246,148
Outlying Areas
American Samoa.............. ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 50,000
Commonwealth of the Northern ................... ................... ..................... ........... ........... 50,000
Marianas.
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[[Page 11510]]
Note 1: We will reject any application that proposes a budget
exceeding the maximum award for a single budget period of 12 months.
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in
the Federal Register.
Note 2: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Note 3: For the Parent Training and Information Centers, CFDA
Number 84.328M competition:
Project Period: In order to allocate resources equitably, create
a unified system of service delivery, and provide the broadest
coverage for the parents and families in every State, the Department
is making awards to PTIs in three-year cycles for each State. In FY
2012, applications for three-year awards will be accepted for the
following States and outlying areas: American Samoa, Arkansas,
California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska,
New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and
Utah. These projects will be funded for a period up to 36 months.
Estimated Project Awards: Project award amounts are for a single
budget period of 12 months. To ensure maximum coverage for this
competition, the Department has established regional service areas
within California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas and has
identified corresponding maximum award amounts for each region.
Applicants for these States must submit a separate application for
each of the regions they propose to serve.
The Department took into consideration current funding levels,
population distribution, poverty rates, and low-density enrollment
when determining the award amounts for grants under this
competition. In the following States, one award may be made for up
to the amounts listed in the table to a qualified applicant for a
PTI Center to serve the entire State.
Arkansas: $258,634.
Connecticut: $276,16.
Georgia: $664,791.
Kansas: $292,033.
Montana: $227,965.
Nebraska: $224,894.
New Jersey: $496,829.
New Mexico: $277,918.
Oregon: $283,548.
South Carolina: $289,373.
Utah: $246,148.
In California one award up to the amount listed will be made to
a qualified applicant for a PTI Center to serve each identified
region. A list of the counties that are included in each region
follows.
Region 1 (Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura):
$791,336.
Region 2 (Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino, San Diego): $648,741.
Region 3 (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced,
Monterey, Stanislaus, San Benito, Tulare): $220,881.
Region 4 (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa
Cruz, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo):
577,426.
Region 5 (Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte,
El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada,
Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter,
Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yuba): $220,881.
In Illinois, one award up to the amount listed will be made to a
qualified applicant for a PTI Center to serve each identified
region. A list of the counties that are included in each region
follows.
Region 1 (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry,
Will): $548,612.
Region 2 (includes the remainder of the State): $281,878.
In Michigan, one award up to the amount listed will be made to a
qualified applicant for a PTI Center to serve each identified
region. A list of the counties that are included in each region
follows.
Region 1 (Oakland, Macomb, Wayne): $239,170.
Region 2 (includes the remainder of the State): $403,970.
In Ohio one award will be made to a qualified applicant for a
PTI Center to serve each identified region. A list of the counties
that are included in each region follows.
Region 1 (Adams, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont,
Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Jackson,
Lawrence, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto,
Shelby, Warren): $241,824.
Region 2 (includes the remainder of the State): $468,392.
In Texas, one award up to the amount listed will be made to a
qualified applicant for a PTI Center to serve each identified
region. A list of the counties that are included in each region
follows.
Region 1 (Anderson, Angelina, Archer, Austin, Bastrop, Baylor,
Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell,
Camp, Casa, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Collin, Comal, Cooke, Coryell,
Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Foard,
Franklin, Freestone, Gillespie, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes,
Guadalupe, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hardin, Harrison, Hays, Henderson,
Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jack, Jasper, Jefferson,
Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Knox, Marion, Madison, McLennan, Lamar,
Lampass, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Lee, Madison, Marion, Milam, Mills,
Montague, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Orange,
Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rains, Red River, Rockwall,
Robertson, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Trinity, San Jacinto,
Smith, Upshur, Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine, Smith, Somervell,
Throckmorton, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, Washington, Wilbarger,
Williamson, Wichita, Wise, Wood, Young): $667,779.
Region 2 (Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brooks,
Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Frio,
Galveston, Goliad, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy,
Kerr, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak,
Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Real, San Patricio, Starr,
Uvalde, Webb, Willacy, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala): $667,779.
Region 3 (Andrews, Armstrong, Bailey, Borden, Brewster, Briscoe,
Brown, Callahan, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Coke, Coleman,
Collingsworth, Concho, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson,
Dallam, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Eastland, Ector,
Edwards, El Paso, Fisher, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Gray,
Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Howard,
Hudspeth, Hutchinson, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jones, Kent, Kimble, King,
Lamb, Lipscomb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Mason, McCulloch,
Menard, Midland, Mitchell, Moore, Motley, Nolan, Ochiltree, Oldham,
Parmer, Pecos, Potter, Presidio, Randall, Reagan, Reeves, Roberts,
Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Sherman,
Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Taylor, Terrell,
Terry, Tom Green, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, Wheeler, Winkler, Yoakum):
$377,223.
One award up to the amount listed may be made to a qualified
applicant for a PTI center to serve the outlying areas as follows:
American Samoa: $50,000.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: $50,000.
Note 4: Consistent with 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.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolute priority Eligible applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Community Parent Resource Local parent organizations.
Centers (84.328C).
2. Parent Training and Parent organizations.
Information Centers (84.328M).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Under section 672(a)(2) of IDEA, a ``local parent
organization'' is a parent organization (as that term is defined in
section 671(a)(2) of IDEA) that--
(a) Has a board of directors, the majority of whom are parents of
children with disabilities ages birth through 26 from the community to
be served.
(b) Has as its mission serving parents of children with
disabilities from that
[[Page 11511]]
community who (1) are ages birth through 26, and (2) have the full
range of disabilities as defined in section 602(3) of IDEA.
Section 671(a)(2) of IDEA defines a ``parent organization'' as a
private nonprofit organization (other than an institution of higher
education) that--
(a) Has a board of directors--
(1) The majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities
ages birth through 26;
(2) That includes--
(i) Individuals working in the fields of special education, related
services, and early intervention;
(ii) Individuals with disabilities; and
(3) The parent and professional members of which are broadly
representative of the population to be served, including low-income
parents and parents of limited English proficient children; and
(b) Has as its mission serving families of children with
disabilities who are ages birth through 26, and have the full range of
disabilities described in section 602(3) of IDEA.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this
program must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment
qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
(b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this program must
involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with
disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and
evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via the Internet, from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs), or from the program office.
To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address:
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To obtain a copy from
ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free:
1-877-433-7827. Fax: (703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call, toll free:
1-877-576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at
its email address: [email protected].
If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to
identify the competition to which you want to apply, as follows: CFDA
Number 84.328C or 84.328M.
To obtain a copy from the program office, contact one of the
persons listed in the chart under section II. Award Information of this
notice.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape,
or compact disc) by contacting the person or team listed under
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for each competition.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to
the equivalent of no more than the number of pages listed under ``Page
Limit'' for that competition in the chart under II. Award Information,
using the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side
only, with 1'' margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
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, the references, or the letters of support.
However, the page limit does apply to all of the application narrative
section (Part III).
We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit; or if
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: See table in Section II, Award Information.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: See table in Section II,
Award Information.
Applications for grants under each competition may be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in
paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 7.
Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact
the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual's application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: See chart.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for each competition.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the
Department of Education, you must--
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant
database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number
can be created within one business day.
If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a
new TIN,
[[Page 11512]]
please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take
three or more business days to complete.
In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov,
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
each competition announced in this notice may be submitted
electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
We are participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov
Apply site. The Training and Information for Parents of Children with
Disabilities Program competitions, CFDA numbers 84.328C and 84.328M,
are included in this project. We request your participation in
Grants.gov.
If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must
use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through
this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application
package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your
application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant
application to us.
You may access the electronic grant application for the Training
and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities Program
competitions, CFDA numbers 84.328C and 84.328M at www.Grants.gov. You
must search for the downloadable application package for this program
by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in
your search (e.g., search for 84.328, not 84.328M).
Please note the following:
Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov
system--after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after
4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
The amount of time it can take to upload an application
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
You should review and follow the Education Submission
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system.
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home
page at www.G5.gov.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you submit your application in paper format.
If you submit your application electronically, you must
submit all documents electronically, including all information you
typically provide on the following forms: the Application for Federal
Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental
Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
(ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications.
If you submit your application electronically, you must
upload any narrative sections and all other attachments to your
application as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) read-only, non-
modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or fillable .PDF file.
If you upload a file type other than a read-only, non-modifiable .PDF
or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material.
Additional, detailed information on how to attach files is in the
application instructions.
Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send
a second notification to you by email. This second notification
indicates that the Department has received your application and has
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified
identifying number unique to your application).
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension
until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time,
on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice and
provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with
Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will
accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem
occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your
ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time,
on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after
a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.
Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only
to the unavailability of, or technical problems
[[Page 11513]]
with, the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you
failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov
before the application deadline date and time or if the technical
problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the
original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.328C or 84.328M), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery,
you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of
your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date,
to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.328C or 84.328M), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041,
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays,
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail
or hand deliver your application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the
Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your
application; and
(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past,
the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain
competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as
peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The Standing Panel
requirements under IDEA also have placed additional constraints on the
availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department has determined
that, for some discretionary grant competitions, applications may be
separated into two or more groups and ranked and selected for funding
within specific groups. This procedure will make it easier for the
Department to find peer reviewers, by ensuring that greater numbers of
individuals who are eligible to serve as reviewers for any particular
group of applicants will not have conflicts of interest. It also will
increase the quality, independence, and fairness of the review process,
while permitting panel members to review applications under
discretionary grant competitions for which they also have submitted
applications. However, if the Department decides to select an equal
number of applications in each group for funding, this may result in
different cut-off points for fundable applications in each group.
4. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance;
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent
[[Page 11514]]
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements
on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993, the Department has established a set of
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and
quality of the Training and Information for Parents of Children with
Disabilities program. The measures focus on the extent to which
projects provide high-quality materials, the relevance of project
products and services to educational and early intervention policy and
practice, and the usefulness of products and services to improve
educational and early intervention policy and practice.
Grantees will be required to provide information related to these
measures in annual reports submitted to the Department.
Grantees also will be required to report information on their
projects' performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR
75.590).
5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and
budget. In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See the chart under section II. Award
Information of this notice for the name, room number, and telephone
number of the contact person for each competition. You can write to the
contact person at the following address: U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC
20202-2550.
If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS),
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer disc) by contacting
the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550.
Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS,
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the
site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Dated: February 21, 2012.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-4551 Filed 2-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P