[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]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 gopher:// gcs.ed.gov); 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