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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

84.132:  Centers for Independent Living

Objectives:  To provide independent living services to individuals with significant disabilities to assist them to function more independently in family and community settings, by developing and supporting a statewide network of centers for independent living.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS


84.132 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  The principal eligible applicants are the private nonprofit agencies that received funding directly or through subgrants or contracts under the Centers for Independent Living program in fiscal year 1992. If funds remain available after all principal eligible applicants have been funded, other centers for independent living (as defined in Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act) and State agencies may receive funding based on satisfactory applications (including territories and outlying areas).

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Individuals with significant physical, mental cognitive, or sensor impairments whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited. Eligibility shall not be based on the presence of any one or more specific significant disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation:  Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

84.132 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms, as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program.

Application Procedure:  This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications for new awards from eligible agencies should be submitted to the Department of Education, Application Control Center, 600 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-4725, unless otherwise directed in the Federal Register Announcement.

Award Procedure:  New awards are made on approval of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Assistant Secretary of OSERS, based on the findings of Federal and nonfederal reviews of applications to ensure the applicants satisfactorily demonstrate that they have met the standards and assurances described in Section 725 (b) and (c) the Rehabilitation Act.

Deadlines:  Contact headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Projects may be continued based on a self-evaluation report activities, and accomplishments as described in the Center's self-evaluation and annual report requirements under Section 725 (c)(8) of the Act, submittal of a continuation application, and the availability of funds. Renewals are available through the regular continuation application process and are processed through the headquarter and the regional offices.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Selection criteria for this program include extent of need for the project, past performance, satisfaction of the standards and assurances set forth in Section 725, quality of key personnel, budget and cost-effectiveness, evaluation plan, plan of operation, and involvement of individuals with significant disabilities. Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations at 34 CFR 366.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Provided services vary from one center to another. Centers provide a combination of services, including: information and referral; independent living skills training; individual and systems advocacy; counseling services; housing; rehabilitation technology; mobility training; life skills training; interpreter and reader services; personal assistance services; accessible transportation; supported living; therapeutic treatment; provision of prostheses and other devices; and other services described in Section 7 (30)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  The average award in 1999 was $850,000.

84.132 RELATED PROGRAMS:

  • 84.169 Independent Living: State Grants;
  • 84.177 Rehabilitation Services: Independent Living Services.

84.132 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, it is anticipated that grants will be made to support the operation of 275 centers.

84.132 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants (Contracts).

Obligations:  (Grants and Contracts) FY 99 $46,109,000; FY 00 est $48,000,000; and FY 01 est $58,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0301-0-1-506.

Authorization:  Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Title VII, Chapter 1, Part C, 29 U.S.C. 796f-796f-6.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Section 721 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Program Regulations at 34 CFR 364 and 366.

84.132 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Appropriate Regional Commissioners, Rehabilitation Services Administration. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of regional offices.

Headquarters Office:  Rehabilitation Services Administration, Switzer Bldg., 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202-2575. Contact: Don Thayer. Phone: (202) 205-9315 (Voice) or (202) 205-8352 (TT). Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.132 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  No minimum share is required, but each applicant is encouraged to furnish as large a part of the total cost as possible.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Existing projects are approved on an annual basis with funding on a 12 month basis. New projects are funded for five years with funding approved on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Federal funds are used for the establishment and operation of centers for independent living which offer a combination of services. Services must include independent living core services which mean information and referral services, training in independent living skills, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, and as appropriate, a combination of any other independent living services specified in Title II of the Rehabilitation Act. Each center must have a governing board composed of a majority of persons with significant disabilities. The majority of the staff and individuals in decision making positions must be individuals with disabilities. Not less than 1.8 percent and not more than two percent of Federal funds appropriated for the program must be reserved to provide training and technical assistance under contracts with entities experienced in the operation of centers for independent living.

84.132 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Annual and fiscal progress reports and self-evaluations (A-F Reports) must be submitted as prescribed by Section 725 (c)(8) of the Rehabilitation Act, and grant award terms and conditions.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:  Fiscal records must be maintained for three years after the grant ends and the final financial report is submitted or until all audit questions are resolved.

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Last Updated, November, 2000             Comments or Questions?           ©Grant Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved