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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

84.323:  Special Education: State Program Improvement Grants for Children with Disabilities

Popular Name: 

Objectives:  To assist State educational agencies and their partners in reforming and improving their systems for providing educational, early intervention, and transitional services, including their systems for professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination of knowledge about best practices to improve results for children with disabilities.

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

84.323 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  State educational agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, and other individuals with disabilities, and their families benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

84.323 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is covered under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as a single point of contact in his or her State to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  The standard application forms as furnished by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Award Procedure:  Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts.

Deadlines:  Contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Range is from 90 to 120 days.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Awards may be renewed annually for up to 5 years throughout the project period of the award, depending upon the availability of appropriations.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Criteria for selecting among grant applications will normally be selected from those in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Part 75.210.

Examples of Funded Projects:  First awards under this program will be made in fiscal year 2000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Awards range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 per year for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The minimum award for an outlying area is $80,000. The average award is $1,032,000.

84.323 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 84.027 Special Education: Grants to States;
• 84.173 Special Education: Preschool Grants;
• 84.184 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities: National Programs;
• 84.324 Special Education: Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities;
• 84.325 Special Education: Personnel Preparation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities;
• 84.327 Special Education: Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities;
• 84.328 Special Education: Parent Information Centers;
• 84.329 Special Education: Studies and Evaluations.

84.323 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, 25 awards were made.

84.323 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

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

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

Obligations:  FY 99 $35,200,000; FY 00 est $35,200,000; and FY 01 est $45,200,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0300-0-1-500.

Authorization:  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part D, Subpart 1, as amended by Public Law 105-17, 20 U.S.C. 1452-1456.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  None.

84.323 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Division of Monitoring and State Improvement, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202. Contact: Larry Wexler. Phone: (202) 205-5390.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.323 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Typically from 1 to 5 years.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds must be used to address the objectives of the program.

84.323 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Progress reports shall be made on an annual basis. Final reports shall be made at the en of the project period. Cash balance reports will be required annually.

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:  As stated in award terms and conditions, the awardee shall maintain accounts, records, and other evidence pertaining to all costs incurred, revenues or other applicable credits acquired under this grant.