[Federal Register: June 10, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 112)]
[Notices]
[Page 32795-32798]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10jn04-173]
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Part VI
Department of Education
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National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RIN 1820 ZA34
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priorities (NFP) for Community Integration for
Individuals with Disabilities.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces final priorities under the
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Program for the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities for
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2004 and later years. We take this
action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend
these priorities to improve community integration outcomes of persons
with disabilities who have psychiatric or other mental health
conditions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These final priorities are effective July 9, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 550 12th Street, SW., room 6046, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or via Internet:
donna.nangle@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 245-7317.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of
research targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve
rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or
stabilize disability conditions, or promote maximum social and economic
independence for persons with disabilities. Additional information on
the RRTC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC
.
General Requirements of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
RRTCs must:
Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation
research;
Provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-
service training, to help rehabilitation personnel more effectively
provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities;
Provide technical assistance to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties;
Disseminate informational materials to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties; and
Serve as centers for national excellence in rehabilitation
research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives,
providers, and other interested parties.
The Department is particularly interested in ensuring that the
expenditure of public funds is justified by the execution of intended
activities and the advancement of knowledge and, thus, has built this
accountability into the selection criteria. Not later than three years
after the establishment of any RRTC, NIDRR will conduct one or more
reviews of the activities and achievements of the RRTC. In accordance
with the provisions of 34 CFR 75.253(a), continued funding depends at
all times on satisfactory performance and accomplishment of approved
grant objectives.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for this program
in the Federal Register on March 25, 2004 (69 FR 15308). This Notice of
Final Priorities (NFP) contains no significant differences from the
NPP. In response to our invitation in the NPP, we received three
comments. One commenter expressed general support for the priorities
and one expressed support for the focus on children's mental health
issues. The third commenter provided specific recommendations. An
analysis of the comments follows.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes and
suggested changes that we are not authorized to make under the
applicable statutory authority.
Comment: One commenter suggested that attention be paid to the
effect of disability laws on self-determination, empowerment, and
community reintegration for persons with disabilities, particularly in
the context of psychiatric disability.
Discussion: Applicants are free to propose research topics that
focus on these issues; however, NIDRR does not believe it is necessary
to require that an applicant address these specific policy concerns.
The peer review process will evaluate the merits of the proposals.
Changes: None.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use one or more of these priorities, we invite
applications through a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting
applications we designate each priority as absolute, competitive
preference, or invitational.
The effect of each type of priority follows:
Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by either
(1) awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to
which the application meets the competitive priority (34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting an application that meets the
competitive priority over an application of comparable merit that does
not meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are
particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational
priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the
following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/.
These final priorities are in concert with NIDRR's 1999-2003 Long-
Range Plan (Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues
relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. While
applicants will find many sections throughout the Plan that support
potential research to be conducted under these final priorities, a
specific reference is included for each priority presented in this
notice. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html.
Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to:
(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation
research; (2) foster an exchange of expertise, information, and
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding
of the unique needs of
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traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine best strategies
and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for underserved
populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify mechanisms of
integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate findings.
Priorities
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces three priorities for the funding of RRTCs that will
focus on rehabilitation related to improving the community integration
outcomes of persons with disabilities who have psychiatric or other
mental health conditions. Applicants must select and focus research on
one of the following priorities: Priority 1--Recovery and Recovery-
Oriented Psychiatric Rehabilitation for Persons with Long Term Mental
Illness; Priority 2--Developing and Implementing Integrated Systems of
Care for Child and Adolescent Mental Health; or Priority 3--
Strengthening Family and Youth Participation in Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Services. Under each of these priorities, the RRTC must:
(1) Contribute substantially to the scientific knowledge-base
relevant to its respective subject area,
(2) Research, develop, and evaluate interventions and tools to
improve outcomes in its focus area,
(3) Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive plan for
training critical stakeholders (e.g., consumers, family members,
practitioners, service providers, researchers, and policymakers),
(4) Provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to critical
stakeholders (e.g., consumers, family members, practitioners, and
service providers) to facilitate utilization of research findings in
its respective area of research, and
(5) Develop a systematic plan for widespread dissemination of
informational materials based on knowledge gained from the RRTC's
research activities, and disseminate the materials to persons with
disabilities, their representatives, service providers, and other
interested parties.
In addition to the activities proposed by the applicant to carry
out these purposes, each RRTC must--
Conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its
respective area of research in the third year of the grant cycle and
publish a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference
in the fourth year of the grant cycle. This conference must include
materials from experts internal and external to the RRTC;
Coordinate on research projects of mutual interest with
relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through consultation with
the NIDRR project officer;
Involve individuals with disabilities in planning and
implementing its research, training, and dissemination activities, and
in evaluating the RRTC;
Demonstrate in its application how it will address, in
whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds; and
Articulate goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for
the proposed research activities. It is critical that proposals
describe expected public benefits, especially benefits for individuals
with disabilities, and propose projects that are designed to
demonstrate outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals.
Applicants must include information describing how they will measure
outcomes, including the indicators that will represent the end-result,
the mechanisms that will be used to evaluate outcomes associated with
specific problems or issues, and how the proposed activities will
support new intervention approaches and strategies, including a
discussion of measures of effectiveness.
An RRTC must focus research on one of the following priorities:
Priority 1--Recovery and Recovery-Oriented Psychiatric
Rehabilitation for Persons with Long Term Mental Illness: The purpose
of the priority is to establish an RRTC on Recovery and Recovery-
Oriented Psychiatric Rehabilitation for Persons with Long Term Mental
Illness, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration. The RRTC must be outcomes-focused, with
the aim of enabling adults with serious mental illness to live, work,
learn, and participate fully in their communities. Emphasis must be
placed on the development and translation into practice of scientific
knowledge that is culturally competent and consumer and family
centered. To achieve these goals, the RRTC will conduct research,
training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities on
individual and environmental factors relevant to recovery and recovery-
oriented psychiatric rehabilitation. Relevant topic areas may include,
but are not limited to--
The concept and dimensions of recovery as it relates to
people with long-term mental illness;
Factors that inhibit recovery (e.g., stigma and
discrimination, fragmentation of the service delivery system, workforce
shortages); or
Factors that enhance recovery, including model
interventions and supports (e.g., culturally competent treatment,
supported employment, supported education, and alternative and
innovative practices such as exercise, peer supports, and personal
assistance services).
The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 6,
Independent Living and Community Integration.
Priority 2--Developing and Implementing Integrated Systems of Care
for Child and Adolescent Mental Health: The purpose of the priority is
to establish an RRTC on development and implementation strategies for
effective and integrated systems of care for children and adolescents
with serious emotional disorders and their families and caregivers, in
collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration. The RRTC must be outcomes-focused, with the
aim of developing and implementing effective and integrated systems of
care that provide children and families access to the services and
supports they need in order to live, learn, work, and thrive in their
communities. To achieve this, the RRTC must conduct research, training,
technical assistance, and dissemination activities on relevant areas
such as, but not limited to--
Strategies for maximizing collaboration in planning,
accountability, financing, and service delivery within and across
service sectors (e.g., mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare,
education, substance abuse, primary health).
Strategies for enhancing the child and adolescent mental
health workforce so that it is more diverse and has the training,
organizational support, and infrastructure necessary to implement
family and community-based individualized service plans.
Strategies for developing culturally competent policies,
practices, and procedures, and incorporating them into the service
delivery system.
Performance measurement and quality improvement procedures
designed to help systems of care make adjustments and improvements as
needed to achieve their goals.
Strategies for developing and implementing financial
policies that are flexible and encourage home and community-based care
provided in
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accordance with individualized service plans.
Strategies for maximizing translation of evidence-based
research into systems of care that permit families' self-determination;
maximize partnerships between schools, families, and communities; and
provide access to effective family and community-based interventions.
The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 6,
Independent Living and Community Integration.
Priority 3--Strengthening Family and Youth Participation in Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Services: The purpose of the priority is
to establish an RRTC on promoting effective family-centered and
community-based practices and supports for children and adolescents
with serious emotional disorders and their families and other
caregivers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Center for Mental Services, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration. The work of the RRTC must be outcomes-
focused with the aim of increasing the extent to which families and
youth have awareness of and access to supports and services that
effectively promote their participation in family, school, work, and
community life and roles. To achieve this, the RRTC will conduct
research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities
on relevant topic areas such as, but not limited to--
Strategies for reducing stigma as a barrier to service
delivery for children, families, and other caregivers.
Strategies for integrating the concept of recovery (as
discussed in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation) in service
delivery for children and youth.
Strategies for developing, delivering, and evaluating
culturally competent youth and family-driven individualized service
plans that are applicable across a variety of settings and service
sectors.
Strategies for maximizing the translation of evidence-
based research into effective community-based practices.
Strategies to support successful transitions across
settings.
The reference for this topic can be found in the Plan, chapter 6,
Independent Living and Community Integration.
Executive Order 12866
This notice of final priorities has been reviewed in accordance
with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action.
The potential costs associated with the notice of final priorities
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have
determined as necessary for administering this program effectively and
efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative
and qualitative--of this notice of final priorities, we have determined
that the benefits of the final priorities justify the costs.
Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits
The potential costs associated with these final priorities are
minimal while the benefits are significant. Grantees may anticipate
costs associated with completing the application process in terms of
staff time, copying, and mailing or delivery. The use of e-Application
technology reduces mailing and copying costs significantly.
The benefits of the RRTC Program have been well established over
the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully.
These final priorities will generate new knowledge through research,
dissemination, utilization, training, and technical assistance
projects.
The benefit of these final priorities and project requirements will
be the establishment of new RRTCs that generate, disseminate, and
promote the use of new information to improve options and participation
in the community for individuals with disabilities.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may review this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: 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 on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Program.)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
Dated: June 7, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-13190 Filed 6-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P