[Federal Register: December 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 79068-79072]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de08-51]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--
Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs)
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priorities for DRRPs.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces two priorities for the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by
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) 2009 and later years.
We take this action to focus research attention on areas of national
need. We intend these priorities to improve rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
DATES: Effective Date: These priorities are effective January 23, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6029, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or by e-
mail: donna.nangle@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an
accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program
The purpose of the DRRP Program is to improve the effectiveness of
services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
by developing methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that
advance a wide range of independent living and employment outcomes for
individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most
severe disabilities. DRRPs carry out one or more of the following types
of activities, as specified and defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through
350.19: Research, development, demonstration, training, dissemination,
utilization, and technical assistance.
An applicant for assistance under this program must demonstrate in
its application how it will address, in whole or in part, the needs of
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds (34 CFR
350.40(a)). The approaches an applicant may take to meet this
requirement are found in 34 CFR 350.40(b). In addition, NIDRR intends
to require all DRRP applicants to meet the requirements of the General
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Requirements
priority that it published in a notice of final priorities in the
Federal Register on April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25472).
Additional information on the DRRP Program can be found at: http://
www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#DRRP.
We published a notice of proposed priorities (NPP) for NIDRR's
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program in
the Federal Register on May 30, 2008 (73 FR 31078). The NPP included
background statements that described our rationale for the two
priorities proposed in that notice.
There are differences between the NPP and this notice of final
priorities (NFP) as discussed in the following section.
In this NFP, we are announcing two final priorities for DRRPs.
These final priorities are:
Priority 1--Research and Technical Assistance Center on
Vocational Rehabilitation Program Management.
Priority 2--Center on the Effective Delivery of
Rehabilitation Technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
to Improve Employment Outcomes.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
In response to our invitation in the NPP, one party submitted
comments on the proposed priorities for the DRRPs. An analysis of the
comments and of any changes in the priorities since publication of the
NPP follows.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes, or
suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the
applicable statutory authority. In addition, we do not address general
comments that raised concerns not directly related to the proposed
priorities.
Priority 1--Research and Technical Assistance Center on Vocational
Rehabilitation Program Management
Comment: One commenter recommended that this Center be required to
have an advisory panel.
Discussion: We agree and will make the change requested by the
commenter.
Changes: We have added language requiring the Center to establish
an advisory committee comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable
about VR program management practices including researchers, State VR
agency representatives, VR providers, State Rehabilitation Council
representatives, employers, individuals with disabilities, and parents
of individuals with disabilities. Further we have added language
stating the advisory committee must be designed to provide guidance to
the Center on its research and technical assistance activities.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the Center be required to
provide State VR agencies with information about costs associated with
implementing new State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency program
management practices or policies that the Center develops.
Discussion: We agree that cost information could be critical, for
example, in helping States make decisions regarding whether or how to
implement the Center's management model or its components, and that
cost effectiveness should be considered in identifying effective
practices and in developing the management model. However, we note that
the cost of implementing any particular policy or practice is likely to
vary substantially from one State VR agency to another because of
differences among the State VR agencies (e.g., in the number of
personnel, type of training needed, size and type of client population,
size of agency) and the contexts in which each State agency operates
(e.g., location of agency in State government, whether the State is
primarily urban or rural).
Changes: We have added language requiring that the Center consider
cost-effectiveness in identifying effective practices and in developing
the management model and include information, to the extent possible,
on the cost of the model and its components in the technical assistance
[[Page 79069]]
materials to be developed for the use of State VR agencies.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the Center be required to
establish criteria for identifying best VR program management
practices.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees with this suggestion and will require that
applicants propose, in their applications, the specific criteria they
will use to identify effective VR program management practices.
Changes: We have modified paragraph (a) of the priority to require
applicants to propose, in their applications, the specific criteria
they will use to identify effective VR program management practices.
Comment: One commenter noted that each State VR agency faces unique
budgetary and service delivery challenges. This commenter noted that
the Center must take into account these program differences and
establish criteria for selecting partner agencies that are designed to
ensure a representative cross-section of VR programs.
Discussion: The requirement that the Center collaborate with 5 to
10 State VR agencies will help to ensure that VR program management
models developed by the Center are responsive to the needs of programs
with widely varying budgets and unique service delivery contexts.
However, in the interest of maximizing the utility and relevance of the
VR Program Management Model to be developed by the Center (under
paragraph (b) of the priority), we agree that the States selected must
be reasonably diverse.
Changes: We have added language requiring that the methods and
criteria for selecting Partner State VR Agencies provide for diversity,
to the extent possible, in the size, location, and type of State
agency.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the 5 to 10 State VR
agencies that serve as partners in the Center's activities be
compensated by the Center.
Discussion: NIDRR allows applicants to determine how they will
ensure the active collaboration of partner entities. Nothing in this
priority would prevent an applicant from proposing to compensate the 5
to 10 Partner State VR Agencies. NIDRR will rely on the peer review
process to evaluate the quality, feasibility, and costs of a proposed
Center's collaborative efforts.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the Center should
coordinate with the Council of State Administrators of Vocational
Rehabilitation (CSAVR) when selecting Partner State VR Agencies. This
commenter also recommended that the Center work with CSAVR on an
ongoing basis.
Discussion: The priority requires that applicants describe the
methods and criteria they will use to recruit and select Partner State
VR Agencies for collaboration and partnership. Applicants are free to
coordinate with CSAVR as part of this effort to select and recruit
State VR partners. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all
applicants propose such a partnership. Similarly, applicants are free
to propose ongoing collaboration and partnership with CSAVR, though
NIDRR has no basis for requiring all applicants to do so. NIDRR will
rely on the peer review process to determine the quality of the
selection process for Partner State VR Agencies.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter recommended that NIDRR impose minimum
qualifications for Center applicants, including knowledge of people
with disabilities and employment of people with disabilities; support
letters from State VR agencies; a track record of effective service
delivery; a history of providing quality training and technical
assistance to States; and expertise in evaluating State-level programs.
Discussion: NIDRR recognizes the importance of the qualifications
suggested by the commenter. However, NIDRR has no regulatory or
statutory basis for requiring that applicants meet these specific
minimum qualifications. NIDRR utilizes expert peer review panels, which
apply established selection criteria to assess the qualifications and
expertise of proposed project personnel. NIDRR utilizes peer review
criteria from 34 CFR 350.54(n) to rate the relevant expertise of
proposed project staff. For example, one criterion requires peer
reviewers to rate the extent to which key personnel and other key staff
have appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to
conduct all proposed activities (34 CFR 350.54(n)(3)(i)). Other
criteria require peer reviewers to rate the extent to which the key
personnel are knowledgeable about the methodology and literature of
pertinent subject areas (34 CFR 350.54(n)(3)(iii)) and the extent to
which key personnel have up-to-date knowledge from research or
effective practice in the subject area covered in the priority (34 CFR
350.54(n)(3)(v)). These criteria are designed to ensure that applicants
have the capacity to carry out the project.
Changes: None.
Priority 2--Center on the Effective Delivery of Rehabilitation
Technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies to Improve
Employment Outcomes
Comment: One commenter recommended that State Assistive Technology
(AT) programs should be on the Center's advisory committee and that the
Center should work closely with such programs.
Discussion: NIDRR agrees with the commenter's suggestion and has
changed the priority accordingly.
Changes: We have modified the priority to require that the Center
include a representative of State AT programs on its advisory
committee. We have also changed the priority to require that the Center
consult with its NIDRR Project Officer to coordinate its efforts with
State AT programs.
Comment: One commenter recommended that the Center be required to
provide information about the costs associated with implementing new
practices or policies that support the effective use of rehabilitation
technology that the Center identifies.
Discussion: We agree that cost information could be critical, for
example, in helping States make decisions regarding whether or how to
implement any given policy or practice identified by the Center, and
that cost effectiveness should be a consideration in identifying
effective practices. However, we note that the cost of implementing any
particular policy or practice is likely to vary substantially from one
State VR agency to another because of differences among State VR
agencies (e.g., in the number of personnel, type of training needed,
size and type of client population, size of agency) and the context in
which each State agency operates (e.g., location of agency in State
government, whether the State is primarily urban or rural).
Changes: We have added language requiring that the Center consider
cost-effectiveness in identifying effective practices and to include
information on the costs of practices, to the extent possible, in
exemplars, tools, and guidance developed for the use of State VR
agencies.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use these priorities, we invite applications
through a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting applications
we designate the priorities 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)).
[[Page 79070]]
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 preference priority
(34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting an application that meets
the competitive preference 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)).
This NFP is in concert with President George W. Bush's New Freedom
Initiative (NFI) and NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for FY 2005-2009
(Plan). Background information on the NFI can be accessed on the
Internet at the following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/
newfreedom
The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February
15, 2006 (71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following
site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.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 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.
Priority 1--Research and Technical Assistance Center on Vocational
Rehabilitation Program Management
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces a priority to establish, under the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Program (DRRP), a Research and Technical
Assistance Center on Vocational Rehabilitation Program Management
(Center). The Center must conduct research to develop a model of
vocational rehabilitation (VR) program management, which must include a
focus on quality assurance, strategic planning, and human resource
management. The Center must then develop and test the model, and use it
as the basis for training and technical assistance (TA) to improve
management practices within individual State VR agencies.
Under this priority, the Center must be designed to contribute to
the following outcomes:
(a) New knowledge of effective VR program management. The Center
must contribute to this outcome by identifying effective VR program
management practices, including at a minimum, practices in the areas of
quality assurance, strategic planning, and human resource management.
(Applicants must propose, in their applications, the specific criteria
they will use to identify effective VR program management practices,
including consideration of their cost effectiveness.) The Center's work
in this area must be designed to result in knowledge that could be used
to assist State VR agencies in the following:
Quality Assurance
Develop methodologies to ensure that performance data are
accurate and analyses of the data are sound;
Implement effective quality assurance processes;
Implement effective fiscal planning and accountability
mechanisms;
Strategic Planning
Develop agency goals and strategies, and evaluate progress
made toward achieving these goals;
Develop key performance measures and use performance data
for program improvement;
Human Resource Management
Implement effective employee training, staff development,
and career development; and
Implement effective leadership development and succession
planning.
(b) A new evidence-based model of effective VR program management
(VR Program Management Model). The Center must contribute to this
outcome by partnering with approximately 5 to 10 State VR agencies to
develop a VR Program Management Model that, to the maximum extent
possible, is informed by evidence of the effectiveness of specific
management practices, including cost effectiveness. Applicants must
describe in their applications the methods and criteria they will use
to recruit and select State VR agencies with which they will partner
(Partner State VR Agencies) for this activity. At a minimum, such
methods and criteria must provide for diversity, to the extent
possible, in the size, location, and type of State VR agencies to be
selected. NIDRR will review and approve the final selection of Partner
State VR Agencies. The Center must work with the Partner State VR
Agencies to identify, describe, and document the components of the VR
Program Management Model, which must include, at a minimum, quality
assurance, strategic planning, and human resource management
components.
(c) Enhanced VR program management through implementation of the VR
Program Management Model. The Center must contribute to this outcome by
developing exemplars, tools, and guidance that other State VR agencies
(i.e., State VR agencies that are not Partner State VR Agencies) can
use to implement the VR Program Management Model within their unique
contexts, including information on the costs of implementing the
management model and its components, to the extent possible. The Center
must provide training and TA to individual State VR agencies to
facilitate the implementation of some or all of the components of the
VR Program Management Model, depending on the unique needs of the
agency's VR program.
In addition, the Center must--
Establish an advisory committee comprised of individuals
who are knowledgeable about VR program management practices including
researchers, State VR agency representatives, VR providers, State
Rehabilitation Council representatives, employers, individuals with
disabilities, and parents of individuals with disabilities. This
advisory committee must be designed to provide guidance to the Center
on its research and TA activities;
Disseminate TA materials that it has developed on program
management topics under paragraph (c) of this priority to other
projects that provide TA to State VR agencies (e.g., the Technical
Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) projects that the
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) funded in FY 2008 and FY
2009 under title III of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Act);
Coordinate TA with all entities that comprise the national
VR TA network, including: The TACE projects; the IL-Net Training and
Technical Assistance projects for centers for independent living and
statewide independent living councils funded by RSA under title VII of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act); the national VR TA
center that RSA funded in FY 2008 under section 12 of the Act; and
NIDRR's Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers focused on
employment. Coordination is intended to ensure consistency of TA
provided nationally on VR program management; and
[[Page 79071]]
Each year, after year one of the project period, plan to
present findings at a three-day national conference of State VR
administrators to be held in Washington, DC.
Priority 2--Center on the Effective Delivery of Rehabilitation
Technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies To Improve
Employment Outcomes
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces a priority for a Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Project (DRRP) to serve as the Center on the Effective
Delivery of Rehabilitation Technology by State Vocational
Rehabilitation Agencies to Improve Employment Outcomes (Center). The
Center must conduct research to identify the policies, procedures, and
practices that result in the effective delivery of rehabilitation
technology (RT), as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(45), by employment and
training programs to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve
employment outcomes, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(16). Under this
priority, the Center must be designed to contribute to the following
outcomes:
(a) New knowledge regarding models of effective RT service
delivery. The Center must contribute to this outcome by identifying
existing employment and training programs, including programs
administered by State VR agencies, that effectively deliver RT services
to assist individuals with disabilities achieve employment outcomes.
Applicants must describe in their applications the methods and criteria
they will use to identify and select the model employment and training
programs. NIDRR will review and approve the final selection of the
employment and training programs. The Center must work with the
selected programs to identify, describe, and document the policies,
procedures, and practices that result in effective RT service delivery,
including information on the costs of implementing such policies,
procedures, and practices, to the extent possible.
(b) New knowledge of the systemic supports necessary for the
effective delivery of RT services. The Center must contribute to this
outcome by conducting research to identify the policies and practices
of employment and training programs, including but not limited to those
operated by State VR agencies, that support the effective use of RT to
help individuals with disabilities achieve and maintain employment
outcomes. The Center's work in this area must be designed to result in
knowledge that assists employment and training programs to--
Identify and assess the quality and effectiveness,
including cost-effectiveness, of their policies and practices related
to the delivery of RT services;
Change existing policies or develop new policies that are
specifically designed to improve the delivery of RT services;
Implement effective strategies to improve practices to
support the delivery of RT services; and
Develop and implement methodologies to collect data on the
impact of RT services on employment outcomes.
(c) Enhanced knowledge of effective RT service delivery among
administrators of State VR agencies and other employment and training
programs for individuals with disabilities. The Center must contribute
to this outcome by using the knowledge gained from the activities
described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this priority to develop
exemplars, tools, and guidance that State VR agencies can use to change
existing policies or develop new policies and practices within their
unique contexts, including information on the costs of implementing
such policies and practices, to the extent possible. The Center must
disseminate these materials to State VR agencies and other employment
and training programs for individuals with disabilities.
In addition, the Center must--
In consultation with its NIDRR Project Officer, coordinate
the Center's dissemination and outreach efforts with relevant programs.
These programs include the Research and Technical Assistance Center on
Vocational Rehabilitation Program Management that NIDRR intends to fund
in FY 2009; the regionally based Technical Assistance and Continuing
Education (TACE) projects that the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) funded in FY 2008 and FY 2009 under title III of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act); the IL-Net Training
and Technical Assistance projects for centers for independent living
and statewide independent living councils funded by RSA under title VII
of the Act; the national VR TA center that RSA funded in FY 2008 under
section 12 of the Act; NIDRR's Rehabilitation Research and Training
Centers (RRTCs) focused on employment; the NIDRR network of Knowledge
Translation grantees; the Department's Office of Special Education
Programs' Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network and Technical
Assistance Communities of Practice; State Assistive Technology (AT)
programs; the Department's Office of Vocational and Adult Education's
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education; and
programs sponsored through the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of
Disability Employment Policy. The Center must coordinate with these
entities, as appropriate, to disseminate the exemplars, tools,
guidance, and knowledge developed through activities conducted under
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this priority to State VR agencies,
employers, individuals with disabilities, and other entities that serve
or employ individuals with disabilities;
Share the exemplars, tools, guidance, and knowledge
developed through activities conducted under paragraphs (a), (b), and
(c) of this priority with appropriate RSA and NIDRR research and
dissemination centers, including the National Center for the
Dissemination of Disability Research, the Research Utilization Support
and Help Project, and the Center for International Rehabilitation
Research Information and Exchange; and
Establish an advisory committee comprised of individuals
who are knowledgeable about RT including researchers, State VR agency
representatives, VR providers, State AT program representatives,
employers, transition planners, secondary and postsecondary educators,
individuals with disabilities, and parents of individuals with
disabilities. This advisory committee must be designed to provide
guidance to the Center on its research and TA activities.
Each year after year one of the project period, plan to
present findings at a three-day national conference of State VR
administrators to be held in Washington, DC.
Executive Order 12866
This NFP 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 this NFP 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 NFP, we have determined that the benefits of
the final priorities justify the costs.
Summary of potential costs and benefits:
[[Page 79072]]
The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects
and Centers Program have been well established over the years in that
similar projects have been completed successfully. These final
priorities will generate new knowledge and technologies through
research, development, dissemination, utilization, and technical
assistance projects.
Another benefit of these final priorities is that the establishment
of new DRRPs will support the President's NFI and will improve the
lives of individuals with disabilities. The new DRRPs will generate,
disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will improve
the options for individuals with disabilities to perform regular
activities in the community.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
Electronic Access to This Document
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Note: The official version of this document is the document
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Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/
nara/index.html
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133A Disability
Rehabilitation Research Projects)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
Dated: December 19, 2008.
Tracy R. Justesen,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E8-30702 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
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