34 C.F.R. Subpart B—Training and Technical Assistance
Title 34 - Education
Entities that have experience in the operation of centers are eligible to apply for grants to provide training and technical assistance under section 721(b) of the Act to eligible agencies, centers, and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs). (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f(b)(1)) (a) From funds, if any, reserved under section 721(b)(1) of the Act to carry out the purposes of this subpart, the Secretary makes grants to, and enters into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other arrangements with, entities that have experience in the operation of centers. (b) An entity receiving assistance in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall provide training and technical assistance to eligible agencies, centers, and SILCs to plan, develop, conduct, administer, and evaluate centers. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f(b)(1)–(3)) (a) To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract or other arrangement under section 721(b) of the Act and this subpart, an applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary containing a proposal to provide training and technical assistance to eligible agencies, centers, and SILCs and any additional information at the time and in the manner that the Secretary may require. (b) The Secretary provides for peer review of grant applications by panels that include persons who are not Federal government employees and who have experience in the operation of centers. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c) and 796f(b)) In making awards under this section, the Secretary determines funding priorities in accordance with the training and technical assistance needs identified by the survey of SILCs and centers required by section 721(b)(3) of the Act. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f(b)(3)) (a) The Secretary evaluates each application for a grant under this subpart on the basis of the criteria in §366.15. (b) The Secretary awards up to 100 points for these criteria. (c) The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f(b)(3)) The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate applications for new awards for training and technical assistance: (a) Meeting the purposes of the program (30 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will be able to meet the purpose of the program of providing training and technical assistance to eligible agencies, centers, and SILCs with respect to planning, developing, conducting, administering, and evaluating centers, including consideration of— (1) The objectives of the project; and (2) How the objectives further training and technical assistance with respect to planning, developing, conducting, administering, and evaluating centers. (b) Extent of need for the project (20 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets specific needs recognized in title VII of the Act, including consideration of— (1) The needs addressed by the project; (2) How the applicant identified those needs; (3) How those needs will be met by the project; and (4) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs. (c) Plan of operation (15 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including— (1) The quality of the design of the project; (2) The extent to which the plan of management ensures proper and efficient administration of the project; (3) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program; (4) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and (5) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (d) Quality of key personnel (7 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including— (i) The qualifications of the project director, if one is to be used; (ii) The qualifications of each of the other management and decision-making personnel to be used in the project; (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; (iv) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability; and (v) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally under-represented, including members of racial or ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and elderly individuals. (2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, the Secretary considers— (i) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project; and (ii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the objectives of the project. (e) Budget and cost effectiveness (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the extent to which— (1) The budget is adequate to support the project; and (2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project. (f) Evaluation plan (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation— (1) Are appropriate to the project; (2) Will determine how successful the project is in meeting its goals and objectives; and (3) Are objective and produce data that are quantifiable. (4) Cross-reference: See 34 CFR 75.590. (g) Adequacy of resources (3 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, equipment, and supplies. (h) Extent of prior experience (15 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent of experience the applicant has in the operation of centers and with providing training and technical assistance to centers, including— (1) Training and technical assistance with planning, developing, and administering centers; (2) The scope of training and technical assistance provided, including methods used to conduct training and technical assistance for centers; (3) Knowledge of techniques and approaches for evaluating centers; and (4) The capacity for providing training and technical assistance as demonstrated by previous experience in these areas. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c) and 796f(b))
Title 34: Education
PART 366—CENTERS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Subpart B—Training and Technical Assistance
§ 366.10 What agencies are eligible for assistance to provide training and technical assistance?
§ 366.11 What financial assistance does the Secretary provide for training and technical assistance?
§ 366.12 How does the Secretary make an award?
§ 366.13 How does the Secretary determine funding priorities?
§ 366.14 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?
§ 366.15 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?
