34 C.F.R. Subpart C—How Does the Secretary Make an Award?
Title 34 - Education
In addition to the selection criteria in 34 CFR 385.31(c), the Secretary uses the following additional selection criteria to evaluate an application: (a) Evidence of need. (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the need for the in-service training has been adequately justified. (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows— (i) How the proposed project relates to the mission of the State-Federal rehabilitation service program and can be expected to improve the competence of all State vocational rehabilitation personnel in providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities that will result in employment outcomes or otherwise contribute to more effective management of the State unit program; (ii) That the State unit in-service training plan responds to needs identified in their training needs assessment and the proposed training relates to the unit's State plan, particularly the requirements in section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act for each designated State unit to develop a comprehensive system of personnel development; (iii) The need for in-service training methods and materials that will improve the effectiveness of services to individuals with disabilities assisted under the Rehabilitation Act and ensure employment outcomes; and (iv) The State has conducted a needs assessment of the in-service training needs for all of the State unit employees. (b) [Reserved] (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c), 770, and 771a) [62 FR 10405, Mar. 6, 1997] (a) The Secretary distributes no more than 80 percent of the funds available for these awards as follows: (1) For each competition the Secretary will determine a minimum score based upon the selection criteria in §388.20 that an applicant must receive in order for its application to be approved by the Secretary. (2) Each designated State agency that submits an approved application receives an amount based upon a formula that provides each approved project an amount equal to the percentage that the designated State agency's staff, as reported by total person years to the Secretary on Form RSA–2, represents of all staff of all designated State agencies, as reported to the Secretary on Form RSA–2 for the most recent reporting period. A copy of Form RSA–2 may be obtained from the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., 3211 Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 22204–2735. (3) No designated State agency with an approved project receives less than one-third of one percent of the sums made available for the fiscal year. (b) After determining a designated State agency's award under paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary reserves the remaining funds to be allocated based on the quality of the application as determined by competitive reviews conducted by the Department using the criteria in §388.20 and the priorities in §388.22. (c) Prior to award, negotiations may be conducted with applicants to resolve any problems or weaknesses in the application identified by the review process. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c), 770, and 771a) (a) The Secretary reserves funds to support some or all of the proposals that have been awarded a rating of 80 points or more under the criteria described in §388.20. (b) In making a final selection of proposals to support under this program, the Secretary considers the extent to which proposals have exceeded a rating of 80 points and address one or more of the following priorities announced in the application notice: (1) Development and dissemination of model in-service training materials and practices. The proposed project demonstrates an effective plan to develop and disseminate information on its State Vocational Rehabilitation In-Service Training program, including the identification of training approaches and successful practices, in order to permit the replication of these programs by other State vocational rehabilitation units. (2) Distance education. The proposed project demonstrates innovative strategies for training State vocational rehabilitation unit personnel through distance education methods, such as interactive audio, video, computer technologies, or existing telecommunications networks. (3) Enhanced employment outcomes for specific populations. The proposed project supports specialized training in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or related services to individuals with disabilities to increase the rehabilitation rate into competitive employment for all individuals or specified target groups. (Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c), 770, and 771a)
Title 34: Education
PART 388—STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION UNIT IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Subpart C—How Does the Secretary Make an Award?
§ 388.20 What additional selection criterion is used under this program?
§ 388.21 How does the Secretary determine the amount of a basic State award?
§ 388.22 What priorities does the Secretary consider in making an award?
