Redesign of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Rehabilitation Training Program, 9942-9943 [E7-3887]

Download as PDF 9942 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 43 / Tuesday, March 6, 2007 / Notices rehabilitation units in providing vocational rehabilitation and other rehabilitation services and personnel in centers for independent living. In order to measure the success of RRCEPs in meeting this goal, each RRCEP’s cooperative agreement with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) requires the conduct of an evaluation of RRCEP training activities. Therefore, in annual performance reports RRCEPs are required to provide specific information on the number of training activities, the topics of each training program, the number of participants served, the target groups represented by participants, and summary data from participant evaluations. Performance measures established for the RRCEP are the percentage of training participants who report an increase in their knowledge, skills, and abilities and the percentage of training participants who report the training is relevant to their employment. These data allow RSA to measure results against the regional needs assessment conducted by the RRCEP and against the goal of upgrading the skills of personnel currently employed in CRPs that cooperate with State vocational rehabilitation units in providing vocational rehabilitation and other rehabilitation services and centers for independent living. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES VII. Agency Contact For Further Information Contact: Christine Marschall, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5053, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–2800. Telephone: (202) 245–7429 or by e-mail: Christine.Marschall@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://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– VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:35 Mar 05, 2007 Jkt 211001 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: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ index.html. Dated: March 1, 2007. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E7–3889 Filed 3–5–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Redesign of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Rehabilitation Training Program Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of request for comments and recommendations on the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Rehabilitation Training Program. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services solicits comments and recommendations concerning the RSA Rehabilitation Training program. DATES: We must receive your comments at one of the addresses provided in the ADDRESSES section no later than 5 p.m., Washington, DC time, on April 5, 2007. ADDRESSES: Address all comments and recommendations to: Timothy Muzzio at the Rehabilitation Services Administration, through the Internet at the following address: Timothy.Muzzio@ed.gov. You must include the term ‘‘Comments on the RSA Rehabilitation Training Program’’ in the subject line of your electronic message. If you prefer, you may address your comments to Dr. Muzzio, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 5157, Washington, DC 20202– 2800. Please submit your comments only one time, in order to ensure that we do not receive duplicate copies. All first-class and Priority mail sent to the Department is put through an irradiation process, which can result in lengthy delays in mail delivery. Please keep this in mind when sending your comments and please consider using commercial delivery services or e-mail in order to ensure timely delivery of your comments and recommendations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy C. Muzzio, U.S. Department of PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 5052, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 245–7458. Fax: (202) 245–6824. Internet: Timothy.Muzzio@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (202) 205–5538. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invitation To Comment We invite you to submit comments and recommendations regarding the RSA Rehabilitation Training program. We encourage you to make your comments and recommendations as specific as possible. Also, if appropriate to your comment or recommendation, please identify the specific provision in the statute authorizing the RSA Rehabilitation Training program or the particular category of training that is the subject of your comment or recommendation; identify the issue, if any, outlined elsewhere in this notice, to which your comment or recommendation pertains; clearly describe your comment or recommendation; provide a rationale supporting each recommendation; and specify how the proposed change will improve the overall program. Please include the following with your comments and recommendations: A description of your involvement in vocational rehabilitation (VR) or the RSA Rehabilitation Training program, as well as your role, if any (e.g., consumer, counselor, service provider, administrator, educator, or researcher). During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public comments about this notice in room 5053, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Comments On request, we will supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or print magnifier, to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to review the comments and recommendations. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RSA Rehabilitation Training program is E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 43 / Tuesday, March 6, 2007 / Notices cprice-sewell on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES authorized by title III of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.). The RSA Rehabilitation Training program is designed to assist in increasing the numbers of, and upgrading the skills of, qualified personnel who are trained in providing vocational, medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation services. The Secretary is authorized to award grants and contracts to pay part of the costs of projects for the following types of projects: (1) Grants that provide training, traineeships, and related activities, including the provision of technical assistance, to assist in increasing the numbers of qualified personnel trained in providing rehabilitation services and other services provided under the Act to individuals with disabilities. (2) Grants to train qualified interpreters to meet the communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind. (3) Grants to provide technical assistance to State-designated agencies and community rehabilitation programs. (4) Grants to provide in-service training for rehabilitation personnel, consistent with the needs identified through the comprehensive system for personnel development required by section 101(a)(7) of the Act. The Department may provide financial assistance through six training programs: (1) Rehabilitation Long-Term Training. (2) Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs. (3) State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training. (4) Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind. (5) Rehabilitation Short-Term Training. (6) Experimental and Innovative Training. In fiscal year 2006, the RSA training program was funded at $38,437,740. The program allocated its funds as follows: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (CFDA * 84.129) ............................ Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs (CFDA 84.264) .. State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training (CFDA 84.275) ........................................... Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind (CFDA 84.160) ........................................... Rehabilitation Short-Term Training(including the Clearinghouse) (CFDA 84.246 and 84.275) ........... Experimental and Innovative Training (CFDA 84.263) ........................ VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:43 Mar 05, 2007 $19,653,820 10,061,982 5,765,661 2,097,361 749,992 0 Jkt 211001 Other (required set-asides, peer review, etc) ....................................... 9943 a. The role and effectiveness of the RCEP program in meeting the needs of Total .................................................. 38,437,740 State VR agencies and community * CFDA: Code of Federal Domestic Assistrehabilitation programs for training. b. How to improve coordination ance number. (See the following web page for more in- among in-service training programs. formation: https://web99.ed.gov/GTEP/ c. The effectiveness of the in-service Program2.nsf) training program in meeting the training RSA is considering whether to needs identified in the Comprehensive redesign the RSA Rehabilitation System of Personnel Development. Training program in order to— d. Other related issues. (1) Increase the number of qualified 3. The need for and recommended individuals who are available to work in approaches for providing technical the State vocational rehabilitation assistance and training to State agencies agencies and associated programs; and to improve program outcomes. (2) Maximize the efficiency and 4. Other issues regarding the RSA responsiveness of programs that provide Rehabilitation Training program. education to meet the training and Electronic Access to This Document: education needs in the rehabilitation You may view this document, as well as field. all other documents of this Department We are interested in obtaining public published in the Federal Register, in input to help identify any current text or Adobe Portable Document program needs and possible future Format (PDF) on the Internet at the strategies for program improvement. We following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/ are particularly interested in comments fedregister. from individuals with disabilities; their To use PDF you must have Adobe parents, families, guardians, advocates, Acrobat Reader, which is available free and authorized representatives; and at this site. If you have questions about those entities and individuals serving using PDF, call the U.S. Government individuals with disabilities under the Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1– Act, including State vocational 888–293–6498; or in the Washington, rehabilitation agencies, centers for DC, area at (202) 512–1530. independent living, and educators who Note: The official version of this document prepare individuals who work in the is the document published in the Federal vocational rehabilitation field. Register. Free Internet access to the official We are specifically interested in edition of the Federal Register and the Code comments that address the following of Federal Regulations is available on GPO issues: Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ 1. The need for more vocational index.html. rehabilitation counselors and how the Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 701 et seq. training authority can be used to help State agencies meet the demand for Dated: March 1, 2007. rehabilitation professionals. John H. Hager, Specifically, we seek input on the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and following: Rehabilitative Services. a. How to more effectively recruit [FR Doc. E7–3887 Filed 3–5–07; 8:45 am] individuals into the rehabilitation BILLING CODE 4000–01–P professions and counselor training programs and State VR agencies. b. How to increase the capacity of DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY training programs to produce more graduates. Privacy Act of 1974; Establishment of c. How to improve the scholarship a New System of Records program to help meet national demand for rehabilitation professionals by State AGENCY: Department of Energy. VR agencies. ACTION: Notice. d. How to improve the geographic SUMMARY: The Department of Energy availability of scholarships to students. (DOE) is publishing a notice of system e. Other related issues. 2. Rehabilitation Continuing of records, DOE–63, ‘‘Personal Identity Education Programs (RCEPs) and inVerification (PIV) Files.’’ The system is service training grants to State VR created for the secure storage of agencies. These two grant programs information from and about applicants address overlapping issues. In addition, for a DOE PIV credential (security the program funds two types of RCEPs, badge) that is issued in compliance with one type serving primarily State VR Homeland Security Presidential agencies and the other serving primarily Directive (HSPD) 12, Policy for a community rehabilitation programs. We Common Identification Standard for seek input on the following: Federal Employees and Contractors. The PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 108,924 E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9942-9943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3887]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Redesign of the Rehabilitation Services Administration 
Rehabilitation Training Program

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments and recommendations on the 
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Rehabilitation Training 
Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services solicits comments and recommendations 
concerning the RSA Rehabilitation Training program.

DATES: We must receive your comments at one of the addresses provided 
in the ADDRESSES section no later than 5 p.m., Washington, DC time, on 
April 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments and recommendations to: Timothy Muzzio 
at the Rehabilitation Services Administration, through the Internet at 
the following address: Timothy.Muzzio@ed.gov.
    You must include the term ``Comments on the RSA Rehabilitation 
Training Program'' in the subject line of your electronic message.
    If you prefer, you may address your comments to Dr. Muzzio, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center 
Plaza, room 5157, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Please submit your 
comments only one time, in order to ensure that we do not receive 
duplicate copies.
    All first-class and Priority mail sent to the Department is put 
through an irradiation process, which can result in lengthy delays in 
mail delivery. Please keep this in mind when sending your comments and 
please consider using commercial delivery services or e-mail in order 
to ensure timely delivery of your comments and recommendations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Timothy C. Muzzio, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Potomac Center Plaza, room 5052, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 245-7458. Fax: (202) 245-6824. 
Internet: Timothy.Muzzio@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call (202) 205-5538.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Invitation To Comment

    We invite you to submit comments and recommendations regarding the 
RSA Rehabilitation Training program. We encourage you to make your 
comments and recommendations as specific as possible. Also, if 
appropriate to your comment or recommendation, please identify the 
specific provision in the statute authorizing the RSA Rehabilitation 
Training program or the particular category of training that is the 
subject of your comment or recommendation; identify the issue, if any, 
outlined elsewhere in this notice, to which your comment or 
recommendation pertains; clearly describe your comment or 
recommendation; provide a rationale supporting each recommendation; and 
specify how the proposed change will improve the overall program.
    Please include the following with your comments and 
recommendations: A description of your involvement in vocational 
rehabilitation (VR) or the RSA Rehabilitation Training program, as well 
as your role, if any (e.g., consumer, counselor, service provider, 
administrator, educator, or researcher).
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about this notice in room 5053, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal 
holidays.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Comments

    On request, we will supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or 
print magnifier, to an individual with a disability who needs 
assistance to review the comments and recommendations. If you want to 
schedule an appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RSA Rehabilitation Training program is

[[Page 9943]]

authorized by title III of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act) (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.). The RSA Rehabilitation Training program 
is designed to assist in increasing the numbers of, and upgrading the 
skills of, qualified personnel who are trained in providing vocational, 
medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation services.
    The Secretary is authorized to award grants and contracts to pay 
part of the costs of projects for the following types of projects:
    (1) Grants that provide training, traineeships, and related 
activities, including the provision of technical assistance, to assist 
in increasing the numbers of qualified personnel trained in providing 
rehabilitation services and other services provided under the Act to 
individuals with disabilities.
    (2) Grants to train qualified interpreters to meet the 
communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and 
individuals who are deaf-blind.
    (3) Grants to provide technical assistance to State-designated 
agencies and community rehabilitation programs.
    (4) Grants to provide in-service training for rehabilitation 
personnel, consistent with the needs identified through the 
comprehensive system for personnel development required by section 
101(a)(7) of the Act.
    The Department may provide financial assistance through six 
training programs:
    (1) Rehabilitation Long-Term Training.
    (2) Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs.
    (3) State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training.
    (4) Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and 
Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind.
    (5) Rehabilitation Short-Term Training.
    (6) Experimental and Innovative Training.
    In fiscal year 2006, the RSA training program was funded at 
$38,437,740. The program allocated its funds as follows:

 
 
 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (CFDA \*\ 84.129).......   $19,653,820
Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs (CFDA 84.264)    10,061,982
State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training       5,765,661
 (CFDA 84.275)............................................
Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and      2,097,361
 Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind (CFDA 84.160).............
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training(including the                 749,992
 Clearinghouse) (CFDA 84.246 and 84.275)..................
Experimental and Innovative Training (CFDA 84.263)........             0
Other (required set-asides, peer review, etc).............       108,924
                                                           -------------
Total.....................................................    38,437,740
 
\*\ CFDA: Code of Federal Domestic Assistance number.
 (See the following web page for more information: https://web99.ed.gov/
GTEP/Program2.nsf)

    RSA is considering whether to redesign the RSA Rehabilitation 
Training program in order to--
    (1) Increase the number of qualified individuals who are available 
to work in the State vocational rehabilitation agencies and associated 
programs; and
    (2) Maximize the efficiency and responsiveness of programs that 
provide education to meet the training and education needs in the 
rehabilitation field.
    We are interested in obtaining public input to help identify any 
current program needs and possible future strategies for program 
improvement. We are particularly interested in comments from 
individuals with disabilities; their parents, families, guardians, 
advocates, and authorized representatives; and those entities and 
individuals serving individuals with disabilities under the Act, 
including State vocational rehabilitation agencies, centers for 
independent living, and educators who prepare individuals who work in 
the vocational rehabilitation field.
    We are specifically interested in comments that address the 
following issues:
    1. The need for more vocational rehabilitation counselors and how 
the training authority can be used to help State agencies meet the 
demand for rehabilitation professionals. Specifically, we seek input on 
the following:
    a. How to more effectively recruit individuals into the 
rehabilitation professions and counselor training programs and State VR 
agencies.
    b. How to increase the capacity of training programs to produce 
more graduates.
    c. How to improve the scholarship program to help meet national 
demand for rehabilitation professionals by State VR agencies.
    d. How to improve the geographic availability of scholarships to 
students.
    e. Other related issues.
    2. Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs (RCEPs) and in-
service training grants to State VR agencies. These two grant programs 
address overlapping issues. In addition, the program funds two types of 
RCEPs, one type serving primarily State VR agencies and the other 
serving primarily community rehabilitation programs. We seek input on 
the following:
    a. The role and effectiveness of the RCEP program in meeting the 
needs of State VR agencies and community rehabilitation programs for 
training.
    b. How to improve coordination among in-service training programs.
    c. The effectiveness of the in-service training program in meeting 
the training needs identified in the Comprehensive System of Personnel 
Development.
    d. Other related issues.
    3. The need for and recommended approaches for providing technical 
assistance and training to State agencies to improve program outcomes.
    4. Other issues regarding the RSA Rehabilitation Training program.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: https://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: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/
nara/.


    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.

    Dated: March 1, 2007.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E7-3887 Filed 3-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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