National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program-Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs), 35443-35447 [E7-12549]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 124 / Thursday, June 28, 2007 / Notices
where required by the selection criteria
listed in the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notice (GAN).
We may notify you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section in this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section in
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your
project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial
information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year
award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the
most current performance and financial
expenditure information as directed by
the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. The
Secretary may also require more
frequent performance reports under 34
CFR 75.720(c).
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Note: NIDRR will provide information by
letter to grantees on how and when to submit
the report.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate
the overall success of its research
program, NIDRR assesses the quality of
its funded projects through review of
grantee performance and products. Each
year, NIDRR examines, through expert
review, a portion of its grantees to
determine:
• The percentage of newly awarded
NIDRR projects that are multi-site,
collaborative controlled studies of
interventions and programs.
• The number of accomplishments
(e.g., new or improved tools, methods,
discoveries, standards, interventions,
programs, or devices) developed or
tested with NIDRR funding that have
been judged by expert panels to be of
high quality and to advance the field.
• The percentage of grantee research
and development that has appropriate
study design, meets rigorous standards
of scientific and/or engineering
methods, and builds on and contributes
to knowledge in the field.
• The average number of publications
per award based on NIDRR-funded
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research and development activities in
refereed journals.
• The percentage of new grants that
include studies funded by NIDRR that
assess the effectiveness of interventions,
programs, and devices using rigorous
and appropriate methods.
NIDRR uses information submitted by
grantees as part of their Annual
Performance Reports (APRs) for these
reviews. NIDRR also determines, using
information submitted as part of the
APR, the number of publications in
refereed journals that are based on
NIDRR-funded research and
development activities.
Department of Education program
performance reports, which include
information on NIDRR programs, are
available on the Department’s Web site:
https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/
opepd/sas/.
Updates on the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA) indicators, revisions and
methods appear on the NIDRR Program
Review Web site: https://
www.neweditions.net/pr/commonfiles/
pmconcepts.html.
Grantees should consult these sites,
on a regular basis, to obtain details and
explanations on how NIDRR programs
contribute to the advancement of the
Department’s long-term and annual
performance goals.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 6029, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone:
(202) 245–7462 or by e-mail:
donna.nangle@ed.gov.
If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll
free, at 1–800–877–8339.
VIII. Other Information
Alternative Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document
and a copy of the application package in
an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, or computer diskette)
by contacting the Grants and Contracts
Services Team, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 5075, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–2550.
Telephone: (202) 245–7363. If you use a
TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1–800–
877–8339.
Electronic Access to This Document:
You can 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.
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35443
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/
index.html.
Dated: June 25, 2007.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E7–12543 Filed 6–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research—Disability
and Rehabilitation Research Projects
and Centers Program—Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers
(RRTCs)
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority for a
RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for
Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services announces a priority on
vocational rehabilitation under 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 this priority for
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2007
and later years. We take this action to
focus research attention on areas of
national need. We intend this priority to
improve rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with
disabilities.
DATES: Effective Date: This priority is
effective July 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–2700.
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 Federal Relay Service (FRS) at
1–800–877–8339.
Individuals with disabilities may
obtain this document in an alternative
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changes in the priority 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
Rehabilitation Research and Training
addition, we do not address general
Centers (RRTCs)
comments that raised concerns not
directly related to the proposed priority.
RRTCs conduct coordinated and
Comments: None.
integrated advanced programs of
Discussion: Upon internal review of
research targeted toward the production
the NPP, NIDRR wishes to further
of new knowledge to improve
clarify the focus of research related to
rehabilitation methodology and service
‘‘best practices’’ activities to be
delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize
conducted under this priority. In the
disability conditions, or promote
NPP, NIDRR proposed that an RRTC
maximum social and economic
funded under the priority must
independence for persons with
contribute to several outcomes,
disabilities. Additional information on
including increased knowledge of ‘‘best
the RRTC program can be found at:
practices’’ for prioritizing and providing
https://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/
services to individuals with the most
pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.
significant disabilities. In the NPP, we
proposed specifically that the research
General Requirements of RRTCs
to be conducted to contribute to this
RRTCs must—
outcome must focus on the ‘‘extent to
• Carry out coordinated advanced
which individuals with the most
programs of rehabilitation research;
significant disabilities are given priority
• Provide training, including
for services by their respective State
graduate, pre-service, and in-service
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
training, to help rehabilitation
programs.’’ We are revising this
personnel more effectively provide
language to specifically reflect section
rehabilitation services to individuals
101(a)(5)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act,
with disabilities;
and related regulations under 34 CFR
• Provide technical assistance to
361.36 to clarify that NIDRR and RSA
individuals with disabilities, their
are specifically interested in research on
representatives, providers, and other
best practices for administering and
interested parties;
implementing an order of selection in
• Demonstrate in their applications
serving individuals with the most
how they will address, in whole or in
significant disabilities.
part, the needs of individuals with
Changes: NIDRR has revised the
disabilities from minority backgrounds;
• Disseminate informational materials priority to clarify that the focus of best
practices research to be conducted
to individuals with disabilities, their
under paragraph (d) of the priority must
representatives, providers, and other
be on the administration and
interested parties; and
implementation of an order of selection
• Serve as centers of national
excellence in rehabilitation research for in serving individuals with the most
significant disabilities.
individuals with disabilities, their
Comment: One commenter noted that
representatives, providers, and other
a relatively low percentage of
interested parties.
consumers of State VR programs who
We published a notice of proposed
are blind or have low vision, and whose
priority (NPP) for NIDRR’s Disability
cases have been closed with an
and Rehabilitation Research Projects
and Centers Program, RRTC program, in employment outcome, obtain
competitive employment. Based on this
the Federal Register on March 27, 2007
finding, the commenter recommends
(72 FR 14263). The NPP included a
that paragraph (e) of the priority be
background statement that described
amended to include a focus on
our rationale for the priority proposed
individuals who are blind or have low
in that notice.
vision.
There are differences between the
Discussion: As described in the NPP,
NPP and this notice of final priority
NIDRR and RSA have chosen to focus
(NFP) as discussed in the following
their research resources on individuals
section.
with developmental disabilities (DD)
Analysis of Comments and Changes
and individuals with mental illness (MI)
because historically these individuals
In response to our invitation in the
have had very low employment
NPP, eleven parties submitted
outcome rates. Individuals with MI have
comments on the proposed priority. An
the lowest annual closure rate in the VR
analysis of the comments and of any
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format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) on
request to the contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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system. Individuals with DD also have
low rates of closure relative to other
subpopulations. These low closure
rates, combined with the fact that
individuals with DD and MI comprise
about half of VR clients nationally,
provide the strategic rationale for the
proposed focus of paragraph (e).
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters noted
that the findings of the RRTC should be
incorporated into training and ongoing
educational requirements of VR
personnel, and disseminated to
individuals with disabilities. These
commenters suggest that paragraph (f) of
the priority be amended to include a
requirement for a direct VR program
delivery impact strategy.
Discussion: We agree with this
commenter’s observation that the
proposed priority unduly restricts
dissemination efforts to ‘‘State and
Federal administrators of the VR
program,’’ and that applicants should
disseminate the results of their research
widely throughout the VR service
delivery system as well as to individuals
with disabilities. It is beyond the scope
of this grant, however, to ensure that
research findings are formally
incorporated into training and
education requirements of VR staff.
Changes: NIDRR has revised
paragraph (f) of the priority to require
the RRTC to disseminate research
results and provide training and
technical assistance to all VR program
personnel, as well as individuals with
disabilities.
Comment: Four commenters
suggested that the priority be amended
to incorporate specific research topics
related to services provided to youth in
transition from school to employment
settings.
Discussion: NIDRR and RSA have
made a strategic decision to focus the
work of this RRTC on the State-level
structures and systems for providing
employment services to individuals
with disabilities. As described in the
Background section in the NPP, the goal
of this RRTC is to produce information
that will properly contextualize future
employment interventions and
intervention studies. This new
knowledge will help determine the real
world applicability of those
interventions, and the results of
research on them. NIDRR and RSA
believe that new knowledge will
include information about many Statelevel systems that serve individuals
transitioning from school to
postsecondary work activity and agree
that this important area could benefit
from additional research-based
knowledge. NIDRR and RSA believe that
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an applicant could propose research on
transition-related service delivery
structures under paragraphs (b) and (c)
of the priority. However, we have no
basis for requiring that all applicants
focus their research in this manner.
Changes: None.
Comment: Four commenters
suggested that the term ‘‘home-based
employment’’ utilized in paragraph (c)
of the priority be broadened to include
self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Discussion: NIDRR and RSA are
specifically interested in the extent to
which State VR systems use home-based
employment options to provide VR
services. Under paragraph (c) the
priority allows applicants to propose
research that examines a wide variety of
VR program characteristics. The list of
characteristics in paragraph (c) was not
intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly,
an applicant could propose to focus
research on the broader categories of
self-employment and entrepreneurship.
However, NIDRR has no basis for
requiring that all applicants focus on
self-employment or entrepreneurship in
responding to the priority.
Changes: None.
Comment: Referring specifically to
paragraph (a) of the priority, three
commenters suggested that NIDRR
require applicants to explore the
interaction between State procurement
policies and choice provisions that are
spelled out in the Rehabilitation Act.
Discussion: To the extent that
research literature on this topic exists,
applicants may propose to include it in
their literature review and synthesis.
Applicants may also propose to examine
this topic under paragraphs (b), (c), (d),
and (e) of the priority. However, NIDRR
has no basis for requiring that all
applicants focus on the interaction
between state procurement policies and
the choice provisions described in
section 102(d) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters
recommended that paragraph (b) of the
priority be expanded to require research
on specific disability employment
service topics such as interagency
agreements, VR connections to OneStop Centers, VR connections to
apprenticeship programs, policies
related to needs-based financing of
postsecondary education, and VR
connections to programs for military
veterans.
Discussion: The priority allows
applicants to propose studies examining
these specific characteristics of
disability employment services, as well
as many others. However, NIDRR has no
basis for requiring that all applicants
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focus on these factors in responding to
the priority.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters
recommended that paragraph (c) of the
priority be expanded to require research
on specific VR program characteristics
such as extended evaluations and trial
work experiences, VR agreements with
agencies providing long-term services
and employment supports,
characteristics of individuals denied VR
services, and different types of
purchase-of-service agreements.
Discussion: In paragraph (c), we
described the characteristics we thought
applicants should examine in their
studies, but as noted previously the list
of characteristics was not intended to be
exhaustive. Accordingly, under
paragraph (c), an applicant could
propose to examine the characteristics
suggested by the commenters, as well as
many others. However, NIDRR has no
basis for requiring that all applicants
focus on the additional characteristics
recommended by the commenters.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked
whether best-practices research on
serving people with MI and DD, under
paragraph (e) of the priority, could focus
on services provided by non-VR
agencies.
Discussion: Under paragraph (e) of the
priority, best practices research must be
coordinated with and informed by
research conducted under paragraphs
(b) and (c) of the priority. Under
paragraph (b), the RRTC must research
the role of community nongovernmental organizations and
government entities in the delivery of
services to individuals with disabilities.
Accordingly, an applicant’s research
could include best practices from nonVR service providers. NIDRR and RSA
are ultimately interested in application
of these best-practices findings within
the VR system, regardless of their
source.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked
whether NIDRR would consider
applications that propose randomized
controlled intervention designs.
Discussion: As described in the
Background section of the NPP, and
clearly outlined in the proposed
priority, the purpose of this RRTC is to
conduct research that is largely
descriptive, in order to provide the
contextual basis for future interventions
and intervention studies. A randomizedcontrolled trial would not produce
information that fulfills this purpose.
NIDRR will not consider proposals that
are not responsive to paragraphs (a)
through (f).
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35445
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked
NIDRR to define the term ‘‘best
practices’’ that is used in the priority.
Discussion: Generally, the term ‘‘best
practices’’ refers to the notion that there
are methods or processes that are more
closely associated with achieving a
desired goal than others. The goal
identified in paragraph (d) is the
prioritization of services to those with
the most significant disabilities. The
goal identified in paragraph (e) of the
priority is achieving a high rate of
placing or retaining individuals from
specific disability subpopulations in
jobs. NIDRR and RSA are specifically
interested in research that will help
identify current practices, interventions,
or service-delivery structures that are
associated with achieving these goals.
Changes: NIDRR has revised the
priority to include the following
definition of best practices: ‘‘For
purposes of this priority, best practices
are defined as current practices,
interventions, or service-delivery
structures that are associated with
achievement of a particular goal.’’
Comment: One commenter asked
whether NIDRR would consider
systemic change strategies that enhance
the adoption of evidence-based
research, as a best practice for serving
individuals with MI or DD.
Discussion: NIDRR requires that best
practices research under paragraphs (d)
and (e) be coordinated with research
activities under paragraphs (b) and (c).
Paragraphs (b) and (c) require research
on the structural and systemic
characteristics of the States’ disability
employment services networks, and the
States’ VR programs, respectively. To
the extent that successful systemic
change strategies currently exist within
these employment service-delivery
structures, applicants are free to
examine them in their research on best
practices under paragraphs (d) and (e).
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested
that NIDRR require applicants to
identify specific strategies for
collaboration with the Helen Keller
National Center under paragraph (d) of
the priority, given the unique
employment challenges of individuals
who are deaf-blind.
Discussion: While the priority
requires a RRTC to conduct research to
help determine best practices for
prioritizing and providing services to
individuals with the most significant
disabilities, it does not require the RRTC
to address the needs of any particular
disability group in meeting this
requirement. Accordingly, applicants
may propose to collaborate with any
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organizations that they believe will help
achieve the desired outcomes under this
priority. However, NIDRR has no basis
for requiring that all applicants
collaborate with the Helen Keller
National Center or any other particular
organization.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter noted that
the statutory definition of ‘‘individual
with a significant disability’’ includes
language that restricts this population to
those with multiple VR service needs.
The commenter notes that this
definition precludes prioritization of VR
services for people with significant
disabilities who only need one VR
service. The commenter recommends
that NIDRR remove language from the
priority that refers to ‘‘significant’’
disability, so that the statutory
definition of significant disability does
not limit research on the VR
prioritization process to those who fit
that definition.
Discussion: Title I of the
Rehabilitation Act requires State
agencies to give priority to those
individuals with the most significant
disabilities if it cannot serve all eligible
individuals. Through this priority,
NIDRR seeks to sponsor research that is
directly relevant to the VR State
agencies and requirements that govern
the operation of the VR program.
Making the change suggested by the
commenter would not further this goal.
Changes: None.
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Note: This notice does not solicit
applications. In any year in which we choose
to use this priority, we invite applications
through a notice in the Federal Register.
When inviting applications we designate the
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
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
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absolute preference over other
applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
Note: This NFP is in concert with President
George W. Bush’s New Freedom Initiative
(NFI) and the Plan. The NFI can be accessed
on the Internet at the following site: https://
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: https://
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
Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center (RRTC) on Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR)
The Assistant Secretary for Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services
establishes a priority for the funding of
a Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center (RRTC) on Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) Services. The RRTC
must conduct research on the complex
employment service delivery structures
for individuals with disabilities,
investigate ‘‘best practices’’ in certain
critical areas, and provide training and
technical assistance in order to improve
VR services and employment outcomes
among individuals with disabilities. For
purposes of this priority, best practices
are defined as current practices,
interventions, or service-delivery
structures that are associated with
achievement of a particular goal. Under
this priority, the RRTC must contribute
to the following outcomes:
(a) A foundation of available
knowledge about the VR program’s
characteristics and outcomes. The RRTC
must contribute to this outcome by
conducting a literature review and
creating a synthesis of previous research
on the system-level characteristics of the
VR program, and outcomes associated
with those characteristics. This review
and synthesis will inform the
subsequent research, training, and
evaluation efforts of the RRTC.
(b) Increased knowledge about the
broad constellation of Federal and State
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policies and programs through which
employment services are delivered to
individuals with disabilities, and the
characteristics of individuals with
disabilities who are receiving those
services. The RRTC must contribute to
this outcome by researching and
providing a detailed State-by-State
description of the larger employment
services network and the role of the VR
program within it. This research must
identify and describe key characteristics
of Federal, State and local government
entities and community nongovernmental organizations that either
directly deliver or directly purchase
employment services for individuals
with disabilities.
(c) Increased knowledge of the
structure and operations of VR service
delivery practices at the State level. The
RRTC must contribute to this outcome
by researching and providing a detailed
description of the key characteristics of
each State’s VR system. These
characteristics should include, but not
be limited to, VR service delivery
structure and practices, patterns of
resource allocation, patterns of internal
and external provision of services, the
extent to which the VR agency uses
cooperative agreements with other
agencies to deliver services, operational
definitions of ‘‘individuals with the
most significant disabilities,’’
characteristics of clients, employment
outcomes and settings, the level of
integration of work settings, the extent
of use of home-based employment, and
means of addressing transportation
barriers. This research must describe
elements internal to each State’s VR
agency or agencies, and provide a base
upon which future researchers can
analyze the operational consequences
and outcomes of different internal
arrangements and agency decisions.
(d) Increased knowledge of ‘‘best
practices’’ for prioritizing and providing
services to individuals with the most
significant disabilities, when the State
VR agency cannot serve all eligible
individuals. The RRTC must contribute
to this outcome by conducting research
on the administration and
implementation of an order of selection
in serving individuals with the most
significant disabilities by their
respective State VR programs, and
identifying best practices among State
VR programs for ensuring that
individuals with the most significant
disabilities receive services on a priority
basis. Collection and analysis of data for
this research must be coordinated with
and informed by research on the
disability employment service and VR
structures described in paragraphs (b)
and (c) of this priority. This
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coordination will allow best practices
findings to be properly contextualized,
and therefore more likely to be
successfully applied in other States or
agencies.
(e) Increased knowledge of ‘‘best
practices’’ for helping individuals with
developmental disabilities (DD) and
individuals with mental illness (MI)
obtain and retain employment. The
RRTC must contribute to this outcome
by conducting research to determine
best practices for placing or retaining
individuals with DD or MI in jobs.
Collection and analysis of data for this
best practices research must be
coordinated with and informed by
research on the disability employment
service and VR structures described in
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this priority.
This coordination will allow best
practices findings to be properly
contextualized, and therefore more
likely to be successfully applied in other
States or agencies.
(f) Enhancement of the knowledge
base of: (1) State and Federal VR
program personnel, (2) personnel of
other employment programs for
individuals with disabilities, and (3)
individuals with disabilities, by
disseminating research results and
providing training and technical
assistance based on the new knowledge
about the disability employment service
structures described in paragraphs (b)
and (c) of this priority, and best
practices knowledge described in
paragraphs (d) and (e) of this priority.
In addition, this RRTC must:
• Collaborate with RSA’s technical
assistance mechanisms to effectively
disseminate best practices materials
developed in the research component of
this RRTC.
• Coordinate its research,
dissemination, training, and technical
assistance efforts with grantees in
NIDRR’s Employment domain, as
appropriate.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Executive Order 12866
This notice of final priority 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 proposed priority are those
resulting from statutory requirements
and those we have determined as
necessary for administering these
programs effectively and efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and
benefits—both quantitative and
qualitative—of this notice of final
priority, we have determined that the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:52 Jun 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
benefits of the final priority justify the
costs.
Summary of Potential Costs and
Benefits
The potential costs associated with
this final priority are minimal while the
benefits are significant.
The benefits of the Rehabilitation
Research and Training Centers have
been well established over the years in
that similar projects have been
completed successfully. This final
priority will generate new knowledge
and technologies through research,
development, dissemination, utilization,
and technical assistance projects.
Another benefit of this final priority is
that the establishment of a new RRTC
conducting research projects will
support the President’s NFI and will
improve the lives of persons with
disabilities. This RRTC 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
You may view 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: 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/
index.html.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number 84.133B, Rehabilitation Research
and Training Centers Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and
764(b)(2).
Dated: June 25, 2007.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E7–12549 Filed 6–27–07; 8:45 am]
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35447
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Interagency Committee on Disability
Research
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and
request for written comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice describes the
schedule and agenda of a forthcoming
meeting of the Interagency Committee
on Disability Research (ICDR). Notice of
this meeting is intended to inform
members of the general public of their
opportunity to attend the meeting and
provide comment.
DATES: The meeting will take place on
August 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday
Inn on the Hill, 415 New Jersey Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20001.
Telephone: (202) 638–1616.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the
public meeting and through the
submission of written comments, we
encourage individuals with disabilities,
including persons who represent service
providers, service provider
organizations, disability and
rehabilitation research and policy
groups, and representatives of advocacy
organizations with specialized
knowledge and experience, to suggest
specific ways to improve future research
for individuals with disabilities. We are
also interested in hearing from
individuals concerning how well the
existing Federal research programs are
responding to the changing needs of
individuals with disabilities. We are
interested in comments covering a wide
range of research areas, including, but
not limited to, the following:
• Rehabilitation, employment and
community integration of military
service members with disabilities, with
a specific interest in input from the
military community, including active
duty service members and their
families, service providers, retirees, and
other stakeholders about research issues
related to the continuum of care;
• Employment of people with
disabilities;
• Health disparities;
• Access to and development of
assistive technology and universally
designed technologies; and
• Transition of youths with
disabilities to postsecondary education,
employment and independent living.
Your input will be used by the ICDR
in its deliberations; however, we cannot
respond individually to your comments.
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 124 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35443-35447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12549]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program--
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs)
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority for a RRTC on Vocational
Rehabilitation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services announces a priority on vocational
rehabilitation under 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 this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2007 and
later years. We take this action to focus research attention on areas
of national need. We intend this priority to improve rehabilitation
services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
DATES: Effective Date: This priority is effective July 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. 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 Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative
[[Page 35444]]
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)
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: https://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/
pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.
General Requirements of RRTCs
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;
Demonstrate in their applications how they will address,
in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds;
Disseminate informational materials to individuals with
disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested
parties; and
Serve as centers of national excellence in rehabilitation
research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives,
providers, and other interested parties.
We published a notice of proposed priority (NPP) for NIDRR's
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program,
RRTC program, in the Federal Register on March 27, 2007 (72 FR 14263).
The NPP included a background statement that described our rationale
for the priority proposed in that notice.
There are differences between the NPP and this notice of final
priority (NFP) as discussed in the following section.
Analysis of Comments and Changes
In response to our invitation in the NPP, eleven parties submitted
comments on the proposed priority. An analysis of the comments and of
any changes in the priority 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
priority.
Comments: None.
Discussion: Upon internal review of the NPP, NIDRR wishes to
further clarify the focus of research related to ``best practices''
activities to be conducted under this priority. In the NPP, NIDRR
proposed that an RRTC funded under the priority must contribute to
several outcomes, including increased knowledge of ``best practices''
for prioritizing and providing services to individuals with the most
significant disabilities. In the NPP, we proposed specifically that the
research to be conducted to contribute to this outcome must focus on
the ``extent to which individuals with the most significant
disabilities are given priority for services by their respective State
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs.'' We are revising this
language to specifically reflect section 101(a)(5)(A) of the
Rehabilitation Act, and related regulations under 34 CFR 361.36 to
clarify that NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in research on
best practices for administering and implementing an order of selection
in serving individuals with the most significant disabilities.
Changes: NIDRR has revised the priority to clarify that the focus
of best practices research to be conducted under paragraph (d) of the
priority must be on the administration and implementation of an order
of selection in serving individuals with the most significant
disabilities.
Comment: One commenter noted that a relatively low percentage of
consumers of State VR programs who are blind or have low vision, and
whose cases have been closed with an employment outcome, obtain
competitive employment. Based on this finding, the commenter recommends
that paragraph (e) of the priority be amended to include a focus on
individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Discussion: As described in the NPP, NIDRR and RSA have chosen to
focus their research resources on individuals with developmental
disabilities (DD) and individuals with mental illness (MI) because
historically these individuals have had very low employment outcome
rates. Individuals with MI have the lowest annual closure rate in the
VR system. Individuals with DD also have low rates of closure relative
to other subpopulations. These low closure rates, combined with the
fact that individuals with DD and MI comprise about half of VR clients
nationally, provide the strategic rationale for the proposed focus of
paragraph (e).
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters noted that the findings of the RRTC
should be incorporated into training and ongoing educational
requirements of VR personnel, and disseminated to individuals with
disabilities. These commenters suggest that paragraph (f) of the
priority be amended to include a requirement for a direct VR program
delivery impact strategy.
Discussion: We agree with this commenter's observation that the
proposed priority unduly restricts dissemination efforts to ``State and
Federal administrators of the VR program,'' and that applicants should
disseminate the results of their research widely throughout the VR
service delivery system as well as to individuals with disabilities. It
is beyond the scope of this grant, however, to ensure that research
findings are formally incorporated into training and education
requirements of VR staff.
Changes: NIDRR has revised paragraph (f) of the priority to require
the RRTC to disseminate research results and provide training and
technical assistance to all VR program personnel, as well as
individuals with disabilities.
Comment: Four commenters suggested that the priority be amended to
incorporate specific research topics related to services provided to
youth in transition from school to employment settings.
Discussion: NIDRR and RSA have made a strategic decision to focus
the work of this RRTC on the State-level structures and systems for
providing employment services to individuals with disabilities. As
described in the Background section in the NPP, the goal of this RRTC
is to produce information that will properly contextualize future
employment interventions and intervention studies. This new knowledge
will help determine the real world applicability of those
interventions, and the results of research on them. NIDRR and RSA
believe that new knowledge will include information about many State-
level systems that serve individuals transitioning from school to
postsecondary work activity and agree that this important area could
benefit from additional research-based knowledge. NIDRR and RSA believe
that
[[Page 35445]]
an applicant could propose research on transition-related service
delivery structures under paragraphs (b) and (c) of the priority.
However, we have no basis for requiring that all applicants focus their
research in this manner.
Changes: None.
Comment: Four commenters suggested that the term ``home-based
employment'' utilized in paragraph (c) of the priority be broadened to
include self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Discussion: NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in the extent
to which State VR systems use home-based employment options to provide
VR services. Under paragraph (c) the priority allows applicants to
propose research that examines a wide variety of VR program
characteristics. The list of characteristics in paragraph (c) was not
intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly, an applicant could propose to
focus research on the broader categories of self-employment and
entrepreneurship. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all
applicants focus on self-employment or entrepreneurship in responding
to the priority.
Changes: None.
Comment: Referring specifically to paragraph (a) of the priority,
three commenters suggested that NIDRR require applicants to explore the
interaction between State procurement policies and choice provisions
that are spelled out in the Rehabilitation Act.
Discussion: To the extent that research literature on this topic
exists, applicants may propose to include it in their literature review
and synthesis. Applicants may also propose to examine this topic under
paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of the priority. However, NIDRR has
no basis for requiring that all applicants focus on the interaction
between state procurement policies and the choice provisions described
in section 102(d) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters recommended that paragraph (b) of the
priority be expanded to require research on specific disability
employment service topics such as interagency agreements, VR
connections to One-Stop Centers, VR connections to apprenticeship
programs, policies related to needs-based financing of postsecondary
education, and VR connections to programs for military veterans.
Discussion: The priority allows applicants to propose studies
examining these specific characteristics of disability employment
services, as well as many others. However, NIDRR has no basis for
requiring that all applicants focus on these factors in responding to
the priority.
Changes: None.
Comment: Three commenters recommended that paragraph (c) of the
priority be expanded to require research on specific VR program
characteristics such as extended evaluations and trial work
experiences, VR agreements with agencies providing long-term services
and employment supports, characteristics of individuals denied VR
services, and different types of purchase-of-service agreements.
Discussion: In paragraph (c), we described the characteristics we
thought applicants should examine in their studies, but as noted
previously the list of characteristics was not intended to be
exhaustive. Accordingly, under paragraph (c), an applicant could
propose to examine the characteristics suggested by the commenters, as
well as many others. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all
applicants focus on the additional characteristics recommended by the
commenters.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked whether best-practices research on
serving people with MI and DD, under paragraph (e) of the priority,
could focus on services provided by non-VR agencies.
Discussion: Under paragraph (e) of the priority, best practices
research must be coordinated with and informed by research conducted
under paragraphs (b) and (c) of the priority. Under paragraph (b), the
RRTC must research the role of community non-governmental organizations
and government entities in the delivery of services to individuals with
disabilities. Accordingly, an applicant's research could include best
practices from non-VR service providers. NIDRR and RSA are ultimately
interested in application of these best-practices findings within the
VR system, regardless of their source.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked whether NIDRR would consider
applications that propose randomized controlled intervention designs.
Discussion: As described in the Background section of the NPP, and
clearly outlined in the proposed priority, the purpose of this RRTC is
to conduct research that is largely descriptive, in order to provide
the contextual basis for future interventions and intervention studies.
A randomized-controlled trial would not produce information that
fulfills this purpose. NIDRR will not consider proposals that are not
responsive to paragraphs (a) through (f).
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter asked NIDRR to define the term ``best
practices'' that is used in the priority.
Discussion: Generally, the term ``best practices'' refers to the
notion that there are methods or processes that are more closely
associated with achieving a desired goal than others. The goal
identified in paragraph (d) is the prioritization of services to those
with the most significant disabilities. The goal identified in
paragraph (e) of the priority is achieving a high rate of placing or
retaining individuals from specific disability subpopulations in jobs.
NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in research that will help
identify current practices, interventions, or service-delivery
structures that are associated with achieving these goals.
Changes: NIDRR has revised the priority to include the following
definition of best practices: ``For purposes of this priority, best
practices are defined as current practices, interventions, or service-
delivery structures that are associated with achievement of a
particular goal.''
Comment: One commenter asked whether NIDRR would consider systemic
change strategies that enhance the adoption of evidence-based research,
as a best practice for serving individuals with MI or DD.
Discussion: NIDRR requires that best practices research under
paragraphs (d) and (e) be coordinated with research activities under
paragraphs (b) and (c). Paragraphs (b) and (c) require research on the
structural and systemic characteristics of the States' disability
employment services networks, and the States' VR programs,
respectively. To the extent that successful systemic change strategies
currently exist within these employment service-delivery structures,
applicants are free to examine them in their research on best practices
under paragraphs (d) and (e).
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter suggested that NIDRR require applicants to
identify specific strategies for collaboration with the Helen Keller
National Center under paragraph (d) of the priority, given the unique
employment challenges of individuals who are deaf-blind.
Discussion: While the priority requires a RRTC to conduct research
to help determine best practices for prioritizing and providing
services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, it does
not require the RRTC to address the needs of any particular disability
group in meeting this requirement. Accordingly, applicants may propose
to collaborate with any
[[Page 35446]]
organizations that they believe will help achieve the desired outcomes
under this priority. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all
applicants collaborate with the Helen Keller National Center or any
other particular organization.
Changes: None.
Comment: One commenter noted that the statutory definition of
``individual with a significant disability'' includes language that
restricts this population to those with multiple VR service needs. The
commenter notes that this definition precludes prioritization of VR
services for people with significant disabilities who only need one VR
service. The commenter recommends that NIDRR remove language from the
priority that refers to ``significant'' disability, so that the
statutory definition of significant disability does not limit research
on the VR prioritization process to those who fit that definition.
Discussion: Title I of the Rehabilitation Act requires State
agencies to give priority to those individuals with the most
significant disabilities if it cannot serve all eligible individuals.
Through this priority, NIDRR seeks to sponsor research that is directly
relevant to the VR State agencies and requirements that govern the
operation of the VR program. Making the change suggested by the
commenter would not further this goal.
Changes: None.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through
a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting applications we
designate the 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 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)).
Note: This NFP is in concert with President George W. Bush's New
Freedom Initiative (NFI) and the Plan. The NFI can be accessed on
the Internet at the following site: https://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: https://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
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR)
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services establishes a priority for the funding of a Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Services. The RRTC must conduct research on the complex employment
service delivery structures for individuals with disabilities,
investigate ``best practices'' in certain critical areas, and provide
training and technical assistance in order to improve VR services and
employment outcomes among individuals with disabilities. For purposes
of this priority, best practices are defined as current practices,
interventions, or service-delivery structures that are associated with
achievement of a particular goal. Under this priority, the RRTC must
contribute to the following outcomes:
(a) A foundation of available knowledge about the VR program's
characteristics and outcomes. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome
by conducting a literature review and creating a synthesis of previous
research on the system-level characteristics of the VR program, and
outcomes associated with those characteristics. This review and
synthesis will inform the subsequent research, training, and evaluation
efforts of the RRTC.
(b) Increased knowledge about the broad constellation of Federal
and State policies and programs through which employment services are
delivered to individuals with disabilities, and the characteristics of
individuals with disabilities who are receiving those services. The
RRTC must contribute to this outcome by researching and providing a
detailed State-by-State description of the larger employment services
network and the role of the VR program within it. This research must
identify and describe key characteristics of Federal, State and local
government entities and community non-governmental organizations that
either directly deliver or directly purchase employment services for
individuals with disabilities.
(c) Increased knowledge of the structure and operations of VR
service delivery practices at the State level. The RRTC must contribute
to this outcome by researching and providing a detailed description of
the key characteristics of each State's VR system. These
characteristics should include, but not be limited to, VR service
delivery structure and practices, patterns of resource allocation,
patterns of internal and external provision of services, the extent to
which the VR agency uses cooperative agreements with other agencies to
deliver services, operational definitions of ``individuals with the
most significant disabilities,'' characteristics of clients, employment
outcomes and settings, the level of integration of work settings, the
extent of use of home-based employment, and means of addressing
transportation barriers. This research must describe elements internal
to each State's VR agency or agencies, and provide a base upon which
future researchers can analyze the operational consequences and
outcomes of different internal arrangements and agency decisions.
(d) Increased knowledge of ``best practices'' for prioritizing and
providing services to individuals with the most significant
disabilities, when the State VR agency cannot serve all eligible
individuals. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by conducting
research on the administration and implementation of an order of
selection in serving individuals with the most significant disabilities
by their respective State VR programs, and identifying best practices
among State VR programs for ensuring that individuals with the most
significant disabilities receive services on a priority basis.
Collection and analysis of data for this research must be coordinated
with and informed by research on the disability employment service and
VR structures described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this priority.
This
[[Page 35447]]
coordination will allow best practices findings to be properly
contextualized, and therefore more likely to be successfully applied in
other States or agencies.
(e) Increased knowledge of ``best practices'' for helping
individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) and individuals with
mental illness (MI) obtain and retain employment. The RRTC must
contribute to this outcome by conducting research to determine best
practices for placing or retaining individuals with DD or MI in jobs.
Collection and analysis of data for this best practices research must
be coordinated with and informed by research on the disability
employment service and VR structures described in paragraphs (b) and
(c) of this priority. This coordination will allow best practices
findings to be properly contextualized, and therefore more likely to be
successfully applied in other States or agencies.
(f) Enhancement of the knowledge base of: (1) State and Federal VR
program personnel, (2) personnel of other employment programs for
individuals with disabilities, and (3) individuals with disabilities,
by disseminating research results and providing training and technical
assistance based on the new knowledge about the disability employment
service structures described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this
priority, and best practices knowledge described in paragraphs (d) and
(e) of this priority.
In addition, this RRTC must:
Collaborate with RSA's technical assistance mechanisms to
effectively disseminate best practices materials developed in the
research component of this RRTC.
Coordinate its research, dissemination, training, and
technical assistance efforts with grantees in NIDRR's Employment
domain, as appropriate.
Executive Order 12866
This notice of final priority 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 proposed priority
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have
determined as necessary for administering these programs effectively
and efficiently.
In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative
and qualitative--of this notice of final priority, we have determined
that the benefits of the final priority justify the costs.
Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits
The potential costs associated with this final priority are minimal
while the benefits are significant.
The benefits of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
have been well established over the years in that similar projects have
been completed successfully. This final priority will generate new
knowledge and technologies through research, development,
dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance projects.
Another benefit of this final priority is that the establishment of
a new RRTC conducting research projects will support the President's
NFI and will improve the lives of persons with disabilities. This RRTC
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
You may view 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:
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/.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133B,
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
Dated: June 25, 2007.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E7-12549 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
