National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities (NCITSPSD)

NCITSPSDTechnical Assistance Workshop

Orientation

July 7, 2015 U.S

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Takeaways from this session:

• Understand the overall program and grant plans.• Understand access to grant package and Grants.gov.• Review the parts of the application.• Understand how your application will be reviewed --

the peer review process.• Answer your questions, or at least collect them for

answering in the FAQ section of the NCITSPSD Web site.

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If you remember nothing else:• Link at www.grants.gov to get the application

package download.• Keep an eye on our NCITSPSD Web site for any

announcements.• Closing date is August 3 at 4:30:00 p.m. EST.• Register and get process at Grants.gov started

early.• Plan to submit your application early – don’t

wait until the last minute!

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Using Grants.gov:

• Go to http://www.grants.gov and search for keyword 84.116.

• This gives you access to basic grant information and the application package, but...

• You must follow the instructions in the application package under the heading “Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification Number, and System for Award Management.”

• Start the application process early!

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Program Web site and Overview• NCITSPSD Web site is at

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/ncitspsd/index.html.

• The NCITSPSD Program provides technical assistance and information on best and promising practices for students with disabilities as they transition to, or attend, postsecondary education.

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Program Authority• Section 777 (a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as

amended. (20 U.S.C. 1140q (a).).• The Education Department General Administrative

Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

• The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

• The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474.

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Program Description• Project performance period: up to 48 months• Estimated available funds: $2,475,000• Estimated number of awards: 1• Project start date: October 1, 2015• Type of award: Cooperative Agreement

* The U.S. Department of Education is not bound by these estimates.

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A Cooperative Agreement...• Is a grant for which the Department anticipates ‘substantial

involvement’ with the grantee during the period of the award, beyond the usual monitoring of grant activities.

• Pre-award negotiation leads to specification in the Grant Award Notice (GAN).

• What kinds of things might constitute ‘substantial involvement’?

• The Department might want to... • Review and approve a phase of an activity before the next phase

begins;• Be involved in the selection of key personnel;• Participate or collaborate in project activities with grantee staff;• Be involved operationally to ensure compliance with statutory

requirements.• Note: these are examples, not an exhaustive list.

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Submission Requirements• You must use e-Application located at: www.grants.gov.• The application narrative must not exceed 43 pages.

• The selection criteria and the absolute priority must not exceed 40 pages.

• The invitational priority must not exceed three pages.• Each page on which there are words will count as one full page.

• You must fill out and attach all the forms:• Project Abstract (one page)• Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)• Supplemental Form for the SF 424• Department of Education Budget Summary Form (ED 524)• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)• General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Section 427

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Eligible ApplicantsWho May Apply: Under section 777(a)(3)of the Higher Education Act, as amended (HEA), an “eligible entity” is an institution of higher education (IHE); a nonprofit organization; or a partnership of two or more such IHEs or organizations, with demonstrated expertise in:•Supporting students with disabilities in postsecondary education; •Technical knowledge necessary for the dissemination of information in accessible formats; •Working with diverse types of institutions of higher education, including community colleges; and •The subjects necessary to support students across the broad spectrum of disabilities.

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Absolute Priority

Entities that can demonstrate the experience and capacity to improve postsecondary recruitment, transition, retention, and completion rates of students with disabilities by providing:

•Assistance to students and families;•Assistance to institutions of higher education;•Information collection and dissemination;•Disability support services;•A review and report; and •Staff for the center.

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Invitational Priority

• Entities that intend to collaborate with:• The National Technical Assistance Center on Improving

Transition to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students with Disabilities (www.nsttac.org),

• The Center for Parent Information and Resources (www.parentcenterhub.org),

• The National Collaboration on Workforce and Disability (www.ncwd-youth.info), and

• One or more additional disability-related organization(s) of your choice.

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Program Selection Criteria

Included in the NCITSPSD application package are the selection criteria that will be used by peer reviewers to evaluate the applications. The selection criteria were extracted from EDGAR 34 CFR part 75 sections 75.209 and 75.210, as well as the authorizing legislation for the program.

You may access EDGAR electronically by going to the following link: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html.

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Program Selection Criteria

• Demonstration of Eligibility (25)• Quality of Project Design (15)• Quality of Project Services (15)• Quality of Project Personnel (15)• Quality of Management Plan (10)• Quality of Project Evaluation (20)

Total 100 points

Specific elements for judging each criterion are listed in the application package.

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Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)• GPRA directs Federal departments and agencies to improve

the effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results against those goals. o The goal of the NCITSPSD program is to promote technical

assistance and information on best and promising practices for students with disabilities as they transition to, or attend, postsecondary education.

o The successful award winner is required to submit annual performance reports, additional performance reports if requested by the Secretary, and a final report at the end of the performance period.

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Performance MeasuresThe Secretary has established the following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance measures for the Center: •Extent to which project serves students, families, education and employment teams including:

• growth in numbers over time; and • improved user satisfaction ratings.

•Extent to which information and technical assistance is provided to faculty, staff and administrators of IHE aimed at improving accommodation, retention and completion rates of students with disabilities, including:

• growth in the number of people and institutions served over time; • improved user satisfaction ratings; and• Baseline-based change over time in retention and completion rates

of students with disabilities.

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Performance Measures

•Extent and growth over time in utilization of the disability services database information by IHE including:

• Increased numbers of users, including IHE faculty, administrators, and staff as well as students with disabilities; and

• Improved user satisfaction ratings of the accessibility and utility of the information provided.

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E-Reader Contact Information

For e-Reader related inquiries:

Call the Help Desk at1-888-336-8930

(TTY: 1-886-697-2696; local: 202-401-8363)

Or e-mail: edcaps_user@ed.gov

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Questions?

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Contact Information

For NCITSPSD Program-related inquiries contact:

John ClementJohn.Clement@ed.gov

(202) 502-7520

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