Recreational Program Statute
Sec. 305. Recreational Programs
(a) Grants
(1) Authority
(A) In general
The Commissioner, subject to the provisions of section 306, shall make grants to States, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations to pay the Federal share of the cost of the establishment and operation of recreation programs to provide individuals with disabilities with recreational activities and related experiences to aid in the employment, mobility, socialization, independence, and community integration of such individuals.
(B) Recreation programs
The recreation programs that may be funded using assistance provided under a grant under this section may include vocational skills development, leisure education, leisure networking, leisure resource development, physical education arid sports, scouting and camping, 4‑H activities, construction of facilities for aquatic rehabilitation therapy, music, dancing, handicrafts, art, and homemaking. When possible and appropriate, such programs and activities should be provided in settings with peers who are not individuals with disabilities.
(C) Design of program
Programs and activities carried out under this section shall be designed to demonstrate ways in which such programs assist in maximizing the independence and integration of individuals with disabilities.
(2) Maximum term of grant
A grant under this section shall be made for a period of not more than 3 years.
(3) Availability of non grant resources
(A) In general
A grant may not be made to an applicant under this section unless the applicant provides
assurances that, with respect to costs of the recreation program to be carried out under the grant, the applicant, to the maximum extent practicable, will make available non‑Federal resources (in cash or in‑kind) to pay the non‑Federal share of such costs.
(B) Federal share
The Federal share of the costs of the recreation programs carried out under this section shall
(i) with respect to the first year in which assistance is provided under a grant under this section, 100 percent;
(ii) with respect to the second year in which assistance is provided under a grant under this section, 75 percent; and
(iii) with respect to the third year in which assistance is provided under a grant under this section, 50 percent.
(4) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State, agency, or organization shall submit an application to the Commissioner at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commissioner may require, including a description of
(A) the manner in which the findings and results of the project to be funded under the grant, particularly information that facilitates the replication of the results of such projects, will be made generally available; and .
(B) the manner in which the service program funded under the grant will be continued after Federal assistance ends.
(5) Level of services
Recreation programs funded under this section shall maintain, at a minimum, the same level of services over a 3‑year project period.
(6) Reports by grantees
(A) Requirement
The Commissioner shall require that each recipient of a g:,‑ant under this section annually prepare and submit to the Commissioner a report concerning the results of the activities funded under the grant.
(B) Limitation
The Commissioner may not make financial assistance available to a grant recipient for a subsequent year until the Commissioner has received and evaluated the annual report of the recipient under subparagraph (A) for the current year.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1999 through 2003.
Sec. 306. Measuring of Project Outcomes and Performance
The Commissioner may require that recipients of grants under this title submit information, including data, as determined by the Commissioner to be necessary to measure project outcomes and performance, including any data needed to comply with the Government Performance and Results Act
Selection Criterion
Selection Criteria for Applications
(Taken from 34 CFR 75.210)
How the selection criteria will be used:
(a) In the application package or a notice published in the Federal Register, the Secretary informs applicants of-
(1) The selection criteria chosen: and
(2) The factors selected for considering the selection criteria, if any.
(b) If points or weights are assigned to the selection criteria, the Secretary informs applicants in the application package or a notice published in the Federal Register of -
(1) The total possible score for all of the criteria for a program; and
(2) The assigned weight or the maximum possible score for each criterion or factor under that criterion.
(c) If no points or weights are assigned to the selection criteria and selected factors, the Secretary evaluates each criterion equally and, within each criterion, each factor equally.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474)
(Taken from 34 CFR 75.210)
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (84.128J) SELECTION CRITERIA:
For purposes of the selection criteria only, references to services relate to all activities proposed for funding by the applicant, including a program to construct an aquatic rehabilitation therapy facility.
The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate applications for new grants under the Recreational Programs (CFDA #84.128J) competition:
a) Need for project. (10 points) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project.
(2) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.
(3) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure or opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.
(b) Significance. (10 points) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the proposed project.
(2) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased knowledge or understanding of rehabilitation problems, issues or effective strategies.
(3) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system change or improvement.
(4) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield findings that may be utilized by other appropriate agencies and organizations.
(5) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target population.
(6) The extent to which the proposed project involves the development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build on, or are alternatives to, existing strategies.
(7) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in employment, independent living services, or both, as appropriate.
(c) Quality of the project design. (25 points) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(2) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target population or other identified needs.
(3) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating the proposed project will result in information to guide possible replication of project activities or strategies, including information about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the project.
(4) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of Federal financial assistance.
(5) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, State, and Federal resources.
(6) The extent to which the proposed project will establish linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing services to target population.
(7) The extent to which the proposed project represents an exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements.
(d) Quality of project services. (20 points)
(1) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been under represented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
(2) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those services.
(2) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the proposed project on the intended recipients of those services.
(3) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the proposed project will lead to improvements in the skills necessary to gain employment or build capacity for independent living.
(4) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
(e) Quality of project personnel. (10 points)
(1) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been under represented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
(2) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project director, or principal investigator.
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel.
(3) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(f) Adequacy of resources. (10 points) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization.
(2) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
(3) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project.
(4) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design and potential significance of the proposed project.
(5) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and benefits.
(6) The potential for continued support of the project after Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
(7) The potential for the incorporation of project purposes, activities or benefits into the ongoing program of the agency or organization at the end of Federal funding.
(g) Quality of the management plan. (10 points) In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines and milestones for accomplishing project tasks.
(2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
(3) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products and services from the proposed project.
(4) The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project.
(h) Quality of the project evaluation. (5 points) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible and appropriate to the goals, objectives and outcomes of the proposed project.
(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate to the context within which the project operates.
(3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly elated to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible.
(4) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes.
(5) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other settings.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Traci DiMartini |
| Last Modified By | Authorised User |
| File Modified | 2010-04-15 |
| File Created | 2010-04-15 |