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Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 137 September 22, 2005 For Your Information Help Is On The Way: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and PWD To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs For those who read on the run, this legislative update deals with two important issues: The first is the introduction of legislation in the Senate to address the effects of Hurricane Katrina on children and adults -- including those children and adults with disabilities. We understand there will be House companion legislation in this regard. The second issue deals with grant opportunities available from RSA which address issues of independent living centers and assistance to individuals with disabilities. This opportunity is extraordinarily time-limited (tomorrow Noon deadline) and of which we just became aware. Last week, Senators Mike Enzi (R.WY) and Edward Kennedy (D.MA.), the Chairman and Ranking Democrat of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee introduced S. 1715, to provide relief for students and institutions affected by Hurricane Katrina and for other purposes. This bill is 45 pages long and states, in part: 'WAIVERS -- If the Secretary [of Education] reallots funds under section 110(e)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to an affected State for a fiscal year, the State may submit an application to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration requesting a waiver of non-Federal share requirements applicable to programs under Title I of such Act... The Commissioner shall develop criteria for granting or denying such application.' [bracketing supplied.] [End of quoting.] We also understand that if a person has been evacuated to another State and that person was deemed eligible for the services and supports under the Rehab Act in the State from which h/s came, then that person would be eligible for VR services in the State to which the person evacuated, even if that State is on an Order of Selection. The Senate HELP Committee will be holding a hearing on this legislation with a particular emphasis on all children affected by Hurricane Katrina and the issue of school vouchers this afternoon. We will have much more information on this emerging legislation in a forthcoming Washington Wire. The second emerging issue is a grant opportunity from RSA, of which we just became aware, that deals with grant opportunities for RSA-funded Centers for Independent Living. RSA's notice, in its entirety follows immediately below. Please note the very abbreviated timeline for submission of these grant applications. 'As you know, Hurricane Katrina has left tens of thousands of people with disabilities homeless and displaced and without the critical supports they require. To respond to this crisis, we are accepting requests for grant supplements from RSA-funded Centers for Independent Living (Centers) that are involved in serving persons with disabilities displaced by the hurricane. Specifically, RSA Centers that can demonstrate both increased demand for their services and the capacity to meet the needs of persons with disabilities displaced as a result of the hurricane are encouraged to request supplements. Please note that these projects will be funded under RSA's special demonstration authority (section 303 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.) Accordingly, supplemental funding requests must describe how they will expand or improve the delivery of rehabilitation services that, in this case, address needs of persons with disabilities displaced as a result of the hurricane. Requests must address capabilities and areas of need such as the following: -- the Center's ability to serve a large number of persons with disabilities displaced by the hurricane; -- level of need in the Center's service area for services for persons with disabilities displaced by the hurricane -- -- level of need in the Center's service area for accessibility guidance and systems change in rebuilding communities damaged or destroyed by the hurricane -- -- the level of need in the Center's service area for alternatives to nursing homes for persons with disabilities displaced by the hurricane. The expected range of award is 150,000 to 300,000, but Centers may request more or less than this range. In addition to services, funds may be used to replace supplies and equipment that were damaged or destroyed by Katrina and that are incidental to carrying out the services proposed by the Center, but may not be used for construction. Please submit requests by Friday, September 23, at 12 noon, D.C. time. Requests received after this deadline may not be reviewed. The request must include a brief description of the demonstration project Completed budget forms (ED 524) and face sheet (ED 424) are also required. These forms can be downloaded from the following website: Please send proposals by email or fax: E-mail Veronica Hogan@ed.gov; Fax (202) 245-7591 If you have questions, please contact Thomas Kelley at: Thomas Kelley@ed.gov or at 202-245-7404.' |
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