[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15467-15468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8175]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Availability of Funds for Training and Technical Assistance for
the Seniors for Schools Initiative
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service
(``Corporation'') announces the availability of up to $350,000 to
provide training and technical assistance to programs that receive
grants under the Corporation's Seniors for Schools Initiative. The
purpose of the initiative is to mobilize the time, talent, experience,
and resources of seniors to tutor and mentor public school children in
kindergarten through third grade. The initiative will (1) build on the
experience of the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program; and (2) recruit adults over the age of 55, without
regard to their economic status, to work in teams with young children
in a variety of roles, including helping them to read independently by
the end of the third grade.
DATES: All applications must be received by 6 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, May 15, 1997. Facsimiles will not be accepted. All applicants
must be able to provide training and technical assistance to the
selected programs, beginning on July 1, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Interested organizations may request application materials
by writing to the Corporation for National and Community Service,
Attn.: Tess Scannell, Room 9201, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20525.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information, contact Tess Scannell
at (202) 606-5000, ext. 190. This notice may be requested in an
alternative format for the visually impaired.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Corporation is a federal government corporation that encourages
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in community-based
service. This service addresses the nation's educational, public
safety, environmental, and other human needs to achieve direct and
demonstrable results. In supporting service programs, the Corporation
fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us
together as a people, and provides educational opportunity for those
who make a substantial commitment to service.
On August 27, 1996, President Clinton announced the America Reads
Challenge, which includes a vital national service component. The goal
of this campaign is to ensure that every child can read independently
by the end of the third grade. To achieve this goal, the President has
called for a substantial increase in the number of tutors and mentors
available to young children.
Under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended,
42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq., the Corporation may ``support innovative and
model programs.'' Under this statutory authority, the Corporation
intends to meet the America Reads Challenge by adopting the goals of
this initiative and helping to mobilize thousands of volunteers to
serve as tutors. One of the Corporation's efforts will be the Seniors
for Schools Initiative, which will involve recruiting men and women
over the age of 55, without regard to their economic status, to work in
teams and make a significant commitment to help children learn to read.
This initiative will build on the experience of the Foster Grandparent
Program and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program--programs that have
worked extensively with children in school settings for many years. The
Corporation intends to fund eight to ten programs, each implementing
the Seniors for Schools Initiative in a different community.
To support the Seniors for Schools programs, the Corporation
intends to enter into a cooperative agreement with an organization to
provide training and technical assistance that strengthens the
programs' performance and effectiveness. Through this notice, the
Corporation invites applications from organizations that wish to be
considered for the training and technical assistance award.
Eligible Applicants
Public agencies (including federal, state, and local agencies and
other units of government); non-profit organizations (including youth-
serving groups, groups that serve older persons, community-based
organizations, service organizations, etc.); institutions of higher
education; Indian tribes; and for-profit companies are eligible to
apply. Organizations may apply to provide training and technical
assistance in partnership with organizations seeking other Corporation
funds. Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization
described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26
U.S.C. 501(c)(4)) which engages in lobbying activities, is not eligible
to apply.
Estimated Number of Awards
The Corporation anticipates making one award.
Period of Performance
The period of performance for the cooperative agreement is up to 24
months, contingent upon performance and the availability of
appropriations. All applicants must be able to provide training and
technical assistance beginning on July 1, 1997.
Selection Criteria
The Corporation will initially determine whether the organization
is eligible and whether the application contains the information
required in the application materials. After this initial screening,
the Corporation will assess applications based on the criteria listed
below:
1. The quality of the proposed activities based on the scope of
activities and approaches proposed to be used to provide training,
materials, and other resources, and the technical support that programs
need to meet their objectives.
[[Page 15468]]
2. The ability of the organization to provide training and
technical assistance to multiple programs.
3. The qualifications and experience of key personnel who will
provide the training and technical assistance.
4. The cost-effectiveness of the proposed activities and the degree
to which the applicant proposes a reasonable estimate of the amount of
services the organization will be able to provide with the requested
amount of funds and the applicant's existing resources.
Applicable Regulations
Regulatory provisions governing this award are codified in 45 CFR
part 2532.
Statutory Authority
Corporation authority to award this cooperative agreement is
codified in 42 U.S.C. 12653.
Dated: March 26, 1997.
Barry W. Stevens,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 97-8175 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P
