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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 03-142

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Innovation and Expansion Grant to Conduct a Baseline Study of OVR Customers' Service Data

[33 Pa.B. 600]

   The Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1992, announces that competing applications proposing to conduct a baseline study of OVR customers' service data as reported to the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) between October 1, 2000, and September 30, 2001, will be accepted. The study will record findings relative to race, ethnicity, age, gender and disability of OVR customers, OVR referrals, OVR referral sources and OVR closure statistics.

   Funding for this competition is under the auspice of the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and the OVR, which will serve as administrator and fiscal agent for the grant awarded under this competition.

   Applications will be written to accomplish the following:

   *  Provide information to assist the OVR in ensuring continuation of a high quality customer-driven public rehabilitation program serving persons with disabilities, including customers from diverse backgrounds and traditionally under-represented populations.

   *  Identify patterns of ''best practices'' and/or a success rate profile in relation to customer services and outreach to nontraditional customer populations.

   *  Establish a starting point for advancement of the OVR's diversity service initiatives, improving vocational rehabilitation service delivery to all persons with disabilities.

Service Information

   This competition will result in one award and funding for a 1-year period beginning July 1, 2003.

   The recipient of this grant will be required to work closely with the OVR and with the OVR Multicultural Advisory Committee in examining and analyzing the OVR's FFY 2001 customer service data as reported to the RSA.

   The specific objectives of this grant competition are:

   *  To examine referral source and success rate by race, ethnicity, age, gender and disability code.

   *  To examine and analyze OVR customer acceptance rate (status 10) by race, ethnicity, age and gender.

   *  To examine and analyze the type of services received by customers by race, ethnicity, age and gender.

   *  To examine and analyze OVR customer closure rate (statuses 08, 28, 30 and 26) by race, ethnicity, age and gender.

   *  To examine and analyze RSA reasons for closure (statuses 08, 28 and 30) by race, ethnicity, age and gender.

   *  As a result of examination and analysis, consider and report on patterns of best practices or determine a success rate profile.

   For purposes of this competition, an eligible applicant is an individual, a for-profit or nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth or a government agency or political subdivision experienced in data collection, data organization, data analysis and reporting. An applicant must have operated in these capacities for a minimum of 5 years for its application to be considered for this competition.

   An applicant must demonstrate an understanding of the public vocational rehabilitation program and its attendant services to persons with disabilities. Favorable consideration will be available to applicants who can demonstrate successful history and experience working with minority and similar underserved populations.

   Written endorsement of an applicant's credentials, experience and expertise in the areas noted is required.

Application Information

   Applications received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, which are complete and conform to established specifications, will be accepted for review. Applications submitted after this date and time will be ineligible for consideration.

   Applications will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers convened for that purpose.

   The effective dates for the contract will be July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004. Final awards made through this competition are subject to the approval of the Executive Director of the OVR.

   A complete application package, which includes more detailed information, is available by contacting Jacqueline Lucas, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Contracts and Grants Management Section, 1521 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102-2913, (717) 787-7016, fax (717) 705-9345, TDD (717) 783-8917.

Preproposal Conference

   A preproposal conference to deal specifically with technical questions regarding applications will be held for applicants on Wednesday, February 5, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the OVR Central Office, 1521 North Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA. Copies of the application package will also be available at this conference. Persons planning to attend the conference who have special needs that should be considered to participate fully in the conference should contact Jacqueline B. Lucas at (717) 787-7016 at least 1 week in advance of the conference date.

JOHNNY J. BUTLER,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-142. Filed for public inspection January 24, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]



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