Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities—Coordinating Center (TPSID–CC) Program

Overview

The purpose of this program is to establish a coordinating center for institutions of higher education that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities, including institutions that have grants authorized under the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) program (CFDA 84.407A), as well as those not participating in the TPSID program.

The TPSID–CC program provides for the establishment of a technical assistance center to translate and disseminate research and best practices for all institutions of higher education (IHEs), including those not participating in the TPSID program, for improving inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities (SWIDs). This center will help ensure that knowledge and products gained through research will reach more IHEs and students and improve postsecondary educational opportunities for SWIDs. Moreover, the purpose of the TPSID–CC program is to support a national coordinating center charged with conducting and disseminating research on strategies to promote positive academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities.

The TPSID–CC will establish a comprehensive research and evaluation protocol for TPSID programs; administer a mentoring program matching current and new TPSID grantees based on areas of expertise; and coordinate longitudinal follow-up data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic components and evidence-based practices. The TPSID–CC will also provide technical assistance to build the capacity of kindergarten through grade 12 transition services and support postsecondary education inclusive practices, among other activities.

Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and one invitational priority. We are establishing these priorities for the FY 2025 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority. This priority is:
The eligible entity entering into a cooperative agreement under this subsection shall establish and maintain a Coordinating Center that shall—

1. Serve as the technical assistance entity for all comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities;
2. Provide technical assistance regarding the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of such programs;
3. Develop an evaluation protocol for such programs that includes qualitative and quantitative methodologies for measuring student outcomes and program strengths in the areas of academic enrichment, socialization, independent living, and competitive or supported employment;
4. Assist recipients of grants under TPSID in efforts to award a meaningful credential to students with intellectual disabilities upon the completion of such programs, which credential must take into consideration unique State factors;
5. Develop recommendations for the necessary components of such programs, such as—
   (i) Academic, vocational, social, and independent living skills;
   (ii) Evaluation of student progress;
   (iii) Program administration and evaluation;
   (iv) Student eligibility; and
   (v) Issues regarding the equivalency of a student’s participation in such programs to semester, trimester, quarter, credit, or clock hours at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the HEA), as the case may be;
6. Analyze possible funding streams for such programs and provide recommendations regarding the funding streams;
7. Develop model memoranda of agreement for use between or among institutions of higher education and State and local agencies providing funding for such programs;
8. Develop mechanisms for regular communication, outreach, and dissemination of information about comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities under subpart 2 between or among such programs and to families and prospective students;
9. Host a meeting of all recipients of grants authorized under subpart 2 not less often than once each year; and
10. Convene a workgroup to develop and recommend model criteria, standards, and components of such programs as described in subparagraph (E), that are appropriate for the development of accreditation standards, which workgroup shall include—
    (i) An expert in higher education;
    (ii) An expert in special education;
    (iii) A disability organization that represents students with intellectual disabilities;
    (iv) A representative from the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; and
    (v) A representative of a regional or national accreditation agency or association.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

This invitational priority is:
Priority for projects designed to translate and disseminate research and best practices for improving inclusive postsecondary education for SWIDs to IHEs that are not participating in the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities to IHEs and that do not currently offer Comprehensive Transition Programs, for improving inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities.

Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.

Estimated Average Size of Award: $2,000,000
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $2,000,000 for a project period of 12 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1
 
Project Period: 60 months

Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost sharing or matching.