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Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Low Incidence Program: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Fund Code: 268

Purpose:	The purpose of this federal grant program is to help ensure that Massachusetts has an adequate number of teachers who have the tools to properly instruct students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL) in their classrooms.
Priorities:	The priorities of this project build upon and enhance a collaborative, sustainable model for growing the field of educators in Massachusetts who are licensed to teach students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing using American Sign Language/Total Communication. Priorities include development of: a collaborative pre-service model that will result in teacher candidates meeting the requirements for Initial License as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: American Sign Language/Total Communication - 603 CMR 7.06(27); a collaborative in-service model that will result in educators in Massachusetts having a greater awareness of instructing and accommodating students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and who communicate using American Sign Language in their classrooms, and/or meeting the requirements for Professional License as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: ASL/Total Communication; and a varied and multi-faceted model of course delivery - including distance-learning, satellite programming, and affordable tuition - that will promote enrollment through wide accessibility.
Eligibility:	The grant application must be submitted jointly by a Massachusetts institution of higher education with a school district or a Massachusetts private special education school program approved under 603 CMR 28.09 that educates Massachusetts students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The institution of higher education must be a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved preparation program for the Teachers of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: American Sign Language/Total Communication license. The collaborating school district or Massachusetts approved private special education school program must commit to providing matching funds. The institution of higher education must demonstrate the ability to generate tuition revenue that will sustain the growth of the program after Year Three.
Funding Type:	Federal CFDA 84.027
Funding:	A total of $90,000 is available for this three-year project. This is Year 2 of the project. Funds are subject to appropriation and successful completion of grant activities during each Fiscal Year. Year One (FY17) July 1, 2016 — June 30, 2017 $30,000 Year Two (FY18) July 1, 2017 — June 30, 2018 $30,000 Year Three (FY19) July 1, 2018 — June 30, 2019 $30,000 Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Fund Use:	Funds may be used for stipends, salaries, advertising costs, software, and in-direct costs of no more than 9% of the grant award. Funds may not be used for tuition.
Project Duration:	Upon approval - 6/30/2018
Program Unit:	Special Education Planning and Policy Development Office
Contact:	Lauren Viviani
Phone Number:	(781) 338-3372
Date Due:	September 30, 2017 Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.
Required Forms:	Part I - General - Program Unit Signature Page - (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
Additional Information:	The recipient must commit to provide the following information within 60 days from the end of the grant period: the final enrollment totals for each course; and an evaluation report.
Submission Instructions:	Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants In EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants: FY18 268 SEPP Applicant Name All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process. For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information. Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.