80_FR_29421 80 FR 29323 - Final Priority. National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

80 FR 29323 - Final Priority. National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Community Living

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 98 (May 21, 2015)

Page Range29323-29325
FR Document2015-12308

The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living announces a priority for the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Program administered by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we announce a priority for an RRTC on Outcomes Measurement for Home and Community Based Services. The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on an area of national need. We intend for this priority to contribute to improved home and community based services for individuals with disabilities.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29323-29325]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12308]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Community Living

[CFDA Number: 84.133B-6]


Final Priority. National Institute on Disability, Independent 
Living, and Rehabilitation Research--Rehabilitation Research and 
Training Centers

AGENCY: Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and 
Human Services.

ACTION: Final priority.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living 
announces a priority for the Rehabilitation Research and Training 
Center (RRTC) Program administered by the National Institute on 
Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). 
Specifically, we announce a priority for an RRTC on Outcomes 
Measurement for Home and Community Based Services. The Administrator of 
the Administration for Community Living may use this priority for 
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015 and later years. We take this 
action to focus research attention on an area of national need. We 
intend for this priority to contribute to improved home and community 
based services for individuals with disabilities.

DATES: Effective Date: This priority is effective June 22, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5133, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by email: marlene.spencer@acl.hhs.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program is to plan and 
conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related 
activities, including international activities, to develop methods, 
procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full 
inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, 
family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals 
with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe 
disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized 
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

    The purpose of the RRTCs, which are funded through the Disability 
and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve 
the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized 
under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, 
technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical 
areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit 
rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family 
members, policymakers and other research stakeholders. Additional 
information on the RRTC program can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/rrtc/index.html#types.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2)(A).
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    We published a notice of proposed priority (NPP) for this program 
in the Federal Register on February 25, 2015 (80 FR 10099). That notice 
contained background information and our reasons for proposing the 
particular priority.
    There are differences between the proposed priority and this final 
priority.
    Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the notice of 
proposed priority, one party submitted comments on the proposed 
priority.
    Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes. In 
addition, we do not address general comments that raised concerns not 
directly related to the proposed priority.
    Analysis of the Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments 
and of any changes in the priority since publication of the NPP 
follows.
    Comment: One commenter asked whether the RRTC's work should apply 
to elderly users of home and community based services (HCBS), as well 
as people with disabilities who use HCBS.
    Discussion: NIDILRR's priority does not specify the age range of 
people with disabilities who are to be the focus of the RRTC's work. 
Throughout the priority we refer to people with disabilities, or people 
with disabilities who use or receive HCBS. NIDILRR's ultimate intent is 
to build HCBS outcomes measurement capacity that is relevant to HCBS 
recipients of all ages. Given the early stage of outcomes development 
work in this area, the limited resources of this RRTC, and the broad 
populations served by HCBS, it is up to applicants to describe their 
target population(s) of HCBS users. The peer review process will 
determine the merits of each application.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter agreed with the priority's requirement that 
measures to be developed by the RRTC should minimize data collection 
burden on HCBS recipients. At the same time, the commenter noted the 
critical importance of gathering information directly from HCBS users 
to determine the impact of those services on the quality of their 
lives. The commenter cautioned NIDILRR and the eventual RRTC against 
minimizing data collection burden to such an extent that data on HCBS 
users' experiences and outcomes aren't available for such quality 
improvement purposes.
    Discussion: NIDILRR agrees with the commenter that gathering 
outcomes information directly from HCBS recipients is critically 
important. The priority consistently emphasizes the importance of 
creating outcome measurement tools that focus on HCBS users' 
experiences and outcomes. By requiring the RRTC to minimize data 
collection burden on HCBS end users, NIDILRR is simply recognizing the 
potential for lengthy, duplicative, and overly burdensome data 
collection methods. With this requirement we are also highlighting the 
existence of advanced item-scaling and person-centered measurement 
techniques such as computerized adaptive tests, as well as the 
existence of administrative data that can be relevant to the 
measurement of person-centered outcomes.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter noted that different groups of HCBS users 
have different needs, and that the importance placed on different 
outcome domains may vary across subgroups of HCBS users. The commenter 
questioned whether the measures developed by the RRTC should be 
tailored to the needs of subgroups of HCBS users.
    Discussion: NIDILRR agrees with the commenter that different 
subgroups of HCBS users may have outcome domains

[[Page 29324]]

that are particularly important to them. Given the early stage of 
outcomes development work in this area, the limited resources of this 
RRTC, and the broad populations served by HCBS, it is up to applicants 
to describe their target population(s) of HCBS users. It is also up to 
applicants to describe the extent to which their proposed outcomes 
development work will address potential variation in how subgroups 
prioritize different HCBS outcome domains. The peer review process will 
determine the merits of each application.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter asked whether NIDILRR intends the RRTC to 
evaluate interventions to determine whether they are associated with 
positive HCBS outcomes.
    Discussion: NIDILRR does not intend the RRTC to evaluate 
interventions to determine whether they are associated with positive 
HCBS outcomes. The primary intent of the research requirements under 
paragraph (a) is the development and testing of HCBS outcome measures--
which will serve as infrastructure for future testing of interventions.
    Changes: NIDILRR has made minor modifications to paragraph (a) to 
clarify that our intent for this RRTC is the development and testing of 
HCBS outcome measures--and not the testing of HCBS interventions.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that the RRTC be required to 
provide technical assistance to a range of stakeholders, with the aim 
of promoting the use of new HCBS outcomes measures and resulting data 
for HCBS system improvement.
    Discussion: NIDILRR agrees that technical assistance toward 
promoting the use of new HCBS outcomes measures is an important task 
for the RRTC. In the opening paragraph of the priority we state that 
``Ultimately, the RRTC's development of non-medical, person-centered 
outcome measures is intended to inform the design, implementation, and 
continuous improvement of Federal and state policies and programs 
related to the delivery of HCBS to people with disabilities.'' 
Paragraph (b)(3) requires direct collaboration with a wide range of 
stakeholder groups to develop, evaluate, or implement strategies to 
increase the use of new HCBS outcomes measures. Similarly, paragraph 
(c)(1) requires the provision of technical assistance related to HCBS 
outcome and measurement.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that the RRTC develop data 
formats that are accessible to a range of stakeholders.
    Discussion: The primary aim of this priority is the development and 
testing of person-centered HCBS outcome measures that generate data 
that is reliable, valid, and usable. This foundational work of creating 
reliable and valid HCBS outcomes measures precedes the development of 
databases and multiple data formats. While some applicants may choose 
to specify the formats of data that new outcomes measures can generate, 
the RRTC has no basis for requiring all applicants to take this step.
    Changes: None.

Final Priority

    The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living 
establishes a priority for the RRTC on Outcomes Measurement for Home 
and Community Based Services. The RRTC will engage in research, 
development, and testing of measures to assess the quality of HCBS in 
terms of the person-centered outcomes achieved by people with 
disabilities who use the services in home and community settings. The 
RRTC will also engage in knowledge translation, development of 
informational products, and dissemination to enhance the field's 
capacity to measure the extent to which HCBS leads to improved outcomes 
in community living and independent living areas that are important to 
people with disabilities and other stakeholders.
    Ultimately, the RRTC's development of non-medical, person-centered 
outcome measures is intended to inform the design, implementation, and 
continuous improvement of Federal and state policies and programs 
related to the delivery of HCBS to people with disabilities. The RRTC 
must contribute to these outcomes by:
    (a) Identifying or developing measures, and then testing the 
reliability, validity, and usability of those proposed measures to 
assess the person-centered outcomes of individuals with disabilities 
who are receiving home and community-based services. HCBS measures 
developed under this priority must be non-medical and must focus on the 
end-users' experience of community living, independent living, social 
integration, community participation, and other similar outcomes. The 
measures developed under this priority must also be designed to 
minimize data collection burden on HCBS recipients. Possible methods 
for minimizing this burden include, but are not limited to, use of 
relevant administrative data, modifying administrative data to include 
person-centered goals as well as fields to assess progress toward those 
goals, and use of advanced item-scaling and person-centered measurement 
techniques that can be implemented as computerized adaptive tests 
(CAT).
    (b) Increasing incorporation of the RRTC's HCBS outcome measures 
into practice and policy. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by--
    (1) Working closely with NIDILRR and the Administration for 
Community Living (ACL) at each stage of the measure development and 
testing processes to ensure that its activities are informing and 
informed by other HCBS quality initiatives taking place within ACL and 
other relevant Federal and state agencies. This specifically includes 
the work taking place under the National Quality Forum's work with the 
Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.qualityforum.org/ProjectDescription.aspx?projectID=77692).
    (2) Developing procedures and mechanisms for applying HCBS outcome 
measures in policy and service delivery settings to maximize quality 
and appropriateness of HCBS from the end-user perspective.
    (3) Collaborating with stakeholder groups to develop, evaluate, or 
implement strategies to increase utilization of new HCBS outcome 
measures. Stakeholder groups include but, are not limited to, people 
with disabilities, Federal- and state-level policymakers; home and 
community based service providers; advocacy organizations; and Centers 
for Independent Living.
    (4) Collaborating with relevant NIDILRR-sponsored knowledge 
translation grantees to help promote the uptake of RRTC products by 
relevant stakeholders and embed the outcome measures into the overall 
health care measurement system.
    (c) Serving as a national resource center related to person-
centered measurement of HCBS outcomes:
    (1) Disseminating information and providing technical assistance 
related to HCBS outcome and quality measurement to policymakers, 
service providers, people with disabilities and their representatives, 
and other key stakeholders; and
    (2) Providing relevant and appropriate training, including 
graduate, pre-service, and in-service training, to HCBS providers, 
researchers and quality-measurement personnel, and other disability 
service providers, to facilitate more effective delivery of HCBS to 
people with disabilities. This training may be provided through 
conferences, workshops, public education programs,

[[Page 29325]]

in-service training programs, and similar activities.

Types of Priorities

    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (45 CFR part 75); or (2) selecting an 
application that meets the priority over an application of comparable 
merit that does not meet the priority (45 CFR part 75).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (45 CFR part 75).
    This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional 
priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection criteria, subject 
to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note:  This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through 
a notice in the Federal Register.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of ACL published in the Federal Register, in 
text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have 
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: May 18, 2015.
John Tschida,
Director, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and 
Rehabilitation Research.
[FR Doc. 2015-12308 Filed 5-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4154-01-P



                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 98 / Thursday, May 21, 2015 / Notices                                           29323

                                                Statutory Authority: The statutory                    Research Projects and Centers Program                   Discussion: NIDILRR’s priority does
                                              authority is title II, section 203(b) of the            is to plan and conduct research,                      not specify the age range of people with
                                              Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and                demonstration projects, training, and                 disabilities who are to be the focus of
                                              Adoption Reform Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C.                  related activities, including                         the RRTC’s work. Throughout the
                                              5113(b)(3)), as most recently amended by
                                              CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010.
                                                                                                      international activities, to develop                  priority we refer to people with
                                                                                                      methods, procedures, and rehabilitation               disabilities, or people with disabilities
                                              Mark Greenberg,                                         technology that maximize the full                     who use or receive HCBS. NIDILRR’s
                                              Acting Commissioner, Administration on                  inclusion and integration into society,               ultimate intent is to build HCBS
                                              Children, Youth and Families.                           employment, independent living, family                outcomes measurement capacity that is
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–12418 Filed 5–20–15; 8:45 am]             support, and economic and social self-                relevant to HCBS recipients of all ages.
                                              BILLING CODE 4184–01–P                                  sufficiency of individuals with                       Given the early stage of outcomes
                                                                                                      disabilities, especially individuals with             development work in this area, the
                                                                                                      the most severe disabilities, and to                  limited resources of this RRTC, and the
                                              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                improve the effectiveness of services                 broad populations served by HCBS, it is
                                              HUMAN SERVICES                                          authorized under the Rehabilitation Act               up to applicants to describe their target
                                                                                                      of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation                   population(s) of HCBS users. The peer
                                              Administration for Community Living                     Act).                                                 review process will determine the
                                              [CFDA Number: 84.133B–6]                                                                                      merits of each application.
                                                                                                      Rehabilitation Research and Training                    Changes: None.
                                                                                                      Centers                                                 Comment: One commenter agreed
                                              Final Priority. National Institute on
                                              Disability, Independent Living, and                       The purpose of the RRTCs, which are                 with the priority’s requirement that
                                              Rehabilitation Research—                                funded through the Disability and                     measures to be developed by the RRTC
                                              Rehabilitation Research and Training                    Rehabilitation Research Projects and                  should minimize data collection burden
                                              Centers                                                 Centers Program, is to achieve the goals              on HCBS recipients. At the same time,
                                                                                                      of, and improve the effectiveness of,                 the commenter noted the critical
                                              AGENCY:  Administration for Community                   services authorized under the                         importance of gathering information
                                              Living, Department of Health and                        Rehabilitation Act through well-                      directly from HCBS users to determine
                                              Human Services.                                         designed research, training, technical                the impact of those services on the
                                              ACTION: Final priority.                                 assistance, and dissemination activities              quality of their lives. The commenter
                                                                                                      in important topical areas as specified               cautioned NIDILRR and the eventual
                                              SUMMARY:   The Administrator of the                     by NIDILRR. These activities are                      RRTC against minimizing data
                                              Administration for Community Living                     designed to benefit rehabilitation                    collection burden to such an extent that
                                              announces a priority for the                            service providers, individuals with                   data on HCBS users’ experiences and
                                              Rehabilitation Research and Training                    disabilities, family members,                         outcomes aren’t available for such
                                              Center (RRTC) Program administered by                   policymakers and other research                       quality improvement purposes.
                                              the National Institute on Disability,                   stakeholders. Additional information on                 Discussion: NIDILRR agrees with the
                                              Independent Living, and Rehabilitation                  the RRTC program can be found at:                     commenter that gathering outcomes
                                              Research (NIDILRR). Specifically, we                    http://www2.ed.gov/programs/rrtc/                     information directly from HCBS
                                              announce a priority for an RRTC on                      index.html#types.                                     recipients is critically important. The
                                              Outcomes Measurement for Home and                         Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g)                 priority consistently emphasizes the
                                              Community Based Services. The                           and 764(b)(2)(A).                                     importance of creating outcome
                                              Administrator of the Administration for                   Applicable Program Regulations: 34                  measurement tools that focus on HCBS
                                              Community Living may use this priority                  CFR part 350.                                         users’ experiences and outcomes. By
                                              for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2015                 We published a notice of proposed                   requiring the RRTC to minimize data
                                              and later years. We take this action to                 priority (NPP) for this program in the                collection burden on HCBS end users,
                                              focus research attention on an area of                  Federal Register on February 25, 2015                 NIDILRR is simply recognizing the
                                              national need. We intend for this                       (80 FR 10099). That notice contained                  potential for lengthy, duplicative, and
                                              priority to contribute to improved home                 background information and our reasons                overly burdensome data collection
                                              and community based services for                        for proposing the particular priority.                methods. With this requirement we are
                                              individuals with disabilities.                            There are differences between the                   also highlighting the existence of
                                              DATES: Effective Date: This priority is                 proposed priority and this final priority.            advanced item-scaling and person-
                                              effective June 22, 2015.                                  Public Comment: In response to our                  centered measurement techniques such
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                      invitation in the notice of proposed                  as computerized adaptive tests, as well
                                              Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of                     priority, one party submitted comments                as the existence of administrative data
                                              Health and Human Services, 400                          on the proposed priority.                             that can be relevant to the measurement
                                                                                                        Generally, we do not address                        of person-centered outcomes.
                                              Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5133,
                                                                                                      technical and other minor changes. In                   Changes: None.
                                              Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),                                                                                     Comment: One commenter noted that
                                                                                                      addition, we do not address general
                                              Washington, DC 20202–2700.                                                                                    different groups of HCBS users have
                                                                                                      comments that raised concerns not
                                              Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by email:                                                                        different needs, and that the importance
                                                                                                      directly related to the proposed priority.
                                              marlene.spencer@acl.hhs.gov.                              Analysis of the Comments and                        placed on different outcome domains
                                                 If you use a telecommunications                      Changes: An analysis of the comments                  may vary across subgroups of HCBS
                                              device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                      and of any changes in the priority since              users. The commenter questioned
                                              telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay                 publication of the NPP follows.                       whether the measures developed by the
                                              Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–                   Comment: One commenter asked                        RRTC should be tailored to the needs of
                                              8339.                                                   whether the RRTC’s work should apply                  subgroups of HCBS users.
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              to elderly users of home and community                  Discussion: NIDILRR agrees with the
                                                Purpose of Program: The purpose of                    based services (HCBS), as well as people              commenter that different subgroups of
                                              the Disability and Rehabilitation                       with disabilities who use HCBS.                       HCBS users may have outcome domains


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                                              29324                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 98 / Thursday, May 21, 2015 / Notices

                                              that are particularly important to them.                data formats that are accessible to a                 centered goals as well as fields to assess
                                              Given the early stage of outcomes                       range of stakeholders.                                progress toward those goals, and use of
                                              development work in this area, the                        Discussion: The primary aim of this                 advanced item-scaling and person-
                                              limited resources of this RRTC, and the                 priority is the development and testing               centered measurement techniques that
                                              broad populations served by HCBS, it is                 of person-centered HCBS outcome                       can be implemented as computerized
                                              up to applicants to describe their target               measures that generate data that is                   adaptive tests (CAT).
                                              population(s) of HCBS users. It is also                 reliable, valid, and usable. This                        (b) Increasing incorporation of the
                                              up to applicants to describe the extent                 foundational work of creating reliable                RRTC’s HCBS outcome measures into
                                              to which their proposed outcomes                        and valid HCBS outcomes measures                      practice and policy. The RRTC must
                                              development work will address                           precedes the development of databases                 contribute to this outcome by—
                                              potential variation in how subgroups                    and multiple data formats. While some                    (1) Working closely with NIDILRR
                                              prioritize different HCBS outcome                       applicants may choose to specify the                  and the Administration for Community
                                              domains. The peer review process will                   formats of data that new outcomes                     Living (ACL) at each stage of the
                                              determine the merits of each                            measures can generate, the RRTC has no                measure development and testing
                                              application.                                            basis for requiring all applicants to take            processes to ensure that its activities are
                                                Changes: None.                                        this step.                                            informing and informed by other HCBS
                                                Comment: One commenter asked                            Changes: None.                                      quality initiatives taking place within
                                              whether NIDILRR intends the RRTC to                                                                           ACL and other relevant Federal and
                                                                                                      Final Priority
                                              evaluate interventions to determine                                                                           state agencies. This specifically includes
                                                                                                         The Administrator of the                           the work taking place under the
                                              whether they are associated with                        Administration for Community Living
                                              positive HCBS outcomes.                                                                                       National Quality Forum’s work with the
                                                                                                      establishes a priority for the RRTC on                Department of Health and Human
                                                Discussion: NIDILRR does not intend                   Outcomes Measurement for Home and
                                              the RRTC to evaluate interventions to                                                                         Services (http://www.qualityforum.org/
                                                                                                      Community Based Services. The RRTC                    ProjectDescription.aspx?projectID=
                                              determine whether they are associated                   will engage in research, development,
                                              with positive HCBS outcomes. The                                                                              77692).
                                                                                                      and testing of measures to assess the                    (2) Developing procedures and
                                              primary intent of the research                          quality of HCBS in terms of the person-               mechanisms for applying HCBS
                                              requirements under paragraph (a) is the                 centered outcomes achieved by people                  outcome measures in policy and service
                                              development and testing of HCBS                         with disabilities who use the services in             delivery settings to maximize quality
                                              outcome measures—which will serve as                    home and community settings. The                      and appropriateness of HCBS from the
                                              infrastructure for future testing of                    RRTC will also engage in knowledge                    end-user perspective.
                                              interventions.                                          translation, development of                              (3) Collaborating with stakeholder
                                                Changes: NIDILRR has made minor                       informational products, and                           groups to develop, evaluate, or
                                              modifications to paragraph (a) to clarify               dissemination to enhance the field’s                  implement strategies to increase
                                              that our intent for this RRTC is the                    capacity to measure the extent to which               utilization of new HCBS outcome
                                              development and testing of HCBS                         HCBS leads to improved outcomes in                    measures. Stakeholder groups include
                                              outcome measures—and not the testing                    community living and independent                      but, are not limited to, people with
                                              of HCBS interventions.                                  living areas that are important to people             disabilities, Federal- and state-level
                                                Comment: One commenter                                with disabilities and other stakeholders.             policymakers; home and community
                                              recommended that the RRTC be                               Ultimately, the RRTC’s development                 based service providers; advocacy
                                              required to provide technical assistance                of non-medical, person-centered                       organizations; and Centers for
                                              to a range of stakeholders, with the aim                outcome measures is intended to inform                Independent Living.
                                              of promoting the use of new HCBS                        the design, implementation, and                          (4) Collaborating with relevant
                                              outcomes measures and resulting data                    continuous improvement of Federal and                 NIDILRR-sponsored knowledge
                                              for HCBS system improvement.                            state policies and programs related to                translation grantees to help promote the
                                                Discussion: NIDILRR agrees that                       the delivery of HCBS to people with                   uptake of RRTC products by relevant
                                              technical assistance toward promoting                   disabilities. The RRTC must contribute                stakeholders and embed the outcome
                                              the use of new HCBS outcomes                            to these outcomes by:                                 measures into the overall health care
                                              measures is an important task for the                      (a) Identifying or developing                      measurement system.
                                              RRTC. In the opening paragraph of the                   measures, and then testing the                           (c) Serving as a national resource
                                              priority we state that ‘‘Ultimately, the                reliability, validity, and usability of               center related to person-centered
                                              RRTC’s development of non-medical,                      those proposed measures to assess the                 measurement of HCBS outcomes:
                                              person-centered outcome measures is                     person-centered outcomes of                              (1) Disseminating information and
                                              intended to inform the design,                          individuals with disabilities who are                 providing technical assistance related to
                                              implementation, and continuous                          receiving home and community-based                    HCBS outcome and quality
                                              improvement of Federal and state                        services. HCBS measures developed                     measurement to policymakers, service
                                              policies and programs related to the                    under this priority must be non-medical               providers, people with disabilities and
                                              delivery of HCBS to people with                         and must focus on the end-users’                      their representatives, and other key
                                              disabilities.’’ Paragraph (b)(3) requires               experience of community living,                       stakeholders; and
                                              direct collaboration with a wide range of               independent living, social integration,                  (2) Providing relevant and appropriate
                                              stakeholder groups to develop, evaluate,                community participation, and other                    training, including graduate, pre-
                                              or implement strategies to increase the                 similar outcomes. The measures                        service, and in-service training, to HCBS
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                                              use of new HCBS outcomes measures.                      developed under this priority must also               providers, researchers and quality-
                                              Similarly, paragraph (c)(1) requires the                be designed to minimize data collection               measurement personnel, and other
                                              provision of technical assistance related               burden on HCBS recipients. Possible                   disability service providers, to facilitate
                                              to HCBS outcome and measurement.                        methods for minimizing this burden                    more effective delivery of HCBS to
                                                Changes: None.                                        include, but are not limited to, use of               people with disabilities. This training
                                                Comment: One commenter                                relevant administrative data, modifying               may be provided through conferences,
                                              recommended that the RRTC develop                       administrative data to include person-                workshops, public education programs,


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 98 / Thursday, May 21, 2015 / Notices                                              29325

                                              in-service training programs, and                         Dated: May 18, 2015.                                • $135,000 to Washington State
                                              similar activities.                                     John Tschida,                                           Department of Social & Health
                                                                                                      Director, National Institute on Disability,             Services
                                              Types of Priorities
                                                                                                      Independent Living, and Rehabilitation                • $135,000 to Wisconsin Department of
                                                 When inviting applications for a                     Research.                                               Health Services
                                              competition using one or more                           [FR Doc. 2015–12308 Filed 5–20–15; 8:45 am]             Project Period: 9/30/2015 to 9/30/
                                              priorities, we designate the type of each               BILLING CODE 4154–01–P                                2016
                                              priority as absolute, competitive                                                                               Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
                                              preference, or invitational through a
                                              notice in the Federal Register. The                     DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                                Statutory Authority: The statutory
                                                                                                      HUMAN SERVICES                                        authority for grants under this funding
                                              effect of each type of priority follows:                                                                      opportunity is contained in Title IV of the
                                                 Absolute priority: Under an absolute                                                                       Older Americans Act (OAA) (42U.S.C. 3032),
                                                                                                      Administration for Community Living
                                              priority, we consider only applications                                                                       as amended by the Older Americans Act
                                              that meet the priority (34 CFR                          Notice of Intent To Award a Single                    Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109–365. Title II
                                              75.105(c)(3)).                                                                                                Section 202b of the OAA (Pub. L. 109–365)
                                                                                                      Source Non-competing Continuation                     specifically authorizes the Assistant
                                                 Competitive preference priority:                     Cooperative Agreement for Eight Grant                 Secretary for Aging to work with the
                                              Under a competitive preference priority,                Projects Under the ‘‘Part A: The                      Administrator of the Centers for Medicare &
                                              we give competitive preference to an                    Enhanced ADRC Options Counseling                      Medicaid Services to: ‘‘implement in all
                                              application by (1) awarding additional                  Program’’ Funded in 2012                              states Aging and Disability Resource
                                              points, depending on the extent to                                                                            Centers.’’
                                              which the application meets the priority                AGENCY:  Administration for Community
                                                                                                                                                              Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
                                              (45 CFR part 75); or (2) selecting an                   Living, Department of Health and
                                                                                                                                                            (CFDA) Number: 93.048 Discretionary
                                              application that meets the priority over                Human Services.                                       Projects
                                              an application of comparable merit that                 ACTION: Notice.
                                              does not meet the priority (45 CFR part                                                                       I. Program Description
                                              75).                                                    SUMMARY:   In 2012, ACL, in partnership
                                                                                                      with the Centers for Medicare &                          ACL, in partnership with the Centers
                                                 Invitational priority: Under an                                                                            for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
                                              invitational priority, we are particularly              Medicaid Services (CMS) and the
                                                                                                      Veterans Health Administration (VHA),                 and the Veterans Health Administration
                                              interested in applications that meet the                                                                      (VHA) have supported state efforts to
                                              priority. However, we do not give an                    issued a special funding opportunity
                                                                                                      known as the ‘‘Part A: The Enhanced                   create ‘‘one-stop-shop’’ access programs
                                              application that meets the priority a                                                                         for people seeking long term services
                                              preference over other applications (45                  ADRC Options Counseling Program’’
                                                                                                      (Part A). The Part A grants were                      and supports (LTSS) through a No
                                              CFR part 75).                                                                                                 Wrong Door (NWD) System. A NWD
                                                                                                      awarded to eight states (CT, MA, MD,
                                                 This notice does not preclude us from                                                                      System makes it easy for people of all
                                                                                                      NH, OR, VT, WI and WA) to develop a
                                              proposing additional priorities,                                                                              ages, disabilities and income levels to
                                                                                                      NWD System in their state so the federal
                                              requirements, definitions, or selection                                                                       learn about and access the services and
                                                                                                      partners could leverage the experience
                                              criteria, subject to meeting applicable                                                                       supports they need. A NWD System also
                                                                                                      and models emerging in these states to
                                              rulemaking requirements.                                                                                      provides states with a vehicle for better
                                                                                                      serve as the basis for the development
                                                Note: This notice does not solicit                    of national standards. The one year                   coordinating and integrating existing
                                              applications. In any year in which we choose            extension will enable the 8 Part A state              multiple access functions associated
                                              to use this priority, we invite applications                                                                  with their various state administered
                                                                                                      grantees to continue their work with
                                              through a notice in the Federal Register.                                                                     programs that pay for LTSS.
                                                                                                      ACL, CMS and VHA specifically to
                                                                                                      further refine the tools, metrics and key                Justification: In order to achieve
                                              Executive Orders 12866 and 13563                                                                              original goals of the funding
                                                                                                      elements of a NWD System and pilot the
                                                 Electronic Access to This Document:                  Person Centered Counseling training                   opportunity, ACL with its federal
                                              The official version of this document is                program.                                              partners will utilize this additional time
                                              the document published in the Federal                                                                         and funds to continue to work with the
                                                                                                      DATES: Estimated Project Period—                      Part A grantees using a learning
                                              Register. Free Internet access to the
                                                                                                      September 30, 2015 through September                  collaborative approach to pilot the
                                              official edition of the Federal Register
                                                                                                      30, 2016.                                             Person Centered Counseling training
                                              and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                              available via the Federal Digital System                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            program and further refine the key
                                              at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you                   Program Name: No Wrong Door                         elements for the NWD System, along
                                              can view this document, as well as all                  System/Aging and Disability Resource                  with a set of tools, metrics, and best
                                              other documents of ACL published in                     Centers                                               practices, all states could use to develop
                                              the Federal Register, in text or Adobe                    Award Amount:                                       a single ‘‘high performing’’ NWD system
                                              Portable Document Format (PDF). To                      • $135,000 to Connecticut Department                  of Access to LTSS that would effectively
                                              use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat                       of Social Services                                  serve all populations.
                                              Reader, which is available free at the                  • $135,000 to Maryland Department of                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                              site.                                                     Aging                                               further information or comments
                                                 You may also access documents of the                 • $135,000 to Massachusetts Executive                 regarding this action, contact Lori
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              Department published in the Federal                       Office of Elder Affairs                             Gerhard, U.S. Department of Health and
                                              Register by using the article search                    • $135,000 to New Hampshire                           Human Services, Administration for
                                              feature at: www.federalregister.gov.                      Department of Health & Human                        Community Living, Center for
                                              Specifically, through the advanced                        Services                                            Consumer Access and Self-
                                              search feature at this site, you can limit              • $135,000 to State of Oregon                         Determination, Office of Integrated
                                              your search to documents published by                   • $135,000 to Vermont Agency of                       Programs, One Massachusetts Avenue,
                                              the Department.                                           Human Services                                      NW. Washington, DC 20001; telephone


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Document Created: 2018-10-24 10:25:54
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 10:25:54
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionFinal priority.
DatesEffective Date: This priority is effective June 22, 2015.
ContactMarlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5133, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245- 7532 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 29323 

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