Approve Renewal Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and, if Approved, Accept Funds for Programs for Adults with Disabilities, 2008/2009 - $498,221 (Adult Technical Education)

We request approval to submit a renewal grant application to the Department of Adult Technical Education to provide educational opportunities to adults with disabilities for enhancement of skills consistent with their abilities and needs.

The District has received Adult with Disabilities Grant funds since July 2000 and this renewal grant will provide funds for continuation of services to approximately 325 adult students who are served by Brewster Technical Center and Gary Adult High School. The adults served by this program exhibit a wide variety of disabilities including, but not limited to, severely emotionally disturbed, profoundly mentally handicapped, autistic, orthopedically impaired, deaf, speech impaired, emotionally handicapped, language impaired, educable mentally handicapped, trainable mentally handicapped, and visually impaired.

This comprehensive program promotes self-sufficiency of each individual through participation in an adult individualized education plan. These adult students engage in quality-of-life activities, workforce preparation, and lifelong learning experiences that promote continuous progress toward independence and self-sufficiency. Programs such as the Macy's partnership and other on-the-job training programs are a major component of this grant.

If approved, grant funds of $498,221 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. The entire grant allocation will be utilized for teacher salaries and fringe benefits. All direct and indirect costs are included in the grant.- Project 1556

Performance evaluation measures are determined by the Florida Department of Education and are included in the Annual Equity Act Report.