FYI, The PDRIB at Louisiana Tech has applied for the RRTC on blindness grant mentioned below. It would be wonderful if any of you submitted your name to be a grant reviewer. If you do not feel qualified, can you share with your supervisor or agency director? The peer review process is sometimes more than half the reason that a grant gets funded. Thanks <https://mailchi.mp/ncre/rsa-call-for-peer-reviewers-with-vocational-rehabilitation-experience?e=81c41f4fc0> View this email in your browser 2020 CALL FOR PEER REVIEWERS CALL FOR PEER REVIEWERS WITH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION EXPERIENCE U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is seeking qualified peer reviewers for our possible upcoming grant competitions who have vocational rehabilitation (VR) expertise in working with individuals who are blind (OIB), quality program management, and cultural competency. In support of possible upcoming competitions, we are seeking qualified individuals who have expertise in one or more of the following areas: Older Individuals Who Are Blind * Knowledge, skills, and experience in working with and understanding the needs and challenges of older individuals who are blind, age 55 and older. Quality Program Management * Knowledge of current research and evidenced-based and promising practices focused on quality program management and resource management, especially related to vocational rehabilitation program. * Knowledge, skills, and experience in providing training and technical assistance to professionals on quality program management and resource management as it relates to efficient and effective service delivery. * Knowledge, skills, and experience in program management and/or resource management related to vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. Quality Employment Outcomes * Knowledge of a wide variety of current employment strategies and supporting practices that enable individuals with disabilities to achieve quality employment and career. * Knowledge of a variety of supporting practices, including practices to: enhance the employment capacity of individuals with disabilities; pre-employment transition services for potentially eligible students; transition services for eligible students and youth; career counseling techniques and resources; strategies involving a variety of partners; and other practices. Cultural Competency * Knowledge of current research and evidenced-based and promising practices focused on cultural competency. * Knowledge and experience in providing services to VR participants, especially participants from minority backgrounds other underserved populations. * Knowledge, skills, and experience in providing pre-employment transition services to potentially eligible students with disabilities and transition services to eligible students and youth with disabilities. Interested reviewers must be able to participate in review panels to provide written analysis and scoring of submitted grant applications, which will be used to provide constructive written feedback to applicants. More specifically, we are seeking individuals with VR experience who are excellent writers, good critical thinkers, and committed to completing assigned tasks in a professional and timely manner. Instructions to Apply to Become a Peer Reviewer * To be considered, please send a copy of your resume (maximum of 5 pages) to <mailto:RSAPeerReview at ed.gov> RSAPeerReview at ed.gov. and * If you are selected by RSA to participate, you must also register and submit your resume in G5 ( <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=0c3cda919c&e=81c41f4fc0> www.g5.gov), though you can also do this step now. If you need additional help, you may contact the G5 helpdesk at <mailto:edcaps.user at ed.gov> edcaps.user at ed.gov or call 1-888-336-8930. G5 will require you to submit your resume in a PDF format only. * When the G5 system prompts you for your areas of specialization, select all that are applicable to you, but please ensure you select each of the aforementioned content areas for which you have expertise: for example, ?quality program management,? ?resource management,? ?cultural competency,? ?pre-employment transition services,? etc. Please note that submitting your resume and/or registering in G5 does not guarantee that you will be selected as a reviewer. Responsibilities * The reviews will take place over 3 to 5 consecutive days starting in early summer (specific dates to be announced). If you are selected, you will be contacted to confirm availability for the specific dates. * You will be expected: 1. to participate in a one-hour orientation webinar or telephone conference; 2. to read, review, evaluate, and score approximately 10-12 full length applications (more specialized programs may have fewer applications); 3. to participate in approximately three to four panel discussion conference calls (each several hours in length); 4. to complete written evaluations of and assign scores to applications based on the selection criteria; and 5. to make revisions of your reviews following the panel discussion, if necessary. All review materials will be submitted in the Department?s online G5 system. Payment Payment will be $250 per review day (approximately $1000-$1,250 total) after successful completion of all required tasks. In order to receive payment for your services, you must: 1. Have an active DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet ( <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=d80972e7a5&e=81c41f4fc0> www.dnb.com); and 2. Register your DUNS number with the System for Award Management (SAM) at <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=e767177fef&e=81c41f4fc0> https://www.sam.gov. Reviewer Selection Potential reviewers will be contacted by the RSA team and asked for additional contact information, availability, and potential conflicts of interest. Those not selected will remain in the RSA reviewer pool for future competitions. Conflict of Interest You are not eligible to be a reviewer if you will be applying to the competition, if you will be involved in the preparation of a grant application, or if you would stand to benefit from an application in this new competition should it be funded. You are eligible, however, if you are a current or past RSA grantee and are not submitting a new application under the RSA competition. Please direct all questions to the RSA Peer Review inbox at <mailto:RSAPeerReview at ed.gov> RSAPeerReview at ed.gov. Shared by the NCRE Adminstrative Office <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=3f94483456&e=81c41f4fc0&c=308fc3b88e> unsubscribe from this list <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=3f94483456&e=81c41f4fc0> update subscription preferences Copyright ? NATIONAL COUNCIL ON REHABILITATION EDUCATION Dedicated to Quality Services for Persons with Disabilities through Education and Research Office Hours: Monday to Friday - 7:30am to 4:30pm PT Website: <https://ncre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d5a2da3c1a53350f31f65bdb3&id=57f72adbb6&e=81c41f4fc0> www.ncre.org National Council on Rehabilitation Education 1099 E. Champlain Drive, Suite A, #137 Fresno, CA 93720