Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 81.djvu/835

 81 STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 90-247-JAN. 2, 1968

"PART B—REGIONAL KESOURCE CENTERS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN "REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS

"SEC. 608. (a) For the purpose of aiding in the establishment and operation of regional centers which will develop and apply the best methods of appraising the special educational needs of handicapped children referred to them and will provide other services to assist in meeting such needs, there are authorized to be appropriated $7,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1968, $7,750,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, and $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970. "(b) Appropriations under this section shall be available to the Commissioner for grants to or contracts with institutions of higher education. State educational agencies, or combinations of such agencies or institutions (which combinations may include one or more local educational agencies), within particular regions of the United States, to pay all or part of the cost of establishment (including construction) or operation of regional resource centers for the improvement of education of the handicapped in such regions. Centers established or operated under this section shall (1) provide testing and educational evaluation to determine the special educational needs of handicapped children referred to such centers, (2) develop educational programs to meet those needs, and (3) assist schools and other appropriate agencies, organizations, and institutions in jjroviding such educational programs through services such as consultation (including, in appropriate cases, consultation with parents or teachers of handicapped children at such regional centers), periodic rexamination and reevaluation of special educational programs, and other technical services. " (c) In determining whether to approve an application for a project under this section, the Commissioner shall consider the need for such a center in the region to be served by the applicant and the capability of the applicant to develop and apply, with the assistance of funds under this section, new methods, techniques, devices, or facilities relating to educational evaluation or education of handicapped children. " (d) Payment pursuant to grants or contracts under this section may be made (after necessary adjustments on account of previously made underpayments or overpayments) in advance or by reimbursement, and in such installments and on such conditions as the Commissioner may determine. "PART C—CENTERS AND SERVICES FOR DEAF-BLIND CHILDREN

"SEC. 609. (a) I t is the purpose of this part to provide, through a limited number of model centers for deaf-blind children, a program designed to develop and bring to bear upon such children, beginning as early as feasible in life, those specialized, intensive professional and allied services, methods, and aids that are found to be most effective to enable them to achieve their full potential for communication with and adjustment to the world around them, for useful and meaningful participation in society, and for self-fulfillment. "(b) The Secretary is authorized, upon such terms and conditions (subject to the provisions of subsection (d)(1) of this section) as he deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of this part, to make grants to or contracts with public or nonprofit private agencies, organizations, or institutions to pay all or part of the cost of establishment (including, when necessary, construction) or operation, or both, of centers for deaf-blind children.

801

�