Child Safety and Child Booster Seats Incentive Grants
Section 2011 allows States to use up to 50 percent of their grant funds in a fiscal year for the purchase of child safety seats for low income families; enforcement of child restraint laws, training of professionals, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel in child passenger safety; and for educating the public on the importance of properly restraining children in an age, weight and height appropriate restraint devise.
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
Program Accomplishments
The grant shall be used to fund programs for purchasing and distributing child safety seats and restraints to low-income families. The remaining amounts shall be used to carry out child safety seat and child restraint programs including the following: enforcement of child restraint laws, training child passenger safety professionals, police officers, fire and emergency medical personnel, educators and parents concerning child safety seats and child restraints and educating the public concerning the proper use and installation of child safety seats and child restraints. In FY 2007, 13 States and the District of Columbia received Section 2011 grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No more than 50 percent of the grant a State receives in a fiscal year shall be used to fund programs for purchasing and distributing child safety seats and restraints to low income families.
The remaining amounts can be used to carry out child safety seat and child restraint program, including the following: enforcement of child restraint laws; training child passenger safety professionals, police officers, fire and emergency medical personnel, educators and parents concerning child safety seats and child restraints; and educating the public concerning the proper use and installation of child safety seats and child restraints.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The grant program is available to the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State Highway Safety Agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
States submit certifications that it meets eligibility requirements no later than July 1 of each fiscal year.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
Certifications, signed by the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety, are due no later than July 1 of each fiscal year to the appropriate NHTSA Regional Administrator. To apply for grant funds in a fiscal year, a New or Changed Law State must submit the certification required by Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 20, Tuesday, January 31, 2006, Appendix 1 and an Unchanged Law State must submit the certification required by Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 20, Tuesday, January 31, 2006, Appendix 2, signed by the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety, to the appropriate NHTSA Regional Administrator.
Award Procedures
A State submits certification that it meets eligibility requirements; after being informed by NHTSA that it is eligible for a grant, the State submits to the agency a plan that describes the programs the State will implement using the funds. Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering costs incurred. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of Funds method. Funds placed in obligation are available until expended. NHTSA notifies the Governor in a letter that the State has met the requirements for a Section 2011 grant. The letter also describes the amount of the grant award.
Deadlines
Certifications muse be received by the appropriate NHTSA Regional Administrator no later than July 1 of each fiscal year.
Authorization
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005, Section 2011, Public Law 109-59, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 402.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applicants should receive a response from the agency between 30 to 90 days of receipt of certification whether their child passenger safety laws meet the Section 2011 criteria.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Certifications must be submitted each year no later than July 1 of that fiscal year.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
As stated in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005, Section 2011, Pub. L. 109-59, as amended 23 U.S.C. 402; States qualifying for a grant will receive an amount that shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount apportioned to the State for FY 2003 under 23 U.S.C. 402. The release of grant funds shall be subject to the availability of funding for that fiscal year. As required by SAFETEA-LU, in the first 3 fiscal years, it shall be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of the costs of the programs and activities authorized by Section 2011 (d) of SAFETEA-LU, and in the fourth fiscal year for which a State receives a grant, it shall be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the costs of programs and activities authorized by Section 2011 (d) of SAFETEA-LU.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Federal share is reimbursed on claims submitted in vouchers covering the eligible costs incurred. All participants have converted to the Electronic Transfer of Funds method.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The Annual Report required under the Section 402 State and community Highway Safety formula grant program must include a profess report on the prior year's program and accomplishments.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of State and local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities (including universities) that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, with certain exceptions as Stated in OMB Circular No. A-133. For direct procurement contracts, audits will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Records
Project sponsor shall retain records for 3 years, following submission of a final expenditure report and other project deliverables, all product contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents pending resolution of audit findings.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8020-0-7-401.
Obigations
FY 07 $6,000,000; FY 08 est $6,000,000; and FY 09 est $7,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FY 07 Range: $143,709 - $763,390; Average: $366,069.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005, Section 2011, Pub. L. 109-59, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 402. Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 20, Tuesday, January 31, 2006.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for the addresses of the Regional Offices of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Headquarters Office
For program issues, Judy Hammond, Office of Regional Operations and Program Delivery (NTI-200), NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC, 20590, by phone at (202) 366-2121 or by e-mail at judy.hammond@dot.gov. For legal issues, David Bonelli, Office of Chief Counsel, NCC-113, NHTSA,1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, by phone at (202) 366-1834 or by e-mail at david.bonelli@dot.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
A certification from the Governor's Representative that the State is enforcing a child restraint law that conforms to the criteria established in Section 2011.
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