PUBLIC LAW 106-402—OCT. 30, 2000 114 STAT. 1721 (D) Dissemination of information related to activities undertaken to address the purpose of this title, especially dissemination of information that demonstrates that the network authorized under this subtitle is a national and international resource that includes specific substantive areas of expertise that may be accessed and applied in diverse settings and circumstances. (b) NATIONAL TRAINING INITIATIVES ON CRITICAL AND EMERGING NEEDS. — (1) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS. — ^After consultation with relevant, informed sources, including individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the Secretary shall award, under section 151(b), supplemental grants to Centers to pay for the Federal share of the cost of training initiatives related to the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Secretary shall make the grants on a competitive basis, and for periods of not more than 5 years. (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSULTATION PROCESS BY THE SEC- RETARY. — Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a consultation process that, on an ongoing basis, allows the Secretary to identify and address, through supplemental grants authorized under paragraph (1), training initiatives related to the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. (c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—In order to strengthen and support the national network of Centers, the Secretary may enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or contracts to— (1) assist in national and international dissemination of specific information from multiple Centers and, in appropriate cases, other entities whose work affects the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities; (2) compile, analyze, and disseminate state-of-the-art training, research, and demonstration results policies, and practices from multiple Centers and, in appropriate cases, other entities whose work affects the lives of persons with developmental disabilities; (3) convene experts from multiple Centers to discuss and make recommendations with regard to national emerging needs of individuals with developmental disabilities; (4)(A) develop portals that link users with every Center's website; and (B) facilitate electronic information sharing using stateof-the-art Internet technologies such as real-time online discussions, multipoint video conferencing, and web-based audio/video broadcasts, on emerging topics that impact individuals with disabilities and their families; (5) serve as a research-based resource for Federal and State policymakers on information concerning and issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities and entities that assist or serve those individuals; or (6) undertake any other functions that the Secretary determines to be appropriate; to promote the viability and use of the resources and expertise of the Centers nationally and internationaly.
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