A handbook to effectively evaluate projects and establish a system of community preferences and priorities under the Johnson-O'Malley Act is in a semi-final stage of completion.

The United Sioux Tribal Corporation (of North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska), which is responsible for JOM projects in those states, requested assistance from the Division of Evaluation and Program Review to develop the handbook.

The administrators of JOM funding are held accountable to both the Indian communities and the Federal Government for the effectiveness of the projects. Thus the need for a handbook, especially as Indian communities have expressed preferences for a wide range of educational needs for their children.

Further information and availability will be announced by the United Sioux Tribal Corporation's JOM directors soon.