Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To assist States in operating comprehensive, coordinated, effective, efficient and accountable programs of vocational rehabilitation (VR); to assess, plan, develop, and provide VR services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice so they may prepare for and engage in an employment outcome.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- U.S. territories
Eligible applicants include the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. State agencies designated to administer the VR program will receive funds with the submission and approval of the State Unified or Combined State plan under WIOA, including a VR services portion of that Plan.
Beneficiaries
- 45
In order to be eligible for VR services, an individual must have a physical and/or mental impairment, which, for such an individual, constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment, and requires VR services to achieve an employment outcome.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
State VR agencies are required to submit a VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan every four years describing the manner in which they will administer the VR and Supported Employment programs in their States including assurances. State agencies are required to update descriptions and submit amendments and modifications as required to the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan.
Award Procedure
Grant awards are made to State VR agencies with an approved VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State plan. States are notified of their annual allotment under the funding formula. Grant funds are withdrawn under the Electronic Transfer System.
Approval of the Unified or Combined State Plan, including approval of the VR services portion of that plan, is governed by section 102 of Title I of WIOA.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Federal and State funds are used to cover the costs of providing VR services to eligible individuals with disabilities under an individualized plan for employment. Such services include: assessment, counseling, vocational and other training, job placement, reader services for the blind, interpreter services for the deaf, medical and related services and prosthetic and orthotic devices, rehabilitation technology, transportation to secure VR services, maintenance during rehabilitation, and other goods and services necessary for an eligible individual with a disability to achieve an employment outcome. Services are provided to families of individuals with disabilities when such services contribute substantially to the rehabilitation of such individuals who are receiving VR services. Funds can also be used to provide VR services for the benefit of groups of individuals with disabilities including the construction and establishment of community rehabilitation programs. Each State is also required to reserve and use at least 15 percent of its Federal VR State Grant award to provide or arrange for the provision of pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities in accordance with section 113 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Required Documentation
The State agency must certify the availability of State funds for matching purposes.
Matching Requirements
The matching requirement is 78.7 percent Federal and 21.3 percent Non-Federal funds of the total of all expenditures incurred under the VR program. This program has a maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. The MOE level is based on the total amount of the State's non-Federal expenditures under the VR program for the Federal fiscal year two years earlier; see funding agency for further details.
Matching requirements are mandatory.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
Section 110 of The Rehabilitation Act.