Supported Employment Services for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
To assist States in developing collaborative programs with appropriate public and private non-profit organizations to provide supported employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
- U.S. territories (incl. universities)
The State VR agency designated in the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State plan to administer the VR program is eligible to receive Federal funds under this program.
Beneficiaries
- 45
Individuals with the most significant disabilities who have been determined eligible for VR services under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act and whose individualized plan for employment identifies supported employment as the employment outcome.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Each State must submit a Supported Employment supplement to the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State plan submitted in accordance with Title I under WIOA.
Award Procedure
Grant awards are made to States with an approved supported employment supplement to the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State plan. States are notified of their annual allotment under the statutory funding formula. Grant funds are withdrawn under the Electronic Transfer System.
Approval of the Unified or Combined State Plan, including the VR services portion of that plan, is governed by sections 102 or 103 of Title I of WIOA.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Federal grant funds are awarded to State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies to supplement services provided under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act to assist individuals with the most significant disabilities with needed supported employment services once they have achieved employment. Supported employment enables individuals with the most significant disabilities who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need ongoing support, including intensive supported employment services followed by extended services after the individual’s ability to perform the job with support has stabilized, in order to maintain competitive integrated employment. State VR agencies use funds to provide services and supports such as: job coaching; skilled job trainers who accompany the worker for intensive on-the-job training; follow-up services; extended services for youth; and other services on or off the job site that are needed to support an individual in employment. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Public Law 113-128), enacted on July 22, 2014, requires States to reserve and expend half of their allotment for the Supported Employment Services program to provide supported employment services for youth with the most significant disabilities. States must provide a 10% match for that half of the allotment reserved for such youth. States are also permitted to provide extended services for up to four years to eligible youth with the most significant disabilities. Supported Employment (SE) grant funds are used by State VR agencies to help pay the costs of providing supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, consistent with their individualized plan for employment under the VR State Grants program (see CFDA 84.126). VR funds are used to pay the costs associated with assessment and the determination of eligibility, as well as other needed VR services prior to placement in supported employment.
Required Documentation
OMB’s Uniform Guidance for Grantees at 2 CFR part 200 applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
Pursuant to the amendments made by WIOA, States must provide a match of 10 percent for the half of their allotment that must be reserved and expended to provide supported employment services, including extended services, to youth with the most significant disabilities.
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 603 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Supported Employment funds are distributed based on the U.S. total and State population. No State shall receive less than $300,000 or 1/3 of one percent of the sums made available for the fiscal year, whichever is greater. The minimum allotment for Territories is 1/8 of 1 percent of the amount appropriated.