American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
To make grants to the governing bodies of Indian tribes (and consortia of such governing bodies) located on Federal and State reservations to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near such reservations, consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in high-quality employment that will increase opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
The definition of “Indian Tribe" includes Tribal Organizations as defined in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l)). AIVRS grant competition: Governing bodies of Indian tribes located on Federal and State reservations (and consortia of such governing bodies) may apply. Training and technical assistance grant: State, local, or tribal governments, non-profit organizations, or institutions of higher education may apply.
Beneficiaries
- Other
American Indians with disabilities residing on or near a Federal or State reservation who meet the definition of an individual with a disability in Section 7 (9) of the Rehabilitation Act.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
New awards are made based upon the results of a peer review process and the review and approval of staff in various offices within the Department. In making grants, the Department gives priority consideration to applications for the continuation of programs which have been previously funded under the program. The Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration approves continuation awards for existing projects.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The Rehabilitation Act requires the Department to reserve between 1 percent and 1.5 percent of the funds appropriated for the VR State grants program for the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) program (Section 121 of the Act), which pays part of the costs of VR services for American Indians who are individuals with disabilities residing on or near a reservation. The Department also must use between 1.8 percent and 2 percent of AIVRS funds to provide training and technical assistance to governing bodies of Indian tribes located on Federal and State reservations.
Mission Categories
Primary: Vocational Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Financial assistance is provided to the governing bodies of Indian Tribes located on Federal and State reservations (and consortia of such governing bodies) to provide vocational rehabilitation services for American Indians with disabilities residing on or near such reservations under section 121(a) of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 121(c) authorizes the Commissioner to make grants, or enter into contracts or other cooperative agreements with entities that have experience in the operation of vocational rehabilitation services programs under this section to provide such training and technical assistance with respect to developing, conducting, administering, and evaluating such programs to the governing bodies of Indian tribes that have received American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) grants under section 121(a) of the Act.
RSA invites an applicant to indicate whether it intends to consolidate its AIVRS grant funds into a current or future 477 plan in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 115-93, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (25 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). Any request to consolidate AIVRS funds into a 477 plan must be made separately to the U.S. Department of Interior. For further information on the integration of grant funds under this program and related programs, contact the Division of Workforce Development, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior at Office of Indian Services, Division of Workforce Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS-3645-MIB, Washington, DC 20245, Telephone: (202) 219-3938.
Restrictions
Contact the program office contact for more information.
Required Documentation
As a part of the Department’s Application Package for the AIVRS program under Assistance Listing Number 84.250, applicants are asked to include as a part of the application documentation demonstrating that they meet the definition of an “Indian Tribe” that they are located on a State or Federal “reservation,” and that they submit a resolution from the governing body of the Indian tribe authorizing the application for assistance.
Matching Requirements
Projects are required to contribute ten percent of the total cost of the project in cash or in-kind, unless the Commissioner of RSA waives the cost-share requirement under 34 CFR 371.40(c) if the applicant demonstrates that it does not have sufficient resources to contribute the non-Federal share of the cost of the program. Matching requirements are mandatory and are calculated by dividing the amount of Federal funding being requested by nine (9) (e.g., Federal award requested: $450,000 divided by 9 = $50,000 matching requirement).
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