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Rehabilitation Services Administration
Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
This program provides grants to assist States in operating statewide vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs, each of which is an integral part of a statewide workforce development system. The VR program is designed to provide VR services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Eligible individuals are those who have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment, who can benefit from VR services for employment, and who require VR services. Priority must be given to serving individuals with the most significant disabilities if a state is unable to serve all eligible individuals.
Funds are distributed to states based on the statutory formula that takes into account population and per capita income in determining the amount of Federal funds made available to states for VR program purposes. Grant funds are administered under the approved VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan in accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified and Combined State Plan Requirements.
VR implementing regulations require that the state incur a portion of expenditures under the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan from non-Federal funds to meet its cost sharing requirements (34 CFR §361.60). The Federal share for expenditures made by the state, including expenditures for the provision of VR services and the administration of the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan, is 78.7 percent. The state's share is 21.3 percent of the total program cost. The VR program considers non-Federal share to be allowable as match only when obligated during the year of appropriation of an award. The state non-Federal share for the cost of construction of a facility for community rehabilitation program purposes is 50 percent.
Who May Apply: (specifically): State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies may apply.
Carol Dobak
PCP, Room 5151
Email: carol.dobak@ed.gov
Formula Grants
RSA-17 for FY-2022 report-through 12/31/2021
Read more about RSA-17 for FY-2022 report-through 12/31/2021
RSA-911 through December 31, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 through December 31, 2021
RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through December 31, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through December 31, 2021
RSA-722 for FY-2021
Read more about RSA-722 for FY-2021
RSA-911 through September 30, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 through September 30, 2021
RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through September 30, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through September 30, 2021
SF-425 for VR: FY2020 report-through 09/30/2021
Read more about SF-425 for VR: FY2020 report-through 09/30/2021
ETA-9169 for PY 2020
Read more about ETA-9169 for PY 2020
RSA-911 through June 30, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 through June 30, 2021
RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through June 30, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 Edit Check Only - through June 30, 2021
RSA-911 through March 31, 2021
Read more about RSA-911 through March 31, 2021
RSA-2 for FY-2020
Read more about RSA-2 for FY-2020
H126A220055 -
Program for Award
Read more about H126A220055
Grantee for Award
Oregon Commission for the Blind
TAC 22-02
Read more about TAC 22-02
Modification Requirements for WIOA State Plans for PYs 2022 and 2023
Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Utah Department of Workforce Services
West Virginia Department of Commerce
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (Ky-C)
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
South Dakota Division of Services To the Blind and Visually Impaired
Maine Department of Labor
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Florida Division of Blind Services
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Washington Department of Services for the Blind
Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
American Samoa Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Guam Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Northern Marianas Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Puerto Rico Vocational Rehabilitation Administration
Virgin Islands Division for Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services
Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department
South Carolina Commission for the Blind
South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services
Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services
Vermont Vocational Rehabilitation Division
New York Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped
North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind
North Dakota Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
New Hampshire Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning
New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
New Mexico Commission for the Blind
New York Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services
Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Minnesota State Services for the Blind
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation
Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
Montana Disability Employment and Transitions Division
Nebraska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Nevada Rehabilitation Division
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Indiana Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Services for the Blind, Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Delaware Division for the Visually Impaired - Dhhs Campus
Rehabilitation Services Administration, Dc Dept. On Disability Services
Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services
Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration
California Department of Rehabilitation
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Alaska Dept of Labor and Workforce Development - Division of Vocational Rehab
RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: Criterion for an Integrated Employment Location in the Definition of "Competitive Integrated Employment" and Participant Choice (FAQ 22-02)
Read more about RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: Criterion for an Integrated Employment Location in the Definition of "Competitive Integrated Employment" and Participant Choice (FAQ 22-02)
A frequently-asked questions document that provides guidance and technical assistance to VR agencies and community rehabilitation programs so they may assist individuals with disabilities to achieve high-quality employment and exercise their informed choice about the type of employment to pursue, either with assistance from the VR program or from other community resources.
RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: WIOA Core Program Performance Accountability Assessment for PYs 2020 and 2021 (FAQ 22-01)
Read more about RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: WIOA Core Program Performance Accountability Assessment for PYs 2020 and 2021 (FAQ 22-01)
A frequently-asked questions document that announces the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education (the Departments) determined it is appropriate and reasonable for the Department of Labor to begin assessing performance for two performance indicators under WIOA title I and III core programs for PYs 2020 and 2021 in accordance with the phased-in approach to performance assessments described in RSA-TAC-20-02: Negotiations and Sanctions Guidance for the WIOA Core Programs.
PD-21-01
Read more about PD-21-01
Retirement of Certain Policy Issuances
RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act: Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage (FAQ 21-05)
Read more about RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act: Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage (FAQ 21-05)
A frequently-asked questions document, developed jointly with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, that provides information to employers, agencies, and individuals with disabilities concerning limitations on the payment of a subminimum wage, that is, a wage below the Federal minimum wage, to individuals with disabilities. These limitations are imposed by Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (29 U.S.C. § 794g).
A frequently-asked questions document that provides further clarification of the definition of "competitive integrated employment," particularly with respect to: (1) the criterion for an "integrated employment location" (i.e., the integration standards for the location of the employment) in the definition of "competitive integrated employment" for purposes of the VR program; and (2) how the criterion for an integrated employment location in the definition affects a VR program participant's ability to exercise informed choice.
RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: The Need for an Eligibility/Ineligibility Determination for VR Services for Youth Considering Subminimum Wage Employment Under Section 511 (FAQ 21-02)
Read more about RSA Frequently-Asked Questions: The Need for an Eligibility/Ineligibility Determination for VR Services for Youth Considering Subminimum Wage Employment Under Section 511 (FAQ 21-02)
A frequently-asked questions document to support State VR agencies in their continued implementation of the requirements for youth with disabilities under Section 511(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and to respond to questions that RSA has received.
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Instructions for Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-17) (DCL-20-02)
Read more about Instructions for Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-17) (DCL-20-02)
RSA transmits a copy of the Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-17) and instructions for completing the form for the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this form (OMB Control No. 1820-0017) through August 31, 2023. The RSA-17 will be effective for the VR program for new VR grant awards issued on or after October 1, 2020 (Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021). The RSA-17 form will replace the RSA-2 and SF-425 submissions for these awards.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (Ky-G)
Kentucky Office for the Blind
Utah Department of Education
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
TAC-20-02
Read more about TAC-20-02
Negotiations and Sanctions Guidance for WIOA Core Programs
Technical Assistance regarding the Submission Deadline for the Unified and Combined State Plans under WIOA for PYs 2020-2023 and Other Related Requirements
Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind
Organizational Structure and Non-Delegable Responsibilities of the Designated State Unit for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Provision of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to an Individual by More Than One Agency
Reorganization of the Designated State Agency and the Designated State Unit for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Vision for the One-Stop Delivery System under WIOA
Vision for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program as a Partner in the Workforce Development System under WIOA
WIOA Annual Performance Report Submission
Two-Year Modification Requirements for WIOA Unified and Combined State Plans
Support Services for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities and Others Who Need Assistance in Implementing Informed Choice
IM-01-44
Read more about IM-01-44
Applicability of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.
Basic Information and Resources Available Regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Development of National Registry for the Deaf-Blind
Implementation of Informed Choice
Revisions to PD-12-06: Instructions for Completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
WIOA Requirements for Unified and Combined State Plans
Self-Employment, Telecommuting, and Establishing a Small Business as Employment Outcomes
MOU-12-01
Read more about MOU-12-01
Memorandum of Understanding between U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service and U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration
Transition Programs and Services: High School/High Tech and Vocational Rehabilitation
Who May Apply: State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies may apply.
Content Managed By
Fiscal Unit
State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
CFDA Number: 84.126A
Program Type: Formula Grants
The State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program is authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This program provides grants to assist States in operating statewide VR programs, each of which is an integral part of a statewide workforce development system. State VR programs provide VR services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in competitive integrated employment or supported employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. To be eligible for the VR program, individuals must have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment and who require and can benefit from VR services to achieve employment and maximize career goals. Some states may have more than one VR agency, one for individuals who are blind and one for all other individuals with disabilities. Priority must be given to serving individuals with the most significant disabilities if a State VR agency is unable to serve all eligible individuals. In addition to serving individuals determined eligible for the VR program, State VR agencies may also provide pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities who are potentially eligible for the VR program. VR agencies also engage with employers to increase job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Funds are distributed to states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories based on the statutory formula that takes into account population and per capita income in determining the amount of Federal funds made available to each grantee for VR program purposes. Grant funds are administered under the approved VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan in accordance with WIOA Unified and Combined State Plan Requirements.
VR implementing regulations require that the state incur a portion of expenditures under the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan from non-Federal funds to meet its cost sharing requirements (34 C.F.R. § 361.60). The Federal share for expenditures made by the state, including expenditures for the provision of VR services and the administration of the VR services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan, is 78.7 percent. The state's share is 21.3 percent of the total program cost. The VR program considers non-Federal share to be allowable as match only when obligated during the year of appropriation of an award.
Report to Congress: State VR Services Program Before and After Enactment of WIOA
On April 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) submitted this report pursuant to the congressional explanatory statement to the FY 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 116-94), signed into law on December 20, 2019, that "directs the Secretary to submit a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act to the Committees evaluating any changes in trends in employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities served by State vocational rehabilitation programs before and after the implementation of the WIOA." In addition, "[t]he agreement directs the Secretary to ensure appropriate State level implementation of the Rehabilitation Act, which may include the Department providing technical assistance as necessary." This report summarizes trends in the performance of the VR program with respect to the characteristics of individuals served, the services they received, and the employment outcomes they achieved, using data collected and reported by VR agencies to the RSA prior to and following the enactment of WIOA. The report also describes the technical assistance RSA has provided to the State VR agencies as they have implemented the changes to the VR program made by WIOA.
Formula Award Information Collections and Reporting Deadlines
In the Spring of 2021, RSA partnered with the VRTAC-QM to develop this technical assistance tool to help VR agencies and other grantees track the information collections RSA manages for formula awards, including the VR program, and the deadlines for submitting these data to RSA.
Annual Report on Appeals Process (RSA-722)
Following each Federal Fiscal Year (FFY), State VR agencies are required to submit the RSA-722. The FFY 2021 reporting period will begin on October 1, 2021 and reports are due no later than December 30, 2021. Reporting Instructions and the RSA-722 report are available.