Our mission — to provide leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation(VR) and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.
RSA is charged with
- administering formula and discretionary grant programs authorized by Congress;
- evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of Federal policy and programs and the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and other related programs for individuals with disabilities;
- coordinating with other Federal agencies, State agencies, and the private sector including professional organizations, service providers, and organizations of persons with disabilities for the review of program planning, implementation, and monitoring issues.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- Integrated Location Criteria of the Definition of “Competitive Integrated Employment” FAQ
- Technical Assistance Circulars related to the One-Stop Service Delivery System
- Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities
- Frequently Asked Questions about One-Stop Infrastructure Costs
- Performance Accountability Guidance for WIOA Core Programs
- WIOA State Plans
- WIOA Section 188 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations
- Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) - November 2016
- Webinars
- OSEP/RSA: Transition-Related Changes to the VR Program Regulations
- WIOA Final Rules
- WIOA Joint Policy Guidance on Data Sharing and Confidentiality
- Additional WIOA Information and Resources
- Overview
Integrated Location Criteria of the Definition of “Competitive Integrated Employment” FAQ
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education (Department) has received requests for clarification of the definition of “competitive integrated employment,” particularly with respect to the “integrated employment location” criteria of that definition for purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. In response, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page has been developed which addresses the criteria for an integrated employment location within the definition of “competitive integrated employment” in section 7(5)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and its implementing VR program regulations in 34 CFR §361.5(c)(9)(ii) (see 81 FR 55629 (August 19, 2016)). The information in these FAQs provides guidance and technical assistance to VR agencies and community rehabilitation programs so that they may assist individuals with disabilities to achieve high-quality employment.
(January 18, 2017)
Technical Assistance Circulars related to the One-Stop Service Delivery System
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announces the publication of two Technical Assistance Circulars (TAC):
- TAC-17-02—"One-Stop Operations Guidance for the American Job Center Network"
Jan 18, 2017 — PDF (235KB) - TAC-17-03—"Infrastructure Funding of the One-Stop Delivery System"
Jan 18, 2017 — PDF (219KB)
This policy guidance is being issued jointly with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career Technical and Adult Education and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration.
TAC 17-02 provides general guidance for the implementation of operational requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) pertaining to the one-stop delivery system, branded nationally as the American Job Center network. Due to the broad scope of the one-stop delivery system, encompassing multiple programs administered by different Federal agencies, this guidance provides the primary components for understanding and implementing an integrated American Job Center network.
TAC 17-03 provides guidance on the operating costs of the one-stop delivery system, which are comprised of infrastructure costs and additional costs (i.e., career services, shared operating costs, and shared services) in accordance with the requirements set forth in WIOA and its implementing regulations.
(January 18, 2017)
Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is pleased to publish A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (PDF, 1.1MB). This guide is being issued by OSERS, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Office of Special Education Programs to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce. This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities:
- Transition planning: opportunities and programs;
- Transition services and requirements, as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act;
- Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and
- Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.
(January 13, 2017)
Performance Accountability Guidance for WIOA Core Programs
(December 20, 2016)
WIOA State Plans
The Departments of Labor and Education are pleased to announce the availability of the approved Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified or Combined State Plans at WIOA State Plans. The public and workforce system stakeholders may view, download, or search the State Plans for information on how states are undertaking the implementation of WIOA. The search feature provides users a method for searching any or all State plans based on a topic, word or phrase within a section, multiple sections, or the entirety of a State plan, and to compare strategies and practices.
(December 15, 2016)
WIOA Section 188 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center (CRC) announces publication of WIOA Section 188 nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations (29 CFR Part 38) in the Federal Register on December 2, 2016. The rule’s updated provisions generally reflect obligations already imposed by changes to other nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws that expanded, for example, protections against unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability, national origin (including limited English proficiency), and sex.
Check out the rule, a Fact Sheet, FAQs, and other related information on the CRC’s Web site at https://www.dol.gov/crc/188rule/.
(December 2, 2016)
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)—November 2016
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), together with its federal partners in the Departments of Education and Labor, provided technical assistance on the final regulations under titles I and IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) at the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) fall conference, November 7 through November 10, 2016. Under title I, the technical assistance addressed final regulations implementing the joint performance indicators and the one-stop infrastructure. Under title IV, the Rehabilitation Act, the technical assistance addressed final regulations implementing program-specific changes made to the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program and the State Supported Employment Services program, as well as final regulations implementing new section 511, Limitations on the Use of Subminimum Wage.
(November 23, 2016)
Webinars
RSA maintains a page listing upcoming and past webinars. You may find these webinars of particular interest.
- WIOA Performance Accountability—Hot Topics!
- Career Pathways
- Performance Accountability, Part II
- Data Matching for WIOA Reporting
- Performance Accountability: Part I
- One-Stop Infrastructure Funding Part 1
(November 7, 2016)
OSEP/RSA: Transition-Related Changes to the VR Program Regulations
On October 13, 2016, RSA and OSEP held a webinar focused specifically on transition-related changes under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The webinar focused on transition-related changes to the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program regulations, as amended by WIOA including transition-related definitions specific to the provision of pre-employment transition services and transition services; the scope of pre-employment transition services, group transition services and individualized transition services; requirements of and considerations related to the formal interagency agreement between State educational agencies and VR agencies; and limitations on the use of subminimum wage. The OSEP website contains links to this event and other WIOA related TA materials.
For resources and more information please visit: Osep.grads360.org
(October 13, 2016)
WIOA Joint Policy Guidance on Data Sharing and Confidentiality
The Departments of Labor and Education are committed to providing technical assistance as State workforce and education partner agencies begin preparation for reporting under WIOA. Accordingly, the Departments of Labor and Education are issuing this joint guidance on data matching to facilitate performance reporting and evaluation. This joint guidance is a resource to provide information to assist State agencies, educational agencies and institutions, and service providers in meeting WIOA requirements. The joint guidance and any related documents may be found at http://familypolicy.ed.gov/content/joint-guidance-data-matching-facilitate-wioa-performance-reporting-and-evaluation.
(August 23, 2016)
Additional WIOA Information and Resources
- Previously posted information about WIOA
- Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)
- Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA)
This content was copied from www.ed.gov on 01/25/2017
What's New in RSA
Commissioner's Corner
The third edition of Commissioner's Corner is now on-line.
(January 19, 2017)
Integrated Location Criteria of the Definition of “Competitive Integrated Employment” FAQ
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education (Department) has received requests for clarification of the definition of "competitive integrated employment," particularly with respect to the "integrated employment location" criteria of that definition for purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. In response, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page has been developed which addresses the criteria for an integrated employment location within the definition of "competitive integrated employment" in section 7(5)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and its implementing VR program regulations in 34 CFR §361.5(c)(9)(ii) (see 81 FR 55629 (August 19, 2016)). The information in these FAQs provides guidance and technical assistance to VR agencies and community rehabilitation programs so that they may assist individuals with disabilities to achieve high-quality employment.
(January 18, 2017)
Technical Assistance Circulars related to the One-Stop Service Delivery System
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announces the publication of two Technical Assistance Circulars (TAC):
- TAC-17-02—"One-Stop Operations Guidance for the American Job Center Network"
Jan 18, 2017 — PDF (235KB) - TAC-17-03—"Infrastructure Funding of the One-Stop Delivery System"
Jan 18, 2017 — PDF (219KB)
This policy guidance is being issued jointly with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career Technical and Adult Education and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration.
TAC 17-02 provides general guidance for the implementation of operational requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) pertaining to the one-stop delivery system, branded nationally as the American Job Center network. Due to the broad scope of the one-stop delivery system, encompassing multiple programs administered by different Federal agencies, this guidance provides the primary components for understanding and implementing an integrated American Job Center network.
TAC 17-03 provides guidance on the operating costs of the one-stop delivery system, which are comprised of infrastructure costs and additional costs (i.e., career services, shared operating costs, and shared services) in accordance with the requirements set forth in WIOA and its implementing regulations.
(January 18, 2017)
Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is pleased to publish A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (PDF, 1.1MB). This guide is being issued by OSERS, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Office of Special Education Programs to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce. This transition guide addresses the following topics to facilitate a seamless transition from school to post-school activities:
- Transition planning: opportunities and programs;
- Transition services and requirements, as authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act;
- Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and
- Supporting decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.
(January 13, 2017)
Performance Accountability Guidance for WIOA Core Programs
(December 20, 2016)
WIOA State Plans
The Departments of Labor and Education are pleased to announce the availability of the approved Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified or Combined State Plans at WIOA State Plans. The public and workforce system stakeholders may view, download, or search the State Plans for information on how states are undertaking the implementation of WIOA. The search feature provides users a method for searching any or all State plans based on a topic, word or phrase within a section, multiple sections, or the entirety of a State plan, and to compare strategies and practices.
(December 15, 2016)
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) - November 2016
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), together with its federal partners in the Departments of Education and Labor, provided technical assistance on the final regulations under titles I and IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) at the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) fall conference, November 7 through November 10, 2016. Under title I, the technical assistance addressed final regulations implementing the joint performance indicators and the one-stop infrastructure. Under title IV, the Rehabilitation Act, the technical assistance addressed final regulations implementing program-specific changes made to the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program and the State Supported Employment Services program, as well as final regulations implementing new section 511, Limitations on the Use of Subminimum Wage.
(November 23, 2016)
Webinars
RSA maintains a page listing upcoming and past webinars. You may find these webinars of particular interest.
- Data Matching for WIOA Reporting
- Performance Accountability: Part I
- RSA-911: Introduction to Data Collection and Reporting Requirements
- One-Stop Infrastructure Funding Part 1
(October 14, 2016)
RSA-911
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announces the posting of the first in a series of webinars related to the changes and the collection and reporting of data via the Case Service Report RSA-911. In this recorded webinar, RSA staff provide an overview of the performance measures, key terms in the joint guidance, information on how the terms apply to VR and the RSA-911. RSA also discusses the deliverable timelines for 2016 and 2017 and how to use the RSA-911 data to monitor the performance of the VR program within the state agency.
Download the webinar and transcript for “RSA-911 - Introduction to Data Collection and Reporting Requirements” from the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) website.
Also, you may be interested in the page Supporting Information for the RSA-911 Data.
(October 5, 2016)
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RSA's programs are listed below. Please click on a link to view information about the program, or tab to or click on the info ico to view a brief description of the program.
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
- Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants
- Supported Employment (SE) Services for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities
- American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)
Training
- Short-Term Training Program
- Rehabilitation Training - Long-Term
- Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind
- Rehabilitation Training - State VR In Service Training
- Demonstration and Training Programs
Client advocacy
Underserved populations
Demonstration projects
- Disability Innovation Fund - Transition Work-Based Learning Model Demonstrations
- Career Pathways
- Automated Personalization Computing Project
- The Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA Project
Technical assistance centers
- American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training and Technical Assistance Center
- National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
- Older Individuals who are Blind Training and Technical Assistance Center
- Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center for Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance
- Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Youth with Disabilities
- Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center
- Job-Driven Voc. Rehab. Technical Assistance Center
- Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center - Targeted Communities
Other RSA programs
- Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
- Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind
- Randolph Sheppard Vending Facility Program
Unified State Plan partner programs
Grants & Funding
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), through its many programs and projects, provides an array of discretionary grants and other funding opportunities to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. Please find out more about those opportunities below.
Discretionary Grant Applications
Click on Discretionary Grant Applications to learn more about discretionary grant funding opportunities available from RSA.
Scholarships
RSA awards grants to colleges and universities for providing scholarship assistance to students.
RSA Program Budget
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) supports formula grants to states for vocational rehabilitation services and a variety of smaller demonstration, training and service programs. The purpose of these programs is to develop and implement comprehensive and coordinated programs of vocational rehabilitation and independent living for individuals with disabilities. Current and past program budgets, as well as state-by-state distributions for formula grant awards for all Department of Education programs are available.
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Orientation & Technical Assistance Guide for State Vocational Rehabilitation Directors
- Overview
- Legislation, Regulations and Guidance
- State Rehabilitation Council
- State Independent Living Council
- Vocational Rehabilitation/Supported Employment State Plan
- State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
- Monitoring
- Fiscal Management
Overview
RSA extends a special welcome to new state vocational rehabilitation (VR) directors. This orientation is provided to support you in the important work of administering federal programs within your state funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, including the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program, the Supported Employment Program, the State Independent Living Services Program, and the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program. RSA developed this guide to provide quick and efficient access to information and technical assistance resources related to the administration of these programs. We hope that you find this information useful and encourage you to contact your RSA state liaison for assistance in locating other resources, or for responses to questions pertaining to the administration of any of these programs.
The RSA web site is a primary source for locating pertinent information described below related to RSA’s formula and discretionary grant programs, including current policy guidance, on-line training and technical assistance tools and resources, state and national data, grant-related reporting forms, VR and IL State Plans, and other state-specific information. Links to this information are included below for ready access.
To access the most current information and notifications from RSA, VR directors can subscribe for email updates
Legislation, Regulations and Guidance
Program Specific Regulations
- 34 CFR 361: State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
- 34 CFR 363: State Supported Employment Services Program
- 34 CFR 364: State Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living Program
- 34 CFR 365: State Independent Living Program
- 34 CFR 366: Centers for Independent Living
- 34 CFR 367: Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind
- 34 CFR 370: Client Assistance Program
- 34 CFR 386: Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training
- 34 CFR 395: Vending Facility Program for the Blind on Federal and Other Property
Guidance
State Rehabilitation Council
The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is a key partner with the VR agency in the administration of the VR program. RSA developed training for State Rehabilitation Council members that may be helpful to you in learning more about the role and function of the SRC. The training is a self-paced on-line tutorial, consisting of a series of topical modules designed to enhance the knowledge of SRCs, thus, enabling them to carry out their functions more effectively.
The modules address the following topics:
- history of the VR program;
- overview of the Rehabilitation Act;
- role and functions of the SRC related to the conduct of the statewide needs assessment;
- development of state goals and priorities;
- analysis of consumer satisfaction; and
- development and operationalization of the VR State Plan.
More recent modules address performance evaluation and quality assurance of the VR program. We invite you to access this on-line training program.
State Independent Living Council
The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and the Designated State Unit (DSU) are partners in the joint development of the State Plan for Independent Living, with input from the statewide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The SILC and the DSU, together with the statewide network, work to fulfill the purpose of the Independent Living Program. SILC duties and authorized activities are described in sections 705(c), (d) and (e) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Additional guidance on the role and duties of the SILC can be found in RSA’s Responses to NCIL’s Questions Regarding SILC Roles and Responsibilities.
RSA, through its Independent Living Training and Technical Assistance center, developed an on-line training resource for SILCs that addresses issues pertinent to the operation and performance of the SILC.
Vocational Rehabilitation / Supported Employment State Plan
An important component of the VR/SE State Plan is Attachment 4.11(a), which includes the results of the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) that describes the needs of individuals with disabilities residing within the state, in accordance with the requirements in section 101(a)(15)(A)(i) of the Rehabilitation Act.
As a resource to VR agencies and SRCs in conducting the CSNA, RSA developed a Vocational Rehabilitation Needs Assessment Guide.
In addition, RSA developed a subsequent module to the SRC on-line training series focused on program evaluation and quality assurance.
State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
RSA has provided training and resources to assist states with the development and implementation of the SPIL. In addition, RSA developed an instrument to facilitate the SPIL review process, as well as detailed instructions on completing and submitting the SPIL through the RSA website.
Monitoring
Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Programs
Section 107 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires the commissioner of RSA to conduct annual reviews and periodic on-site monitoring of programs authorized under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act to determine whether a vocational rehabilitation agency is complying substantially with the provisions of its VR State Plan under section 101 of the Rehabilitation Act and with the Evaluation Standards and Performance Indicators established under section 106. To fulfill this requirement, RSA developed the VR Monitoring and Technical Assistance Guide (MTAG) through which it assesses the performance of the VR agencies in the operation of the program and their compliance with pertinent federal programmatic and fiscal requirements.
It is important to note that the VR MTAG may be revised or updated from year-to-year. Therefore, we recommend that you return to this site periodically to access RSA’s most current VR MTAG.
During the monitoring process, RSA works closely with the VR agency, the State Rehabilitation Council, and stakeholders to identify emerging practices to help promote communities of practice and increase awareness of a variety of approaches that could provide a foundation for research and lead to the development of evidence-based practices.
State Independent Living Programs
RSA developed the FY 2012 Independent Living Monitoring and Technical Assistance Guide (IL/MTAG) through which it assesses the performance and compliance of the Designated State Agency and/or Designated State Unit with pertinent programmatic and fiscal requirements in the administration of the two IL formula grant programs authorized under Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, including the State Independent Living Services Program and the IL Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program.
Fiscal Management
To assist states with the fiscal administration of the program, RSA developed a number of fiscal resources including policy directives and training materials on specific areas of fiscal policy and program administration. In addition, RSA posted training materials from the FY 2013 RSA National Fiscal Management Training Conference conducted August 27-29, 2013, as a resource in this area.
The materials address a number of topics including:
- Allowable and Allocable Costs;
- Contract Development and Administration;
- Establishment Projects;
- Indirect Cost and Cost Allocation Plan;
- Integration of Program and Fiscal Info/Data Planning;
- Internal and External Fiscal Control;
- Maintenance of Effort;
- Management of Funding Streams Cash Management & Drawdown;
- Personnel Cost Allocation;
- Sources of Match; Third-Party Cooperative Arrangements; and
- Supporting Documentation.
RSA developed calculators to assist VR agencies in finding the amount of match needed to fulfill the non-federal share of a grant award, and the formula grant process for the basic VR state grants program.
This content was copied from www.ed.gov on 01/25/2017
Annual Reports
The RSA Annual Reports provide a description of the activities of RSA. RSA is the principal agency for carrying out Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
The reports for Fiscal Reviews 2016, 2015, and 2014 are under review at this time.
- Fiscal Year 2013
- Fiscal Year 2012
- Fiscal Year 2011
- Fiscal Year 2010
- Fiscal Year 2009
- Fiscal Year 2008
- Fiscal Year 2007
- Fiscal Year 2006
- Fiscal Year 2005
- Fiscal Year 2004
- Fiscal Year 2003
- Fiscal Year 2002
- Fiscal Year 2001
- Fiscal Year 2000
- Fiscal Years 1998-99
For more content - including tools and downloadable data, visit out web portal at rsa.ed.gov or click on one of the links below.
About RSA
| What's New in RSA
| People and Offices
Programs and Projects
| Grants and Funding
Legislation and Policy
| Publications and Products
Research and Statistics
| Monitoring | Additional Resources
Contact and Feedback
| FAQs
This content was copied from www.ed.gov on 01/25/2017