81 FR 55780, Aug. 19, 2016, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Under the State supported employment services program, the Secretary provides grants to assist States in developing and implementing collaborative programs with appropriate entities to provide programs of supported employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, to enable them to achieve an employment outcome of supported employment in competitive integrated employment. Grants made under the State supported employment services program supplement a State's vocational rehabilitation program grants under 34 CFR part 361.
(b) For purposes of this part and 34 CFR part 361, “supported employment” means competitive integrated employment, including customized employment, or employment in an integrated work setting in which an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, is working on a short-term basis toward competitive integrated employment, that is individualized and customized, consistent with the unique strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual, including with ongoing support services for individuals with the most significant disabilities—
(1)
(i) For whom competitive integrated employment has not historically occurred; or
(ii) For whom competitive integrated employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability; and
(2) Who, because of the nature and severity of the disability, need intensive supported employment services, and extended services after the transition from support provided by the designated State unit in order to perform the work.
(c) Short-term basis. For purposes of this part, an individual with a most significant disability, whose supported employment in an integrated setting does not satisfy the criteria of competitive integrated employment, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(9), is considered to be working on a short-term basis toward competitive integrated employment so long as the individual can reasonably anticipate achieving competitive integrated employment—
(1) Within six months of achieving a supported employment outcome; or,
(2) In limited circumstances, within a period not to exceed 12 months from the achievement of the supported employment outcome, if a longer period is necessary based on the needs of the individual, and the individual has demonstrated progress toward competitive earnings based on information contained in the service record.
Any State that submits the documentation required by § 363.10, as part of the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan under 34 CFR part 361, is eligible for an award under this part.
A State may provide services under this part to any individual, including a youth with a disability, if—
(a) The individual has been determined to be—
(1) Eligible for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with 34 CFR 361.42; and
(2) An individual with a most significant disability;
(b) For purposes of activities carried out under § 363.4(a)(2), the individual is a youth with a disability, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(59), who satisfies the requirements of this section; and
(c) Supported employment has been identified as the appropriate employment outcome for the individual on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation needs, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(5), including an evaluation of rehabilitation, career, and job needs.
(a) The State may use funds allotted under this part to—
(1) Provide supported employment services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(54);
(2) Provide extended services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(19), to youth with the most significant disabilities, in accordance with § 363.11(f), for a period of time not to exceed four years, or until such time that a youth reaches the age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a disability under 34 CFR 361.5(c)(58), whichever occurs first; and
(3) With funds reserved, in accordance with § 363.22 for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities, leverage other public and private funds to increase resources for extended services and expand supported employment opportunities.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a State may not use funds under this part to provide extended services to individuals with the most significant disabilities.
(c) Nothing in this part will be construed to prohibit a State from providing—
(1) Supported employment services in accordance with the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan submitted under 34 CFR part 361 by using funds made available through a State allotment under that part.
(2) Discrete postemployment services in accordance with 34 CFR 361.48(b) by using funds made available under 34 CFR part 361 to an individual who is eligible under this part.
(d) A State must coordinate with the entities described in § 363.50(a) regarding the services provided to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, under this part and under 34 CFR part 361 to ensure that the services are complementary and not duplicative.
The following regulations apply to the State supported employment services program:
(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:
(1) 34 CFR part 76 (State-Administered Programs).
(2) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations).
(3) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities).
(4) 34 CFR part 81 (General Education Provisions Act—Enforcement).
(5) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
(b) The regulations in this part 363.
(c) The following regulations in 34 CFR part 361 (The State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program): §§ 361.5, 361.31, 361.32, 361.34, 361.35, 361.39, 361.40, 361.41, 361.42, 361.47(a), 361.48, 361.49, and 361.53.
(d) 2 CFR part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), as adopted in 2 CFR part 3474.
(e) 2 CFR part 180 (OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)), as adopted in 2 CFR part 3485.
The following definitions apply to this part:
(a) Definitions in 34 CFR part 361.
(b) Definitions in 34 CFR part 77.
(c) Definitions in 2 CFR part 200, subpart A.
(a) To be eligible to receive a grant under this part, a State must submit to the Secretary, as part of the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan under 34 CFR part 361, a State plan supplement that meets the requirements of § 363.11.
(b) A State must submit revisions to the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan supplement submitted under this part as may be necessary.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1205-0522)
Each State plan supplement, submitted in accordance with § 363.10, must—
(a) Designate a designated State unit or, as applicable, units, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(13), as the State agency or agencies to administer the Supported Employment program under this part;
(b) Summarize the results of the needs assessment of individuals with most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, conducted under 34 CFR 361.29(a), with respect to the rehabilitation and career needs of individuals with most significant disabilities and their need for supported employment services. The results of the needs assessment must also address needs relating to coordination;
(c) Describe the quality, scope, and extent of supported employment services to be provided to eligible individuals with the most significant disabilities under this part, including youth with the most significant disabilities;
(d) Describe the State's goals and plans with respect to the distribution of funds received under § 363.20;
(e) Demonstrate evidence of the designated State unit's efforts to identify and make arrangements, including entering into cooperative agreements, with—
(1) Other State agencies and other appropriate entities to assist in the provision of supported employment services; and
(2) Other public or non-profit agencies or organizations within the State, employers, natural supports, and other entities with respect to the provision of extended services;
(f) Describe the activities to be conducted for youth with the most significant disabilities with the funds reserved in accordance with § 363.22, including—
(1) The provision of extended services to youth with the most significant disabilities for a period not to exceed four years, in accordance with § 363.4(a)(2); and
(2) How the State will use supported employment funds reserved under § 363.22 to leverage other public and private funds to increase resources for extended services and expand supported employment opportunities for youth with the most significant disabilities;
(g) Assure that—
(1) Funds made available under this part will only be used to provide authorized supported employment services to individuals who are eligible under this part to receive such services;
(2) The comprehensive assessments of individuals with significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, conducted under 34 CFR part 361 will include consideration of supported employment as an appropriate employment outcome;
(3) An individualized plan for employment, as described in 34 CFR 361.45 and 361.46, will be developed and updated, using funds received under 34 CFR part 361, in order to—
(i) Specify the supported employment services to be provided, including, as appropriate, transition services and pre-employment transition services to be provided for youth with the most significant disabilities;
(ii) Specify the expected extended services needed, including the extended services that may be provided under this part to youth with the most significant disabilities in accordance with an approved individualized plan for employment for a period not to exceed four years; and
(iii) Identify, as appropriate, the source of extended services, which may include natural supports, programs, or other entities, or an indication that it is not possible to identify the source of extended services at the time the individualized plan for employment is developed;
(4) The State will use funds provided under this part only to supplement, and not supplant, the funds received under 34 CFR part 361, in providing supported employment services specified in the individualized plan for employment;
(5) Services provided under an individualized plan for employment will be coordinated with services provided under other individualized plans established under other Federal or State programs;
(6) To the extent job skills training is provided, the training will be provided onsite;
(7) Supported employment services will include placement in an integrated setting based on the unique strengths, resources, interests, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities;
(8) The designated State agency or agencies, as described in paragraph (a) of this section, will expend no more than 2.5 percent of the State's allotment under this part for administrative costs of carrying out this program; and
(9) The designated State agency or agencies will provide, directly or indirectly through public or private entities, non-Federal contributions in an amount that is not less than 10 percent of the costs of carrying out supported employment services provided to youth with the most significant disabilities with the funds reserved for such purpose under § 363.22; and
(h) Contain any other information and be submitted in the form and in accordance with the procedures that the Secretary may require.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1205-0522)
(a) States. The Secretary will allot the sums appropriated for each fiscal year to carry out the activities of this part among the States on the basis of relative population of each State, except that—
(1) No State will receive less than $250,000, or 1⁄3 of 1 percent of the sums appropriated for the fiscal year for which the allotment is made, whichever amount is greater; and
(2) If the sums appropriated to carry out this part for the fiscal year exceed the sums appropriated to carry out this part (as in effect on September 30, 1992) in fiscal year 1992 by $1,000,000 or more, no State will receive less than $300,000, or 1⁄3 of 1 percent of the sums appropriated for the fiscal year for which the allotment is made, whichever amount is greater.
(b) Certain Territories.
(1) For the purposes of this section, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not considered to be States.
(2) Each jurisdiction described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section will be allotted not less than 1⁄8 of 1 percent of the amounts appropriated for the fiscal year for which the allotment is made.
(a) Whenever the Secretary determines that any amount of an allotment to a State under § 363.20 for any fiscal year will not be expended by such State for carrying out the provisions of this part, the Secretary will make such amount available for carrying out the provisions of this part to one or more of the States that the Secretary determines will be able to use additional amounts during such year for carrying out such provisions.
(b) Any amount made available to a State for any fiscal year in accordance with paragraph (a) will be regarded as an increase in the State's allotment under this part for such year.
A State that receives an allotment under this part must reserve and expend 50 percent of such allotment for the provision of supported employment services, including extended services, to youth with the most significant disabilities in order to assist those youth in achieving an employment outcome in supported employment.
(a) Non-Federal share.
(1) For funds allotted under § 363.20 and not reserved under § 363.22 for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities, there is no non-Federal share requirement.
(2)
(i) For funds allotted under § 363.20 and reserved under § 363.22 for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities, a designated State agency must provide non-Federal expenditures in an amount that is not less than 10 percent of the total expenditures, including the Federal reserved funds and the non-Federal share, incurred for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities, including extended services.
(ii) In the event that a designated State agency uses more than 50 percent of its allotment under this part to provide supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities as required by § 363.22, there is no requirement that a designated State agency provide non-Federal expenditures to match the excess Federal funds spent for this purpose.
(3) Except as provided under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, non-Federal expenditures made under the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan supplement to meet the non-Federal share requirement under this section must be consistent with the provision of 2 CFR 200.306.
(b) Third-party in-kind contributions. Third-party in-kind contributions, as described in 2 CFR 200.306(b), may not be used to meet the non-Federal share under this section.
(c)
(1) Contributions by private entities. Expenditures made from contributions by private organizations, agencies, or individuals that are deposited into the sole account of the State agency, in accordance with State law may be used as part of the non-Federal share under this section, provided the expenditures under the vocational rehabilitation services portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan supplement, as described in § 363.11, do not benefit in any way the donor, an individual to whom the donor is related by blood or marriage or with whom the donor shares a financial interest.
(2) The Secretary does not consider a donor's receipt from the State unit of a contract or subaward with funds allotted under this part to be a benefit for the purpose of this paragraph if the contract or subaward is awarded under the State's regular competitive procedures.
(a) Definition.
(1) Program income means gross income earned by the State that is directly generated by authorized activities supported under this part or earned as a result of the Federal award during the period of performance.
(2) Program income received through the transfer of Social Security Administration payments from the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services program, in accordance with 34 CFR 361.63(c)(2), will be treated as program income received under this part.
(b) Use of program income.
(1) Program income must be used for the provision of services authorized under § 363.4. Program income earned or received during the fiscal year must be disbursed during the period of performance of the award, prior to requesting additional cash payments.
(2) States are authorized to treat program income as an addition to the grant funds to be used for additional allowable program expenditures, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.307(e)(2).
(3) Program income cannot be used to meet the non-Federal share requirement under § 363.23.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, any Federal award funds, including reallotted funds, that are appropriated for a fiscal year to carry out a program under this part that are not obligated by the State by the beginning of the succeeding fiscal year, and any program income received during a fiscal year that is not obligated or expended by the State prior to the beginning of the succeeding fiscal year in which the program income was received, remain available for obligation by the State during that succeeding fiscal year.
(b) Federal funds appropriated for a fiscal year and reserved for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities, in accordance with § 363.22 of this part, remain available for obligation in the succeeding fiscal year only to the extent that the State met the matching requirement, as described in § 363.23, for those Federal funds by obligating, in accordance with 34 CFR 76.707, the non-Federal share in the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated. Any reserved funds carried over may only be obligated and expended in that succeeding Federal fiscal year for the provision of supported employment services to youth with the most significant disabilities.
(a) A designated State unit must enter into one or more written collaborative agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other appropriate mechanisms with other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and other available funding sources, including employers and other natural supports, as appropriate, to assist with the provision of supported employment services and extended services to individuals with the most significant disabilities in the State, including youth with the most significant disabilities, to enable them to achieve an employment outcome of supported employment in competitive integrated employment.
(b) These agreements provide the mechanism for collaboration at the State level that is necessary to ensure the smooth transition from supported employment services to extended services, the transition of which is inherent to the definition of “supported employment” in § 363.1(b). The agreement may contain information regarding the—
(1) Supported employment services to be provided, for a period not to exceed 24 months, by the designated State unit with funds received under this part;
(2) Extended services to be provided to youth with the most significant disabilities, for a period not to exceed four years, by the designated State unit with the funds reserved under § 363.22 of this part;
(3) Extended services to be provided by other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, or other sources, including employers and other natural supports, following the provision of authorized supported employment services, or extended services as appropriate for youth with the most significant disabilities, under this part; and
(4) Collaborative efforts that will be undertaken by all relevant entities to increase opportunities for competitive integrated employment in the State for individuals with the most significant disabilities, especially youth with the most significant disabilities.
(a) A State may use funds under this part to pay for expenditures incurred in the administration of activities carried out under this part, consistent with the definition of administrative costs in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(2).
(b) A designated State agency may not expend more than 2.5 percent of a State's allotment under this part for administrative costs for carrying out the State supported employment program.
Each State agency designated in § 363.11(a) must collect and report separately the information required under 34 CFR 361.40 for—
(a) Eligible individuals receiving supported employment services under this part;
(b) Eligible individuals receiving supported employment services under 34 CFR part 361;
(c) Eligible youth receiving supported employment services and extended services under this part; and
(d) Eligible youth receiving supported employment services under 34 CFR part 361 and extended services.
(a) A designated State unit must provide for the transition of an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, to extended services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(19), no later than 24 months after the individual enters supported employment, unless a longer period is established in the individualized plan for employment.
(b) Prior to assisting the individual in transitioning from supported employment services to extended services, the designated State unit must ensure—
(1) The counselor and individual have considered extending the provision of supported employment services beyond 24 months, as appropriate, and have determined that no further supported employment services are necessary to support and maintain the individual in supported employment before the individual transitions to extended services; and
(2) The source of extended services for the individual has been identified in order to ensure there will be no interruption of services. The providers of extended services may include—
(i) A State agency, a private nonprofit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource, after an individual has made the transition from support from the designated State unit; or,
(ii) The designated State unit, in the case of a youth with a most significant disability, in accordance with requirements set forth in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(19) and this part for a period not to exceed four years, or at such time that a youth reaches the age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a disability under 34 CFR 361.5(c)(58), whichever occurs first. For youth who still require extended services after they can no longer receive them from the designated State unit, the designated State unit must identify another source of extended services for those youth in order to ensure there will be no interruption of services. The designated State unit may not provide extended services to individuals with the most significant disabilities who are not youth with the most significant disabilities.
An individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, who is employed in competitive integrated employment or who is employed in an integrated setting working on a short-term basis to achieve competitive integrated employment will be considered to have achieved an employment outcome, including customized employment, in supported employment when—
(a) The individual has completed supported employment services provided under this part and 34 CFR part 361, except for any other vocational rehabilitation services listed on the individualized plan for employment provided to individuals who are working on a short-term basis toward the achievement of competitive integrated employment in supported employment. An individual has completed supported employment services when—
(1) The individual has received up to 24 months of supported employment services; or
(2) The counselor and individual have determined that an extension of time to provide supported employment services beyond 24 months is necessary to support and maintain the individual in supported employment before the individual transitions to extended services and that extension of time has concluded; and
(b) The individual has transitioned to extended services provided by either the designated State unit for youth with the most significant disabilities, or another provider, consistent with the provisions of §§ 363.4(a)(2) and 363.22; and
(c) The individual has maintained employment and achieved stability in the work setting for at least 90 days after transitioning to extended services; and
(d) The employment is individualized and customized consistent with the strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual.
(a) The service record of an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, who has achieved an employment outcome in supported employment in competitive integrated employment will be closed concurrently with the achievement of the employment outcome in supported employment when the individual—
(1) Satisfies requirements for case closure, as set forth in 34 CFR 361.56; and
(2) Is not receiving extended services or any other vocational rehabilitation service provided by the designated State unit with funds under this part or 34 CFR part 361.
(b) The service record of an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability who is working toward competitive integrated employment on a short-term basis and is receiving extended services from funds other than those allotted under this part and 34 CFR part 361 will be closed when the individual—
(1) Achieves competitive integrated employment within the short-term basis period established pursuant to § 363.1(c); and the individual—
(i) Satisfies requirements for case closure, as set forth in 34 CFR 361.56; and
(ii) Is no longer receiving vocational rehabilitation services provided by the designated State unit with funds under 34 CFR part 361; or
(2) Does not achieve competitive integrated employment within the short-term basis period established pursuant to § 363.1(c).
(c) The service record of a youth with a most significant disability who is receiving extended services provided by the designated State unit from funds under this part or 34 CFR part 361 will be closed when—
(1) The youth with a most significant disability achieves an employment outcome in supported employment in competitive integrated employment without entering the short-term basis period; and
(i) Is no longer eligible to receive extended services provided by the designated State unit with funds allotted under this part and 34 CFR part 361 because the individual—
(A) No longer meets age requirements established in the definition of a youth with a disability pursuant to 34 CFR 361.5(c)(58); or
(B) Has received extended services for a period of four years; or
(C) Has transitioned to extended services provided with funds other than those allotted under this part or part 361 prior to meeting the age or time restrictions established under paragraphs (c)(1)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, respectively; and
(ii) Satisfies requirements for case closure, as set forth in 34 CFR 361.56; and
(iii) The individual is no longer receiving any other vocational rehabilitation service from the designated State unit provided with funds under 34 CFR part 361; or
(2) The youth with a most significant disability who is working toward competitive integrated employment on a short-term basis—
(i) Achieves competitive integrated employment within the short-term basis period established pursuant to § 363.1(c);
(ii) Is no longer eligible to receive extended services provided by the designated State unit with funds allotted under this part and 34 CFR part 361 because the individual—
(A) No longer meets age requirements established in the definition of a youth with a disability pursuant to 34 CFR 361.5(c)(58); or
(B) Has received extended services for a period of four years; or
(C) Has transitioned to extended services provided with funds other than those allotted under this part or 34 CFR part 361 prior to meeting the age or time restrictions established under paragraphs (c)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, respectively; and
(iii) Satisfies requirements for case closure, as set forth in 34 CFR 361.56; or
(3) The youth with a most significant disability working toward competitive integrated employment on a short-term basis does not achieve competitive integrated employment within the short-term basis period established pursuant to § 363.1(c).
Each grantee must advise applicants for or recipients of services under this part, or as appropriate, the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of those individuals, including youth with the most significant disabilities, of the availability and purposes of the Client Assistance Program, including information on seeking assistance from that program.