American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
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Overview |
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
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The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Implementation of the Recovery Act |
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Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Planned Stimulus Expenditures - Federal Fiscal Year 2009 and Federal Fiscal Year 2010 |
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Priority 1 Serving Consumers through Category 4
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is currently functioning under an Order of Selection. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires that priority be given to individuals with the most significant disabilities if there is not enough funding available to serve all eligible individuals. As of January, 2010, the Office of Vocational Rehabiltiation began serving new consumers from the first two categories with Priority 1 being those individuals with the most significant disabilities. However, there are still a number of individuals in category 3 and 4 accepted before January who will continue to receive services until their vocational rehabilitation program is completed. Approximately 5904 applicants who become eligible and are assigned priorities 3 or 4 over a two year period will now be served with the stimulus funds. Services may include transition services, the services of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center, rehabilitation technology, training assistance, vocational guidance and counseling, supported employment, job preparation and placement, physical and mental restoration, follow-up, and more.
Priority 2 Consumer Follow-up Specialists/American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Monitor
Establish up to 13 Federally Funded Time Limited positions to provide employment follow-up services and assist qualified counselors in case management activities aimed at decreasing caseload sizes and improving the number and quality of employment outcomes. These positions will be located throughout the state based on regional needs.
Priority 3 Supported Employment Grants
Supported Employment is a unique service for individuals with the most significant disabilities that is aimed solely at employment. Vocational Rehabilitation pays a fee for outcome for Supported Employment services so providers receive no funds unless the individual becomes successfully employed and maintains employment for at least 60 days. Furthermore, the provider takes responsibility for finding the individual subsequent jobs throughout the individual’s work life should it become necessary without further compensation. KY has a strong network of Supported Employment providers (primarily nonprofit entities) who are willing to serve underserved areas/populations but do not have the upfront capital to fund positions until fee for services begin to be realized. This proposal would be limited to funding up to seven direct service (job coach) positions and travel only for two years. In addition, the focus area will include the rural, Appalachian area of Eastern Kentucky.
Priority 4 Transition Training
The transition of youths with disabilities to post-secondary education or the world of work is a key component of vocational rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Services Administration has made effective transition a priority for the years in which American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be available. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation wants to use these funds to train vocational rehabilitation staff and employees of secondary school systems on improving partnerships, facilitating better outcomes, and improving the community-based work transition program which is a model program developed in Kentucky to transition students with the most significant disabilities to successful employment. Currently this program is provided in over 70 school districts and it is hoped that this training will result in the participation of more districts.
Priority 5 Expand Ability of Community Rehabilitation Programs to provide Job Placement, Benefits Counseling and/or Customized Training Programs
The tightening job market is increasing the need for specialized placement expertise for individuals with significant and most significant disabilities. The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabiltiation hopes to assist community rehabilitation programs, the majority of which are nonprofit entities, expand their service capacity to provide specialized job placement services to a greater number of vocational rehabilitation consumers particularly in un or underserved areas of the state. Community Rehabiltiation Programs will submit individualized proposals to develop innovative customized training programs or expand job placement services in partnership with area vocational rehabilitation staff to improve the number and quality of employment outcomes in their specific area of the state. Priority will be given to proposals that include benefit counseling services for vocational rehabiltiation consumers who receive social security benefits.
Independent Living Title 7 Stimulus Funds:
These funds are being used to expand services at two centers for independent living, Disability Resource Initiative in Bowling Green and Independence Place in Lexington. State match of 10% is required for these stimulus funds.
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