| American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) |
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The Oregon Commission for the Blind and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA)
The overall goals of the ARRA are to stimulate the economy in the short term and invest in education and other essential public services to ensure the long-term economic health of our nation. The success of the part of the ARRA providing support for programs under the Rehabilitation Act depends on the shared commitment and responsibility of all involved in supporting improved outcomes for young people and adults with disabilities. The Oregon Commission for the Blind is committed to advancing ARRA's short-term economic goals by investing quickly, and supporting ARRA's long-term economic goals by investing wisely, using these funds to strengthen VR programs, drive reforms, and improve results for people with disabilities.
Principles guiding the distribution and use of ARRA funds that are particularly relevant to Vocational Rehabilitation programs include:
- Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs. ARRA funds will be distributed quickly to states and other entities in order to avert layoffs and create jobs. We are moving rapidly to develop plans for using funds, consistent with ARRA's reporting and accountability requirements, and to promptly begin spending funds to help drive the nation's economic recovery.
- Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability. In order to prevent fraud and abuse, support the most effective uses of ARRA funds, and accurately measure and track results, recipients must publicly report on how funds are used. Due to the unprecedented scope and importance of this investment, ARRA funds are subject to additional and more rigorous reporting requirements than normally apply to grant recipients.
- Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the "funding cliff." ARRA represents a historic infusion of funds that is expected to be temporary. VR ARRA funds are available for obligation until September 30, 2011. These funds will be invested in ways that do not result in unsustainable continuing commitments after the funding expires.
ARRA for Vocational Rehabilitation
Specifically, the Oregon Commission for the Blind has been awarded $883,014 through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants program, authorized under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). The VR State Grants program provides grants to states to help individuals with disabilities, especially those individuals with the most significant disabilities, prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.
- State VR agencies are encouraged to consider serving individuals on waiting lists in agencies currently using an order of selection; increasing services to eligible consumers; and expanding services to traditionally underserved and unserved populations in the state, including students with disabilities transitioning from school to the workplace.
States are also encouraged to use funds in innovative ways for significant system improvement. Examples of possible uses include:
- Obtaining or improving effective case management systems that provide the agency with enhanced program management and evaluation capabilities.
- Providing training to VR counselors and other persons who provide VR services that will enhance the utilization of rehabilitation technology by VR program participants and improve employment outcomes.
- Providing intensive training to VR counselors and other persons who provide VR services on effective and innovative evidence-based VR practices to improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.
- Providing intensive training to agency staff to improve the capability of the agency to analyze and use data to improve VR services and employment outcomes.
ARRA for Independent Living
Additionally, the agency was awarded $494,156 for its Independent Living (IL) programs authorized under Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B and Part C, and Chapter 2 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). The IL programs support services to individuals with significant disabilities and older individuals who are blind to maximize their leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity, and to promote the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.
Grantees under the State IL Grants and OIB programs should use the additional funds to improve and expand IL services; serve additional consumers, especially populations that are unserved or underserved in the state; increase the capacity of IL service providers to provide IL services; and maximize employment opportunities and economic benefits to individuals with significant disabilities consistent with the goals and objectives established by individual consumers.
- The ARRA State IL Grants and OIB funds constitute a large one-time increase that offers a unique opportunity to improve IL outcomes. Generally, funds should be used for short-term investments with the potential for long-term benefits, rather than for commitments that the State may not be able to sustain once ARRA funds are expended. Some examples of possible uses include:
- Designing or identifying and providing services that may be extended at low cost beyond 2012 to additional individuals who wish to transition from nursing homes to their communities;
- Creating more efficient and effective ways of increasing IL services to students with disabilities transitioning from school to employment and independent living;
- Building long-term capacity by improving the technological core of the program, including, but not limited to, purchasing equipment, improving connections, and obtaining software in order to better serve consumers;
- Training current staff in effective ways of providing assistive technology to consumers;
- Expanding information and referral and advocacy services to address the needs of consumers who were laid off and may need assistance replacing services or assistive technology previously provided through an employer; and
- Providing professional development opportunities that have both short-term and long-term benefits to service provider staff.
*The Department of Education has posted Fact Sheets and Guidance on funds made available under the ARRA for the VR State Grant, IL State Grant, and IL OIB programs. Please click on the following link to access these materials:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
*Report Fraud and Abuse:
https://www.allegiancetech.com/ethfeedback/index.jsp?companyId=2497342
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