UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, DC 20202 INFORMATION MEMORANDUM RSA-IM-99-20 DATE: April 16, 1999 ADDRESSEES: STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL) STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND) STATE REHABILITATION COUNCILS CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS PROTECTION & ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS PROGRAMS REGIONAL REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AMERICAN INDIAN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM SUBJECT: FY 1999 Self-Assessment and Technical Assistance Guide CONTENT: The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to transmit the FY 1999 Self-Assessment and Technical Assistance Guide to vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals, advocates and other interested persons. The Guide has a twofold purpose: First, we are asking each State VR agency director to use this guidance as a self-assessment tool to determine the status of their implementation of the new requirements in title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act), and to examine issues related to the State VR agency's role as one of the partners in the statewide workforce investment system as described in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Second, RSA staff will review sections I-VI of the Guide with each State VR agency in order to provide necessary and appropriate technical assistance (TA). Background The Rehabilitation Act was signed into law on August 7, 1998, as part of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, thus extending for five years the authorization of the Act. RSA has conducted orientation meetings on the Amendments, and also developed two IMs providing information and guidance to the State VR agencies on implementing the provisions of the Amendments. RSA-IM-98-20, dated August 17, 1998, and entitled "The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998" provided an overview of the major changes in the Act, including a side-by-side comparison of the former and new statutory provisions related to the VR program. RSA-IM-98-23, dated August 21, 1998, and entitled "Implementation of the Provisions of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998," instructed State VR agency management to move forward immediately in implementing the new major statutory provisions in their administration of the VR program and not to wait for the publication of the implementing regulations. The Guide provides State VR agency management with an instrument with which to self-assess their progress in implementing the new requirements. (Please note that Section 1.4 of the Guide, entitled "Client Assistance Program Participation in the Workforce Investment System" is intended for use by Client Assistance Program staff.) While this method is significantly different from RSA's traditional monitoring approach, RSA continues to emphasize its role in providing leadership to the Public VR program and in providing TA to State VR agency management that results in streamlined service delivery and the achievement of quality employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Regional Office Follow-Up Activities Specific follow-up activities will be arranged between RSA Regional Office personnel and State VR agency management. Beginning in April, RSA staff will contact each State VR agency director in order to discuss their progress and to determine the need for further TA. RSA monitoring staff will be required to report to the Commissioner on the status of WIA implementation activities and on the new requirements for eligibility of Social Security beneficiaries. RSA will also review the following requirements with each State VR agency: Development of the Individualized Plan for Employment; Mediation and Due Process Procedures; Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; and Selected Fiscal Requirements. Five additional modules containing new Federal requirements are also provided in the Guide to assist State VR agency management in assessing progress on these important requirements. These include: Designated State Agency and Designated State Unit Requirements; Composition and Functions of the State Rehabilitation Council; Information and Referral Services to Individuals Not Served by States on an Order of Selection; Informed Choice; and Service Record Documentation Requirements. As reviews are conducted, RSA will maintain a list of TA resources which may be useful in improving State VR agency performance with regard to all of the new statutory requirements. Additional copies of the Guide, or copies in alternate formats, may be obtained by contacting Mr. Charles Sadler. The Guide will also be available at RSA's Web Site located at: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html. Mr. Sadler may be contacted at: Email: charles_sadler@ed.gov Voice: 202.205.9286 FAX: 202.205.9340 TTY: 202.401.3664 If you have any questions or comments regarding the Guide, please contact Mr. Sadler. __________________________ Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D. Commissioner Enclosure cc: CSAVR NAPAS NCIL NRFC 4