331#6s (DRS) Increase Funds for Vocational Rehabilitation Services. SB850 - Member Request

State Budget

2009 Session

Budget Amendments - SB850 (Member Request)

By Member » Item 331 #6s

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Chief Patron: Hanger
Increase Funds for Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Item 331 #6s

Item 331 #6s	First Year - FY2009	Second Year - FY2010
Health And Human Resources
Rehabilitative Services, Department of	FY2009 $80,460	FY2010 $5,012,180	GF

Language
Page 370, line 47, strike "$96,746,365" and insert "$96,826,825".
Page 370, line 47, strike "$96,757,816" and insert "$101,769,996".

Explanation
(This amendment provides $80,460 the first year and $5.0 million the second year from the general fund to re-open funding for the most significantly disabled (MSD) on the waiting list for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. Since July 2004, the VR program has been under an "order of selection", which is required when there is insufficient funding to serve all eligible individuals seeking services. Individuals are placed in one of four categories ranging from the least to most disabled with priority given to the most significantly disabled. Funding will allow for the MSD category to re-open services.)

Item 331

Item 331	First Year - FY2009	Second Year - FY2010
Rehabilitation Assistance Services (45400)	~~$96,584,729~~ $96,746,365	~~$96,584,729~~ $96,757,816
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (45404)	FY2009 ~~$80,768,063~~ $80,887,464	FY2010 ~~$80,768,063~~ $80,898,915
Community Rehabilitation Programs (45406)	FY2009 ~~$15,816,666~~ $15,858,901	FY2010 ~~$15,816,666~~ $15,858,901
Fund Sources:
General	FY2009 $29,144,195	FY2010 $29,144,195
Special	FY2009 $2,343,360	FY2010 $2,343,360
Dedicated Special Revenue	FY2009 $2,016,499	FY2010 $2,016,499
Federal Trust	FY2009 ~~$63,080,675~~ $63,242,311	FY2010 ~~$63,080,675~~ $63,253,762

Authority: Title 51.5, Chapters 5 and 6, Code of Virginia; P.L. 93-112, Federal Code.

A. Recovery of administrative costs for the Long Term Employment Support Services program shall be limited to 1.87 percent each fiscal year.

B. A minimum of $4,694,538 the first year and $4,694,538 the second year from all funds is allocated to support Centers for Independent Living.

C. The Department of Rehabilitative Services shall fulfill the administrative responsibilities pertaining to the Personal Attendant Services program, without interruption or discontinuation of personal attendant services currently provided.

D.1. Out of this appropriation shall be provided $3,188,638 the first year and $3,188,638 the second year from the general fund for expanding the continuum of services used to assist persons with brain injuries in returning to work and community living.

2. Of this amount, $1,725,000 the first year and $1,725,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to provide a continuum of brain injury services to individuals in unserved or underserved regions of the Commonwealth. Up to $150,000 each year shall be awarded to successful program applicants. Programs currently receiving more than $250,000 from the general fund each year are ineligible for additional assistance under this section. To be determined eligible for a grant under this section, program applicants shall submit plans to pursue non-state resources to complement the provision of general fund support.

3. In allocating additional funds for brain injury services, the Department of Rehabilitative Services shall consider recommendations from the Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC).

4. The Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) shall submit an annual report to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees documenting the number of individuals served, services provided, and success in attracting non-state resources.

E. In allocating funds for Extended Employment Services, Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) and Economic Development, the Department of Rehabilitative Services shall consider recommendations from the established Employment Service Organizations/LTESS Steering Committee.

F. The Department of Rehabilitative Services shall work with the disAbility Resource Center to phase out funding that has been provided by the State Independent Living Council so as not to impose an undue hardship on persons with disabilities who receive services from the Center.

G. Out of this appropriation, $285,000 the first year and $285,000 the second year shall be provided from the general fund to support direct case management services for brain injured individuals and their families in Southwestern Virginia.

H.1. For Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund grants awarded after July 1, 2004, the Commissioner shall require applicants to submit a plan to achieve self-sufficiency by the end of the grant award cycle in order to receive funding consideration.

2. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Commissioner may reallocate up to $500,000 from unexpended balances in the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund to fund new grant awards for research on traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

I. Out of this appropriation, $150,000 from the general fund each year shall be used to expand case management services for individuals with brain injuries in unserved or underserved regions of the Commonwealth.

J. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year from the general fund shall be provided for brain injury services. In allocating the funding, the Department of Rehabilitative Services shall consider recommendations from the Virginia Brain Injury Council.

K. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 51.5-47, Code of Virginia, every county and city, either singly or in combination with another political subdivision, may establish a local disability services board to provide input to state agencies on service needs and priorities of persons with physical and sensory disabilities, to provide information and resource referral to local governments regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to provide such other assistance and advice to local governments as may be requested. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 51.5-48, Code of Virginia, local disability services boards shall follow some or all of the provisions of this code section, at their discretion.