Chief Patron: Landes
Transfer Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation Svs. to DRS

Item 341 #4h

Language
Page 299, line 41, strike "$900,831" and insert "($99,169)".
Page 299, line 41, strike "$900,831" and insert "($99,169)".

Explanation
(This amendment reallocates funding provided in the introduced budget from the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired to the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for employment services for vocational rehabilitation consumers. The introduced budget provided $1.0 million each year from the general fund to the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired for vocational rehabilitation services. Instead most of this funding would be reallocated and provided in fiscal year 2012 in order for DRS to continue to serve 32,000 Virginians with disabilities, including an additional 6,000 Virginians who have become eligible for services during the past year largely due to the downturn in the economy. Without the additional general fund amount, DRS will have to wait-list consumers in need of services.)