Authority: Title 51.5, Chapter 14 , Code of Virginia; P.L. 93-112, Federal Code.
A.1. Out of this appropriation, $7,984,358 the first year and $8,984,358 the second year from the general fund shall be used as state matching dollars for the federal Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, hereafter referred to as the federal vocational rehabilitation grant. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) shall not transfer or expend these dollars for any purpose other than to support activities related to vocational rehabilitation.
2. The federal vocational rehabilitation grant award amount for DARS is estimated at $62,398,658 in federal fiscal year 2015 and $66,093,494 in federal fiscal year 2016. Based on these projections, DARS shall not expend, without prior written concurrence from the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, more than $16,888,074 the first year and $17,888,074 the second year in state appropriation to meet the annual 21.3 percent state matching requirement and avoid the loss of federal dollars. This provision applies to the annual federal vocational rehabilitation grant award as well as any additional allotments requiring state match that may be made available to DARS. Any increases in total grant award spending shall be reported to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees within 30 days.
B. Recovery of administrative costs for the Long Term Employment Support Services program shall be limited to 1.87 percent each fiscal year.
C. A minimum of $4,334,114 the first year and $4,482,021 the second year from all funds is allocated to support Centers for Independent Living.
D. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall fulfill the administrative responsibilities pertaining to the Personal Attendant Services program, without interruption or discontinuation of personal attendant services currently provided.
E.1. Out of this appropriation, $3,881,984 the first year and $5,058,981 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for expanding the continuum of services used to assist persons with brain injuries in returning to work and community living.
2. Of this amount, $1,830,000 the first year and $1,830,000 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. Of this amount, $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.
4. Of this amount, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to support case management services for individuals with brain injuries in unserved or underserved regions of the Commonwealth.
5. In allocating additional funds for brain injury services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall consider recommendations from the Virginia Brain Injury Council (VBIC).
6. The Department for Aging and 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.
F. In allocating funds for Extended Employment Services, Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) and Economic Development, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall consider recommendations from the established Employment Service Organizations/LTESS Steering Committee.
G. Of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to contract with Didlake Inc., for the purpose of extended employment services and Long Term Employment Support Services for people with disabilities.
H. 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. 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.
J. Out of this appropriation, $388,279 the first year and $388,279 the second year from the general fund shall be allocated to the Long-Term Rehabilitation Case Management Services Program.
K. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to increase access to personal assistance services for individuals with disabilities.
L. Out of this appropriation, $999,430 the first year and $999,430 the second year from the general fund shall be used to provide vocational rehabilitation services for persons recovering from mental health issues, alcohol and other substance abuse issues pursuant to an interagency agreement between the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
M. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall use non-federal appropriation in this item to fulfill any necessary match requirement for the federal Supported Employment grant.
N. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided as additional funding for the Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) program.
O. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall undertake a review of employment support services programs and make recommendations on options that would advance the Commonwealth's progress toward facilitating the inclusion of people with the most significant disabilities in the workplace through community-based and integrated employment opportunities. As part of the review the department shall conduct stakeholder meetings and incorporate the feedback from those meetings into the process. The department shall report its recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by November 1, 2015.