Authority: Title 51.5, Chapter 14 , Code of Virginia; P.L. 93-112, Federal Code.

A.1. Out of this appropriation, $8,984,358 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 annual federal vocational rehabilitation grant award that will be received by DARS is estimated at $57,165,260 for federal fiscal year 2018; $57,165,260 for federal fiscal year 2019; and $57,165,260 for federal fiscal year 2020. In addition to the base annual award amount, DARS is expected to request up to $10,524,396 of additional federal reallotment dollars in each of these years. Assuming these amounts, the annual 21.3 percent state matching requirement would equate to $18,320,072 for federal fiscal year 2018; $18,320,072 for federal fiscal year 2019; and $18,320,072 for federal fiscal year 2020.

3. Based on the projection of federal award funding in paragraph A.2., DARS shall not request federal vocational rehabilitation grant dollars in excess of $67,689,656 for federal fiscal year 2018; $67,689,656 for federal fiscal year 2019; and $67,689,656 for federal fiscal year 2020, without prior written concurrence from the Director, Department of Planning and Budget. Any approved increases in grant award requests shall be reported by DARS to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees within 30 days.

B. Out of this appropriation, $1,132,073 the first year and $1,132,073 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.

C. 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.

D. Out of this appropriation, $2,658,198 the first year and $2,658,198 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Extended Employment Services (EES) program.

E. Out of this appropriation, $6,294,568 the first year and $6,294,568 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) program.

F. Recovery of administrative costs for the Long Term Employment Support Services program shall be limited to 1.70 percent the first year and 1.70 percent the second year.

G. 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.

H. 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.

I. A minimum of $4,997,284 the first year and $4,997,284 the second year from all funds is allocated to support Centers for Independent Living.

J. 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.

K. Out of this appropriation, it is estimated that $2,349,933 the first year and $2,349,933 the second year from the general fund shall be used for personal assistance services for individuals with disabilities.

L.1. Out of this appropriation, $5,933,981 the first year and $5,933,981 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 (DARS) 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.

M.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.

N. Out of this appropriation, $427,457 the first year and $427,457 the second year from the general fund shall be allocated to the Long-Term Rehabilitation Case Management Services Program.

O. 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.

P. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services shall convene a workgroup of relevant stakeholders that shall include at a minimum representatives of various employment services organizations including Goodwill Industries, APSE, vaACCSES, staff of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, the Department of Planning and Budget, and appropriate staff from the department. Each organization included in the workgroup will be limited to one representative from that group. The purpose of the workgroup is to assess combining the Extended Employment Services (EES) and Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) programs and associated funding into one program. The workgroup shall report its recommendations to the Chairman of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by November 1, 2018.