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

A.1. Out of this appropriation, $11,307,671 the first year and $11,307,671 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 $72,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2024; $72,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2025; and $72,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2026. In addition to the base annual award amount, DARS is authorized to request up to $4,000,000 of additional federal reallotment dollars in each of these years. Assuming these amounts, the annual 21.3 percent state matching requirement would equate to $20,769,739 for federal fiscal year 2024; $20,769,739 for federal fiscal year 2025; and $20,769,739 for federal fiscal year 2026.

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 $76,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2024; $76,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2025; and $76,740,773 for federal fiscal year 2026, 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 and Appropriations Committees within 30 days. Any federal reallotment dollars received by the agency shall not be used for any purpose that creates an on-going fiscal obligation to the Commonwealth.

4. By October 1 of each year, the department shall submit an annual report that details all vocational rehabilitation program revenues and spending from the prior fiscal year. The report shall also provide spending projections for the current and upcoming fiscal years. This report shall be provided to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees.

B. Out of this appropriation, $1,280,512 the first year and $1,280,512 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. The funding allocated to employment services organizations shall be allocated consistent with the recommendations of the Employment Service Organizations Steering Committee. The appropriation for EES shall be used for the program and shall not be used for any other purpose.

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. An employment services organization that had a CARF accreditation may continue to receive funding for Long-Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) and Extended Employment Services (EES) for up to six months after their accreditation expires if the organization is actively pursuing CARF reaccreditation.

J. The Employment Services Organization Steering Committee (ESOSC), as established in §51.5-169.2, Code of Virginia, shall report to and advise the Commissioner on policy, funding, and the allocation of funds to employment services organizations (ESOs) for Long Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services pursuant to § 51.5-169.1, Code of Virginia, as well as all other services of which ESOs are current or proposed vendors.

K.1. A minimum of $7,680,502 the first year and $7,680,502 the second year from general fund dollars is allocated to support Centers for Independent Living.

2. The Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) shall collect data on the total operating budget of each Centers for Independent Living (CIL) funded in this Item, including total amount of state dollars provided to each. In addition, DARS shall have available an annual summary of how each CIL utilizes state dollars, including a position level breakdown of those classified positions funded with state dollars. DARS shall update this information by August 15 of each year with the previous year's data.

L. 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.

M. Out of this appropriation, it is estimated that $2,462,759 the first year and $2,462,759 the second year from the general fund shall be used for personal assistance services for individuals with disabilities.

N.1. Out of this appropriation, $10,396,719 the first year and $10,396,719 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 case management services for brain injured individuals and their families in Southwestern Virginia.

4. Of this amount, $720,000 the first year and $720,000 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. Of this amount, $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used for workforce retention for brain injury service providers.

6. Of this amount, $1,875,000 the first year and $1,875,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to: (i) strengthen and expand the existing state contracted safety net brain injury services system by increasing the numbers of case managers, clubhouse staff, clinical professional staff and/or program support staff and/or (ii) develop new safety net services in unserved areas of the state.

7. 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).

8. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) shall submit an annual report, by September 1 of each year, to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations Committees documenting the number of individuals served, services provided, and success in attracting non-state resources.

O.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.

P. Out of this appropriation, $446,618 the first year and $446,618 the second year from the general fund shall be allocated to the Long-Term Rehabilitation Case Management Services Program.

Q. 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.