UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC  20202

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
RSA-IM-98-05

DATE	:  November 21, 1997

ADDRESSEES	:	STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL)
		STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND)
		STATE REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCILS
		CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
		RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

SUBJECT	:	FY 1998 Monitoring and Technical Assistance Guide for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

CONTENT	:	

Section 107 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1992, requires the RSA Commissioner to conduct annual reviews and periodic on-site monitoring of programs funded under title I to determine whether a State is complying substantially with the provisions of its State plan and with the evaluation standards and performance indicators established under section 106.  In the absence of final evaluation standards and performance indicators, RSA is using the most recent draft version in order to prepare for the initiation of a performance-based monitoring system.

The attached FY 1998 Monitoring and Technical Assistance Guide contains the RSA procedures for the conduct of annual and periodic on-site monitoring reviews.  Each of the 82 State VR agencies will be reviewed for the annual requirements using the Annual Review Guide section of the attached Guide.  RSA has selected eleven State VR agencies to receive more intensive monitoring using the Periodic On-Site Review Guide.

In order to enable interested constituencies to participate in the public hearings that will be conducted as part of the information gathering phase of periodic on-site monitoring, we are providing you with the following list of State VR agencies to be reviewed during FY 1998:

1.	Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration

2.	Kansas Rehabilitation Services

3.	Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

4.	Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

5.	Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services

6.	Minnesota Division of Rehabilitation Services

7.	Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services

8.	New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

9.	Utah State Office of Rehabilitation

10.	West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services

11.	Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Since the public hearings will begin shortly, we encourage you to contact interested persons and groups at your earliest convenience so that they may make arrangements to attend.  The dates and times for the hearings may be obtained by contacting the appropriate RSA Regional Commissioner.

Each year RSA develops monitoring focus areas to determine the level of implementation of certain requirements and national initiatives, and to assess the amount of technical assistance needed.  This information is also useful in making decisions regarding funding and training priorities.  The FY 1998 focus areas are:

þ	Achievement of employment outcomes;

þ	Comprehensive System of Personnel Development;

þ	Informed choice;

þ	Designated State VR Unit; and

þ	Streamlining.

RSA will be gathering data regarding the public's perception of how the State VR agency is implementing these specific requirements, as well as the "Streamlining Initiative" that is not required by law, to determine effective practices and/or the need for technical assistance.  Persons interested in providing this feedback may attend the public hearings or contact RSA directly.


INQUIRIES:

Information necessary to obtain additional copies of the Guide, to obtain the Guide in alternative formats, to contact the RSA Monitoring Unit and to contact the RSA Regional Commissioners is located at the end of the Guide.  The Guide as well as the sub-regulatory guidance referenced herein are also available at the RSA Web Site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/.



	__________________________
	Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D.
	Commissioner