A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 329

Projects with Industry Program (PWI)

(CFDA No. 84.234)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112), as amended by P.L. 102-569 and P.L. 103-73 Title VI, Part B, Section 621 (29 U.S.C. 795g)) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: To initiate programs that create and expand job and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the competitive labor market by engaging the talent and leadership of private industry as partners in the rehabilitation process, to identify competitive jobs and career opportunities and the skills needed to perform such jobs, to create practical job and career readiness and training programs, and to provide job placements and career advancement.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation	Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1970	$900,000	1987	$16,070,000
1975	1,000,000	1988	17,000,000
1980	5,500,000	1989	17,350,000
1981	5,250,000	1990	18,765,000
1982	7,510,000	1991	19,445,000
1983	13,000,000	1992	20,390,000
1984	13,000,000	1993	21,571,000
1985	14,400,000	1994	22,071,000
1986	14,547,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Performance Indicators

This program has established standards and related performance indicators for evaluating grantees and determining eligibility for continuation awards. Projects are given points based on the proportion of their clients with severe disabilities, those with a prior history of unemployment, the project's cost per successful placement, actual costs compared to projected costs,overall placement rate, actual placements compared to projected placements, gain in client earning, and proportion of successful placements of persons with severe disabilities or prior history of unemployment. Additionally, the program has an added requirement that projects report the number of participants terminated from project placements and the duration of such placements. (For a full description, see 34 CFR Part 379, Subpart F).

Population Targeting and Services

Services available to individuals with disabilities vary from project to project depending on the population served and type of project. Services generally include intake and evaluation, prevocational counseling, training to enhance job-seeking skills, vocational training, job development, and job placement. Services to employers could include job-site modification, equipment modification, application of rehabilitation technology, and employee recruitment. Many business persons and rehabilitation professionals participate on Project With Industry Business Advisory Councils.

Analysis of the performance indicators data for FY 1992 indicates that most projects (84 percent) successfully met their performance objectives. In accordance with program regulations, all projects that failed to meet the minimum successful score on the performance indicators were given the opportunity to demonstrate improvement in their performance by submitting data for the first six months of FY 1993. All but one of these projects achieved a satisfactory score on the indicators. The failed project was not funded in FY 1994.

Program Administration

The Rehabilitation Act (the Act) as amended in 1992, requires the Commissioner to use one percent of the aggregate funds appropriated for programs authorized in Titles II, III, VI, VII, and VIII for minority outreach activities as specified in Section 21 of the Act. In FY 1993, one percent of the funds appropriated for this program was reserved for this purpose.

Section 21 of the Act also requires applicants to demonstrate how they will address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Under section 20 of the Act, grantees must advise program participants (applicants for and recipients of services), or as appropriate, the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of those individuals, of the availability and purposes of the State Client Assistance Program (CAP), including information on the means of seeking assistance under such program.

Each grantee must also develop a Business Advisory Council (BAC). Each BAC must have representation from private industry, organized labor, and individuals with disabilities and their representatives. The BAC is responsible for: (1) identifying job and career availability within the community; (2) identifying the skills necessary to perform the jobs and careers identified; (3) prescribing training programs designed to develop appropriate job and career skills for individuals with disabilities; (4) providing appropriate training in realistic work settings to prepare individuals for employment and career advancement in the competitive market; and (5) providing jobs placement and career advancement services.

Outcomes

Total rehabilitations in FY 1993 amounted to 11,486, up from 9,994 in FY 1992. Average costs per placement decreased from $2,048 in FY 1992 to $1,726 in 1993, despite slight increases over the same period in the numbers and proportions who were severely disabled.

Management Improvement Strategies

The FY 1986 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act provided for mandated site visits of project grantees which began in FY 1989. Each year, a random selection of PWI projects receives site visits. In FY 1993, there were 17 projects site-visited. Each grantee was evaluated on progress toward achieving the goals and objectives as outlined in the grant application. As weaknesses are identified, technical assistance is provided. Through corrective action plans, grantees that have manifested marked weaknesses are targeted for additional technical assistance until the project is satisfactorily functioning.

In addition, grantees must submit in their applications for third year (and any subsequent year) funding data on the compliance indicators. Each grantee must achieve a composite score of 70 points in order to receive continuation funding. If the designated score is not achieved, the grantee is permitted to submit data from the first six months of the subsequent fiscal year. If a grantee does not meet the designated score, the grantee will not receive a continuation award.

III. Sources of Information

Assessment of the Projects with Industry Program (Washington, DC: Advanced Technology, Inc., April 1983).
Evaluation of the Projects with Industry (PWI) Program (Washington, DC: Policy Studies Associates, Inc., January 1986).
Compliance Indicators for Projects with Industry Program.
Program files.

IV. Planned Studies

The Department is planning to assess the PWI standards and indicators and their appropriateness as an evaluation tool for program effectiveness. Results of a preliminary assessment were expected in FY 1994.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Connie Pledger, (202) 205-9297
Program Studies:: Rob Barnes, (202) 401-3630

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