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 331

Vocational Rehabilitation Services for American Indians with Disabilities

(CFDA Nos. 84.128 H, 84.250 A-B, 84.250 C)

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 I, Section 130 (29 U.S.C. 711(c) and 750) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: The purpose of this program is to support projects that provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on Federal or State reservations.

Funding History 1/

Fiscal Year Appropriation Fiscal Year Appropriation
1981 $ 650,000 1988 3,448,750
1982 624,000 1989 3,625,750
1983 650,000 1990 3,821,000
1984 715,000 1991 4,082,000
1985 1,430,000 1992 4,470,000
1986 1,340,000 1993 6,203,000
1987 3,202,500 1994 6,515,000

1/ Beginning in Fiscal Year 1987, funds for this program were provided through a set-aside of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services State Grants program. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 increased the minimum amount to be set aside from 0.25 percent to 0.33 percent for Fiscal Years 1993 and 1994.

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

In FY 1993, 22 Vocational Rehabilitation Service projects for American Indians with disabilities were funded, of which 11 were continuations and 11 were new projects. These three-year projects are directed by the governing bodies of tribes that received grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The projects provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians who reside on Federal or State reservations and are expected to provide services similar to those provided under the Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant program.

Services

The Vocational Rehabilitation Service projects for American Indians with disabilities provide comprehensive rehabilitation services, including diagnostic services, vocational assessment, physical and mental restoration (including services traditionally used by Indian tribes), vocational training, placement, and post-employment services. Individual projects also conduct outreach activities designed to acquaint potential clients with the range of services available. Approximately 4,500 disabled American Indians were served with FY 1993 funds.

Program Administration

RSA provides grant funds to projects and also monitors the projects. The governing bodies of the tribes provide rehabilitation services directly, by contract, or by purchase of service agreements. The projects, to be funded, must be developed in consultation with the designated State unit(s). The projects must develop a cooperative working arrangement with the designated State unit(s) and must refer the American Indian with disabilities to such designated State units for services if the individual so desires.

Management Improvement Strategies

In addition to technical assistance provided to the individual projects, Regional Offices have included project staff in meetings related to the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. The American Indians are included under RSA's Cultural Diversity Initiative, and activities included in the cooperative agreement supporting this initiative include outreach, training, and technical assistance to funded projects, applicants, and potential applicants. Technical assistance is also available through Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs.

In the past, many of the applications received under the Indian program have not been of adequate quality for funding. The Department has been making efforts to improve the quality of applications received for this program, such as sending copies of individual peer reviewer's evaluations and the panel summary to unsuccessful grantees, and providing technical assistance to prospective applicants such as sharing copies of the top-ranked application from the previous year's competition. The steps taken to improve the quality of applications for funding had a positive impact on the quality of applications received for FY 1994 competition and is expected to have positive impact in the future.

III. Sources of Information

  1. Study of the Special Problems and Needs of American Indians with Handicaps Both On and Off the Reservation (Flagstaff, AZ: Native American Research and Training Center, Northern Arizona University, November 1987).

  2. Service, Research and Training Needs of American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Indian Rehabilitation Projects (Flagstaff, AZ: American Research and Training Center, Northern Arizona University, November 1989).

  3. Follow-up on the Effectiveness of Tribally Operated Vocational Rehabilitation Projects (Flagstaff, AZ: American Indian Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Northern Arizona University, 1991).

  4. Program files.

IV. Planned Studies

None.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:
Barbara Sweeney, (202) 205-9544

Program Studies:
Manny Smith, (202) 401-1958

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