Opportunity for Funding: Establishment Project

Earlier today, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) posted the following information on a funding opportunity for employment services establishment projects:

BRS implemented major revisions to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) employment services in July 2015. Over the last year, BRS released information regarding best practices, provided technical assistance and continues to make necessary revisions to further improve employment services and ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to needed services and supports.

Through ongoing feedback from the employment services workgroup, VR staff, providers and other stakeholders, BRS has identified a significant need to increase capacity of employment service providers to ensure delivery of quality services to individuals with disabilities. In response to this identified need, BRS plans to release a Request for Funding (RFF) opportunity to non-profit* community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) to enter into establishment projects. This opportunity is available for non-profit CRPs who are approved VR employment service providers as July 1, 2016.

Funding for establishment projects will support the following:
1) Assist non-profit CRPs to build staff capacity in order to provide quality employment services, including supported employment services; and
2) Assist non-profit CRPs to develop or improve training for employment services staff, which includes training on foundational skills.

Please join BRS for a webinar on September 6, 2016 at 3 p.m. EST by clicking the following link:
https://indiana.adobeconnect.com/ddrs/.

The webinar will cover additional details about this opportunity, including CRP non-federal matching requirements, and provide an overview of the RFF application requirements. The RFF is expected to be released in September of 2016.

*Establishment, development, or improvement of a public or nonprofit community rehabilitation program 361.5(b)17


We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the INARF office.