Sub-Regulatory Guidance

RSA establishes policy and prescribes the methods found necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the programs for which RSA is responsible. Policy is a formal statement, from among one or more legally supportable options, establishing conditions, relationships or conduct which are held to be necessary for implementing or substantiating the letter and/or intent of relevant law and regulations and ensuring the proper management by such laws and regulations.

  • Policy Directives (PD) are formal statements of required action(s) or condition(s) that must be carried out or met by State VR agencies or other RSA grantees in order to be in compliance with the Acts. A PD is legally enforceable because it is based on a statutory or regulatory provision.
  • Technical Assistance Circulars (TAC) are formal statements of guidelines and/or suggested methods to satisfy statutory, regulatory or policy requirements. A TAC addresses those areas of program requirements for which state VR agencies or other RSA grantees have flexibility in determining precisely how such requirements are to be met.
  • Information Memoranda (IM) transmit information to grantees who operate formula or discretionary grant programs authorized by the Acts, and to individuals who are responsible for monitoring these programs.
  • Other Documentation: Other sub-regulatory guidance documents, such as Grant Award Notification Attachments, Frequently Asked Questions, and Dear Colleague Letters, that support RSA programs.
Sub-Regulatory Guidance Table
Date Issued RSA Number Subject PDF Size
11/03/1997 TAC-98-01 Support Services for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities and Others Who Need Assistance in Implementing Informed Choice. 47.69 KB
12/15/2020 TAC-21-01 Active Participation of Elected Committees of Blind Vendors with State Licensing Agencies in the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program 172.1 KB
02/06/2020 TAC-20-02 Negotiations and Sanctions Guidance for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Core Programs 584.99 KB
02/03/2020 TAC-20-01 Technical Assistance regarding the Submission Deadline for the Unified and Combined State Plans under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for Program Years (PYs) 2020-2023 and Other Related Requirements 380.1 KB
12/19/2018 TAC-19-01 Guidance for Validating Jointly Required Performance Data Submitted under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 220.63 KB
04/11/2018 TAC-18-02 Submission Procedures for Prior Written Approval Requests under the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program. 112.22 KB
01/19/2018 TAC-18-01 Two-Year Modification Requirements for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified and Combined State Plans. 165.03 KB
09/11/2017 TAC-17-05 WIOA Annual Performance Report Submission. 28.34 KB
06/01/2017 TAC-17-04 Guidance on the Use of Supplemental Wage Information to Implement the Performance Accountability Requirements under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 122.18 KB
01/18/2017 TAC-17-03 Infrastructure Funding of the One-Stop Delivery System. 236.75 KB
01/18/2017 TAC-17-02 One-Stop Operations Guidance for the American Job Center Network. 236.32 KB
08/17/2017 TAC-17-01 Performance Accountability Guidance for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I, Title II, Title III and Title IV Core Programs. 1.4 MB
08/17/2015 TAC-15-02 Vision for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program as a Partner in the Workforce Development System under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 69.2 KB
08/13/2015 TAC-15-01 Vision for the One-Stop Delivery System under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 98.34 KB
07/09/2013 TAC-13-02 Reorganization of the Designated State Agency and the Designated State Unit for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. 99.64 KB
06/11/2012 TAC-12-04 Provision of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to an Individual by More Than One Agency. 52.32 KB
04/16/2012 TAC-12-03 Organizational Structure and Non-Delegable Responsibilities of the Designated State Unit for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. 72.52 KB
07/24/2000 TAC-00-02 Self-employment, Telecommuting, and Establishing a Small Business as Employment Outcomes. 27.57 KB
03/19/1999 PD-99-05 The Use of Title I Funds for the Maintenance and Repair of Equipment Under the Randolph-Sheppard Act. 14.14 KB
07/10/1992 PD-92-09 Federal Financial Participation in the Payment by States of Arbitration Panel Damages Award under the Randolph-Sheppard Act. 30.65 KB
01/07/2020 PD-20-01 Announcement of OMB Approval for Form RSA-7-OB, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program (ILOIB) Annual Report 348.19 KB
05/06/2019 PD-19-03 Instructions for the Completion of the Case Service Report (RSA-911) for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and the State Supported Employment Services Program. 790.64 KB
04/16/2019 PD-19-02 Retirement of Certain Policy Issuances. 85.26 KB
02/12/2019 PD-19-01 Discontinuation of the Quarterly Cumulative Caseload Report (RSA-113). 18.22 KB
08/03/2018 PD-18-02 Instructions for completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for the State Supported Employment Services program, including extended services, for youth with the most significant disabilities (CFDA 84.187B). 130.81 KB
08/03/2018 PD-18-01 Instructions for completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for the State Supported Employment Services program (CFDA 84.187A). 128.83 KB
01/18/2017 PD-17-01 Retirement of Certain Policy Issuances. 143 KB
06/14/2017 PD-16-04 Revision of Policy Directive (PD) 14-01 instructions for the completion of the Case Service Report Manual (RSA-911) for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and the State Supported Employment Services Program (Revised June 14, 2017). 1011.87 KB
03/09/2016 PD-16-03 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Requirements for Unified and Combined State Plans. 221.36 KB
12/14/2015 PD-16-02 Announcement of OMB Approval for Annual Report on Appeals Process (RSA-722). 118.65 KB
11/30/2015 PD-16-01 Announcement of OMB Approval for Form RSA-7-OB, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program (ILOIB) Annual Report. 324.61 KB
03/12/2015 PD-15-06 Instructions for completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for the State Supported Employment Services program. 128.99 KB
02/05/2015 PD-15-05 Revisions to PD-12-06, instructions for completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. 131.54 KB
01/28/2015 PD-15-04 OMB Approval of the Assurances for the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Program, OMB 1820-0625. 26.16 KB
12/18/2014 PD-15-03 Announcement of OMB Approval for Form RSA-7-OB, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program (ILOIB) Annual Report. 247.88 KB
09/30/2014 PD-14-06 Announcement of OMB Approval for Report Form RSA-509, Annual Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program (PAIR) Report. 98.54 KB
09/30/2014 PD-14-05 Revision of the Annual Client Assistance Program Report (RSA-227). 113.52 KB
10/25/2013 PD-14-01 Revision of PD-13-05 Vocational Rehabilitation Program Case Service Report (RSA-911) data elements. 461.9 KB
04/30/2012 PD-13-03 OMB Approval for Application for Client Assistance Program, OMB 1820-0520. 26.79 KB
10/22/2012 PD-13-01 Announcement of OMB Approval for Annual Report on Appeals Process (RSA-722). 74.4 KB
03/08/2005 PD-05-01 Liquidation of Obligations Under RSA's Formula Grants. 30.43 KB
01/17/2001 PD-01-03 Implementation of Informed Choice. 41.42 KB
01/03/1989 PAC-89-02 Guidelines for Use of Federal Financial Participation and Set-Aside Funds in the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program 140.63 KB
05/23/2011 MOU-12-01 Memorandum of Understanding Between Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service and U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration. 46.11 KB
06/24/1999 IM-99-28 U.S. Postal Service Randolph-Sheppard Initiative. 12.63 KB
07/23/2007 IM-07-08 Transition Programs & Services: High School/High Tech & Vocational Rehabilitation. 47.21 KB
09/25/2001 IM-01-44 Applicability of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. 20.13 KB
09/25/2001 IM-01-43 Basic Information and Resources Available Regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 89.84 KB
12/18/2000 IM-01-18 Development of National Registry for the Deaf-Blind. 18.99 KB

Grant Award Notification Attachments

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Dear Director Letters

RSA issues broad written technical assistance in the form of Dear Director Letters that provide information, technical assistance and clarification regarding implementation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

  • Instructions for Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-17) (DCL-20-02) ( ) (PDF, 500.22 KB)

    RSA transmits a copy of the Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-17) and instructions for completing the form for the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services program. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this form (OMB Control No. 1820-0017) through August 31, 2023. The RSA-17 will be effective for the VR program for new VR grant awards issued on or after October 1, 2020 (Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2021). The RSA-17 form will replace the RSA-2 and SF-425 submissions for these awards. The RSA-17 will collect quarterly cumulative VR financial data on an award-by-award basis.

  • Revised Instructions for Completing SF-425 for CAP, OIB, and PAIR (DCL-20-01) ( ) (PDF, 381.27 KB)

    RSA transmits a copy of the SF-425 and revised instructions for completing the form for the following formula award programs: Client Assistance Program; Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB); and Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR). RSA revised and updated the instructions because the Department has retired parts 74 and 80 of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations and adopted in their place the governmentwide Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) at 2 C.F.R. part 200. Through this letter, RSA is rescinding the prior Client Assistance Program, OIB, and PAIR instructions for completing the SF-425 form (RSA-PD-11-03).

  • Cancellation Fees ( ) (PDF, 469.61 KB)

    RSA responds to inquiries received regarding whether "fees for services that were not rendered" or "cancellation fees" are allowable under the State VR Services, State Supported Employment Services, and Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind programs. In this response, RSA provides an analysis for program staff to use when determining whether such a cost is allowable and, therefore, may be paid with program funds as an administrative cost.

  • MOE Penalty Change Announcement ( ) (PDF, 442.88 KB)

    RSA informs State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies of an important change to the process used to assess maintenance of effort (MOE) penalties for the State VR Services program that will affect the way we allot VR funds in Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 and future years.

  • Formal Interagency Agreements Between State VR Agencies and SEAs ( ) (PDF, 240.73 KB)

    RSA provides a review instrument for the formal interagency agreement between SEAs and VR agencies, as required by Section 101(a)(11)(D) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and 34 C.F.R. §361.22(b) along with technical assistance resources.

  • Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda (EO 13777) ( ) (PDF, 191.77 KB)

    On February 24, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 13777: Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, which established a Federal policy “to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens” on the American people. In accordance with the EO, the U.S. Department of Education published a notice in the Federal Register on June 22, 2017, seeking input on regulations and guidance that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. On October 20, 2017, OSERS issued this letter that rescinded some documents, provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, due to the issuances being outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective.

  • Auxiliary Aids and Services ( ) (PDF, 102.38 KB)

    RSA clarifies whether states may expend funds reserved for the provision of pre-employment transition services on auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities with sensory and communicative disorders who require such services to access pre-employment transition services.

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Other Sub-Regulatory Documents

  • Letter on the Importance of Collaboration Between Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation Related to Secondary Transition ( ) (PDF, 431.71 KB)

    On August 31, 2020, RSA Commissioner Mark Schultz and OSEP Director Laurie VanderPloeg issued this letter discussing the importance of collaboration between Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation related to secondary transition.

  • A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities ( ) (PDF, 953.2 KB)

    In August 2020, OSERS updated the Guide to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve their post-school and career goals. In this update, OSERS added information about dual enrollment and the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The Guide is intended to help students and youth with disabilities and their families to better understand how the state education agencies, the local education agencies, and VR agencies work together to facilitate improved outcomes for students and youth with disabilities.

  • Increasing Postsecondary Opportunities and Success for Students and Youth with Disabilities ( ) (PDF, 388.74 KB)

    A Questions and Answers document (Q&A), with an accompanying Appendix, on the dual enrollment of students with disabilities in secondary school and postsecondary education institutions, including comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

  • Joint Guidance on Data Matching to Facilitate WIOA Performance Reporting and Evaluation ( ) (PDF, 764.03 KB)

    This joint guidance by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education is a resource to provide information to assist State agencies (including VR agencies), educational agencies and institutions, and service providers in performance reporting and evaluation requirements under WIOA. Under WIOA, States are required to use education information and quarterly wage records to measure performance of the six core programs and other title I programs authorized by WIOA, which raises complex issues related to data sharing and privacy. This guidance provides States with information about applicable requirements for, and procedures and options for, matching confidential Unemployment Compensation information from wage records with personal information from VR records, and personally identifiable information from education records, and for protecting the confidentiality of information contained in such records.

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Frequently-Asked Questions

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