What's New in RSA

On March 10, 2026, RSA provided VR agencies with the Estimated Levels of Performance for PYs 2026 and 2027 for five WIOA performance indicators in its Statistical Adjustment Model (SAM). The SAM includes the coefficients, specific values for each variable for each State, and performance results from PY 2017 to PY 2024, as applicable, for each State VR program. 

Now that VR programs have submitted their Expected Levels of Performance, RSA will use the Estimated Levels of Performance as one of the factors in establishing Negotiated Levels of Performance for PYs 2026 and 2027. For more information related to the negotiations process, please review RSA-TAC-20-02.

RSA is seeking peer reviewers for potential grant competitions in FFY 2026. RSA seeks individuals with subject matter expertise in VR services, specialized teaching and training for individuals with disabilities (such as Braille and interpreter programs), parent training, or experience working in a State or local education agency. Individuals new to the peer review process are encouraged to apply. For more information, please review the Call for Peer Reviewers.

On February 3, 2026, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 which further makes appropriations for FFY 2026. In early March 2026, RSA issued grant awards for the: 

• State VR Services Program totaling $2,793,856,922. When combined with funds issued under the first CR ($1,377,635,559) this represents 100 percent of the anticipated annual appropriation for the program ($4,171,492,481) less sequestration, set-aside, and maintenance of effort reductions ($22,670,047). These grant awards include an increase based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers.
• State Supported Employment Services program totaling $14,017,276.50 (SE-A: $7,008,638 and SE-B: $7,008,638.50). When combined with the funds issued under the first CR, the total amount is $22,322,520 for each State that elected to receive funds.
• Client Assistance Program totaling $8,655,400. When combined with the funds issued under the first CR ($4,344,600), the total amount is $13,000,000.
• Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights program totaling $13,093,784. When combined with the funds issued under the first CR ($6,612,916), the total amount is $19,706,700.
• Independent Living for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program totaling $21,561,350. When combined with the funds issued under the first CR ($10,822,774), the total amount is $32,384,124.

The above appropriations follow the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 that represented 33.42 percent of the FFY 2026 allocation. 

On February 12, 2026, RSA published the Program Year 2024 WIOA Performance Assessment Results. On March 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration published assessment results for the titles I, II, III, and IV core programs at WIOA Performance Assessments. These results include Overall State Indicator Scores for Measurable Skill Gains and Employment Rate in the Second Quarter after Exit, inclusive of VR program performance. 

ED and DOL conducted assessments in accordance with joint policy guidance (FAQ-25-01) issued July 17, 2025.

On February 19, 2026, RSA and its Federal partners announced the publication of a new resource titled Requirements and Considerations for the 2026 WIOA Unified and Combined State Plan Modifications. This resource provides guidance on the required elements and key considerations for States as they prepare their PY 2026 modifications.

On February 13, 2026, RSA and its Federal partners announced that the State Plan Portal is available to enter PY 2026 modifications. State Users who have active accounts and editing permissions may begin entering content now. State Users who have blocked accounts will receive an email on February 17, 2026, alerting them to log-in within 48 hours to remain active. State Users who do not have an account must establish an account using their LOGIN.GOV account. Within the joint policy guidance (TAC-26-01), RSA requested that VR programs submit Expected Levels of Performance by March 3, 2026. This deadline was established so that states and RSA can finalize Negotiated Levels of Performance before PY 2026 begins on July 1, 2026.

On January 26, 2026, RSA and its Federal partners published joint policy guidance titled, Modification Requirements for WIOA State Plans for PYs 2026 and 2027 (RSA-TAC-26-01). The U.S. Department of Labor also issued a press release. This joint policy guidance conveys to States the Trump-Vance Administration’s priorities, State Plan modification requirements, submission process, and deadline. States must submit these State Plan modifications to ED and DOL through the WIOA State Plan Portal. Once submitted, the Departments will review and provide a decision within 90 days for the WIOA core programs. Visit WIOA State Plans to view other resources. 
For additional information, please contact your RSA State Liaison.
 

On January 28, 2026 from 12:00-3:00PM EST, OSERS invites parents, students, teachers, paraprofessionals, school staff, individuals with disabilities, and other disability stakeholders across the nation to participate in a virtual listening session. You are invited to share your personal experiences with special education and vocational rehabilitation, including stories of success and challenges and any matters you would like the U.S. Department of Education to hear as we work to empower parents, teachers, and local leaders and return education to the states. 

OSERS leadership will be in attendance to hear from participants. The Department intends only to listen to feedback; no information will be shared, and Department staff will not engage in discussion. Please note that opportunities to speak are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will include a 3-minute max time per speaker. For registered participants unable to participate due to time constraints, listening session remarks may be submitted by email to a designated inbox. Consistent with the structure of the listening session, the Department will not respond to emailed session remarks. This session will be closed to the press and strictly off the record. Please register here: Zoom Registration Link. 

On January 9, 2026, Secretary McMahon sent a Dear Tribal Leader Letter inviting tribal leaders to a consultation on the Indian Education Partnership Interagency Agreements between the U.S. Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor. The consultation will occur in Washington, D.C. on February 10, 2026. Register for the consultation here. 

On December 29, 2025, RSA published a Notification for the Braille Training Program (Assistance Listing Number 84.235E) for FFY 2026. The Braille Training Program offers financial assistance to projects that will (1) provide training in the use of braille for personnel providing vocational rehabilitation services or educational services to youth and adults who are blind; (2) develop braille training materials; (3) develop methods used to teach braille; and (4) develop activities used to promote the knowledge and use of braille and nonvisual access technology for youth and adults who are blind. 

Applications are due by March 27, 2026. Please refer to the Notification and the Application Instructions for more information about this competition.

On December 17, 2025, leaders from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor shared the Trump Administration's priorities for the public workforce development system and discussed the pillars outlined in America's Talent Strategy; Building the Workforce for the Golden Age. As states develop the required two-year modifications to their WIOA State Plans, this webinar highlights opportunities for greater alignment across core and partner programs, including Perkins V Career and Technical Education programs, and shares strategies that foster flexibility and innovation. WIOA State Plans and other resources are available at wioaplans.dol.gov.

On December 15, 2025, RSA shared summary tables of PY 2024 WIOA performance results for the VR program with supplemental context: PY 2024 Review Tables. The workbook provides state-level quartiles for each performance indicator with an additional four years of historical data. Also included are quartiles for blind and general VR programs, state level cohort data for participants, exiters, and the characteristics of participants found in the numerator of each performance indicator. National averages are also included for a range of operational statistics. Please refer to the overview tab of the workbook for further details.