Employment:

Controls over Vocational Rehabilitation Training Services Need Improvement

HRD-76-167, May 5, 1977

Contact:

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(202) 512-4800
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The vocational rehabilitation program administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration is intended to prepare handicapped persons for gainful employment.

Although many beneficial training services have been provided under this program, a lack of adequate controls over the expenditure of funds has resulted in questionable program expenditures and instances where clients do not fully benefit from the training.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendation for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare should direct the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration to require periodic visits to providers of training and to clients to review client progress. He should provide policy guidance to the states to assist them in deciding which costs should be paid by the state agency, how states can better identify other benefits received by clients, and how similar benefits received by clients can be used to reduce program costs as much as possible. The Commissioner should: (1) establish, with the Office of Education, a method of exchanging information on Office of Education student financial aid for clients of state rehabilitation agencies; (2) arrange for more indepth financial reviews of grants awarded to rehabilitational facilities; (3) require states to maintain information on approved training providers in the state; and (4) require states to divide the duties of arranging, paying, and accounting for training services among the counselors.

    Agency Affected:

    Status: Closed

    Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.