Formula Grant H126A250100

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Bureau of Services for Blind Persons received a $9,353,132 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services under the Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States program (CFDA 84.126). This federal grant, with a performance period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, funds the Bureau's provision of comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to blind and visually impaired individuals in the state of Michigan. The Bureau utilizes these grant funds to provide a wide array of services including vocational counseling, job training, education, assistive technology, independent living skills instruction, and employment services to help blind and visually impaired residents prepare for and engage in gainful employment. The Bureau also received over $500,000 in 2021 from the Randolph-Sheppard Financial Relief program to provide aid to blind vendors in the state's Business Enterprise Program affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.