Federal Grant Award Summary

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) awarded $14.7 million to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services through the Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to States program (CFDA 84.126) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This formula grant supports Montana's comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (VR) services designed to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving employment and economic independence. The state VR agency uses these funds to provide individualized assessment, career planning, skill development, and targeted support services that enable people with disabilities to identify their strengths, advance their careers, and transition to competitive employment.

The Montana VR program implements these services through a coordinated state system aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified or Combined State Plan framework. The program frequently leverages sub-awards to local organizations, tribes, and nonprofit entities to deliver services at the community level, extending the reach and effectiveness of VR services across the state. Grant recipients are required to maintain comprehensive financial and programmatic records and submit to periodic audits by the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General, ensuring accountability and compliance with the Uniform Guidance and applicable vocational rehabilitation regulations.