Maine Department Of Labor

The Maine Department of Labor's Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is a state government entity registered with SAM.gov since March 2017 that serves as a prime recipient of federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). DBVI operates as a child entity under the Maine Department of Labor and provides comprehensive support services designed to enable individuals with visual disabilities to achieve employment and independent living outcomes. The division administers vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment programs, and independent living services across Maine, working to help residents with visual impairments prepare for, secure, and maintain meaningful employment while enhancing their quality of life.

DBVI has consistently received federal formula grant awards from OSERS across four primary program areas since at least 2021. The division's primary funding stream is the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) program under CFDA 84.126, which has provided annual grants to support comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services including vocational assessments, career counseling, job training, and workplace accommodations; notably, the division received $1,242,078 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Additionally, DBVI receives funding through the State Supported Employment Services program, which enables the division to provide employment support services to individuals with visual disabilities. The division also administers the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) program under CFDA 84.177, which funds services to enhance public understanding of older blind individuals and support their independent living needs. A specialized grant under the Randolph-Sheppard program (CFDA 84.426) provided $113,314 in pandemic relief to compensate blind vendors for COVID-19 related losses. All identified awards are formula grants from OSERS, with no identified prime or sub-partners in the award documentation, indicating DBVI operates these programs directly to serve Maine residents with visual disabilities.