Compendium of Budget Information for the 2011 General Session
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Group: Social Services - Workforce Services & Rehab Agency: State Office of Rehabilitation Function The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR), under the direction of the State Board of Education, operates programs designed to assist disabled individuals to prepare for and obtain gainful employment as well as increase their independence. USOR contains a single line item and multiple programs, including an Executive Director's Office and four operating divisions: Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, Rehabilitation Services, Disability Determination Services, and Services to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Detail on USOR operations can be found here. The Smith-Fess Act authorizing the state-federal vocational rehabilitation program was passed by Congress and signed into law in 1920. The program officially opened in Utah in 1921. The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation was created during the 1988 Legislative session under the direction of the State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Prior to 1988 two separate departments, the Division of Rehabilitation Services and the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, existed as separate divisions under the Utah State Office of Education. USOR provides tailored services focusing on the needs, interests, abilities, and informed choices of the individuals served. USOR works in concert with other community service and resource providers to offer rehabilitative services throughout the state. To be eligible for services, patrons must have a physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to gainful employment. State law requires a financial needs test to determine the extent to which a client may receive services. Statutory Authority Statutory provisions for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation may be found in UCA, Section 53A, Chapter 24. In addition to state law, many functions provided by USOR have provisions detailed in federal law. Those federal law references, where available, follow the references in Utah Code. Utah Code:
Federal Law:
Performance The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation utilizes various indicators to measure the performance of the agency. Below are some of the major areas of performance included in their 2010 Performance Report. USOR assisted 3,486 total persons with disabilities to become employed in 2010. Approximately 98% of those employed were considered "severely disabled." These individuals in total had an approximately 415% increase in weekly earnings after rehabilitation efforts and employment--$306,700 in weekly earnings prior to rehabilitation and $1,283,400 post-rehabilitation. Utah State Office of Rehabilitation-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program had an average number of 28 persons placed in jobs per counselor compared to the following for other states: Colorado (12), Montana (17), Nevada (21), North Dakota (21), Oregon (9), and Wyoming (22). Funding Detail Two primary sources provide revenue for USOR. The largest contributor is the federal government, providing approximately 70 percent of total USOR revenues in FY 2010. In addition to federal funds, USOR receives a significant appropriation from state funds. Uniform School Fund revenues account for roughly 27 percent of the total appropriation. The remaining state generated revenue comes from the General Fund. In addition to state and federal resources, the office collects dedicated credits generated primarily through fees and the sale of services, goods and materials.
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