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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 102841-102847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29996]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Chapter III

[Docket ID ED-2024-OSERS-0131]

Proposed Priority and Requirements--Innovative Rehabilitation 
Training Program

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Proposed priority and requirements.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) proposes a priority 
and requirements under the Innovative Rehabilitation Training program, 
Assistance Listing Number 84.263G. The Department may use the proposed 
priority and requirements for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 
later years. We take this action to promote the development of 
innovative and improved methods of training on promising vocational 
rehabilitation (VR) counseling, engagement, and service delivery 
strategies and practices to State VR agency personnel or other public 
or non-profit rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals 
(including those enrolled in master's or bachelor's level 
rehabilitation programs) to provide quality VR and supported employment 
services that lead to quality employment outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before January 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at www.regulations.gov. However, if you require an accommodation 
or cannot otherwise submit your comments via www.regulations.gov, 
please contact the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. The Department will not accept comments submitted 
by fax or by email, or comments submitted after the comment period 
closes. To ensure the Department does not receive duplicate copies, 
please submit your comments only once. In addition, please include the 
Docket ID at the top of your comments.
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov to submit 
your comments electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, 
including instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting 
comments, and viewing the docket, is available on the site under 
``FAQ.''
    Note: The Department's policy is generally to make comments 
received from members of the public available for public viewing in 
their entirety on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include 
in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly 
available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Felipe Lulli, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 4A10, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 987-0128. Email: [email protected].
    A brief summary of the proposed rule is available at 
www.regulations.gov/docket/ED-2024-OSERS-0131.
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding 
the proposed priority and requirements. To ensure that your comments 
have maximum effect in developing the final priority and requirements, 
we urge you to clearly identify the specific section of the proposed 
priority and requirements that each comment addresses.
    We are particularly interested in comments about whether the 
proposed priority and requirements would be challenging for new 
applicants to meet and, if so, how the proposed priority

[[Page 102842]]

and requirements could be revised to address such potential challenges.
    We invite you to assist us in complying with the specific 
requirements of Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094 and their 
overall requirement of reducing regulatory burden that might result 
from this proposed priority and requirements. Please let us know of any 
further ways we could reduce potential costs or increase potential 
benefits while preserving the effective and efficient administration of 
the program.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect public 
comments about the proposed priority and requirements by accessing 
Regulations.gov. To inspect comments in person, please contact the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for this proposed priority and requirements. 
If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of accommodation 
or auxiliary aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Purpose of Program: The Innovative Rehabilitation Training program 
is designed to develop (a) new types of training programs for 
rehabilitation personnel and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these 
new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel in 
providing rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; (b) 
new and improved methods of training rehabilitation personnel so that 
there may be a more effective delivery of rehabilitation services to 
individuals with disabilities by designated State rehabilitation 
agencies and designated State rehabilitation units or other public or 
non-profit rehabilitation service agencies or organizations; and (c) 
new innovative training programs for VR professionals and 
paraprofessionals to have a 21st-century understanding of the evolving 
labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities so they can 
more effectively provide VR services to individuals with disabilities.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772.
    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR parts 385 and 387.

Proposed Priority

    This document contains one proposed priority, Innovative 
Rehabilitation Training on Emerging VR Counseling, Engagement, and 
Service Delivery Strategies Leading to Quality Employment in 21st 
Century Careers for Individuals With Disabilities, and six topic areas 
under the priority.
    Background: The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), 
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes this 
priority and these requirements, based on allowable activities under 34 
CFR parts 385 and 387, to enable VR agency professionals to help more 
VR participants benefit from the training, education, and employment 
opportunities offered by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
(WIOA).
    The proposed priority would support the purposes of WIOA, including 
to ``improve the quality and labor market relevance of workforce 
investment, education, and economic development efforts to provide 
America's workers with the skills and credentials necessary to secure 
and advance in employment with family-sustaining wages and to provide 
America's employers with the skilled workers the employers need to 
succeed in a global economy.'' (WIOA sec. 2(3)). It is also consistent 
with RSA Technical Assistance Circulars 23-03 Maximizing Services and 
the Use of Funds to Support Quality Employment Outcomes for Individuals 
with Disabilities through the VR and Supported Employment Programs and 
24-01 Promoting Meaningful and Sustained Engagement of Individuals with 
Disabilities in the VR Program; the RSA Commissioner's Dear Colleague 
Letters DCL-24-02 on RSA priorities and DCL-25-01 on artificial 
intelligence; and priority 5(j) of the Secretary's Supplemental 
priorities (Final Priority and Definitions, Federal Register, December 
10, 2021), reflecting the Department's commitment to effective VR 
services and use of funds, meaningful and sustained engagement with VR 
participants, collaboration with workforce development partners and 
community-based organizations including community rehabilitation 
programs (CRPs), advanced technology employment and training, and 
equity of access and opportunity for students with disabilities, 
disconnected youth and adults with disabilities. The proposed priority 
would promote quality employment for individuals with disabilities 
through innovative rehabilitation training to VR professionals on 
emerging VR counseling, engagement, and service delivery practices.
    Applicants would be able to apply under one or more of the 
priority's six topic areas: (1) VR Counselor Participant Engagement 
Practices, (2) Career Assessment Addressing Emerging Career and 
Employment Trends, (3) Preparing VR Participants for High-Quality 
Employment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and 
Advanced Technology Careers, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 
(4) Dual Customer Employer Engagement and Service Delivery Strategies, 
(5) Engagement and Service Delivery Strategies for Underserved 
Populations, and (6) Field Initiated.

Topic Area 1: VR Counselor Participant Engagement Practices

    Participant engagement is described as ``an active, multifaceted 
process that involves the empowerment of participants, participants' 
exercise of self-determined informed choice, and their collaboration 
with employment specialists in the working alliance'' (Johnson et al., 
2009). Research and program data suggests that participant engagement 
contributes to successful VR services and outcomes, particularly by 
increasing participant retention in VR programs. Southwick and Schultz 
(2019) and Dutta et al. (2017) found that active engagement increases 
participants' motivation, expectations, and confidence--characteristics 
essential for successful VR services and employment outcomes. State VR 
agencies are developing and implementing promising employee engagement 
strategies, including Motivational Interviewing and Rapid Engagement. 
Research suggests that Motivational Interviewing, for example, 
strengthens counselor-participant working relationships; improves 
understanding of participant circumstances, needs, and goals reflected 
in Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE); and encourages 
participants' sustained engagement in the resulting VR services 
(Torres, Frain, Tansey, 2019).
    Early and sustained engagement may mitigate participants from 
exiting the VR process before receiving services under an 
individualized plan for employment (IPE). Nationally, the VR 
participant attrition rate was 29 percent in Program Year (PY) 2023, 
with individual States' attrition rates ranging between 14 percent and 
60 percent during the same period.
    Topic area 1 would strengthen counselors' engagement with 
participants throughout the VR continuum--from referral and application 
to the provision of services under a signed IPE--leading to quality 
competitive integrated employment outcomes.

[[Page 102843]]

Topic Area 2: Career Assessment Addressing Emerging Career and 
Employment Trends

    WIOA emphasizes the need to ensure that competitive integrated 
employment outcomes optimally reflect VR participants' individual 
strengths, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. To 
this end, topic area 2 of this proposed priority would increase the 
effectiveness of VR professionals' vocational evaluation and 
comprehensive assessment practices in identifying and supporting VR 
participants' optimal career and employment goals, postsecondary 
education and training pathways, comprehensive support needs including 
rehabilitation technology, and potential options such as business 
ownership, self-employment, and telework.

Topic Area 3: Preparing VR Participants for High-Quality Employment in 
(STEM) and Advanced Technology Careers, Including AI

    STEM is a promising career field for individuals with disabilities. 
Across all workers, employment in STEM occupations grew by 10.5 percent 
between May 2009 and May 2015, compared to 5.2 percent growth in non-
STEM occupations (Fayer et al., 2017). Currently, STEM occupations 
requiring postsecondary-level scientific or technical knowledge account 
for 6.6 percent of the workforce in 2023 (U.S. Bureau of Labor 
Statistics, 2024). More broadly, considering all educational attainment 
levels and pathways, the National Science Foundation estimates that 
workers in jobs requiring significant STEM-related knowledge account 
for 23 percent of the workforce (National Science Board, National 
Science Foundation, 2024). STEM fields are projected to grow by an 
additional 10.4 percent through 2033, nearly three times the rate of 
non-STEM jobs (with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced 
manufacturing leading the way) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). 
STEM jobs pay substantially more than non-STEM jobs, with median annual 
wages of $95,420 for STEM occupations, compared to $40,120 for non-STEM 
occupations (Krutsch & Roderick, 2022).
    VR agencies are working to prepare VR participants for the 
expanding career potential in emerging STEM-related fields, through 
pre-employment transition services and other initiatives. Of all VR 
participants who achieved competitive integrated employment after 
receiving VR services under an IPE during PYs 2017-2019, 20,420 (5.3 
percent) were employed in STEM fields. Of these participants, 8,348 
(40.9 percent) were youth aged 14-24 (Chun et al., 2023). Examples of 
STEM-related pre-employment transition services, for example, have 
grown significantly since the passage of WIOA in 2014, as evidenced by 
the VR portions of the WIOA State Plans. Topic area 3 would support VR 
professionals' efforts to maximize opportunities for VR participants to 
explore, consider, and pursue careers in STEM and other advanced 
technologies, including AI.

Topic Area 4: Dual Customer Employer Engagement and Service Delivery 
Strategies

    WIOA has fostered the growth of dual customer business engagement 
initiatives that create career exploration, training, and employment 
opportunities for VR participants while meeting employers' need for 
skilled workers. State VR agencies have adopted a variety of business 
engagement models including Progressive Employment, Rapid Engagement, 
Customized Employment, Customized Training, Individualized Placements 
and Supports as well as apprenticeships in partnership with businesses, 
State and local workforce development partners, and community-based 
organizations including CRPs. Topic area 4 would support such business 
engagement trends by improving the capacity of VR counselors and 
specialists to provide optimal dual customer services and training 
outlined in 34 CFR 361.32.

Topic Area 5: Engagement and Service Delivery Strategies for 
Underserved Populations

    Publicly available, individual-level RSA-911 VR participant data 
indicate that disparities exist in VR eligibility determination, 
service provision, and employment outcomes for Black, American Indian/
Alaska Native, and Hispanic individuals with disabilities, and other 
traditionally underserved or underrepresented populations (Shaewitz, 
D.M. & Yin, M., 2021). Innovative practices can also address challenges 
in accessing VR services and outcomes faced by youth in foster care; 
formerly incarcerated adults; veterans; residents of rural, remote, or 
impoverished communities; and individuals with intellectual, 
developmental, emotional, sensory, substance abuse, traumatic head 
injury-related disabilities, among others. Topic area 5 of this 
proposed priority would promote access to VR services, resources, and 
opportunities for these or other underserved or underrepresented 
groups. Applicants may identify an underserved or underrepresented 
group, or combination of populations, and develop an innovative 
training program enabling VR professionals to address their challenges 
through research-based promising practices.

Topic Area 6: Field Initiated

    Finally, to maximize the breadth and impact of this proposed 
priority, topic area 6 would offer applicants the flexibility to 
propose improved methods of training on promising VR counseling, 
engagement, and service delivery strategies and practices on topic 
areas that are either not specified in this priority or a combination 
of two or more topic areas described in this priority, consistent with 
the priority's purpose.
    Applicants may draw from the activities and findings of RSA's WIOA-
related discretionary grant investments, and other Federal, State, and 
non-government activities, to develop innovative training proposals 
under this priority. Beginning in 2015, RSA's VR Technical Assistance 
Centers on Workforce Innovation (WINTAC), Youth (Y-TAC), and Targeted 
Communities (VRTAC-TC) provided intensive, targeted, and universal 
technical assistance and training to State VR agencies in support of 
WIOA purposes and priorities, including youth transition, pre-
employment transition services, employer engagement, apprenticeships, 
labor market analysis, credentialing, and measurable skill gains 
leading to quality competitive integrated employment outcomes. Other 
WIOA-relevant RSA investments during this period included the Career 
Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities demonstration project and 
the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition in partnership 
with the Department's Office of Special Education Programs. These 
initiatives involved evidence-based or emerging practices such as Index 
Plus, Community-Based Participatory Research, Motivational 
Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Integrated Placement and Supports, 
and Integrated Resource Teams. State VR agencies engaged in these 
initiatives reported improvements in VR service delivery and outcomes. 
WINTAC, for example, helped the State VR agency of Alaska increase pre-
employment transition services by 384 percent in three years. VRTAC-TC 
contributed to significant increases in VR applications, eligibility 
determinations, IPE development, service delivery, and competitive 
integrated employment outcomes for 21 priority underserved population 
groups from 24 socioeconomically challenged communities in 12 States, 
relative to the

[[Page 102844]]

same population groups elsewhere in their respective States.
    RSA investments in support of WIOA continued with the Innovative 
Rehabilitation Training grants awarded in 2019 and 2020 as well as the 
VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment and the VR 
Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management, awarded in 2020. 
RSA further invested in innovative approaches related to career 
advancement, transitioning from subminimum wage employment to 
competitive integrated employment, State and local partnerships to 
improve youth transition outcomes, and transformational approaches to 
create 21st Century workforce opportunities for adults and youth with 
disabilities, through Disability Innovation Fund awards in 2021, 2022, 
2023, and 2024.
    Currently, the Innovative Rehabilitation Training program (awarded 
in 2019 and 2020) is providing training to VR professionals and 
students on VR counseling, career assessment, forensic evaluation, pre-
employment transition services, business engagement, business 
ownership, self-employment, and telecommuting, and specialized VR 
services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism 
spectrum disorders. The grants reflect a wide range of curricula (full 
academic courses, certificate program, standalone modules); products 
(research studies, published articles, videos); information delivery 
methods (online or on-site, synchronous or asynchronous, on-demand or 
scheduled); instructional technologies (including advanced technologies 
such as Virtual Reality simulations and role playing); and communities 
of practice (involving VR agency leadership, cross-disciplinary VR 
specialists, stakeholders, and partners). Grantees have established 
strong partnerships with State VR agencies, pertinent national 
associations, and IHEs to develop, evaluate, disseminate, and replicate 
the curricula and recruit training participants.
    This proposed priority represents a natural progression from 
previous RSA investments and the existing Innovative Rehabilitation 
Training program. The priority would promote key elements from WIOA 
including dual customer business engagement services, with a focus on 
contemporary emerging, high-paying careers in STEM, green industries, 
critical infrastructure, and advanced technology fields, including AI.
    Proposed Priority: Innovative Rehabilitation Training on Emerging 
VR Counseling, Engagement, and Service Delivery Strategies Leading to 
Quality Employment in 21st Century Careers for Individuals With 
Disabilities. Projects that propose a new innovative rehabilitation 
training program for rehabilitation personnel on emerging VR 
counseling, engagement, and service delivery best practices or 
strategies in any of six topic areas that provides a 21st century 
understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals 
with disabilities, resulting in more effective delivery of 
rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. The six topic 
areas under this priority are:
    (1) VR Counselor Participant Engagement Practices. Proposed 
projects under this topic area must focus on improving VR counselors' 
knowledge and skills to effectively engage with VR participants through 
the VR continuum from referral and application to the provision of VR 
services under a signed IPE, and through the achievement of an 
employment outcome. This may include, for example, VR counseling 
relationship-building skills training; early and ongoing engagement 
strategies, including pre-employment transition services; benefits 
counseling, financial planning, and VR participant self-advocacy skills 
training; and the development of internal and external partnerships 
with cross-disciplinary VR agency specialists, employers, workforce 
development partners, Client Assistance Programs, and community-based 
organizations, including CRPs and Centers for Independent Living 
(CILs).
    (2) Career Assessment Addressing Emerging Career and Employment 
Trends. Proposed projects under this topic area must focus on 
identifying and supporting VR participants' informed choice and optimal 
career and employment goals, postsecondary education and training, 
credentialing and measurable skills attainment pathways, and 
comprehensive support needs including assistive technology, consistent 
with participants' unique strengths, abilities, capabilities, and 
interests. This may include, for example, providing vocational 
evaluation and comprehensive assessments; facilitating AI-enabled 
individual supports and accommodations, conducting local and national 
labor market analyses; tracking emerging 21st century career trends in 
STEM, advanced technologies, and green industries such as sustainable 
manufacturing and renewable energy; exploring work options such as 
business ownership, self-employment, and telework; and identifying the 
most appropriate training and employment options including 
apprenticeships, customized employment, and career pathways.
    (3) Preparing VR Participants for High-quality Employment in STEM 
and Advanced Technology Careers, including AI. Proposed projects under 
this topic area must focus on maximizing the number of VR participants 
provided the opportunity to explore, consider, and pursue high quality 
careers in STEM and advanced technology careers, including AI, and 
other emerging high-quality fields. This may include, for example, 
early and meaningful exposure to such careers through quality pre-
employment transition services; peer mentorship by persons with 
disabilities in such careers; identification of VR participants whose 
unique strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice align with 
such careers; and partnerships with State and local educational 
agencies, Institutions of Higher Education (IHE), career and technical 
education programs, disability organizations, CRPs, and others to 
provide the appropriate training, education, and support services.
    (4) Dual Customer Employer Engagement and Service Delivery 
Strategies. Proposed projects under this topic area must focus on 
helping VR agency personnel to engage effectively with employers 
through the provision of the services and training outlined in 34 CFR 
361.32, meeting employers' needs for skilled workers while creating 
quality employment and training opportunities for VR participants. This 
may include, for example, strategies for identifying promising dual 
customer employer engagement opportunities; providing training and 
technical assistance to employers regarding the employment of 
individuals with disabilities, including disability awareness, and the 
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other 
employment-related laws; supporting VR agency capacity-building to 
provide quality dual customer services and training to employers; 
conducting outreach to employers, community-based organizations, and 
business associations highlighting VR agency capabilities and 
documented successes; and delivering dual customer service and training 
through the coordinated efforts of cross-disciplinary VR personnel, 
employers, and workforce development system partners.
    (5) Engagement and Service Delivery Strategies for Underserved 
Populations. Proposed projects under this topic area must focus on 
promoting access to VR services, resources, and opportunities

[[Page 102845]]

for current or prospective VR participants from the underserved 
population(s) selected by the applicant. This may include, for example, 
identifying the needs, challenges, opportunities, cultural 
sensitivities, or linguistic requirements of the selected population; 
establishing partnerships with local or national associations, 
community-based organizations including CRPs and CILs, and advocates 
representing the selected population; conducting outreach strategies to 
engage the selected populations throughout the VR process; and 
developing VR policies, procedures, practices, and VR service delivery 
approaches that address the populations' unique needs, challenges, 
cultural sensitivities, or linguistic requirements. Applicants must 
identify the selected underserved population(s), which may include 
disability category, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other 
factors.
    (6) Field-Initiated. Proposed projects under this topic area must 
address an area not specified in this priority, consistent with the 
stated purpose of the priority, or a combination of two or more topic 
areas specified in this priority.
    Note: The numbering of the topic areas does not reflect an 
established hierarchy or preference among the topic areas.
    Types of Priorities:
    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) 
selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of 
comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).

Proposed Project Requirements

    The Department proposes the following project requirements for 
applicants under this priority. Based on ongoing administration of the 
current program, RSA expects that these requirements will promote 
innovation, continuous improvement, and enduring impacts on VR 
professionals and participants beyond the life of the grant. We may 
apply one or more of these requirements in any year in which this 
program is in effect.
    Proposed Project Requirements:
    (a) Establish the empirical basis of the proposed project 
objectives and activities. The applicant must identify the particular 
focus it intends to address within the selected topic area; the key 
knowledge and practice determinants of VR service effectiveness and 
employment outcome quality; and the empirical sources and rationale for 
the identified knowledge and practices, including available research, 
literature reviews, and relevant projects conducted by RSA or other 
Federal or non-government entities. Applicants responding to topic area 
5, Underserved Populations, must also provide supporting data regarding 
their selected population group(s) and identified barriers to VR 
services and employment outcomes.
    (b) Establish a process, including clear and actionable steps as 
well as specific timelines, to continue assessing innovative practices 
and training methods for possible incorporation, especially during the 
initial year of the grant, including stakeholder surveys to identify 
promising practices that the State VR agencies may already be 
implementing.
    (c) Design an innovative, multifaceted VR counselor training plan 
to convey the identified knowledge and practices. The training plan 
must specify the intended participants; proposed curricula, activities, 
and products, including training modules, communities of practice, 
research studies, published articles, or videos; instructional and 
communication technologies, including AI-based methods and tools, if 
applicable; and knowledge translation methods adapted to diverse 
learning styles or ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The training plan 
must address a broad range of VR professionals--decision-makers, 
counselors, cross-disciplinary specialists--and pertinent partners and 
stakeholders, as appropriate.
    (d) Establish an advisory panel of one or more VR agencies and 
other pertinent stakeholders to help develop, implement, and evaluate 
the project. The applicant must describe the panel membership, 
structure, and responsibilities. Panel member responsibilities may 
include identifying key knowledge requirements, best practices, and 
innovative approaches for the training curricula and methods; 
coordinating with other interested parties to disseminate curricula, 
recruit training participants, engaging additional VR agencies and 
stakeholders; and participating in the project's continuous feedback, 
evaluation, and improvement processes.
    (e) Prioritize key stakeholder engagement, partnerships, and 
information-sharing in the innovative training activities, including 
with IHEs and relevant professional associations. The applicant must 
identify the stakeholders to be involved within each of the project's 
particular focus; the purpose and expected benefits of stakeholder 
involvement; anticipated communities of practices to facilitate 
stakeholder involvement; and the innovative or advanced convening or 
communication technologies to be used, as applicable.
    (f) Establish continuous feedback, evaluation, and improvement 
processes, including action steps and clear timelines, to ensure that 
the training curricula and resources are responsive to the needs of the 
current and aspiring VR professionals and stakeholders; meet the 
project scope and objectives; and reflect evolving research, promising 
practices, and innovative training methods during the life of the 
grant.
    (g) Disseminate, replicate, and sustain the innovative training 
curricula and resources. The applicant must post completed training 
curricula and related resources on National Clearinghouse of 
Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) and other appropriate venues 
on an ongoing basis; facilitate replication of training curricula by 
interested VR agencies, IHEs, or other interested parties; sustain and 
maintain the training curriculum beyond the life of the grant; and 
present innovative training curricula, resources, outcomes, and lessons 
learned in at least one national forum during the final year of the 
grant.

References

Chun, J., Zhou, K., Rumrill, S., & Tittelbach, T. (2023). STEM 
career pathways for transition-age youth with disabilities. 
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, v37 n1 p36-48
Dutta, A., Chan, F., Kundu, M.M., Kaya, C., Brooks, J., 
S[aacute]nchez, J., & Tansey, T.N. (2017). Assessing vocational 
rehabilitation engagement of people with disabilities: A factor-
analytic approach. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 60(3), 145-
154. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355215626698
Torres, A., Frain, M., Tansey, T. (2019). The Impact of Motivational 
Interviewing

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Training on Rehabilitation Counselors: Assessing Working Alliance 
and Client Engagement. A Randomized Controlled Trial. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Frep0000267
Fayer, S., Lacey, A., & Watson, A. (2017, January). Science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations: Past, 
present, and future. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2017/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-occupations-past-present-and-future/home.htm
Krutsch, E. & Roderick, V. (2022). U.S. Department of Labor Blog: 
STEM Day: Explore Growing Careers, November, Source: U.S. Bureau of 
Labor Statistics Employment Projections. https://blog.dol.gov/2022/11/04/stem-day-explore-growing-careers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Employment in STEM 
occupations. Projections 2023 to 2033. STEM Occupations Projection 
link (bls.gov)
National Science Board, National Science Foundation. (2024). Science 
and engineering indicators 2024: The state of U.S. science and 
engineering. NSB-2024-3. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20243
Johnson, R.L., Floyd, M., Pilling, D., Boyce, M.J., Grove, B., 
Secker, J., Schneider, J., & Slade, J. (2009). Service users' 
perceptions of the effective ingredients in supported employment. 
Journal of Mental Health, 18(2), 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/
09638230701879151
Southwick, J., & Schultz, J. (2019). Participant engagement in 
public vocational rehabilitation programs: An analysis of counselor 
ratings. The Journal of Rehabilitation, 85(2), 13-22
Shaewitz, D.M. & Yin, M. (2021). Serving all consumers: Identifying 
racial disparities in the vocational rehabilitation system. https://iel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Serving-All-Consumers_Identifying-Racial-Disparities-in-the-Vocational-Rehabilitation_FINAL_508c.pdf.

Final Priority and Requirements

    We will announce the final priorities and requirements in a 
document in the Federal Register. We will determine the final 
priorities and requirements after considering public comments on the 
proposed priority and requirements and other information available to 
the Department. This document does not preclude us from proposing 
additional eligibility criteria, priorities, requirements, definitions, 
and selection criteria subject to meeting applicable rulemaking 
requirements.
    Note: This document does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use one or more of these proposed priorities and 
these requirements, we invite applications through a notice in the 
Federal Register.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) determines whether this regulatory action is ``significant'' and, 
therefore, subject to the requirements of the Executive order and 
subject to review by OMB. Section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094, defines a ``significant regulatory 
action'' as an action likely to result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $200 million or more 
(adjusted every three years by the Administrator of Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for changes in gross domestic 
product); or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector 
of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, 
public health or safety, or State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
governments or communities;
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues for which centralized review 
would meaningfully further the President's priorities, or the 
principles set forth in this Executive order, as specifically 
authorized in a timely manner by the Administrator of OIRA in each 
case.
    This proposed regulatory action is not a significant regulatory 
action subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094.
    We have also reviewed this proposed regulatory action under 
Executive Order 13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the 
principles, structures, and definitions governing regulatory review 
established in Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 
14094. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order 13563 requires 
that an agency--
    (1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination 
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits 
and costs are difficult to quantify);
    (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, 
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into 
account--among other things and to the extent practicable--the costs of 
cumulative regulations;
    (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
    (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather 
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must 
adopt; and
    (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or 
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide 
information that enables the public to make choices.
    Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best 
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future 
benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' OIRA has emphasized 
that these techniques may include ``identifying changing future 
compliance costs that might result from technological innovation or 
anticipated behavioral changes.''
    We are issuing this proposed priority and these proposed 
requirements only on a reasoned determination that their benefits would 
justify their costs. In choosing among alternative regulatory 
approaches, we selected those approaches that would maximize net 
benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the Department believes 
that this regulatory action is consistent with the principles in 
Executive Order 13563.
    We also have determined that this regulatory action would not 
unduly interfere with State, local, and Tribal governments in the 
exercise of their governmental functions.
    In accordance with these Executive Orders, the Department has 
assessed the potential costs and benefits, both quantitative and 
qualitative, of this regulatory action. The potential costs are those 
resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as 
necessary for administering the Department's programs and activities.

Clarity of the Regulations

    Executive Order 12866 and the Presidential memorandum ``Plain 
Language in Government Writing'' require each agency to write 
regulations that are easy to understand.
    The Secretary invites comments on how to make this proposed 
priority and requirements easier to understand, including answers to 
questions such as the following:
     Are the requirements in the proposed priority and 
requirements clearly stated?

[[Page 102847]]

     Do the proposed priority and requirements contain 
technical terms or other wording that interferes with their clarity?
     Does the format of the proposed priority and requirements 
(grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) 
aid or reduce their clarity?
     Would the proposed priority and requirements be easier to 
understand if we divided them into more (but shorter) sections?
     Could the description of the proposed priority and 
requirements in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this preamble 
be more helpful in making the proposed priority and requirements easier 
to understand? If so, how?
     What else could we do to make the proposed priority and 
requirements easier to understand?
    To send any comments about how the Department could make this 
proposed priority and requirements easier to understand, see the 
instructions in the ADDRESSES section.
    Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the 
objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental 
partnership and a strengthened federalism. The Executive order relies 
on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination 
and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
    This document provides early notification of our specific plans and 
actions for this program.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification: The Secretary certifies 
that this proposed priority and these proposed requirements would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Participation in the Innovative Rehabilitation Training 
program is voluntary. In addition, the only eligible entities for this 
program are State agencies or their equivalents under State law, 
Public, Private and Nonprofit Entities, including Indian Tribes and 
Institutions of Higher Education, which do not meet the definition of a 
small entity. We expect that in determining whether to apply for 
Innovative Rehabilitation Training program funds, an eligible entity 
would evaluate the requirements of preparing an application and any 
associated costs and weigh them against the benefits likely to be 
achieved by receiving a program grant. An eligible entity probably 
would apply only if it determines that the likely benefits exceed the 
costs of preparing an application.
    We believe that the proposed priority and requirements would not 
impose any additional burden on a small entity applying for a grant 
than the entity would face in the absence of the proposed action. That 
is, the length of the applications those entities would submit in the 
absence of the proposed regulatory action and the time needed to 
prepare an application would likely be the same.
    This proposed regulatory action would not have a significant 
economic impact on a small entity once it receives a grant because it 
would be able to meet the costs of compliance using the funds provided 
under this program. We invite comments from eligible small entities as 
to whether they believe this proposed regulatory action would have a 
significant economic impact on them and, if so, request evidence to 
support that belief.
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: The proposed priority and 
requirements contain information collection requirements that are 
approved by OMB under OMB control number 1894-0006.
    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will 
provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich 
Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, 
braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible 
format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published 
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in 
the Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Glenna Wright-Gallo,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2024-29996 Filed 12-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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