The department may issue vocational rehabilitation regulations, and the director and division may work with other agencies and contractors to deliver services.
The department is authorized to adopt and promulgate regulations with respect to methods of administration, use of medical and other records of individuals who have been provided vocational rehabilitation services and the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards, including provisions relating to the tenure, appointment and qualifications of personnel, which shall govern with respect to such matters notwithstanding any other law; however, such activities must conform with applicable rules and regulations of the department of human resources. The department is also authorized and directed to adopt and promulgate regulations respecting: The establishment and maintenance of minimum standards governing the facilities and personnel utilized in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services; and The order to be followed in selecting those to whom vocational rehabilitation services are to be provided in situations where such services cannot be provided to all eligible physically handicapped people. Pursuant to the general policies of the department, the director and the division are authorized to: Cooperate with and utilize services of the state agency or agencies administering the state's public assistance program, the federal social security administration, United States department of health and human services and other federal, state and local public agencies providing services relating to vocational rehabilitation and with the state system of public employment offices in this state, and shall make maximum feasible utilization of the job placement and employment counseling services and other services and facilities of such offices; Cooperate with political subdivisions and other public and nonprofit organizations and agencies in their establishment of rehabilitation facilities and, to the extent feasible in providing vocational rehabilitation services, shall utilize all such facilities meeting the standards established by the board; Enter into contractual arrangements with the federal social security administration with respect to certifications of disability and performance of other services and with other authorized public agencies for performance of services related to vocational rehabilitation for such agencies; and Contract with schools, hospitals and other agencies, and with doctors, nurses, technicians and other persons, for training, physical restoration, transportation and other vocational rehabilitation services. The department shall administer and expend annual appropriations of state funds for vocational rehabilitation, in accordance with a state plan for vocational rehabilitation, approved by the social and rehabilitation services of the United States department of health and human services.