§ 1-95 — Transition program grants

(a) The Department of Human Services shall establish a Section 14(c) transition program to award transition grants to eligible community agencies with active or pending Section 14(c) certificates to aid in the transition away from subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. The goal of Section 14(c) transition program grants is to develop new opportunities and programs and grow capacity to respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities in their geographic area, including, but not limited to, supported employment, customized employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and diverse day programs that support meaningful days, choice, and community integration. (b) Eligibility for Section 14(c) transition program grants shall be contingent upon community agencies submitting a transition plan. The Department shall provide example plans that community agencies may adapt. By January 1, 2025, the transition program grant funds shall be awarded in compliance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. (c) Grants shall be made by the Department to eligible holders of Section 14(c) certificates, consistent with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, to assist workers with disabilities who are working for subminimum wages to transition to competitive integrated employment and to support eligible Section 14(c) certificate holders. Grant funding shall be used to: (1) provide competitive integrated employment; (2) assist individuals with disabilities who were employed at subminimum wages to find and retain competitive integrated employment; or (3) provide integrated community participation and wraparound services for individuals with disabilities who were employed at subminimum wages. (d) Beginning on January 1, 2026, the Department of Human Services shall provide an annual status report to the Governor and the General Assembly, incorporating data from each grant recipient, to demonstrate progress toward identified benchmarks.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-1060, eff. 1-21-25.)