1.1 Legal Basis

The Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program is based on and is primarily funded through the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. The policies adopted by DVR and reflected in the Service Delivery Policy Manual are based on the law, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, (codified in US Code in 29 USC § 701, et seq.) and the subsequent regulations published on August 19, 2016 in the Federal Register as 34 CFR 361. Federal laws, rules, and regulations take precedence over less restrictive state statutes and the application of state policies.

In Colorado, the Department of Labor and Employment is the sole designated state agency.

The Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is the designated state unit responsible for administering the Vocational Rehabilitation Services portion of the Combined State Plan. Determinations of eligibility, approval of the nature and scope of planned vocational rehabilitation services, and authorizing expenditures of vocational rehabilitation funds for the provision of available goods and services, including supported employment services, are made by DVR and are not delegated to any other agency or person.