The Rehabilitation Council of Texas (RCT) shall:

(1) review, analyze, and advise the Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) about its performance of responsibilities, particularly those relating to: (A) eligibility determination (including order of selection); (B) the extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and (C) functions performed by VRD that potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities to achieve rehabilitation goals and objectives;

(2) advise VRD and, at its discretion, help prepare the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services; amendments to the plan; and applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required;

(3) to the extent feasible, review and analyze the effectiveness of, and customer satisfaction with: (A) the functions performed by state agencies and other public and private entities responsible for performing functions for individuals with disabilities; and (B) vocational rehabilitation services: (i) provided, or paid for from funds made available, under 29 United States Code (USC) §725, or through other public or private sources; and (ii) provided by state agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; and (C) the employment outcomes achieved by individuals who receive services under 29 USC §725, including the availability of health and other employment benefits in connection with those employment outcomes;

(4) coordinate with other councils in the state, including the State Independent Living Council established under 29 USC §796d; the advisory panel established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC §1412(a)(21); the State Council on Developmental Disabilities described in 42 USC §15025; the State Mental Health Planning Council established under 42 USC §300x-3(a); and the state workforce investment board;

(5) advise VRD and coordinate working relationships between VRD and the State Independent Living Council and centers for independent living within the state; and

(6) perform other comparable functions consistent with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, that the RCT determines to be appropriate.

Source Note: The provisions of this §850.33 adopted to be effective March 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 1706; duplicated effective September 1, 2016, as published in the Texas Register September 2, 2016, 41 TexReg 6773; amended to be effective May 13, 2019, 44 TexReg 2364; amended to be effective December 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 8738