Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 2.djvu/309

 PUBLIC LAW 105-220—AUG. 7, 1998 112 STAT. 1193 "(x) The demonstration of the effectiveness of early intervention activities in improving employment outcomes. " (xi) Alternative methods of providing affordable transportation services to individuals with disabilities who are employed, seeking employment, or receiving vocational rehabilitation services from public or private organizations and who reside in geographic areas in which public transportation or paratransit service is not available. "(6) USE OF FUNDS FOR CONTINUATION AWARDS. —The Commissioner may use funds made available to carry out this section for continuation awards for projects that were funded under sections 12 and 311 (as such sections were in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998). "(c) PARENT INFORMATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.— "(1) GRANTS.—The Commissioner is authorized to make grants to private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of establishing programs to provide training and information to enable individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives of the individuals to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the vocational, independent living, and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. Such grants shall be designed to meet the unique training and information needs of the individuals described in the preceding sentence, who live in the area to be served, particularly those who are members of populations that have been unserved or underserved by programs under this Act. "(2) USE OF GRANTS.—An organization that receives a grant to establish training and information programs under this subsection shall use the grant to assist individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals— "(A) to better understand vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs and services; "(B) to provide followup support for transition and employment programs; "(C) to communicate more effectively with transition and rehabilitation personnel and other relevant professionals; J "(D) to provide support in the development of the individualized plan for employment; "(E) to provide support and expertise in obtaining information about rehabilitation and independent living programs, services, and resources that are appropriate; and "(F) to understand the provisions of this Act, particularly provisions relating to employment, supported employ- ment, and independent living. "(3) AWARD OF GRANTS. —The Commissioner shall ensure that grants under this subsection— "(A) shall be distributed geographically to the greatest extent possible throughout all States; and "(B) shall be targeted to individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates,

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