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Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

Adult Basic Education (Welfare Education Program – WEP)

Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Program

Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS)

Case Services

College Readers Aid Program

Employment Preparation Education (EPE) State Aid

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Independent LivingCenters (ILCs)

​Integrated Employment

Social Security Reimbursement Account

Workers' Compensation Fund

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II - Integrated English Literacy/Civics Education

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II - Section 225 Programs for Incarceratedand Institutionalized Individuals

Adult Basic Education (Welfare Education Program – WEP)

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The State Literacy and Basic Education for Public Assistance Recipients Program, also referred to as the Welfare Education Program (WEP), provides funding for adult education programs for individuals receiving public assistance. Eligible agencies include school districts and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES).

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law §207 & Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2002

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 164.1

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $1.84m

Federal-

Special Revenue-

Total- $1.84m

Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Program

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The State Adult Literacy Education (ALE) Program provides funding for adult education programs for under-educated and disadvantaged adults. Eligible agencies include not-for-profit agencies (e.g., community-based organizations, postsecondary institutions, and literacy volunteer agencies).

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law §207 & Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2002

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $7.79m

Federal-

Special Revenue-

Total- $7.29m

Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS)

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) is authorized under Article 101 of the Education Law and Part 126 of the Commissioner’s Regulations to license, monitor, and regulate private career schools throughout the State. The mission is to ensure consumer protection; to promote increasing educational competence, high standards, accountability, and integrity within the proprietary school sector; and to implement monitoring and oversight with fairness and equity.

BPSS is funded by revenue from school licensing fees and tuition assessments. BPSS licenses and monitors over 500 private career schools, and certified English as a Second Language schools.

BPSS also manages a Tuition Reimbursement Account (TRA) on behalf of the Regents and the Commissioner. This fund is used to offer financial protection to the approximately 200,000 New York State students who attend a licensed proprietary school every year. These schools comprise a private sector industry that collects approximately $300 million in tuition per year.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law Article 101

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 126

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State-

Federal-

Special Revenue- $5.67m

Total- $5.67m

Case Services

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Case Services appropriations for the basic Vocational Rehabilitation Program provide educational and vocational services to individuals whose disabilities impose barriers to employment. The Program provides a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities including evaluation, job training, equipment and technology, counseling and guidance, and placement. The primary goal of the Program is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve gainful employment. When employment is achieved, the investment pays dividends to the State. These earnings form the base for their tax contributions and stimulation of the economy.

The savings to State agencies, the tax contributions and the economic stimulus of these workers' spending recur and grow every year that these people work. Therefore, the return on the initial investment continues over the individual's working life.

Professional vocational rehabilitation counselors across New York State in The Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services’ 15 District Offices and 10 outstations help individuals with disabilities choose careers that are consistent with their individual strengths, priorities, abilities, capabilities, interests, informed choices and that meet current and future job market opportunities.

Purchased case services make up the largest single area within this program. Examples of case services include evaluation; training and related supports at such places as community rehabilitation agencies, boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), trade schools, colleges and universities; transportation; and vehicle modifications. The combination of federal funding (Title I Section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act) and State matching funds supports the entire ACCES-VR program, including vocational counseling, purchased case services, unified contract costs, related administrative costs and indirectly applied charges. Federal funding is formula driven. State case services funding is required in concert with the basic federal award to meet the costs of ACCES’ increasing demand for services.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Rehabilitation Act - Title I

Federal Regulation: 34 CFR 361 Et. Seq.

State Statute: Education Law Sections 1001-1008

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Parts 246 and 247

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $ 54m

Federal- $122m

Special Revenue-

Total- $176 m

College Readers Aid Program

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Eligible students who are deaf, deaf-blind, or blind; are residents of New York State; and are matriculated in a degree-granting program or certificate program located in New York State, may receive a monetary grant for readers, note takers, sign language interpreters, or assistive technology to provide access to information vital to their studies, enabling them to succeed in their academic undertaking

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law Section 4210

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 147

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $0.29m

Federal-

Special Revenue-

Total- $0.29 m

Employment Preparation Education (EPE) State Aid

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Employment Preparation Education (EPE) provides funding to public school districts and boards of cooperative educational services that offer educational programs for adults leading to a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. To be eligible to generate EPE aid, a student must be 21 or over without a diploma issued by any state or territory of the United States.

EPE provides reimbursement for educational services already provided based on the number of contact hours that are generated.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law §§3602 and 207

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 168.1-5

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $96m

Federal-

Special Revenue-

Total- $96m

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The ACCES - oversees the administration of HSE tests (currently the Test Assessing Secondary Completion – TASC™), and the approval of 24 college credits for the issuance of the New York State High School Equivalency Diploma.

The office coordinates HSE test administration throughout New York State and is responsible for the following aspects of HSE testing, including:

  • Approval of official HSE testing centers;
  • Generation of New York State High School Equivalency diplomas and/or transcripts, including archival requests;
  • who administer the HSE tests; and
  • Maintaining (GED® and TASC™) dating back to the 1940’s.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: Education Law §317

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 100.7

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- 4.3m

Federal-

Special Revenue- .99m

Total- $5.29m

Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Independent Living Centers (ILCs) provide individual services and systems change activities aimed at integration, inclusion and independence through 41 site locations across New York State. ILCs are nonresidential programs with services that promote integration of New Yorkers with disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. ILCs also work to increase communication, programmatic and physical access to all services available in the public and private sectors.

ILC operation is based on a self-help model and State law requires that the majority of all ILC boards of directors be comprised of individuals with disabilities. ILCs provide an array of services to enable people with disabilities to make choices based on information that can maximize their independence and self-direction. Core services include: information and referral, peer counseling, individual advocacy, independent living skills development, personal assistance services, employment housing, transportation and related services.

On the systems level, ILCs lead their local communities in implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act and in advocating for individuals living, learning and working in the most integrated settings possible. ILC expertise and services are in high demand and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Two particular populations benefiting from ILC services are youth in transition from school to adult life and individuals seeking support to leave or avoid admission to institutional settings.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Rehabilitation Act - Title VII

Federal Regulation: 34 CFR 367

State Statute: Education Law Sections 1120-1124

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Part 248

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $13.4m

Federal- $ 1m

Special Revenue-

Total- $14.4m

Integrated Employment

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Through the passage of Chapter 515 of the Laws of 1992, integrated employment, including supported employment, is implemented through a collaborative interagency process. This legislation designated Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), now ACCES, as having the primary responsibility for the coordination of program development and administration of integrated employment. ACCES accomplishes this in collaboration with its interagency partners through innovative approaches directly with business, industry and labor and through enhancements in the provision of supported employment services. Collaboration with interagency partners to implement the State's workforce development efforts is also critical.

Integrated Employment – Workforce Development and Marketing

The primary focus of Workforce Development and Marketing is to target specific business sectors, industries, trade associations, and labor unions to accomplish the following:

Enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Provide technical assistance to aid business and industry in recognizing the value of people with disabilities as valued employees and a powerful consumer segment.

Supported Employment

Supported employment (SE) provides job-based training and support services to individuals with the most significant disabilities to enable them to maintain competitive employment in integrated work settings in the community. For administrative and funding purposes, the Program is conceived as having two phases: intensive and extended services. Intensive services assist individuals to become proficient in the performance expectations of an employment setting. Extended services provide individuals with the services and supports needed for the long-term retention of their employment upon completion of their intensive training phase. Funding for extended service requires coordination with the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Rehabilitation Act

Federal Regulation: 34 CFR Parts 361, 363

State Statute: Education Law Section 1004

State Regulation: 8NYCRR Parts 246 and 247

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $15.2m SE Intensive Services

Federal- $1 m SE Intensive and Extended Services

Special Revenue-

Total- $16.2m

Social Security Reimbursement Account

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) assists eligible Social Security beneficiaries by providing them with work preparation, employment placement and counseling services. The Social Security Administration is authorized by law to pay for vocational rehabilitation services for Social Security Income (SSI) recipients who become employed and are no longer eligible for Social Security benefits. ACCES files claims to receive reimbursement for each individual’s rehabilitation services.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Federal Social Security Act

Federal Regulation:

State Statute:

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State-

Federal- $2m

Special Revenue-

Total- $2m

Workers’ Compensation Fund

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) assists eligible injured workers by providing them with work preparation, employment placement and counseling services. The State Education Department is authorized under the Worker’s Compensation Law to receive funding for such injured workers.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute:

Federal Regulation:

State Statute: State Finance Law § 97-LLL; Worker’s Compensation Law §15(9)

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State- $0.69m

Federal-

Special Revenue-

Total- $0.69m

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

The federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) funds, authorized by the Workforce Investment Act, are allocated in accordance with the Coordinated Education Plan which is updated annually and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. Eligible agencies include school districts, boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), postsecondary institutions, public libraries, and other not-for-profit agencies. This Act provides adult education and family literacy services to:

Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.

Assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children.

Assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education.

Assist immigrants and other limited English proficient populations to receive English literacy and civics education instruction.

WIOA Title II funds support Adult Basic Education and Literacy Services including Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE) and/or English Language Acquisition (ELA) programs and Integrated Education and Training. Funding is allocated to local workforce development board areas (LWDB) based on the area’s percentage of the State’s adult populations who are under-educated and lack a high school diploma or equivalency and the area’s percentage of the State’s adult population who speak English “less than very well”, and populations reported as in poverty according to the U.S. Census’ 2010 American Community Survey.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Workforce Investment Act, Public Law 105-220, Title II

Federal Regulation: 20 CFR Part 652 and Parts 660-671

State Statute:

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State-

Federal- $32m

Special Revenue-

Total- $32m

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II - Integrated English Literacy/Civics Education

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) means education services provided to English language learners who are adults, including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, that enables such adults to achieve competency in the English language and acquire the basic and more advances skills need to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the United States. Such services shall include instruction in literacy and English language acquisition and instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation and must include workforce training.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Workforce Investment Act, PL 105-220, Title II

Federal Regulation: 20 CFR Parts 652 and Parts 660 through 671

State Statute:

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State-

Federal- $9.9m

Special Revenue-

Total- $9.9m

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Title II - Section 225 Programs for Incarcerated and Institutionalized Individuals

Website Content Area: 
Budget Coordination
Book Type: 
Guide
Paragraphs: 

DESCRIPTION:

Section 225 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides funds to assist incarcerated and institutionalized individuals to meet the performance goals of WIA. Much of the effort goes to helping these individuals transition back into society so as to reduce recidivism. The Programs are available in all county and municipal jails and correction centers.

AUTHORITY:

Federal Statute: Workforce Investment Act, Public Law 105-220, Title II

Federal Regulation: 20 CFR Parts 652 and Parts 660-671

State Statute:

State Regulation:

FUNDING SOURCE(S):

State-

Federal- $2.96m

Special Revenue-

Total- $2.96m