client assistance

client assistance Sec. 112. (a) From funds appropriated under section 304 for special projects and demonstrations in excess of an amount equal to the amount obligated for expenditure for carrying out such projects and demonstrations from appropriations under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, the Secretary shall set aside up to $1,500,000, but no less than $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and up to $2,500,000 but no less than $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to establish in no less than 7 87 Stat. 372nor more than 20 geographically dispersed regions client assistance pilot projects (hereinafter in this section referred to as “projects”) to provide counselors to inform and advise ail clients and client applicants in the project area of all available benefits under this Act and, upon request of such client or client, applicant, to assist such clients or applicants in their relationships with projects, programs, and facilities providing services to them under this Act. (b) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which shall include the following requirements: (1) No employees of such projects shall be presently serving as staff or consultants or receiving benefits of any kind directly or indirectly from any rehabilitation project, program, or facility receiving assistance under this Act in the project area. (2) Each project shall be afforded reasonable access to policymaking and administrative personnel in State and local rehabilitation programs, projects, and facilities. (3) The project shall submit an annual report, through the State agency designated pursuant to section 101, to the Secretary on the operation of the project during the previous year, including a summary of the work done and a uniform statistical tabulation of all cases handled by such project. A copy of each such report shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the Congress by the Secretary, together with a summary of such reports and his evaluation of such projects, including appropriate recommendations. (4) Each State agency may enter into cooperative arrangements with institutions of higher education to secure the services in such projects of graduate students who are undergoing clinical training activities in related fields. No compensation with funds appropriated under this Act shall be provided to such students. (5) Reasonable assurance shall be given by the appropriate State agency that all clients or client applicants within the project area shall have the opportunity to receive adequate service under the project and shall not be pressured against or otherwise discouraged from availing themselves of the services available under such project. (6) The project shall be funded, administered, and operated directly by and with the concurrence of the State agency designated pursuant to section 101.