For A Decade, Florida Has Refused To Comply With Federal Law
and, if you have a disability, it's your civil rights that are being violated.
Damn.
The Florida Department of Education oversees almost two hundred million ($200M) in state and federal funds to administer Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services. I’ve written extensively about VR but, in a nutshell, it’s a four billion ($4B) dollar federal program with the sole purpose of helping people who have a disability find and keep employment. After pressure from the disability community, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was originally signed by President Richard Nixon. It’s been amended a bunch of times including 2014 when Governor Ron DeSantis was a Congressman and voted in favor.
To Be Clear, Florida Sucks At This
In 2010, the US Department of Education sent a team of monitors to audit Florida’s compliance with federal law, which is their job given that Congress sends about $3.00 for every $1.00 a state kicks in.
In 2010, the US Department of Education found that the Florida Department of Education, under the leadership of Commissioner Eric Smith and Governor Charlie Crist, was deficient in several areas including -
Management of Order of Selection (OOS) was inadequate.
Transition-age youth performance was low.
Limited access to services for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Quality Assurance activities weren't coordinated.
On-the-Job Training (OJT) program faced resistance.
High staff turnover.
Third-Party Cooperative Arrangements were non-compliant.
Fiscal management issues.
It Got Worse
In 2017, under Governor Rick Scott and Commissioner Pam Stewart, the US Department of Education found -
Inaccurate data reporting.
Untimely eligibility determinations.
Late Individual Employment Plans (IEPs).
Noncompliance with cost allocation and prior approval requirements.
Deficient contracting.
Weak employment outcomes.
But, Wait, There’s More
In 2024, the federal government paid Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner Manny Diaz a visit. They found -
High staffing vacancy rate.
Inaccurate data reporting.
Outdated policies and internal controls.
Limited counselor autonomy.
Limited services.
Noncompliance with Order of Selection.
Insufficient accounting of expenditures and excessive cash drawdowns.
Inadequate contract administration.
Noncompliance with Pre-Employment Transition Services.
In Other Words
Florida just refuses to comply with federal guidelines: compliance issues are a consistent theme across all three reports caused by noncompliant policies.
The Florida Department of Education sucks at data: data inaccuracy is has been going on for almost a decade.
The Florida Department of Education sucks at administering VR: from internal operations (financial controls, personnel costs, counselor autonomy, contract management) to service delivery, FLDOE can not figure out how to administer its largest division.
The Florida Department of Education sucks at accounting for taxpayer dollars: Fiscal management (cost allocation, expenditure tracking, and reporting) has been going on for almost a decade.
Legislative Oversight
It is time for legislators to start asking questions but they will only do that if you get loud.
If your kid has a disability or if you love a disabled Vet or if you are a caretaker or if you have a disability and need help with work or school, call Commissioner Manny Diaz or Governor Ron DeSantis to demand answers.
Commissioner Manny Diaz: 850-245-0505
Governor Ron DeSantis: 850-717-9210
Or maybe just email the USDOE Rehabilitation Services Administration and ask why they bother to send money to Florida at all?
Deputy Secretary Carol Dobak: Carol.Dobak@ed.gov