The agency shall provide the vocational rehabilitation services authorized by this chapter to every physically handicapped individual determined by the commissioner to be eligible therefor, as defined by Section 43-31-30, item (10), and in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the agency is authorized, among other things:

1. (1) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing the services authorized by this chapter to disabled individuals, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, developing and providing in conformity with the purposes of this chapter, such programs, facilities and services as may be necessary or desirable;
2. (2) To enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to provide for the services authorized by this chapter to residents of the states concerned;
3. (3) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the provision of services to or the need of services by disabled individuals;
4. (4) To enter into contractual arrangements with the Federal Government and with other authorized public agencies or persons for performance of services related to vocational rehabilitation;
5. (5) To contract with schools, hospitals, and other agencies, and with doctors, optometrists, nurses, technicians and other persons, for training, physical restoration, transportation, and other vocational rehabilitation services;

6. (6) To take such action as may be necessary to enable the agency to apply for, accept and receive for the State and its residents the full benefits available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of Congress and any amendments thereto, and under any other Federal legislation or program having as its purpose the providing of, improvement or extension of, vocational rehabilitation services.

   The agency shall not assume responsibility for permanent custodial care of any individual and shall provide rehabilitation services only for a period long enough to accomplish the rehabilitation objective or to determine that rehabilitation is not feasible through the services which can be made available to the individual being served.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 71-276; 1957 (50) 114; 1961 (52) 255; 1971 (57) 752.