Federal Programs

Quick Links

U.S. Department of Education

The Department of Education was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. Its original directive remains its mission today - to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. ED's 4,500 employees and $71.5 billion budget are dedicated to:

Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds.
Collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research.
Focusing national attention on key educational issues.
Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting President Bush's No Child Left Behind agenda and the New Freedom Initiative, OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All of our programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.

Learn more about TBI-related NIDRR programs.
[Word 40KB]

Office of Special Education Programs

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

Click here to order a copy of our latest "Guide to State Government Brain Injury Policies, Funding and Services" to learn more about TBI-related OSEP programs and other State systems components.

Rehabilitation Services Administration

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services.

RSA's major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to individuals with significant disabilities.

Regional Head Injury Centers

Based in part on the recommendations of the Federal Interagency Head Injury Task Force, Congress appropriated funds in 1989 to the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration to establish four Regional Brain Injury Centers: Southwest, Midwest, Rocky Mountain, and Comprehensive. In 1992 additional funding established two new centers: Southeastern and Ohio Valley. The RSA Regional Brain Injury Centers conducted research and activities in the areas of prevention, rehabilitation interventions, consumer advocacy, funding, substance abuse, employment, and other issues. Articles describing the projects, activities and projects developed appear in American Rehabilitation, Vol. 19, No 2, Summer 1993.

Click here to order a copy of our latest "Guide to State Government Brain Injury Policies, Funding and Services" to learn more about TBI-related RSA programs and other State systems components.