413.615 Florida Endowment for Vocational Rehabilitation.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Endowment for Vocational Rehabilitation Act.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Board” means the board of directors of the Florida Endowment Foundation for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education.
(b) “Endowment fund” means an account established within the Florida Endowment Foundation for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education to provide a continuing and growing source of revenue for vocational rehabilitation efforts.
(c) “Foundation” means the Florida Endowment Foundation for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education.
(d) “Operating account” means an account established under paragraph (4)(c) to carry out the purposes provided in subsection (10).
(3) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature recognizes that it is in the best interest of the citizens of this state that citizens with disabilities be afforded a fair opportunity to become self-supporting, productive members of society. However, there is a critical need for significant additional funding to achieve this goal. Accordingly, the Legislature further finds and declares that:
(a) With skilled evaluation procedures and proper rehabilitative treatment, plus employment, training, and supportive services consistent with the needs of the individual, persons who are disabled can assume the activities of daily living and join their communities with dignity and independence.
(b) The purpose of this section is to broaden the participation and funding potential for further significant support for the vocational rehabilitation of Florida citizens who are disabled.
(c) It is appropriate to encourage individual and corporate support and involvement, as well as state support and involvement, to promote employment opportunities for disabled citizens.
(4) REVENUE FOR THE ENDOWMENT FUND.—
(a) The endowment fund of the Florida Endowment for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education is created as a long-term, stable, and growing source of revenue to be administered, in accordance with rules promulgated by the division, by the foundation as a direct-support organization of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education.
(b) The principal of the endowment fund shall derive from any legislative appropriations which may be made to the endowment, and such bequests, gifts, grants, and donations as may be solicited for such purpose by the foundation from public or private sources.
(c) The board of directors of the foundation shall establish the operating account and shall deposit therein the moneys transmitted. Moneys in the operating account shall be available to carry out the purposes of subsection (10).
(d) Funds received from state sources shall be accounted for separately from bequests, gifts, grants, and donations which may be solicited for such purposes by the foundation from public or private sources. Earnings on funds received from state sources and funds received from public or private sources shall be accounted for separately.
(5) THE FLORIDA ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.—The Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation is hereby created as a direct-support organization of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education, to encourage public and private support to enhance vocational rehabilitation and employment of citizens who are disabled. As a direct-support organization, the foundation shall operate under contract with the division and shall:
(a) Be a Florida corporation not for profit incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
(b) Be organized and operated exclusively to raise funds; to submit requests and receive grants from the Federal Government, the state, private foundations, and individuals; to receive, hold, and administer property; and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of the rehabilitation programs approved by the board of directors of the foundation.
(c) Be approved by the division to be operating for the benefit and best interest of the state.
(6) DIRECT-SUPPORT ORGANIZATION CONTRACT.—The contract between the foundation and the division shall provide for:
(a) Approval of the articles of incorporation of the foundation by the division.
(b) Governance of the foundation by a board of directors appointed by the Governor.
(c) Submission of an annual budget of the foundation for approval by the division. The division may not approve an annual budget that does not comply with paragraph (9)(j).
(d) Approval by the division, after an annual financial and performance review, that the foundation is operating in compliance with the terms of the contract and the rules of the division, and in a manner consistent with the goals of the Legislature in providing assistance to disabled citizens.
(e) The release and conditions of the expenditure of any state revenues.
(f) The orderly cessation of operations and reversion to the state of funds held in trust by the foundation if the contract is terminated, the foundation is dissolved, or this section is repealed.
(g) The fiscal year of the foundation, to begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of each year.
(7) CONFIDENTIALITY.—
(a) The identity of a donor or prospective donor to the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Portions of meetings of the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation during which the identity of donors or prospective donors is discussed are exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) Records relating to clients of or applicants to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that come into the possession of the foundation and that are confidential by other provisions of law are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, and may not be released by the foundation. Portions of meetings of the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation during which the identities of such clients of or applicants to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are discussed are exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011 and s. 24(b), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(8) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The foundation shall be administered by a board of directors, as follows:
(a) Membership.—The board of directors shall consist of the director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education, or his or her designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member, and nine other members who have an interest in service to persons with disabilities and who:
1. Have skills in foundation work or other fundraising activities, financial consulting, or investment banking or other related experience; or
2. Have experience in policymaking or management-level positions or have otherwise distinguished themselves in the field of business, industry, or rehabilitation.
Disabled individuals who meet the above criteria shall be given special consideration for appointment.
(b) Appointment.—The board members shall be appointed by the Governor.
(c) Terms.—Board members shall serve for two 3-year terms or until resignation or removal for cause. A board member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
(d) Filling of vacancies.—In the event of a vacancy on the board caused by other than the expiration of a term, a new member shall be appointed.
(e) Removal for cause.—Each member is accountable to the Governor for the proper performance of the duties of office. The Governor may remove any member from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties or for pleading nolo contendere to, or being found guilty of, a crime.
(9) ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES.—Within the limits prescribed in this section or by rule of the division:
(a) Upon appointment, the board shall meet and organize. Thereafter, the board shall hold such meetings as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section and shall conduct its business in accordance with rules promulgated by the division.
(b) The board may solicit and receive bequests, gifts, grants, donations, goods, and services. Where gifts are restricted as to purpose, they may be used only for the purpose or purposes stated by the donor. The board may transmit monetary gifts to the State Board of Administration for deposit in the endowment fund principal.
(c) The board may enter into contracts with the Federal Government, state or local agencies, private entities, or individuals to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The board may identify, initiate, and fund new and creative programs to carry out the purposes of this section, utilizing existing organizations, associations, and agencies to carry out such rehabilitation programs and purposes wherever possible.
(e) The board may make gifts or grants:
1. To the State of Florida or any political subdivision thereof, or any public agency of state or local government.
2. To a corporation, trust, association, or foundation organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes.
3. To any citizen who has a documented disability.
4. To the division for purposes of program recognition and marketing, public relations and education, professional development, and technical assistance and workshops for grant applicants and recipients, the business community, and individuals with disabilities or recognized groups organized on their behalf.
(f) The board may advertise and solicit applications for funding and shall evaluate applications and program proposals submitted thereto. Funding shall be awarded only where the evaluation is positive and the proposal meets both the guidelines for use established in subsection (10) and such evaluation criteria as the division may prescribe by rule.
(g) The board shall monitor, review, and annually evaluate funded programs to determine whether funding should be continued, terminated, reduced, or increased.
(h) The board shall establish an operating account as provided in paragraph (4)(c).
(i) The board may take such additional actions, including the hiring of necessary staff, as are deemed necessary and appropriate to administer this section, subject to rules of the division.
(j) Administrative costs shall be kept to the minimum amount necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the foundation and are limited to 15 percent of total actual expenditures in any fiscal year. Administrative costs include audits, salaries or other costs for nonofficers and contractors providing services that are not directly related to the mission of the foundation as described in subsection (5), costs of promoting the purposes of the foundation, all travel and per diem expenses of board members, officers’ salaries, and chief executive officer program management, and other allowable costs. Administrative costs may be paid from the following sources:
1. Private sources and up to 25 percent of interest and earnings on the endowment principal for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
2. Solely private sources for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and thereafter.
(k) The foundation shall publish on its website:
1. The annual audit required by subsection (11) and the annual report required by subsection (12).
2. For each position filled by an officer or employee, the position’s compensation level.
3. A copy of each contract into which the foundation enters.
4. Information on each program, gift, or grant funded by the foundation, including:
a. Projected economic benefits at the time of the initial award date.
b. Information describing the program, gift, or grant funded.
c. The geographic area impacted.
d. Any matching, in-kind support or other support.
e. The expected duration.
f. Evaluation criteria.
5. The foundation’s contract with the division required by subsection (6).
(10) DISTRIBUTION OF MONEYS.—The board shall use the moneys in the operating account, by whatever means, to provide for:
(a)1. Planning, research, and policy development for issues related to the employment and training of disabled citizens, and publication and dissemination of such information as may serve the objectives of this section.
2. Research on the systems in the state which provide services to persons with disabilities, including autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The board shall submit to the Legislature a report by December 1, 2023. The report must:
a. Identify the current systems for service delivery to persons with disabilities, including operations, services, coordination activities, and structures.
b. Identify barriers and obstacles in transportation for persons with disabilities living in the home or receiving community-based services for jobs, medical appointments, and peer-to-peer groups.
c. Identify workforce issues related to direct-support professionals, behavioral or mental health specialists, health care practitioners, and other individuals who assist with the provision of services to persons with disabilities.
d. Examine the best practices for uniform and efficient service delivery and the coordination of and transition among systems, including transitioning out of high school.
e. Examine federal and state law and rules that impact or limit supports or services for persons with disabilities.
f. Identify systemwide incongruence and inefficiencies in service delivery.
g. Identify opportunities for job coaching and community participation supports, including those opportunities for individuals who cannot, or choose not to, enter the community because of underlying issues.
(b) Promotion of initiatives for disabled citizens.
(c) Funding of programs which engage in, contract for, foster, finance, or aid in job training and counseling for disabled citizens or research, education, demonstration, or other activities related thereto.
(d) Funding of programs which engage in, contract for, foster, finance, or aid in activities designed to advance better public understanding and appreciation of the field of vocational rehabilitation.
(e) Funding of programs, property, or facilities which aid, strengthen, and extend in any proper and useful manner the objectives, work, services, and physical facilities of the division, in accordance with the purposes of this section.
Any allocation of funds for research, advertising, or consulting shall be subject to a competitive solicitation process. State funds may not be used to fund events for private sector donors or potential donors or to honor supporters.
(11) ANNUAL AUDIT.—The board shall provide for an annual financial audit of the foundation in accordance with s. 215.981. The identities of donors and prospective donors who desire to remain anonymous shall be protected, and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report.
(12) ANNUAL REPORT.—The board shall issue a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Commissioner of Education by December 30 each year summarizing the performance of the endowment fund for the previous fiscal year, summarizing the foundation’s fundraising activities and performance, and detailing those activities and programs supported by the endowment principal or earnings on the endowment principal and those activities and programs supported by private sources, bequests, gifts, grants, donations, and other valued goods and services received. The report shall also include:
(a) Financial data, by service type, including expenditures for administration and the provision of services.
(b) The amount of funds spent on administrative expenses and fundraising and the amount of funds raised from private sources.
(c) Outcome data, including the number of individuals served and employment outcomes.
(13) RULES.—The division shall promulgate rules for the implementation of this section.
(14) REPEAL.—This section is repealed October 1, 2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.
History.—s. 9, ch. 90-330; s. 5, ch. 91-200; s. 1, ch. 94-150; s. 39, ch. 94-324; s. 1, ch. 95-128; s. 266, ch. 96-406; s. 71, ch. 96-418; s. 4, ch. 2000-122; s. 116, ch. 2001-266; s. 32, ch. 2002-22; s. 2, ch. 2011-118; s. 19, ch. 2014-96; s. 7, ch. 2017-75; s. 12, ch. 2019-93; s. 8, ch. 2020-85; s. 5, ch. 2023-81.
