Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Responsibilities Not Fulfilled by Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission; Program Performance Declines

Report 02-06, January 2002




Report Summary

  • Administrative costs are estimated to have increased since the Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission has been established, due to higher indirect costs assessed by the Department of Education.
  • The commission has not effectively planned or implemented its efforts to privatize program services. It has provided large start-up grants to new providers with little documentation, and it has not developed adequate oversight mechanisms. As a result, program costs have substantially increased while program outcomes have declined. The federal government has expressed concerns about the commission's privatization efforts, and it has classified the state as a high-risk grantee, which could jeopardize up to $100 million in federal funds.
  • We believe that it would not be sound public policy to continue the commission in its present form, and recommend that the commission be eliminated and the Department of Education be given primary responsibility for managing the vocational rehabilitation program.


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    Report 03-51 September 2003
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
education, school districts, best financial management practice, performance reviews, schools, school districts, occupational access and opportunity commission, OAOC, vocational rehabilitation, VR, disability, employment, privatization