§1804 Vocational Training and Rehabilitation

Summary

The Secretary may provide vocational training to a child of a Vietnam veteran who has spina bifida if the Secretary finds the child can reasonably reach a vocational goal. The training plan must be made with the child, written down, and ready before the program starts. The program includes job-focused services such as placement help, follow-up after placement, and personal and work adjustment training. It can include college-level education only if the program is mainly vocational. The program cannot pay loans, a living allowance, or pay for adaptive car equipment. Training normally lasts up to 24 months. The Secretary can extend it up to 24 more months if needed to meet a vocational goal that was written down before the first 24 months end. Training can begin on the child’s 18th birthday or when the child finishes high school, whichever comes first; it may start earlier if the child is past the State’s compulsory school age and the Secretary agrees. A child cannot get these training benefits and chapter 35 benefits at the same time and must choose one. The total time a child may get aid under both programs cannot exceed 48 months (or the part-time equivalent).