Section 682.7 - Establishment and administration of office(a) General rule.--There is established within the Department of Labor and Industry the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Except as otherwise provided by State or Federal law, the office, acting under the policies of the board, shall provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities determined to be eligible therefor. In carrying out the purposes of this act, the office shall, among other things: (1) Cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein and in establishing, developing and providing, in conformity with the purposes of this act, such programs, facilities and services as may be necessary or desirable.(2) Enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to provide for the vocational rehabilitation of residents of the states concerned.(3) Conduct research and compile statistics relating to the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.(4) Administer the expenditure of funds made available by the Federal Government, by the Commonwealth and by other sources, or by any combination of funds thereof, for vocational rehabilitation.(5) Regularly assess, on a comprehensive Statewide basis, the number, condition, location, rehabilitation needs and such other factors deemed appropriate, of persons with disabilities, including those with severe disabilities, within the Commonwealth.(6) Administer the laws of this Commonwealth providing for vocational rehabilitation.(7) Administer the Hiram G. Andrews Center at Johnstown.(8) Monitor and conduct evaluations of the programs carried out under this act.(9) Appoint such advisory committees, task forces and study groups as may be necessary to expand and improve services to individuals with disabilities, including those with the most severe disabilities.(10) Annually publish summaries of the results of the evaluation of program impact and effectiveness, including standards that are employed, the full content of which shall be available to the General Assembly and the public.(b) Executive director.--The office shall be headed by an executive director appointed by the secretary with the advice and concurrence of the board. In the performance of the functions of this office and the administration of the office, the executive director shall be directly responsible to the secretary and to the board. The functions of the executive director shall not be delegated to any officer not directly responsible, both with respect to program operation and administration, to the executive director. Any reference in this act to duties to be carried out by the executive director shall be considered to be a reference to duties to be carried out by the secretary acting through the executive director.(c) Vocational Rehabilitation Fund.--Moneys for vocational rehabilitation received from the Federal Government, the Commonwealth and other sources shall be paid into a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Vocational Rehabilitation Fund and shall be subject to requisition by the executive director through the secretary. The secretary shall take whatever action is necessary to insure that such moneys are expended only for programs, personnel and administration of programs carried out under this act.(d) Hiram G. Andrews Center Fund.--Moneys received arising from fees for services rendered by the Hiram G. Andrews Center at Johnstown, or from other income received by the center, shall be paid into a special nonlapsing fund in the State Treasury to be called the Hiram G. Andrews Center Fund and shall be subject to requisition by the executive director through the secretary. The secretary shall take whatever action is necessary to insure that such moneys are expended only for programs, personnel and administration of programs carried out under this act by the Hiram G. Andrews Center at Johnstown.(e) Employees of the Department of Labor and Industry.--Under the direction of the board, the office shall be administered by the executive director and supervised by the secretary, and all persons employed in administering the laws relating to vocational rehabilitation on the effective date of this act shall become employees of the Department of Labor and Industry.(f) Duties of secretary.--The secretary shall take such action as is necessary to ensure that:(1) The staffing of the office is sufficient to meet program needs and is at a level which will attract and maintain the most qualified personnel.(2) The staff includes individuals who have training and experience in the provision of rehabilitation services and the competency of the staff meets professional standards.1988, Dec. 20, P.L. 1306, No. 167, § 7, imd. effective.