Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Iowa Department of Education, was awarded more than $13.8 million through a competitive grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Education. The grant funding will expand opportunities for Iowans with the most significant disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment opportunities that lead to economic security, according to a news release. Iowa is one of 14 states that were awarded five-year Disability Innovation Fund – Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grants totaling $177 million. Subminimum wage is allowed in limited circumstances when approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, the news release stated. This grant will give individuals with disabilities working in subminimum wage positions access to new resources and tools as well as provide coordination between service providers. The grant will also increase the resources available during early high school for youths with disabilities and support programs that can serve as a model others can use to facilitate access to competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities. More information about the program and grant awardees is available on the Rehabilitation Services Administration website.