The Division of Workforce Services, through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, is empowered and directed to:
(1)
(A) Cooperate with any other division of the Department of Commerce in an effort to rehabilitate those individuals with a disability who are applicants for or recipients of public assistance.
(B) In this respect, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the employment and self-maintenance of adults with a disability shall be encouraged to the maximum extent.
(C) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and any other division of the department shall take all necessary steps to implement the intent of this section, including the joint development of plans for orderly referral and processing of feasible cases with priority being given to those for whom rehabilitation is determined most feasible;
(2) Cooperate with the United States Government, pursuant to agreements, in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to the purposes of this subchapter. Arkansas Rehabilitation Services is also authorized to:
(A) Adopt such methods of administration as are found to be necessary for proper and efficient operation of the agreements or plans for rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of federal statutes and appropriations;
(B) Administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the State of Arkansas;
(C) Direct the disbursement, and administer the use of, all funds provided by the United States Government or the state for the rehabilitation of individuals with a disability who are residents of Arkansas; and
(D) Do all things necessary to ensure the rehabilitation of individuals with a disability;
(3) Cooperate with other federal, state, and local public agencies and institutions in providing services relating to rehabilitation, including the Arkansas State Employment Service, and make maximum utilization of the job placement and employment counseling services and other services and facilities of the offices in providing the services authorized by this subchapter in studying the problems involved therein and in establishing, developing, and providing such programs, facilities, and services as may be necessary or desirable;
(4) Cooperate with political subdivisions and other public and nonprofit organizations and agencies in the establishment of workshops and rehabilitation facilities and use such facilities as meet the standards established by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in providing rehabilitation services; and
(5) Enter into contractual arrangements with the Social Security Administration with respect to certifications of disabilities and performance of other duties and with other authorized public agencies for performance of services related to rehabilitation.