Guest guest Posted January 17, 2002 Report Share Posted January 17, 2002 Subject: VA Legislative Message Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 9:56:56 AM Eastern Standard Time From: Fvkoehler@... partners@..., kdl@..., lperryvarner@...,magicwand@..., dmatusev@..., .McCary@...,MElerick@..., ecinorf@...,mmhopkin@... (Meg Hopkins),MNigr (Marti Nigrelli),mrsterli@... ( Sterling), chris@...,dppenn@..., Dimagine@..., Jarothrock@..., Sneal23235@...,LSt.Clair@...,swilber@... (Sandy Wilberger), togburn@...,tyoder@... (Tera Yoder), wallacjf@...,mwalsh@..., barbaraw@..., Wggns@...,info@... The finance committee has requested that DRS and MHMRSAS specifically identify programs/services targeted for cuts. MHMRSAS had planned to leave this up to localities and this may still be done, however localities will need to identify targeted cuts to DMHMRSAS. It will be important for CSBs to advocate to keep their supported employment programs intact because it currently does not look as though private providers will have the resources to take over case loads. Supported Employment is not only good business -- it's high community visibility brings the CSB truly into the community marketing program outcomes. The following message was handed out to Finance Committee members after the session on Rehabilitative Services on 1/14/02. It is printed below with minor modifications made to clarify some points. APSE members and supported employees, employers and family members are encouraged to use the text to send to their legislators. Please make efforts to copy this and give it to those who will use it. The Virginia Association for Persons in Supported Employment: VA-APSE Frances Koehler, President The Virginia General Assembly Finance Committee From: The Virginia Association For Persons in Supported Employment (VA-APSE) Date: January 14, 2002 Subject: VA-APSE Position on Long Term Employment Support Services (LTESS) Funding LTESS Funding by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Department of Rehabilitative Services has provided the one consistent source of funding for follow-along support to individuals with severe disabilities who have obtained and maintained integrated employment in their communities. As little as $45 per month from Virginia's funds is able to provide one Virginian the support necessary to maintain competitive wages from supported employment positions. 1. Virginia has invested funds to find jobs and provide on the job training for individuals in community employment who are now supported with LTESS funding for as little as $45 a month per individual. Cutting off any percentage of support for these individuals will mean that Virginia is withdrawing their investment in these people who will lose their jobs and means of support. Many of these individuals will no longer have access to Social Security Disability or any other financial or medical support without their jobs because they have proved, with Virginia's help, that they are able to work. It will fall to Virginia to support them in their new non-working status. Individuals failed by Virginia in lean years will not likely trust her again in years of wealth. DO NO HARM. 2. Federal legislation for The U.S. Department of Rehabilitation Services passed in this last session, holds our Department Rehabilitative Services to using Federal dollars for services for individuals only for whom integrated community employment is their intended outcome (Federal funds can no longer be used for sheltered work employment outcomes). This legislation on supported employment has always stated that an individual cannot be placed in supported employment unless they have an identified source of follow-along funding. Without increased LTESS funding, DRS will be unable to serve any new individuals with severe disabilities who require Supported Employment unless individuals can find a personal or other source of funds for follow-along employment support. Few individuals are able to fund their own services or find alternative funding. 3. VA-APSE strongly encourages the 2002 General Assembly to pass a Joint Study Resolution calling for the Department of Rehabilitative Services to identify a targeted funding stream for integrated community based Supported Employment Follow-Along Services. This is essential to bring the Department into full compliance with the Federal 1998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. That legislation mandated that Federal Vocational Rehabilitation dollars only be used to support customers pursuing employment outcomes which are integrated and in community settings, implementation date October 2001. The Study group should include legislators, DRS representatives, representatives from Employment Service Organizations (large and small), and Rehabilitative Services customers. The Study Group should be charged to complete its report and present recommendations before the 2003 Session begins. A continuous funding source is necessary to meet the principle of DO NO HARM to current customers and increased funding is necessary to meet the needs of customers with severe disabilities waiting for integrated community supported employment. VA-APSE advocates to DO NO HARM to individuals currently supported by LTESS funds. We advocate for increased funding so that employment for people with severe disabilities will not stop. There are many adults and youth waiting for the opportunity to decrease dependence on Virginia's resources through employment. It is more cost effective to provide funding to assist people in supporting themselves than to support them entirely through other state programs non-employment funds. VA-APSE c/o F. Koehler, 529 Ridgeley Lane, Richmond, VA 23229-7235, (804) 740-4245, fvkoehler@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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