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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Governmental Affairs: Advocacy in action. Read current and previous Legislative Network Alerts. View a listing of the Legislative Network Members. Frequently asked questions about the Legislative Network. |
Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 103 February 1, 2005 For Your Information Is RSA and the Public/PrivateVR Program in Harm's Way? To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs Rumors are rampant in Washington and well beyond that significant staffing cuts may be proposed in the President's forthcoming Budget for the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the U.S. Department of Education. The President's budget is scheduled to be released on February 7, 2005. Indeed, one advocacy organization issued an Alert this morning saying that as many as 55 FTEs could be eliminated from the Salaries and Expenses (S&E) Budget of RSA. As it turns out -- if this in fact is the case -- this number of FTEs coincides closely with the number of FTEs in RSA's Regional Offices, which among many other important responsibilities, have major responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Once again, the National Rehabilitation Association has not been able to confirm with anyone whether this information is accurate. By way of background, Regional offices have primary responsibility for providing technical assistance (TA) and monitoring the State VR Agencies. Regional offices also monitor the in-service training and support employment programs managed by the State VR Agencies. Regional offices provide TA, review grants and monitor the performance of a variety of other discretionary grantees -- well over 200 -- under the Rehabilitation Act. Those grantees include -- but are not limited to -- Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Projects With Industry (PWIs), training programs and the American Indian Rehabilitation programs. Regional offices also serve as national specialists in a variety of areas including employment and business relations, transition from school-to-work, the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD), supports and services to consumers who are blind, deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind, among many other consumers of the Public/Private VR Partnership. The Regional staff provide support to the programs funded under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, the Helen Keller National Center, interpreter training and the State and regional network of Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs). Regional offices also respond to questions and concerns from program consumers, parents and other stakeholders at the State level. The Regional Office staff work closely with the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs (RRCEPs) on the development and implementation of a regional plan that provides continuing education to staff of the VR programs, the State Rehabilitation Councils (SRCs), the American Indian Rehabilitation Programs, the Client Assistant Programs (CAP), Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Programs, Independent Living Centers, Community Rehabilitation Providers and other grantees funded under the Rehabilitation Act. Moreover, Regional offices work as part of the team to implement RSA's Operational Plan. The annual Operational Plan includes RSA's program objectives which have been compiled and prioritized based on input from the various constituency groups across the country. The National Rehabilitation Association is monitoring this situation very closely and will keep you advised as developments become known to us in this particular regard and related budgetary regards. |
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