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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 109 February 14, 2005 Action Suggested Urgent Action Alert: THE VR PROGRAM IS IN DANGER To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs This is an URGENT Action Alert to all Members of the National Rehabilitation Association. The recently-introduced House Workforce Investment Act (WIA) bill, H.R. 27, is scheduled to be marked up on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, by the full Committee on Education and the Workforce. There is a strong possibility that an amendment will be incorporated into H.R. 27 at that markup, which essentially puts the VR Program on a fast track to being BLOCK GRANTED at the discretion of the Governors. The amendment, known alternatively as WIA PLUS or WIA CONSOLIDATION PLUS, would EVISCERATE the programs administered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (hereinafter referred to alternatively as the Public/Private VR Partnership or VR). THIS AMENDMENT LEAVES 'NO WIA PARTNER BEHIND' IN THE BLOCK GRANTING BLITZ AND CONSOLIDATION CULTURE CONSUMING CAPITOL HILL THESE DAYS. Here is the message to communicate to the full Committee Members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee: THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO ANY WIA PLUS BLOCK GRANT AMENDMENT THAT MAY BE OFFERED TO H.R. 27, EITHER AT THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP, ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, OR IN ANY OTHER VENUE. THE MESSAGE: -- Say, NO, to the WIA Consolidated Block Grant Program amendment -- Funds dedicated solely for services and supports to individuals with disabilities seeking the dignity a career could/WOULD be diverted to other job-seekers OTHER THAN THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. -- This BLOCK GRANT AMENDMENT WOULD ELIMINATE CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CONSUMERS OF THE VR PROGRAM. As we reported last week in one of the two Washington Wires we issued, the WIA Plus Block Grant is a SUPERWAIVER THAT HAS THE POWER TO -- AND WE ASSURE YOU WILL -- SUPERCEDE ALL PROVISIONS OF THE VR STATUTE. In that same Washington Wire, we reported that the Superwaiver language was first spotted in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) legislation last Congress. The TANF reauthorization legislation was not reauthorized last Congress but chances are will be reauthorized this Congress and the SUPERWAIVER language has reared its ugly head in the TANF legislation which COULD have ramifications on the VR Program in that jurisdictional venue. We are monitoring this situation very closely and will keep you advised. And, as we have said in many Washington Wires over the past three years, once you lose your identity, you lose your advocacy and then you lose your dollars. VR MUST ALWAYS MAINTAIN ITS IDENTITY AND THE COMPREHENSIVE NATURE OF THE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES that was intended by Congress to assist in the quality employment and increased independence of individuals who are eligible for VR services. Individuals with disabilities who are eligible for the comprehensive job training and placement services and supports that the Public/Private VR Partnership offered by qualified rehabilitation counselors and other VR professionals -- both public and private -- will be irreparably harmed if VR is blockgranted -- the VR money will disappear after being blended in a DOL/WIA ONE-STOP GENERIC JOB TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WE ASSURE YOU WILL NOT SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES -- ESPECIALLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES BECAUSE THEY NEITHER HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN THE VR PROGRAM NOR THE QUALIFIED STAFF TO PROVIDE THE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT THE VR PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FOR OVER 8 DECADES. Then there is the chronic inaccessibility of the one-stop centers, especially in the programmatic regard. The one-stops have had almost five years to get it right and to this day some one-stop centers are not PHYSICALLY accessible to all individuals with disabilities. WE URGE YOU TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN THEIR WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THOSE ON THE EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14. If you would also like to call the local office(s) of these or your Representatives, that is fine, but do make sure you call the Washington Office, as well. Click here for a list of the Members of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Click here for the proposed legislative language ON THE WIA PLUS BLOCK GRANT. When talking with your representatives or your representatives' staffs, tell them that the programs administered under VR have always been -- and to this day -- remain BI-PARTISAN. The VR Program has always enjoyed bipartisan support because those who truly know the VR Program know that it works and works well for individuals with disabilities who want the dignity of a career and to live as independently as they wish in their communities. Moreover, unlike the one-stop centers -- VR has the successful supporting documentation as a testament to its effectiveness and efficiency over its many years. Reasons for blockgranting any program are the usual suspects: The program is duplicative; It is archaic; It is ineffective. None of these characteristics describe the VR Program, which we have said on many occasions, is one of the best and most effective comprehensive job training programs in the history of the workforce world. Be sure to tell the Members of the Education and the Workforce Committee that VR has one of the best returns on investment in using taxpayers' money prudently and productively. One additional point: Tell the Members of the Committee on Education and the Workforce that blockgranting the VR Program is BAD BUSINESS AND BAD FOR BUSINESS. Those of you who attended past NRA Legislative Summits have heard panels of employees praise the qualified person/employee who emerges from the Public/Private VR Partnership and the many supports and services that this Partnership has provided millions of eligible individuals with disabilities to prosper in the world of work. With good jobs in this country continuing to be outsourced to other countries -- presumably because workers in America do not possess the requisite skills -- it simply does not make sense nor will it help our country -- to continue the misguided policies of cutting job training and its funds and outsourcing American jobs to other countries. WE MUST MAINTAIN A STRONG WORKFORCE IN OUR COUNTRY TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY STRONG AND PROSPEROUS. Everyone one of us can -- and I believe will -- make a difference. No matter how hard the fight, we must persevere and protect that for which we have all strived so hard for so long. We want to conclude by saying that when things seem at their worst, we want you to remember one of NRA's most seasoned members who wrote us recently. He said he was 90 years old and had worked in and fought for the VR Program most of his life and he wasn't going to give up that fight now and wanted to know what he could do to help in the fight. That gentleman did more than words can say to inspire this parent. FIGHT ON, VR, FIGHT ON. To find your representative, visit the NRA's government affairs web page. Fill in your Zip Code in the 'Write to Congress' Box at the bottom of the page and click the 'GO' Button. |
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