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Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 156 March 2, 2006 For Your Information Revised Program for NRA's 25th Annual Legislative Summit To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs For those who read on the run, this Washington Wire deals solely with the revised Program for the National Rehabilitation Association's 25th Annual Legislative Summit. The National Rehabilitation Association is proud to present its 25th Annual Legislative Summit, which will be held at the King Street Hilton Hotel, 1767 King Street, Old Town, Alexandria, commencing on Sunday, March 12, 2006, and culminating in NRA's Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. The telephone number of the Hilton Hotel is: 703-837-0440. Following immediately below you will find an updated Program for the Legislative Summit, together with information on Registration, including a Registration form. Please note one major change this year and this is that the Leadership Institute and Breakfast will be held on the first day of the Summit, Sunday, March 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the King Street Hilton Hotel, where the Summit is taking place. National Rehabilitation Association 25th Annual Governmental Affairs Summit and Leadership Breakfast March 12-14, 2006 Revised Schedule SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006 All Events at the King Street Hilton Hotel 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. NRA Leadership Institute and Breakfast -- Achieve a better understanding of the organizational structure of NRA -- Understand the role and responsibilities of the NRA National Office -- Learn about your role and responsibilities as the leader of an NRA Chapter, Division or Region -- Gain a better understanding of the NRA's national advocacy efforts and how they affect you -- Build collaborative partnerships and relationships with other NRA volunteer leaders; and -- Enhance your opportunities for networking and the sharing of information. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. REGISTRATION 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PRE-SESSION FOR FIRST-TIME ATTENDEES 'Legislative Advocacy 101: The People's House and Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chairs, Tom Wilson and Nora Owens, NRA Director of Governmental Affairs, Patricia Leahy 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. LUNCH on your own 1:45 pm. to 3:00 p.m. OPENING SESSION; KEYNOTE SPEAKERS The Honorable Fredric K. Schroeder former Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and currently the Institute Coordinator for the National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute at San Diego State University Dr. Allen Harris President The National Council of State Agencies For the Blind Drs. Schroeder and Harris will address several issues including: `-- The importance of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) in having well-trained, professional counselors and the protection it offers in relation to the genericizing of services under the one-stop system; -- An update on the current activities of RSA and the impact of the closure of the Regional Offices; -- Categorical Services: The role of specialized services to insure that consumers have access to the best-prepared rehabilitation personnel; and -- Randolph-Sheppard: Current threats to the vending facilities program and the potential devastating impact on the livelihood of 3,000 blind vendors across the Nation. 3:00 p.m to 3:15 p.m. BREAK 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRESENTATIONS ON NRA'S POSITION PAPERS Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Members of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and Patricia Leahy will present on NRA's Position Papers and Principles to Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Ret. Master Sgt. James E. Conover, MHS D.C. National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters Crisis Manager Master Sgt. Conover will discuss the challenges that our servicemen and women encounter when returning home, including Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and other mental health issues. Master Sgt. Conover will also address the findings of this week's Report released by the U.S. Army on multiple mental health issues facing returning veterans. 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. BREAK 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CONGRESSIONAL PANEL Aaron Bishop, Director of Disability Policy to the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Mike Enzi (R.WY.) Mr. Bishop will discuss the status of the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), with a specific focus on Title IV, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. Ms. Connie Garner, Director of Disability Policy to the Ranking Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D.MA.) Ms. Garner will discuss the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as a discussion of children with disabilities and the No Child Left Behind Legislation with a focus on Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) and children and young adults with disabilities. Ms. Garner may also discuss issued related to Medicaid and the Money Follows the Person. 11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. BREAK 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ms. Kathleen West-Evans, CRC, an Employment Specialist, formerly with RSA's Region X Office, and now Director of Business Relations with CSAVR, will discuss the CSAVR's VR Business Network. The Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program has a history of effectively working with business to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The VR system describes itself as serving a dual customer base, understanding that in order to develop career and employment opportunities with VR consumers, business has to be seen as a key partner in acquiring information used by the consumer and VR counselor in vocational planning and also as the employment connection for qualified candidates. Business describes VR as a value added partner in providing access to qualified candidates and the support services that come along with the VR partnership. In many cases, these businesses are interested in expanding their connections to VR across State lines and nationally. Through CSAVR, the 80 Public VR Agencies are responding to the requests of business by developing a National VR Business Network. The lead staff person in this effort, Kathy West-Evans, will be describing the concept behind the national network and elements of the strategic plan that is being developed to accomplish this key customer-driven network. 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 LUNCH on your own 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Mr. Andy Imparato President and Chief Executive Officer The American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD) Mr. Imparato will discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered by children and adults with disabilities in an increasingly one-size-fits-all, consolidation culture. Mr. Imparato will focus on Medicaid issues, MiCASSA, The Money Follows the Person, and other legislative issues of importance to our community. 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. BREAK 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. PARTNERS' PANEL ON CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN A CONSOLIDATION CULTURE The Partners' Panel is comprised of Mr. John Lancaster, the President of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL); Ms. Rita Martin, Assistant Executive Director of CSAVR, Ms. Jamie Ray of the Pennsylvania CAP and Ms. Celane McWhorter, President of the Association of Persons in Supported Employment (APSE). 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. NRA'S 2006 PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION TUESDAY, March 14, 2006 (CAPITOL HILL ALL DAY) 8:30 A.M. NRA Members depart Hotel for Capitol Hill via Metro 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 p.m. Appointments with Senators and Representatives 12 NOON to 2:00 p.m. NRA CONGRESSIONAL LUNCH AND AWARDS CEREMONY The Congressional Buffet and Awards Ceremony will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building's Banquet Rooms, B-338 and B-339. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointments with Representatives and Senators resume 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Wrap-up Session in Room 121 of the Cannon House Office Building Online registration for the 25th Annual Governmental Affairs Summit is available at: https://www.nationalrehab.org/secure/events/register-govt.shtml A printable copy of the registration form is available in the November/December issue of Contemporary Rehab which is available at: http://www.nationalrehab.org/website/CRdec2005.pdf |
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