February 10, 2009, 5 members dropped off our position papers to 21 legislators, no appointments made.
May 11, 2009, 6 members visited 24 legislators and dropped off our position papers to 7 more.
The Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC) is mandated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1998, as amended, to review, analyze, and advise the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) regarding the performance of its responsibilities, particularly those related to eligibility (including order of selection); the extent, and scope and effectiveness of services provided; and the functions performed by State agencies that affect the ability of individuals with disabilities in achieving employment outcomes under Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services.
Members are appointed by the Governor to the PaRC for their expertise related to specific categories of representation, as required in the Rehabilitation Act.
One of the goals of the PaRC's Legislative Committee, is to educate and advocate for legislation to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, as related to training and employment in the state of Pennsylvania.
With this is mind, the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council's legislative committee respectfully submits the following position paper for your review and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
The Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council's Legislative CommitteeThe Commonwealth must match Federal Title I funding awarded to OVR with 21.3% state dollars. These funds are used to provide administrative and operational support to OVR, the Hiram G. Andrews Center and to provide services to OVR customers in the 21 district offices, which include six offices in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS). OVR continues to draw down and utilize all available Federal Funds despite the lack of adequate state match. OVR is able to accomplish this because of the staggered State and Federal Fiscal years. The State Fiscal Year (SFY) begins in July and the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) begins in October. Since the State and Federal fiscal years are not concurrent, OVR is able to draw more state match from the new SFY. For example, in the first quarter of the SFY, only 25% of the match should be used for the last quarter of the FFY. However, OVR is drawing more of the SFY funds to match the last quarter of the FFY to make up for the shortfall in the previous SFY. Continuing this practice will, sometime in the future, result in delays in payments to service providers as well as delays in authorizing services for clients and could eventually result in the return of Federal Funds. Without adequate state match, the problem only escalates.
Action Requested
The SFY 08-09 budget provided an additional $5 million for federal match. Continued funding of OVR at this level to match federal funds will allow OVR to match all available federal funds.
There is no bridge for continuation of services to individuals with brain injuries in Pennsylvania. People are being missed who have potential and never receive services because they are rejected too quickly.
Action Requested
Collaboration is needed between all state agencies working with persons with brain injuries to ensure that there is no break in services from in home services to employment services. Dedicated funding is needed for this population.
The ODHH was established in 1986, as a state agency that works to ensure all government programs and services are accessible to adults and children who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. The ODHH primary functions are advocacy, information, referral, and training. With the passing of Public Law 492, the Sign Language Interpreter & Transliterator State Registration Act (Act 57-2004) ODHH is responsible for the implementation, management & enforcement of the Interpreter registration program, effective July 2005. The law was passed to protect consumers and create a minimum standard for interpreters working in the Commonwealth.
The Office accomplishes these functions and fulfills Act 57 by collecting demographic information, having 3 Representatives covering specified service areas across the state, maintaining an on-line resource directory, providing individually and system advocacy, participating in advisory meetings, and following through with the duties assigned by Act 57 by (soon to be released) having a web-based software application to track required information, expirations, penalties, and an improved searchable registry for public use.
ODHH is administratively responsible for the statewide Advisory Council for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ACDHH). ODHH provides support, keeps records, plans meetings, processes and reimburses members for travel and accommodations as needed. The 17member council is comprised of nine public members, four of which are mandated by law to be deaf or hard of hearing, and 8 members representing state departments (Aging, Education, Health, Public Welfare, and Labor and Industry), the legislature, and the Governor's Office.
Action Requested:
The Governor's proposed state budget for 2009 - 2010 identifies potential decreases in complement for programs in the Commonwealth funded by General Government Operations. Continued funding through General Government Operations of the ODHH existing staff (director, administrative assistant, and three regional representatives) is absolutely necessary in order to carry out the above listed functions on a statewide basis. One additional regional representative would significantly increase the number of deaf and hard of hearing individuals the ODHH is currently able to serve statewide.