HR 27 Transition
Issue Summary: H.R. 27, the Job Training Improvement Act, introduced by the House on January 4, 2005, creates an under-funded mandate for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to provide transition services to students with disabilities.
The term “transition services” means a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational training, and integrated employment The coordinated set of activities shall be based upon the individual student’s needs, taking into account the students preferences and interests.
The potential population of students with disabilities, ages 16-21, who may be eligible for VR services exceeds the total number of people currently being served by VR in most states.
H.R. 27 proposes that VR’s new responsibilities related to transition services take effect in the transition services expansion year.
The term “transition services expansion year,” means the first fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 100 (b) exceeds the amount appropriated under section 100 (b) for fiscal year 2004 by not less than $100,000,000; and each fiscal year subsequent to that first fiscal year. By this definition, State VR Agencies would be required to implement the new transition provisions beginning in FY 2006, based on VR’s annual CPI increase.
Forty-two State VR Agencies, including Ohio, are currently under an Order of Selection, a system of prioritization whereby individuals with the most significant disabilities are served first. Significant numbers of transition age students will not meet the definition of an individual with a most significant disability and therefore will be placed on long waiting lists for VR services.
CSAVR acknowledges that VR has some responsibility for transition services and supports the policy intent of the proposed transition amendments; however, CSAVR maintains that these amendments will do nothing more than raise expectations that cannot be met if additional funds are not appropriated to provide the resources needed to expand and improve transition services.
CSAVR is particularly concerned that H.R. 27 proposes to divert a portion of VR’s funding to support infrastructure costs at the same time it places significant new responsibilities on State VR agencies with regard to transition services for students with disabilities, with no new funding.
Recommendation
Amend Section 402 of H.R. 27 to add a new definition of “transition services expansion year” that establishes a trigger for the new transition responsibilities at $100 million above the annual CPI increase.
Suggested Language:
Sec. 7(39) The term “transition services expansion year” means-
(C) the first fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 100(b) exceeds the amount appropriated under 100(b) for the previous fiscal year by not less than $100,000,000 above the mandated consumer price index increase; and
(D) each fiscal year subsequent to that first fiscal year.
For further information, contact Carl Suter at CSAVR at (301)654-8414.
