Senator Calls For Transition Action Plan
By Michelle Diament
July 16, 2013
A new proposal in the U.S. Senate would allocate federal dollars to develop a
national plan to help those with developmental disabilities transition to
adulthood. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said Monday that he’s introduced a bill that
would fund research to determine the most effective interventions and support
services for young people aging out of the school system. The legislation calls
for the creation of a national strategic action plan and would provide grants to train
“transition navigators” who would help youth with disabilities access the
supports they need to live independently. Currently, many individuals with disabilities lose access to needed services when they finish high school. Though Menendez highlighted the increasing number of individuals with autism who are entering adulthood in bringing forward his proposal, the bill he
introduced addresses the need for housing, employment, transportation and other
services for individuals with all types of developmental disabilities.
“For too many young people with autism spectrum disorders, the end of high
school means the end of the support and skills training they need to succeed in
the new world of adulthood,” said Menendez in unveiling the legislation known
as the Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence and Navigation Act of
2013, or the AGE-IN Act. “We need a national response to ensure that resources
are available to enable these young adults to lead the productive, fulfilling
lives they deserve.”
By Michelle Diament
July 16, 2013
A new proposal in the U.S. Senate would allocate federal dollars to develop a
national plan to help those with developmental disabilities transition to
adulthood. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said Monday that he’s introduced a bill that
would fund research to determine the most effective interventions and support
services for young people aging out of the school system. The legislation calls
for the creation of a national strategic action plan and would provide grants to train
“transition navigators” who would help youth with disabilities access the
supports they need to live independently. Currently, many individuals with disabilities lose access to needed services when they finish high school. Though Menendez highlighted the increasing number of individuals with autism who are entering adulthood in bringing forward his proposal, the bill he
introduced addresses the need for housing, employment, transportation and other
services for individuals with all types of developmental disabilities.
“For too many young people with autism spectrum disorders, the end of high
school means the end of the support and skills training they need to succeed in
the new world of adulthood,” said Menendez in unveiling the legislation known
as the Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence and Navigation Act of
2013, or the AGE-IN Act. “We need a national response to ensure that resources
are available to enable these young adults to lead the productive, fulfilling
lives they deserve.”
Senator Looks To Enhance Transition Services Nationwide
By Michelle Diament
May 31, 2013
A key U.S. senator is pushing for expanded on-the-job opportunities for youth
with disabilities while they are still in school and he’s making the issue a
top priority as Congress looks to tackle a major employment bill. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said he is currently working to bring a reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act up for consideration. As part of that process, Harkin said this week that he would like to see vocational rehabilitation agencies
take a bigger role in facilitating internships and other real-world experiences for students with disabilities who are in transition. Currently, access to vocational rehabilitation varies widely from state to state, with employment services available to young people with special needs in some locations, but not others. Harkin is looking to change that. An aide for the senator told Disability Scoop that Harkin wants to require vocational rehabilitation agencies in each state to set aside at least 10
percent of their funding to provide “pre-employment transition services” for
students with disabilities. This could mean offering everything from skills
training to internships, summer jobs and apprenticeships as a complement to the transition services provided by schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
“I am committed to raising employment rates for Americans with disabilities,
and one of the most effective and lasting ways we can achieve that is to ensure
that young people with disabilities have access to the summer jobs, internships
and experiences in competitive employment that can be a springboard to a
career,” Harkin said in a statement to Disability Scoop. “Improving services to
young people with disabilities will be a central focus for me in the
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.”
Staffers for Harkin, who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee, said early conversations with the panel’s top Republican,
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., suggest that there’s bipartisan support for the plan. Harkin said he expects to have a bill ready for consideration by late summer or early fall.
By Michelle Diament
May 31, 2013
A key U.S. senator is pushing for expanded on-the-job opportunities for youth
with disabilities while they are still in school and he’s making the issue a
top priority as Congress looks to tackle a major employment bill. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said he is currently working to bring a reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act up for consideration. As part of that process, Harkin said this week that he would like to see vocational rehabilitation agencies
take a bigger role in facilitating internships and other real-world experiences for students with disabilities who are in transition. Currently, access to vocational rehabilitation varies widely from state to state, with employment services available to young people with special needs in some locations, but not others. Harkin is looking to change that. An aide for the senator told Disability Scoop that Harkin wants to require vocational rehabilitation agencies in each state to set aside at least 10
percent of their funding to provide “pre-employment transition services” for
students with disabilities. This could mean offering everything from skills
training to internships, summer jobs and apprenticeships as a complement to the transition services provided by schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
“I am committed to raising employment rates for Americans with disabilities,
and one of the most effective and lasting ways we can achieve that is to ensure
that young people with disabilities have access to the summer jobs, internships
and experiences in competitive employment that can be a springboard to a
career,” Harkin said in a statement to Disability Scoop. “Improving services to
young people with disabilities will be a central focus for me in the
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.”
Staffers for Harkin, who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee, said early conversations with the panel’s top Republican,
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., suggest that there’s bipartisan support for the plan. Harkin said he expects to have a bill ready for consideration by late summer or early fall.
Transition toward Excellence, Achievement and Mobility
On February 5, Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) reintroduced the "Transition
toward Excellence, Achievement and Mobility" ("TEAM") Act, which is a package
of legislation designed to support youths with significant disabilities from adolescence to adulthood and focus federal resources on improved outcomes in post-secondary education and integrated employment. The legislation would ensure schools work proactively with children with
disabilities and their families to transition them from school into adulthood.
The act would also create an adult transition planning process and system of
supports for youth and their families. TEAM seeks to stimulate a national
system-change initiative which would establish agencies coordinate services
better to produce the desired outcomes of integrated living and employment.
The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), of which ANCOR is a
member, has endorsed this legislation. The trio of bills are H.R. 509
("TEAM-Employment Act of 2013"), H.R. 510
("TEAM-Education Act"), and H.R. 511
("TEAM-Empowerment Act of 2013"). Harper's press release regarding the bills
may be found here. The bills were referred back to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after being reintroduced.
- See more at: http://www.ancor.org/newsroom/news/team-act-reintroduced-house#sthash.C66jyQGb.dpuf
On February 5, Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) reintroduced the "Transition
toward Excellence, Achievement and Mobility" ("TEAM") Act, which is a package
of legislation designed to support youths with significant disabilities from adolescence to adulthood and focus federal resources on improved outcomes in post-secondary education and integrated employment. The legislation would ensure schools work proactively with children with
disabilities and their families to transition them from school into adulthood.
The act would also create an adult transition planning process and system of
supports for youth and their families. TEAM seeks to stimulate a national
system-change initiative which would establish agencies coordinate services
better to produce the desired outcomes of integrated living and employment.
The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), of which ANCOR is a
member, has endorsed this legislation. The trio of bills are H.R. 509
("TEAM-Employment Act of 2013"), H.R. 510
("TEAM-Education Act"), and H.R. 511
("TEAM-Empowerment Act of 2013"). Harper's press release regarding the bills
may be found here. The bills were referred back to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after being reintroduced.
- See more at: http://www.ancor.org/newsroom/news/team-act-reintroduced-house#sthash.C66jyQGb.dpuf
