HEARING ON THE REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION CIS RECORD ONLY: 84-900 HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT EDUCATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR ONE HUNDREDTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION HEARING HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC, NOVEMBER 18, 1987 Serial No. 100-80 Printed for the use of the Committee on Education and Labor STARFORD UNIVERSITY MAR 1989 LIBRARY OF GONT U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1988 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Congression COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR AUGUSTUS F. HAWKINS, California, Chairman WILLIAM D. FORD, Michigan MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina SUBCOMMITTEE ON SELECT EDUCATION MAJOR R. OWENS, New York, Chairman PAT WILLIAMS, Montana STEVE BARTLETT, Texas JAMES F. JEFFORDS, Vermont (Ex Officio) (II) CONTENTS Hearing held in Washington, DC, on November 18, 1987. Baxter, Russell, commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Division, Depart- ment of Human Services of the State of Arkansas... Bullock, Margaret A., administrator, Rehabilitative and Visual Services Cook, Gary, director, Occupational Center of Central Kansas, Inc... Dart, Justin, Jr., Commissioner for Rehabilitation Services Administra- tion, U.S. Department of Education, accompanied by Mark Shoob Davis, Kelli, Dynatech Data Systems enclave employee, accompanied by Ms. Gwen Sither, coordinator of vocational services, City of Alexandria, Douglas, Richard C., director, Vocational Rehabilitation Division, State of Gerry, Martin, Esq., Gerry & Associates. 128 Mank, David, director, the employment network technical assistance 101 Baxter, E. Russell, Department of Human Services, Little Rock, AR, Bullock, Margaret A., administrator, Rehabilitative and Visual Services Divisions, Montana Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, prepared statement with attachment.... Cook, Gary T., executive director, Occupational Center of Central Kansas, Dart, Justin, Jr., Commissioner for Rehabilitation Services Administra- 24 Mank, David, Ph.D., director, the Employment Network Technical Assist- 104 204 Will, Madeleine C., Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Reha- bilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, prepared statement 14 REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1987 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:10 a.m., in room 2261, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Major R. Owens [chairman of the subcommittee] presiding. Members present: Representatives Owens, Williams, Biaggi, Bartlett, and Jeffords. Staff present: Maria Cuprill, staff director; Laurence Peters, counsel; Robert Tate, legislative analyst; Pat Laird, legislative assistant; Jillian Evans, committee clerk; and Gary Granofsky, research assistant. Mr. OWENS. The Subcommittee on Select Education will come to order. I have a brief opening statement. U.S. Government programs for disabled people represent splendid high points in our national legislation for citizens in need. The Rehabilitation Services Administration is a well-established component of the safety net for disabled people. The genesis and the history of RSA and its related agencies reflect the wisdom, vision, and compassion of the Congress. These elements have merged repeatedly to produce very practical, worthwhile results for disabled people of America. Ongoing and widespread bipartisan support has guaranteed continual, reasonable authorization and appropriations for Federal programs for disabled people. A great amount of dedication and commitment, as well as political skill, has been utilized by the policymakers and legislators who have made the necessary resources available. Given such overwhelming support, the question is why are we not currently achieving results which are commensurate with such support? This hearing is seeking whatever clues there are which may contribute toward the unraveling of this mystery. More specifically, the Subcommittee on Select Education is baffled by the large number of vacant positions in RSA and by the duration of those vacancies. We are baffled by the length of time the staff has taken to implement a priority program such as the new supported employment program. We are puzzled and disappointed by the failure of all rehabilitation programs to take great leaps forward. We don't see why we don't have in America a national, stateof-the-art program for the disabled. Since there is no political party bickering to slow its advance, we cannot comprehend the stagnation of the past few years. Are the (1) |