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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 99-1252

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Public Comment on Amendment to State Plan

[29 Pa.B. 4119]

   The Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), including the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, announces a period of public comment throughout the Commonwealth. The purpose of this period of comment is to provide individuals, advocates and other interested parties and/or organizations the opportunity to present their views and recommendations regarding vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for persons with disabilities. In Pennsylvania, those services are provided by OVR through a network of 21 local offices including the OVR and the BBVS District Offices and the Hiram G. Andrews Center.

   OVR, including BBVS, is required under law to develop and implement a State Plan which must be reviewed and revised annually and when there are changes to the state's VR program. The State Plan is a compliance document filed with the Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, United States Department of Education. It is the blueprint for the provision of VR services to persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

   There are currently two State Plans, one for the general VR program through OVR and a second for the blind VR program through BBVS. As a result of the recent transfer of BBVS from the Department of Public Welfare to the Department of Labor and Industry, Federal law requires the amendment of the Plans to a combined State Plan.

   This period of public comment gives interested parties an opportunity to provide input regarding Pennsylvania's public VR program. Specifically, comment is being solicited regarding the following State Plan components: cooperation and coordination with other agencies and entities; comprehensive system of personnel development; comprehensive needs assessment; state's goals and priorities; order of selection; strategic plan; innovation and expansion activities; mediation and impartial due process hearing procedures; services subject to financial needs test; and supported employment services.

   A Towne Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4, 1999 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, One North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA to allow individuals and organizations the opportunity to present their input.

   Copies of a Summary of Draft Revisions and current State Plans are available on the OVR web site: www.dli.state.pa.us/ovr.index/htm. If you would like to be scheduled to speak at the Towne Meeting, have a reasonable accommodation for the meeting, have an alternative format request, or would like copies of the Plan documents, please contact Joan Kester at 1-800-442-6351, TTY 800-233-3008, e-mail: jkester@dli.state.pa.us OR Bill Zappini 800-622-2842, TTY 717-787-6176, e-mail: wzappini@dpw.state.pa.us, prior to July 31, 1999. The meeting site is accessible and interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be present.

   Also, interested parties may submit written comments to: OVR, Attn: Joan Kester, 13th Floor, Labor & Industry Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120; BBVS, Attn: Bill Zappini, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105; or e-mail ovr@dli.state.pa.us. Comments will be accepted through August 4, 1999.

   Input received through this period of public comment will be used by OVR, including BBVS, and key stakeholders to amend the Draft Plan. The Amended Draft Plan will be considered for approval by the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation in September, 1999. The effective date of the Amended Plan is October 1, 1999.

JOHN J. BUTLER,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1252. Filed for public inspection July 30, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]


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