Chairman David Holmes welcomed everyone to the
teleconference and indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to finalize
the plans for meeting with Assistant Secretary John Hager of OSERS on May
31, 2005 at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Fishersville, VA.
David inquired as to which state directors were
planning to attend the upcoming meeting beginning on May 31, 2005..
Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia indicated that their state
directors were planning to attend the meeting.
David then reviewed that the Executive Committee had
met and discussed the agenda for meeting with the Assistant Secretary using
a phased approach:
Phase I: Chairman
Holmes would call the meeting to order and welcome Assistant Secretary Hager
and the Consortium members to the meeting.
He would also then provide an overview of the National Consortium of
State Operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers to include its origin,
history, benefits of the Consortium to its membership, and the populations
served by the Consortium’s member organizations.
He would then ask the Virginia State VR Director, Jim
Rothrock, to introduce Assistant Secretary Hager who would then share any
remarks that he would like to make.
Phase II: Dick
Luck would then present a statistical report of information collected from
each of the Centers regarding things such as numbers served, staff
compliments, budgets, etc.
Phase III: Following
Mr. Hager’s remarks, each Center Director would then provide a 5-8 minute
highlight of their center along with a description of a unique program or
service provided:
The membership determined that the topics that each
center director would describe:
TN - Independent Living Training Program
KY - Vocational Behavior Management and External
Diploma Program
MD - Customized Partnership Training
WVA – Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology
VA – PERT (Youth in Transition) Program
MI – Reading Program for persons with learning Disabilities
PA – Assistive Technology Lending Program and Cognitive Skill
Enhancement
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David indicated that he will follow up with Georgia and
Arkansas as to the specific programs that they will be describing at the
meeting.
Dick Luck suggested that David cover the information
that would be general to all centers
in his opening remarks.
Phase IV: Questions
developed by the membership would then be asked to Mr. Hager by designated
members of the Consortium, as assigned by Chairman Holmes.
The specific wording of the questions would be developed and assigned
to members by Chairman Holmes.
The questions would be focused on:
1.
New RSA Structure
2.
Continuation of the RSA Liaison to the Consortium
3.
Opportunities for the Comprehensive Centers in the future
4.
Collaborative research between comprehensive centers and NIDRR
5.
Suggested future programming for VR consumers
6.
Funding support for future training forums for comprehensive center
staff
7.
Questions from Assistant Secretary Hager
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Dr. Dew suggested that an invitation should be extended
to Assistant Secretary Hager to visit all of the nine comprehensive centers.
David Holmes asked Dick Luck to confirm Mr. Hager’s
arrival and departure times on May
31, 2005.
David Holmes also offered to develop a summary sheet of
the intent of the meeting so that each director could then share this
information with their respective state director, particularly for those
whose state director would be in attendance.
Dr. Dew then announced the Training Forum Proceedings
for the forum held last fall are in the mail.
He also indicated that 4 more centers needed to provide him with the
statistical information that was requested.
Room costs and one evening meal cost would be provided by GWU.
However, he asked that each director provide him with the names of
those who would be in attendance via email along with their arrival and
departure dates and times. The
rooms will be master billed.
Dick Luck indicated that we would rooming at the
Holiday Inn provided that Dr. Dew is able to make the necessary
arrangements.
Dr. Dew indicated that since he will have all of the
names of the attendees that he will make name tags and bring folders for the
agendas and other information to be provided at the meeting. David Holmes indicated that he would develop the agenda and
additional information for the folders.
David also called for a preparation meeting to be held
at 11:00 AM on May 31, 2005 to review all meeting preparations for any and
all members who could arrive by that hour.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry H. Newill,
Secretary
