RSA to Sponsor State Rehabilitation Council Training Forums
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) will sponsor a series of two-day Regional/Bi-Regional Forums between January-June 2005 focusing on the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC). RSA convened a National Planning Committee, made up of representatives from SRCs, State vocational rehabilitation agencies and Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs to plan the forums and develop curriculum materials. The overarching objective of the SRC training is to empower the SRC participants to advocate for improvements in the VR program in order to enhance opportunities for high quality employment for individuals with disabilities. The target populations for the training are SRC executive committee members or other SRC representatives who can take back the information and experiences of the training to the other members of the SRCs and be available to follow through for a period of time in working with them. With respect to State VR agency representatives, the State director or designee and State agency staff assigned liaison responsibility for the SRC would be the most appropriate participants.

Each RSA Regional Office will establish a Regional workgroup to plan and oversee the implementation of the two-day training. In that regard, each RSA Regional Office has designated a staff member to coordinate activities to support the planning for and implementation of the training. Contact information for each Regional Office liaison is included below:

Region I - Boston: Jacquelyn Tellier, 617.223.4091,
jacquelyn.tellier@ed.gov

Region II - New York: Richard Anderson, 212.637.6445,
richard.anderson@ed.gov

Region III - Philadelphia: Dennis Best, 215.656.8621,
dennis.best@ed.gov

Region IV - Atlanta: Sue Rankin-White, 404.562.6334,
sue.rankin-white@ed.gov

Region V - Chicago: Janette Shell, 312.886.8631,
janette.shell@ed.gov

Region VI - Dallas: Martha Garber, 214.880.4926,
martha.garber@ed.gov

Region VII - Kansas City: Rodney King, 816. 268.0467,
rodney.king@ed.gov

Region VIII - Denver: Martha Garber, 214.880.4926,
martha.garber@ed.gov

Region IX - San Francisco: Bryan Bashin, 415.556.4070,
byran.bashin@ed.gov

Region X - Seattle: Kathleen West-Evans, 206.220.7843,
kathleen.west-evans@ed.gov
(November 22, 2004)

RSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program Standards and Indicators Evaluation Data Now Available Online
(November 22, 2004)

Part C Annual Performance Report for July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004
General and specific instructions, table and supporting attachments needed to complete the Part C Annual Performance Report (APR) that covers grant year July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 (34 CFR §80.40). States' submissions are due on or before March 31, 2005.
(November 3, 2004)

Second Quarter 2004 OSEP Policy Documents on the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Disabilities Now Available Online
Correspondence from the Department of Education received by individuals during the Second Quarter of CY 2004 that describes the interpretations of IDEA or the regulations that implement IDEA. Some documents have been redacted.
(September 9, 2004)

Summary Report of the National Symposium on Learning Disabilities in English Language Learners Now Available Online
Summary report of the National Symposium on Learning Disabilities in English Language Learners, held Oct. 14-15, 2003, in Washington, D.C.
(August 27, 2004)

OSEP 2004 Part C Grant Award Letters Now Available Online
Grant award letters, with special conditions included where applicable, for the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C grant awards.
(July 28, 2004)

President Bush Issues Proclamation Celebrating ADA Anniversary
The White House released a proclamation from President George W. Bush celebrating the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(July 27, 2004)

Students with Disabilities to Gain Improved Access to Learning
New standard expected to help students who are blind, print-disabled.
(July 27, 2004)

RSA FY 2002 Data Tables Now Available Online
Information from the RSA-2, RSA-113 and RSA-911 on consumer outcomes, ages, wages earned and hours worked during Fiscal Year 2002.
(July 19, 2004)

OSEP 2004 Part B Grant Award Letters Now Available Online
Grant award letters, with special conditions included where applicable, for the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and 619 formula grant awards.
(July 19, 2004)

First Quarter 2004 OSEP Policy Documents on the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Disabilities Now Available Online
Correspondence from the Department of Education received by individuals during the First Quarter of CY 2004 that describes the interpretations of IDEA or the regulations that implement IDEA. Some documents have been redacted.
(June 30, 2004)

OSEP Part B and Part C Annual Performance Report Letters (APR) now online
(June 29, 2004)

RSA to Hold National Employment Conference in August
Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA's) 2004 National Employment Conference, "Employment and DisAbility 2004: The VR–Business Partnership" will be held August 16-18, 2004 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. This conference is the fifth in a series that began in 1996. Joining RSA in co-sponsoring this year's event are the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), the National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners (NORP) and the George Washington University Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (GWU/RRCEP). The conference will target the infrastructure of the State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency, especially the leadership and professional staff responsible for creating and maintaining employer development, business relations and large-scale job placement. The conference will focus on the strategic development of VR's national network that provides qualified job candidates and employment services to business. If you have comments that you want to share or need additional information about the 2004 conference at this time, please contact Jenn Rigger by phone at 202-260-2179 or email at: jenn.rigger@ed.gov. State VR agency personnel responsible for employer development activities are encouraged to download the conference registration brochure at http://www.gwu.edu/~rrcep/National_Employment.htm.
(June 18, 2004)

RSA National Project Directors Conference
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) will host, in conjunction with its discretionary grantees, a National Project Directors Conference on August 9-11, 2004. This conference will be held at the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The theme for this year's conference is, "Building Networks for Positive Outcomes."

The two and a half day conference is an opportunity for both new and continuing grantees from the RSA Demonstration and Training programs, the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation program (Sec. 121) and the Projects With Industry program to share effective practices and foster innovative thinking in the area of employing individuals with disabilities. This conference will feature plenary sessions and various project breakout discussion sessions. A reception and poster board presentation session will be held on August 9, 2004 from 5:15-7:00 p.m. and will showcase individual grantee accomplishments.

For further information please contact one of the conference co-chairs, Denise Marcel at (csspwi@yahoo.com), Dr. Fabricio Balcazar (fabricio@uic.edu), or Michael Irwin (mirwin@ocmboces.org). You may also contact Alfreda Reeves, Program Manager, Rehabilitation Services Administration, (alfreda.reeves@ed.gov).
(June 11, 2004)

President Bush Nominates Former Virginia Lt. Gov. John Hager to Be Assistant Secretary of Education
President Bush has nominated former Virginia Lt. Gov. John H. Hager to be assistant secretary of education for special education and rehabilitative services, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige has announced.
(June 3, 2004)

RSA to Partner in Upcoming 2004 Workforce Innovations Conference
The Rehabilitation Services Administration continues to work with the U.S. Department of Labor and other Federal Workforce Investment Act partners in promoting the Workforce Innovations Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas, from July 19-21. This annual conference showcases the latest innovative practices, funding opportunities, and federal policy developments from the world of workforce investment. This year's proposed topics include: Workforce Development Policy, Budget and Legislation; Building a Demand-Driven System; and One-Stop Expectations and Program Integration. For registration information, visit the Workforce Innovations Web site, http://www.workforceinnovations.org.
(May 21, 2004)

Information About the Adolescent Literacy Research Network Now Available Online
(April 29, 2004)

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Publishes Part Two of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Resource for School and Home
OSEP announces a new publication, Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices. The report, designed for teachers, other school staff, and families, describes an overall strategy for successfully instructing students with ADHD. Suggestions of research-based academic instruction, behavioral interventions and classroom accommodations are provided.
(April 22, 2004)

RSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program Standards and Indicators Evaluation Data Now Available Online
(April 20, 2004)

RSA's 2004 National Employment Conference "Call for Presenters" Now Available
Submit the details of your unique partnership with business for the chance to conduct a workshop at this year's event. The "Call for Presenters" is available here in MS Word format (47K). Applications to present at the 2004 Employment and disAbility Conference are due no later than May 30, 2004, so act now if you wish to serve as a workshop presenter.
(April 7, 2004)

Fourth Quarter 2003 OSEP Policy Documents on the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Disabilities Now Available Online
Correspondence from the Department of Education received by individuals during the Fourth Quarter of CY 2003 that describes the interpretations of IDEA or the regulations that implement IDEA. Some documents have been redacted.
(April 6, 2004)

OSEP Grant Competitions Now Available Online
(March 12, 2004)

Education Department and Other Bush Administration Officials Announce Progress on New Freedom Initiative
Education Department officials joined other Bush administration officials and more than 350 leaders from the disability community, businesses, federal government and communities to announce progress on the President's New Freedom Initiative on Thursday, March 11 at 1 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The President's New Freedom Initiative is the blueprint for federal policy to improve the education, employment and independent living outcomes for persons with disabilities through the use of technology. The report can be viewed on the White House Web site at www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html.
(March 11, 2004)

RSA to Hold National Employment Conference in August
Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA's) 2004 National Employment Conference, "Employment and DisAbility 2004: The VR–Business Partnership" will be held August 16-18, 2004 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. This conference is the fifth in a series that began in 1996. Joining RSA in co-sponsoring this year's event are the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), the National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners (NORP) and the George Washington University Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (GWU/RRCEP). The conference will target the infrastructure of the State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency, especially the leadership and professional staff responsible for creating and maintaining employer development, business relations and large-scale job placement. The conference will focus on the strategic development of VR's national network that provides qualified job candidates and employment services to business. If you have comments that you want to share or need additional information about the 2004 conference at this time, please contact Jenn Rigger by phone at 202-260-2179 or email at: jenn.rigger@ed.gov. State VR agency personnel responsible for employer development activities are encouraged to download the conference registration brochure at http://www.gwu.edu/~rrcep/National_Employment.htm.
(March 3, 2004)

RSA to Partner in Upcoming 2004 Workforce Innovations Conference
The Rehabilitation Services Administration continues to work with the U.S. Department of Labor and other Federal Workforce Investment Act partners in promoting the Workforce Innovations Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas, from July 19-21. This annual conference showcases the latest innovative practices, funding opportunities, and federal policy developments from the world of workforce investment. This year's proposed topics include: Workforce Development Policy, Budget and Legislation; Building a Demand-Driven System; and One-Stop Expectations and Program Integration. For registration information, visit the Workforce Innovations Web site, http://www.workforceinnovations.org.
(March 3, 2004)

Part C Annual Performance Report for July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003
General and specific instructions, table and supporting attachments needed to complete the Part C Annual Performance Report (APR) that covers grant year July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003 (34 CFR §80.40). States' submissions are due on or before March 31, 2004.
(February 12, 2004)

Third Quarter 2003 OSEP Policy Documents on the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth with Disabilities Now Available Online
Correspondence from the Department of Education received by individuals during the Third Quarter of CY 2003 that describes the interpretations of IDEA or the regulations that implement IDEA. Some documents have been redacted.
(February 5, 2004)

Part B Annual Performance Report for July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003
General and specific instructions, Table and supporting Attachments needed to complete the Part B Annual Performance Report (APR) that covers grant year July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003 (34 CFR §80.40). States' submissions are due on or before March 31, 2004.
(February 3, 2004)

2004 RSA Policy Directives Now Available Online
(February 3, 2004)

National Forum of the Thirtieth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announces the National Forum of the Thirtieth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) to be held on May 3 and 4, 2004, at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Rosslyn, Virginia. Two draft publications, the first titled: "Innovative Methods for Providing VR Services to Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities" and the second titled: "A New Paradigm for Vocational Evaluation – Empowering the VR Consumer through Vocational Information" will be discussed with Forum participants in order to prepare the documents for publication. For additional information, visit The George Washington University Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RRCEP) III Web site at: http://www.gwu.edu/~rrcep/ or contact the RRCEP directly via E-mail at fbutler@gwu.edu, telephone at (202) 973-1550, TTY at (202) 973-1544, or FAX at (202) 775-0053.
(January 23, 2004)

2004 RSA Information Memoranda Now Available Online
(January 22, 2004)

OSEP FY 2004 Grant Performance Report For Continuation Funding Now Available Online
Information regarding the submission of the annual Grant Performance Report required for continued funding of grants from the Research to Practice Division, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
(January 13, 2004)

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