"The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia""The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia"Home > Advocacy in Action > WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) 2007 Legislative Priorities
During the 2007 Legislative Session, DRS will continue to support and endorse other legislative initiatives that enable and empower individuals with disabilities to work and to live independently in the community. For more information email: Tracy Carr.
DRS requests a continuing appropriation of $6 million to support programming at the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center (WVRC) located in Institute, West Virginia. The WVRC is one of nine publicly operated rehabilitation facilities in the United States. The WVRC provides an array of specialized services to prepare individuals with disabilities for employment.
DRS requests a continuing supplemental appropriation of $50,000 for the Employment Attendant Care Program. The Employment Attendant Care Program provides funding assistance to 16 working West Virginians with severe disabilities to pay for personal/attendant care services so they can work. Collectively, these individuals earn more than $415,000 in wages per year and pay taxes on this income. Due to the recent increase in the minimum wage, at the current funding level, DRS will not be able to provide a full year of attendant care services to these16 working individuals.
A continuing improvement of $200,000 is requested for the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services (RYPAS) line item in the Division of Rehabilitation Services budget, bringing it to $540,000, to expand the availability of personal assistance services to West Virginians with severe disabilities. The purpose of West Virginia's RYPAS program is to provide consumer directed personal assistance services to meet the needs of individuals with severe disabilities who are not currently receiving such services from any Medicaid program.
A continuing improvement of $500,000 is requested for the Independent Living Services line item in the Division of Rehabilitation Services budget, bringing it to $524,000, to expand the availability of independent living services to West Virginians with disabilities. The purpose of West Virginia's Independent Living Services Program is "to ensure that West Virginians with disabilities have equal access to the resources and supports they need to live self-determined, independent lives in their own homes and communities."
DRS requests a $2 million one-time supplemental appropriation. A $2 million supplemental appropriation will enable DRS to improve its financial situation in order to begin serving the individuals with disabilities throughout West Virginia who are on a waiting list for vocational rehabilitation services. Through 29 field offices, DRS counselors work with eligible individuals with disabilities on a one-on-one basis to develop a comprehensive individualized plan for employment that includes the specific services needed to prepare each person for employment.
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