[Nfbmt] Fwd: Public Hearing Announcement - Order of Selection

[James Aldrich]

Hello all,

I just received this  post and I hope all attachments come through.

Jim Aldrich

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Anderson, Sue (VR Helena)" <suea at mt.gov>
> Date: December 17, 2013 at 2:09:35 PM MST
> To: Undisclosed recipients:;
> Subject: Public Hearing Announcement - Order of Selection 
> 
> Subject:  Notice of Public Hearing on “Order of Selection”
> Dear Colleagues,
> Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRB) will host a public hearing in Helena and invites you to share your perspectives and ideas regarding the proposed waiting list that will be implemented under an “Order of Selection.”  VRB also wishes to make the public aware of an associated policy change affecting individuals who may be placed on the proposed waiting list. The draft policy is attached.  Draft Order of Selection state plan amendments for 4.11(b)-Annual Estimates and 4.11(c)(3)-Order of Selection are also attached. 
> Federal regulations describe Order of Selection (OOS) as a mechanism to continue to operate a vocational rehabilitation program when there are not sufficient resources to serve everyone who requires services. When a vocational rehabilitation program determines that there are not enough resources, it must establish a waiting list by priority category.   Those with the most significant disabilities will be served first.  When sufficient resources are available, individuals on the waiting list will be contacted and served in chronological order based on their application date.
> It is important to note that individuals found eligible before the Order is implemented will continue to receive services; VRB will not place them on the waiting list.
> VRB anticipates that we will not have enough resources to serve all individuals in federal fiscal year 2014, and anticipates that OOS will be implemented the first quarter of calendar year 2014.
> VRB regrets the disruption that the proposed waiting list may cause Montanans with disabilities and will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding the associated resources for the VRB program.
>                         Date:           Thursday, January 9, 2014
>                         Time:           1:30pm to 3:00pm
>                         Location:       DPHHS auditorium (111 N Sanders, Helena)
>  
> If you are unable to attend the public hearing in person, you may submit your comments to our website (http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/index.shtml) or in writing (ATTN: Barbara Varnum, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT  59601).  Please submit any comments you have by January 31, 2014. 
> Barbara
>    
>  
> Barbara  Varnum, MS, CRC
> Chief of Field Services 
> Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services
> PO Box 4210
> Helena, MT  59604
>  
> This message and any attached documents may be confidential and/or privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you may not read, copy, distribute or use the information.  If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this e-mail and then delete this message.  Thank you
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