[Trainer-Talk] Fwd: Urgent request to contact RSA to support the programs in our field

[Reginald George]

Apology for cross post.
This is very important to make sure that funding for our programs is not cut.
Greetings Friends,

 Thought this might be of interest to you.  It relates to RSA grants in support of long term training such as the Vision Specialist, Rehabilitation Counseling, VRT, O&M and LVT programs.  RSA is soliciting comments from state agency directors, university personnel, former and current scholars and consumers.   Here is what the memo from RSA stated:

 Through this RFI, the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, is requesting input on the portfolio of grants supported under the Rehabilitation Training Program, specifically those supported under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training, Rehabilitation Short-Term Training, and Innovative Rehabilitation Training authorities to determine whether the activities funded under the Rehabilitation Training Program are aligned with the goals of the Department and the needs of State vocational rehabilitation agencies. We will use the information gathered in response to this RFI to determine whether any changes are needed in designing and implementing grant activities under this program, including the specific mix of activities supported each year.

The link to the document that will be released in the federal register tomorrow is here.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-09429.pdf   

This is very important. I urge those of you who have been in the these programs, or had staff in the programs to respond about the impact such programs have on your ability to serve consumers effectively. If you feel the program has made a difference in the qualifications of personnel and the way consumers are served, please support the continuation of these programs. We often hear about shortages of qualified personnel and this is one of the major ways we are able to meet these personnel demands.

Please share as you feel it is appropriate.

Thanks in advance for your support.

BJ. LeJeune, CRC, CVRT

National Research and Training Center

on Blindness and Low Vision

P.O. Box 6189

Mississippi State, MS  39762

P:  662-325-2694

F:  662-325-8989

bjlejeune at colled.msstate.edu

www.blind.msstate.edu