All across America, the theme is trauma, especially in early childhood, and how to build resilience in young children. Here at home, an event, "What's Great in Our State: A Forum to Celebrate Children's Mental Health" will be held on May 9th, 2011 from 10:00 to 12:30 at the NYS Museum, Huxley Auditorium in Albany. Please click here for more information about this event.     

To register for the event, please email britt.myrhol-clarke@omh.ny.gov or call 212-330-6399. Include your name, title, agency/program, email address and phone number.

State Education Department
Soliciting Input  

To Aid Policy Updates on Establishing Financial Need

 

In the interest of older youth, especially those making decisions about college, career or another form of continuing education, as well as their family members, the ENGAGE Team joins others in announcing that the NYS Education Department (SED) Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES-VR, www.acces.nysed.gov/, formerly VESID), is soliciting input on their policy related to establishing financial need for vocational rehabilitation services. They are holding public forums in June in New York City, Albany and Canandaigua and are seeking written feedback to their proposal for efficiency. Frank Coco, ACCES-VR Policy Director, may be requesting additional feedback in other areas as well. The following will provide additional information:

• The NYS SED's Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES-VR) measures the financial need of individuals to determine the extent of their participation in the cost of services. In this way, ACCES-VR's limited financial resources will be allocated to maximize vocational rehabilitation services to those eligible individuals with the greatest financial need. The determination of financial need is considered an integral part of the rehabilitation planning process for eligible individuals receiving vocational rehabilitation services.
• ACCES-VR's financial need policy and procedures must be applied uniformly to all individuals in similar circumstances and within the same geographic region to assure that consumers with the greatest financial need receive ACCES-VR services. Levels of need for different geographic regions in the state have been identified and added, based on cost of living data. 
• The proposed updates to policy and procedures will also streamline the financial need calculation process and clarify documentation requirements. District Office staff training will assure calculation correctness, acceptable case documentation and statewide implementation consistency.   

Policy and Partnerships Web Page and Notice of Public Meeting 

Review Current Policy