Input sought from clients, families, public for vocational rehabilitation plan | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release

    Raleigh, N.C.     The N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR), which provides counseling, training, education, transportation, job placement and other support services to people with physical, psychiatric and intellectual disabilities, is seeking public input through a series of meetings to help update the state plan for delivery of its services. The plan, updated annually, will become effective Oct. 1.

    The public meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations on the dates indicated:

   •  Lumberton, May 5, Robeson Community College, SBC Workforce Development Center, Building 18, BB&T Conference Room, 5160 Fayetteville Road; phone (910)272-3631

   •  Washington, May 6, Beaufort County Community College, Allied Health Nursing Building (Bldg.12), Room 1204, 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East; phone (252)946-6194

   •  Hickory, May 12, Catawba Valley Community College, East Campus, Room 975, 2760 U.S. Highway 70 SE; phone (828)327-7000

   •  Albemarle, May 13, Stanly County Library,133 East Main Street; phone (704)986-3755

   •  Durham, May 20, Durham County Library, 300 North Roxboro Street; phone (919)560-0163

    In addition to the general public, those who may find the meetings of interest are people who receive VR services and their families, those who work in human services programs, advocates for people with disabilities and potential employers of people with disabilities.

    Discussion topics may include, but are not limited to:

   •  Strategies to improve outreach to underserved populations and disability groups

   •  Priorities that individuals with disabilities would like the public VR program to address

   •  Elimination of barriers to participation by individuals with disabilities in the VR program and the state's supported-employment program

   •  Responsiveness of VR services to its consumers

   •  Improvement of VR services for high-school students with disabilities

    Attendees may register to speak upon arrival at the meetings or in advance by calling Alma Atkinson at (919) 855-3530. Speakers are encouraged to bring a written copy of their comments. People who are unable to attend one of the meetings may provide input by sending written comments by May 25 to Jeff Stevens, 2801 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2801.

    Comments may also be e-mailed to dvr.m.stateplan@dhhs.nc.gov or faxed to: State Plan Comments at (919)715-1050. The current state plan is available at http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs/stateplan.htm.

    The scheduled meeting locations are accessible to people with disabilities. Sign-language interpreters will be present. If you plan to attend and need other accommodations, please contact Ms. Atkinson at (919)855-3530 by April 24. For additional information, contact Jeff Stevens at (919)855-3531 or e-mail jeff.stevens@dhhs.nc.gov.


    NC Department of Health and Human Services

    2001 Mail Service Center
     Raleigh, NC 27699-2001

     news@dhhs.nc.gov  •  (919) 855-4840