Public Meetings for VRS State Plan Revisions

FV Indiana strongly encourages our members to share your input on the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS). As outlined in the following memo from Julia Holloway, DDRS Director you can share your input in person, by phone, by email or by standard mail. FV Indiana members may be surprised to know what despite the ease of sharing input historically very few consumers and families take the time to do so. We encourage our members to help change the trend and share their voices!

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS), Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) invites the public to share comments regarding the annual revisions to the State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), and also three VRS Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM) Chapter revisions (Documents will be
available March 25, 2011). A total of five public hearings and one conference call will be held this year, as outlined below.

INDIANAPOLIS April 18, 2011, Monday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT) IN Government Center South Conference Center, Room 1 402 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46207

SOUTH BEND April 19, 2011, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EDT) St. Joseph County Public Library Dickinson Conference Room 304 S. Main St. South Bend, IN 46601

MARION April 19, 2011, Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT) Marion Ivy Tech Room 101 261 S Commerce Dr Marion, IN 46953

SELLERSBURG April 20, 2011, Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT) IVY Tech Community College of Indiana Ogle Hall, Room 255 8204 Highway 311 Sellersburg, IN 47172

EVANSVILLE April 21, 2011, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CDT) Central Library Browning Events Room B 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Evansville, IN 47713

You may view the State Plan and PPM revisions on-line at: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/3920.htm

You may request copies by E-Mail to: Kathy.Sodeman@fssa.IN.gov , or by telephone: at (317) 232-1350. Local VRS offices will also be able to assist you. Documents are available in alternative formats upon request.

Comments may be shared via conference call on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be 121 lines available. You may enter and leave the conference call at any time during the two hour period.
To join in the conference call toll free 1-877-326-0664 and identify to the operator the access # 5027117:

 When entering the conference call, please indicate whether you wish to make comments.
 A number will be given to the caller who wants to make comments.
 Comments will be heard in numerical order.
 Those making comments will be asked to provide their name and affiliation.
 Comments will be limited to two minutes per person.
 All comments made are heard by other conference call participants.
 All comments will be recorded.

Individuals interested in providing feedback should prepare their comments in writing, if possible. Anyone unable to attend a public hearing in person may E-Mail comments to: Kathy.Sodeman@fssa.IN.gov
Comments may be mailed to:

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
MS 20, P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, Indiana 46207-7083

Comments may be sent via FAX: (317) 232-6478

All comments must be received by Monday, May 2, 2011.