Scheduled Public Hearings | Scheduled Open Meetings

Scheduled Public Hearings

Public Hearings Notice for
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
Vocational Rehabilitation and State Supported Employment Programs

Two public hearings will be conducted prior to the submittal of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) State Plan to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). MRC must submit a plan annually in order to receive federal funding for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the State Supported Employment Services Programs.

The dates and times for the hearings are as follows:

June 12, 2012     11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Site:   MRC Springfield Area Office
1 Federal Street, Bldg. 102-1
Springfield, MA. 01105
 

June 14, 2012     10:00 to 12:00 noon
Site:  MRC Somerville Area Office
5 Middlesex Avenue, 3 rd Floor
Somerville, MA. 02145
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Comments and suggestions are needed. How can MRC:
• Improve the provision of vocational rehabilitation services?
• Increase the number of individuals with disabilities who get and keep jobs?
• Work more effectively with the Career Centers?
• Improve the quality and scope of Supported Employment?

MRC welcomes any comments and suggestions concerning its goals, accomplishments and services.

Individuals who intend to make an oral presentation at a public hearing: should:
1) Prepare a written statement of comments in advance of the hearing;
2) Make the presentation as concise as possible; and
3) Submit a copy of the prepared statement to MRC personnel present at the hearing.

In presenting oral and/or written statements, all individuals should:
1) Indicate their name, address and any organization they are representing;
2) If known, identify each specific part of the plan on which comments are being made;
3) Describe the concern with respect to the plan; and
4) Stipulate the recommended action to be taken.

Individuals who are unable to attend may submit written comments or give oral telephone testimony by writing or by calling the telephone numbers noted below:

MRC Policy and Planning Department
600 Washington Street, 2nd floor
Boston, MA 02211
(617) 204-3708
1-800-245-6543 (Voice/TDD)

Copies of the draft State Plan will be available at the hearings. For additional copies, individuals can call or write to Teresa Walsh at the above number and address. Emails can be sent to Teresa.Walsh@MRC.state.ma.us.

All comments and suggestions must be received by June 22, 2012.                      

If reasonable accommodations under the American with Disabilities Act are needed to attend one of the public hearings, an individual would need to contact the MRC Administrative Office at (617) 204-3708 with his or her request prior to attending.
 

Scheduled Open Meetings

State Rehabilitation Council Open Meetings

Please reserve the following dates for the State Rehabilitation Council's year 2012 meeting dates and locations. All Meeting times:1:00 pm until 3:30 pm.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012                                                          Plymouth, MA

Tuesday, May 22, 2012                                                                Lawrence, MA

Tuesday, August 21, 2012                                                              TBD/West (Region)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012                                                            TBD/Metro West (Region)

Next Meeting:  (posted 4/25/12)

DATE:                 Tuesday, May 22, 2012
TIME:                 1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
LOCATION:       Lawrence Public Library
Sargent Auditorium, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence, MA 01841

Please RSVP your attendance by Monday May 16, 2011.   If you need further assistance, and other reasonable accommodations, please feel free to contact Emeka Nwokeji at (617) 204-3664.

AGENDA

 

1.       General Introductions                                 (5 Minutes)

2.       Welcome Remarks                               Lorraine Barra, VR District Director, (10 minutes)

3.           Consent agenda                                Nick Kaltsas, Chair   (5 Minutes)

      • 2/21/2012 SRC Meeting Minutes
      • 5/18/2012 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

4.       SRC Chair’s Update                         Nick Kaltsas, Chair, (10 Minutes)

      • SILC Education Day
      • Annual Conference

5.       MRC Commissioner’s Update          Deputy Comm. Kasper Goshgarian, (20 Minutes)

      • State Budget
      • Federal Funds                                                                                                                            

6.       SRC Finance/Market Committee      Alan Greene, (10 Minutes)

7.       VR Placement Director and Federal Contracts                     VR Assistant Comm. Joan Phillips 

8.       Consumer Satisfaction Committee    Mike Ferriter,  (10 Minutes)

      • Orientation Video
      • CSSC's annual report/State of Maine

9.       SRC VR State Plan & Interagency Relations     Joe Bellil  (10 Minutes)

      • State Plan 2012-Public Hearing

10.     Unserved/Underserved Population   Dawn Clark (10 Minutes)

      • LD/ADHD Subcommittee approval 

11.     Policy & Regulation Committee        Jeffrey Roberge, (10 Minutes)

12.     SRC Retreat                                      Dawn Clark, (5 Minutes)                                                              

13.     Open Mic                                          (10 Minutes)                                                             

14.     Announcements/Wrap up                 Nick Kaltsas, (5 Minutes)

                  

  • SRC Executive Committee Meeting      (posted 5/3/12)

    DATE:               Friday May 18, 2012
    TIME:               10:00 am-12:00 pm
    LOCATIO Administrative Offices 
    600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111 

    Agenda

  • Approval of the March 23, 2012 Executive Committee minutes
  • Commissioner’s Update:
    • MRC Funding Report and year’s goal
  • SRC Chair's Update:
    • Invitation to all Standing Committee Chairs
    • April 4, 2012 11:00 am-1:30pm   SILC/SRC Education Day at the State House 2nd floor, Grand Hall
  • SRC Standing Committee Update:
    • By-Law/Nomination Committee - Nick Kaltsas
    • Finance/Marketing Committee - Alan Green
    • Consumer Satisfaction Committee - Mike Ferriter
    • VR State Plan & Interagency Relations - Joe Bellil
    • Unserved/Underserved Population - Dawn Clark
    • Policy & Regulation Committee - Jeffrey Roberge
  • SRC May 22, 2012 Quarterly Meeting Agenda
  • Other

 

  • Consumer Satisfaction Survey Committee:  (posted 5/21/12)

    DATE:  June 7, 2012
    TIME: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    LOCATION: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
    600 Washington St., 2nd Floor
    Essex Conference Room
    Boston, MA 02211

    Meeting will be to review the Consumer Satisfaction Survey Report for 2011 and generate recommendations.

    Please RSVP your attendance.  If you need further assistance, and other reasonable accommodations, please feel free to contact Charlene Coombs at (617) 204-3766.

 

  • Unserved/Underserved Populations Committee:

DATE: Friday June 29th, 2012
TIME: 1PM-3PM
LOCATION: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington Street 2nd Floor
Manager’s conference room
Boston, MA 02111

To RSVP please contact Lisa Weber, Program Coordinator, at lisa.weber@massmail.state.ma.us or (617) 204 - 3638

  • Artists Beyond Challenges 

    DATE: Friday, June 29th 2012
    TIME: 10:30AM-12:30PM
    LOCATION: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
    600 Washington Street 2nd Floor
    Manager’s Conference Rooom
    Boston, MA 02111

    If you are in need of any reasonable accommodations, or to RSVP, please contact Lisa Weber, Program Coordinator, at lisa.weber@massmail.state.ma.us or (617) 204 - 3638

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.