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NCARF Headquarters
Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone
919-863-9486
Email
Nicole Shore
Association Executive
Michelle Eggleston
Membership Coordinator
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Community Rehabilitation Programs -ARRA Funding RFA |
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Click Here for Website
DHHS Division/Office issuing this notice: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Date of this notice: October 20, 2009
Purpose: The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to identify creative and innovative proposals that develop employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services in North Carolina to obtain and maintain employment during this challenging economic environment.
Description: On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) which made "...supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation..." in order to stimulate the economy in the short term and lead to long term economic health for the United States. On April 1, 2009, the US Department of Education released ARRA funds for VR State Grants in order for state VR programs to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with significant disabilities. The North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) has received a share of these funds and has a designated that a portion of them to be used for Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) already operating in the state for the preservation and enhancement of the service delivery system.
VR ARRA funds provide an unprecedented opportunity for NC DVRS and CRPs to implement innovative strategies to improve employment outcomes for those individuals with disabilities eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and maintain quality infrastructure so that business can continue after the economy recovers. Therefore the Division is accepting proposals for projects related to Community Rehabilitation Program Services. Proposals must include solutions that address the development of employment opportunities in one or more of the following categories:
- Consumer employment training and placement opportunities
- Consumer work related transportation
- Job creation through CRP affiliated business enterprises
Individual projects are limited to a maximum of $100,000.00 for each category, pending availability of funding. Applicants may submit proposals addressing one or more of the categories identified above.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are non-profit, Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) presently in existence and operating within the state of North Carolina, providing services in the areas of Evaluation/Work Adjustment, Work Adjustment Job Coaching and/or Supported Employment for consumers of the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as of July 1, 2009. The CRP organization must be currently accredited in one or more of the above services areas by one of the following national accreditation bodies: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), and the Council On Accreditation (COA).
How to Apply: Response to the RFA must be submitted via email to the following addressCRPRFA.ARRA@dhhs.nc.gov
To obtain the application form and instructions/requirements, please request a copy of the RFA- Request for Applications # DVR 00638 at the same email address provided above.
Deadline for Submission: Applications will be received electronically at the email address provided above until 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2009, subject to the conditions defined in the RFA.
How to Obtain Further Information: Potential applicants are encouraged to request a copy of the RFA as provided above. Questions not covered in the RFA may be addressed to the same email address.
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NCARF Member News |
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This is a link to a short piece on a local TV station about one of ECVC, Inc.'s consumers in light of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Click to View |
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Notice of Public Hearing |
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Notifying NC DVRS partners and interested parties:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING on Proposed Temporary Rule Amendments
When: NOVEMBER 9 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services State Office
805 Ruggles Drive, Raleigh, NC
1st Floor Conference Room.
Sign Language Interpreters will be available.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is conducting a public hearing on proposed temporary rule amendments to 10A NCAC 89C .0205. Furthermore, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services has adopted an emergency amendment to the same rule which was approved for entry into the NCAC effective October 27, 2009. A notice of proposed temporary rulemaking was submitted at the same time for publication on the OAH website: http://www.ncoah.com/rules/proposedtemp/10ANCAC89C.0205.doc Please follow this link for details pertaining to the proposed temporary rule amendment. Proposed amendments are underlined.
COMMENT PROCEDURES: Comments from the public shall be directed to: Elizabeth Bishop, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, 2801 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, 27699-2801, phone (919) 855-3566, fax (919)715-1050, email: Elizabeth.Bishop@dhhs.nc.gov. The comment period begins October 27, 2009 and ends November 12, 2009. |
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Washington State VR Director Named to be Next RSA Commissioner |
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Lynnae M. Ruttledge has been nominated by President Obama to be Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration at the Department of Education. She has served as the Director of the Washington Department of Social and Health Service, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation since 2005. She is responsible for leading Washington's vocational rehabilitation program, working annually with more than 23,000 individuals with significant disabilities to achieve their vocational goals. Previously, Ruttledge served in leadership positions at the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for more than 25 years.
Ruttledge began her public service career in Michigan as a classroom teacher in the public school system. She has received numerous recognitions and awards for her service including the Washington Governor's Award for Leadership in Management in 2007. As a person born with a disability, Ruttledge received assistance from the vocational rehabilitation program and graduated from the Northern Michigan University with a B.A. in Education.
Ruttledge will assume her new role in Washington as soon as her nomination is approved by the Senate.
I-NABIR has spoken with our members in Washington and Oregon and they speak very highly of Ruttledge. I-NABIR has written her with our congratulations and we hope to meet with her as soon as possible.
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URGENT SURVEY REQUEST
LMEs across the state have been provided with information on their reduction in funding as of September 8, 2009. They have been asked to provide the Division with their service's plan by October 5, 2009 for the Division's review.
We need to hear from the members of NCARF to find out if your LMEs have already taken action on services or funding reduction and what this has meant to your organization.
If you have already had reductions in either funding or services for the 2009/2010 year from your LME, please complete this quick survey, if you have not already done so.
We will re-survey in the next 6 weeks to further assess the impact of budget cuts throughout the state.
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Governance Policies
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NCARF is gathering Board of Directors and Organizational Governance Policies for member reference. We'd love to have your contributions. Please send the policies to Michelle Eggleston, meggleston@firstpointresources.com. We'll post them at www.ncarf.com in the members only area. Please send exactly how you would like them posted. If you have questions, please let us know. |
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Member Emeritus
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Have someone to suggest for Member Emeritus Status?
Please send Michelle Eggleston, meggleston@firstpointresources.com their name and contact info, NCARF staff will contact them with information on becoming involved with NCARF.
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News to Share?
Please send any news you wish to include in the weekly updates to
NCARF Staff
***The information in the NCARF Weekly Update is presented for informational purposes. Unless expressly stated, opinions may not be the opinion of NCARF as an organization. Inclusion of information in the Weekly Update is not meant to imply endorsement by NCARF or its member organizations. NCARF cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information that is passed along from various outside sources. |
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