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March 30, 2004
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
March 31, 2004
The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin
Member of Congress
2207 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
I want to respond to testimony that was provided by the
Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) at the March 18th
hearing convened by the House Social Security Subcommittee on SSA’s
Ticket-to-Work program. The comments of Paul Seifert stating “State VR
agencies have developed stand alone, take it or leave it, one size fits all
agreements for ENs in their states”, comes as a shock to this administrator of
the Maryland VR program. Let me assure you that Mr. Seifert’s statement could
not be further from the reality of what has occurred in our state.
First, Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
implementation planning was guided by the following principles:
- Persons with disabilities in Maryland are entitled to the
opportunities, rights and remedies afforded under Title I of the
Rehabilitation Act regardless of ticket status or assignment.
- Maryland DORS implementation will foster the goals of the
Ticket-to-Work legislation: to expand service delivery capacities; and
provide greater choice to ticket-holders to prepare for and obtain
employment.
- Implementation will occur in a manner that is fiscally
responsible and fair to ticket-holders, our community partner agencies and
DORS.
We have steadfastly adhered to those principles throughout
the process.
Second, Maryland DORS initiated an interagency
implementation team to ensure that our roll-out strategies were consistent with
our principles. Representatives from a number of community rehabilitation
programs participated on the state team in addition to representatives from Maryland’s
benefits planning assistance and outreach (BPAO) organizations; the Client
Assistance Program; and the state’s protection and advocacy program.
Third, Maryland does not have a “one size” agreement with
ENs but rather varies the agreement based on which entity will provide the
Ticket-to-Work administrative functions. We also tailor specific elements of
the agreements to the unique relationship we have with each provider.
While disagreeing categorically with Mr. Seifert’s comments
regarding implementation of the Ticket-to-Work for Maryland, I agree with his
support of a recommendation of the Adequacy of Incentives Work Group. The
current design of Ticket-to-Work by the Social Security Administration is seriously
flawed. I strongly support the Work Group recommendation to reestablish
cost reimbursement for state VR agencies separate from the Ticket-to-Work
program and thereby keep intact the Ticket option for the consumer.
I appreciate your consideration of these comments, and would
ask that this letter be submitted as part of the official record of the
hearing. Please do not hesitate to call me if you need additional information.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Burns
Assistant State Superintendent in Rehabilitation Services
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