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Pennsylvania State Senate
05/14/2024 09:34 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=15290
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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: September 23, 2014 11:28 AM
From: Senator Lisa Baker
To: All Senate members
Subject: "Work Experience for High School Graduates with Disabilities” Act
 

Please join me in co-sponsoring legislation to better empower students with disabilities who have graduated from high school to enter the job market.

Eighty percent of individuals with disabilities are not currently members of the workforce. Federal census data reveals that those with disabilities are more than twice as likely to live below the poverty line and half as likely to participate in the work force.

However, many young people with disabilities have the desire and ability to work at competitive employment in integrated settings if they are given effective job readiness skill training and supported work experience while in high school.

To achieve that end, this legislation would designate the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in the Department of Labor and Industry (L & I) as the lead agency responsible for connecting local education agencies with private employers necessary to successfully transition students from high school to employment.

The OVR would be required to collaborate with officials of local education agencies and other public agencies, such as county mental health or intellectual disabilities programs, to include job readiness skill training in a student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP). The OVR would also arrange for, monitor, and support the placement of high school students with disabilities in lawful internships, on-the-job training, or full- or part-time work at competitive wages in integrated settings with private-sector employers.

L & I would also provide professional guidance relative to job coaching services and provide services to people who are OVR-eligible. State funds would match federal funds available to Pennsylvania through the OVR under the federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.

Introduced as SB1497