Federal Transition Legislation Introduced

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Might be mildly interesting to some...just came across this today.

HARPER INTRODUCES INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) introduced a

legislative package today which aims to streamline federal programs and services

intended to support youth with significant disabilities from adolescence to

adulthood and rebalance federal funding to focus on improved outcomes in

post-secondary education and integrated employment.

The three bills, collectively referred to as the " Transition toward Excellence,

Achievement and Mobility " (TEAM Act), seek to promote meaningful post-secondary

educational and employment opportunities for individuals living with

intellectual disabilities. Harper's proposal intends for these citizens to gain

full-time employment in an integrated setting at a livable wage leading to

long-term career development and inclusion in the community through independent

living and social engagement.

" In order for individuals living with intellectual and developmental

disabilities to reach their maximum potential, Congress must enact a systems

change, " said Harper. " The current federal disability laws are hopelessly

outdated and will ultimately lead to unemployment and poverty for these

children. "

The " TEAM-Education Act " ensures that schools are provided guidance and modest

additional resources to engage transition coordinators to proactively assist

America's disabled children during their years in the public school system.

The " TEAM-Empowerment Act " creates an adult transition planning process and

system of supports for youth and their families under the supervision of state

intellectual and developmental disability agencies. This plan declares that

youth can choose an adviser to work with them, whether they would like to

advance their education or join the workforce.

The " TEAM-Employment Act " seeks to stimulate a national system-change

initiative, which will establish that agencies coordinate services better to

produce the desired outcomes of integrated living and employment. This includes

incentivizing and rewarding those states who reshape the focus of their current

funding streams to promote those services that lead to getting our youngsters

fully participating in the community through the general workforce and economic

mainstream.

" My intent in introducing the `TEAM Act' is to guarantee that steps are taken to

realign the current federal infrastructure so as to promote an efficient

blending of resources and coordination of services among federal agencies, "

added Harper. " This goal is met by implementing coherent planning centered on

the individual and targeting publicly-financed investments toward self-directed

significant outcomes. "

Harper, a second-term Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has a

21-year-old son with Fragile X Syndrome, the most commonly inherited form of

intellectual disabilities and the only known genetic cause of autism. The

Mississippi lawmaker is a passionate advocate for the intellectual disability

community and for promoting public policies that encourage the effective and

efficient use of federal resources to support optimal self-sufficiency and

economic advancement of citizens with significant disabilities.

The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), a network of twelve

national organizations committed to high-impact public policy reform to promote

the economic advancement of citizens with significant disabilities, has endorsed

this reform package.

Gregg Harper Press Release

2/10/11