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Legislative Committee
| Legislative Committee |
Members
Warren Jernigan, Chair
Suzy Hutcheson, FRC Chair
Jeffrey Barrett
Jane Bevan
Don Corwin
Don Chester
John Henry Douglas (Prospective Member)
Becki Forsell
Alan Getreu
Darlene Maynard
Debra Thompson, FRC 1st Vice Chair
Kara Tucker
Barbara Cain, FRC Planning Chair
Camile Washington
Bill Palmer, DVR Director(ex-officio)
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Committee Role
Members believe opportunities for persons with disabilities who are seeking employment or seeking to retain employment are maximized when Legislators realize the tremendous positive impact the services that DVR provides has on so many citizens. The Council made the decision to energize efforts by creating a standing committee that provides an essential component of supporting DVR in its efforts to continue to provide excellent services to Floridians with disabilities to better achieve their employment goals.
This committee has the important task of ensuring that the Florida Legislature understands and is supportive of the state’s vocational rehabilitation program. In the past, one member has organized legislative activity including visiting each Legislator. The committee was formed to energize these and other activities. According to the 2006 American Community Survey it is estimated that 13% of Florida’s population consists of persons with disabilities between the ages of 16-64. This committee believes that many persons with disabilities can and do benefit from DVR services, and because employment is the result, Florida’s return on their investment is high. DVR customers in 2006/2007 are projected to earn an estimated $228,500,000 in their first year of employment. Businesses find a ready and able qualified labor source in a time when it is needed most and Florida communities are the winners when individuals with disabilities pursue and achieve employment goals.
Members have taken giant steps toward fulfilling the mission of educating and advising the members of the state Legislature about the work of DVR and to advocate on their behalf to ensure state funding that will result in full federal matching funds for Florida. The federal government provides approximately $4 for every $1 Florida invests.
This year members made certain that each legislator received information about their home district by personally meeting with them at the Capital. Success came in the realization of DVR meeting the federal match for 2007/2008. These efforts will be continued to ensure legislators keep up-to-date with DVR accomplishments in light of certain budgetary reductions that Florida is facing for 2008.
To find your Senator, Representative and Congressman you may find this website helpful http://election.dos.state.fl.us/maps/index.shtml.
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