Rep. Andrews Highlights the Importance of Vocational Rehabilitation

On May 11th, Congressman Rob Andrews joined Susan S. Perron, President & CEO of the Abilities Center of Southern New Jersey, Inc., to highlight the importance of vocational rehabilitation as an effort to help millions of disabled Americans fulfill their dreams and attain gainful employment. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), funding for Vocational Rehabilitation Grants will increase by over $540 million nationwide. New Jersey is expected to add and additional $10 million to its share of vocational rehabilitation funding, for a total of $56 million in grants to be released throughout 2009.

As unemployment reaches a 25-year high, this increase in federal funding is significant as it will provide much needed opportunities during the current tight job market. In many cases, this funding will allow job centers to expand and even create jobs within their own facilities by increasing their ability to hire more skilled teachers and instructors, while easing the burden on their operating budgets. Most importantly, this boost in funding will lay the groundwork for vocational rehabilitation centers across America help those with disabilities locate employment while developing and maintaining close relationships with local businesses. Therefore, by providing job training centers with an increase in resources, more disadvantaged individuals will have the opportunity to learn a trade and obtain gainful employment. Thus, not only does this boost in federal funding create jobs internally for many occupational training centers, but the number of jobs generated for disabled Americans will increase exponentially.

“The President’s recovery plan is designed to help Americans find work and get our economy back on the course of long term growth,” said Congressman Andrews. “This increase in vocational rehabilitation funding will help more disadvantaged Americans meet the demands of today’s workforce, which will contribute to economic growth and fulfillment for those who achieve employment.”

Susan S. Perron, President & CEO said, “The Abilities Center is a resource for jobs creation. Congressman Andrews is an important champion of people with disabilities and other disadvantages. From the Ticket-to-Work program to his support of the federal Stimulus package, Congressman Andrews has demonstrated his recognition of people with disabilities as qualified workers who are important members of the labor force.”

The Congressman addressed a group of 100 employees and trainees at the Abilities Center of Southern New Jersey, Inc., located in Westville. The Abilities Center, which opened its doors in 1963, is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization with a mission to provide employment services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages which may be barriers to employment. It serves nearly 800 people annually. It has placed nearly 1000 people in competitive employment in the past 5 years. The Center’s programs include center-based transitional, community-based, youth-to-career and vocational evaluation services.

###

Return to the Washington Updates Page