Official Site of the Governor of Virginia

For Immediate Release

Contact

July 29, 2009

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Gordon Hickey
804.225.4260
804.291.8977 (cell)

Aileen Colorado
DRS
(804) 662-7532
vadrs.org

Governor Announces $500,000 in Economic Development Grant Funding From ARRA
– Funding to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities –

FREDERICKSBURG - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) awarded $500,000 in federal funding to 12 Employment Services Organizations (ESOs) with projects designed to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities. The funds were made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a portion of which serves as recovery funding directed to the state's vocational rehabilitation system. The projects range from expanding a laundry service operation, to purchasing a multi-passenger van for transporting workers, to creating local community enclaves (small mobile crew of workers with disabilities).

"People with disabilities have always faced a high unemployment rate compared to those without disabilities, but this economic downturn has created an even larger gap as people with disabilities struggle to compete in this tight labor market," Governor Kaine said. "All Virginians deserve the opportunity for a better life through a better job, and I am pleased this recovery funding will create more than 200 jobs for Virginians with disabilities."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the rate of unemployment among people with disabilities reached 14.3% in June-the highest rate since the government began tracking monthly disability employment data.

Employment Services Organizations work in partnership with the Department of Rehabilitative Services to provide employment and vocational training to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, ESOs supply competitive services and products to public and private industry. The statewide program has been responsible for increased revenue for numerous employment providers and for expanded job opportunities for thousands of individuals with disabilities.

"It is a partnership that has enabled us to help those with more severe disabilities find jobs that fit their skills and abilities," said DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock. "These funds will be a great aid in our ability to respond to our customers' specific needs."

Governor Kaine announced the recipients of the grants today at Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, themselves a recipient of a grant, as part of his Fredericksburg Cabinet Community Day.

A total of 34 grant proposals amounting to more than $1.3 million dollars were submitted for consideration. Based on recommendations from the review panel, Commissioner Rothrock approved the following 12 proposals:

ARC Industrial Services - Richmond, $48,704

Staff and equipment for a scanning operation to support the employment of 12 people with disabilities. The work will involve the digitization of approximately 19,000,000 images which is expected to begin in August 2009.

ARC Peninsula – Hampton, $39,763

Staff for an enclave in the community at the Alcoa-Howmet Plant in Hampton, Virginia. The enclave will support 6 positions at a starting rate of $8.40/hour with benefits for full time employees.

Career Support Systems – Richmond, $49,131

Staff and equipment to establish a highly integrated, community donut company in Richmond to provide stable and flexible employment for a wide range of consumers with support needs. Over the first two years, 12 positions will be identified for people with disabilities in addition to 40 situational assessments.

Chesapeake Services Systems, Inc. – Chesapeake, $42,615

Staff and equipment to expand their laundry operations that will allow them to accept base-wide contracts at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The expansion at full operation could generate an additional 100 jobs.

Crossroads Services – Farmville, $44,655

Staff and equipment to initiate a mobile car wash business. The mobile crew will operate a self contained trailer that holds the pressure washer, hose with reel, water tank, generator and compressor. The effort will create 5 new jobs for people with disabilities.

Rappahannock Goodwill Industries – Fredericksburg, $24,779

Funding for a 15-passenger van to transport an additional 12-15 positions from the Culpeper area for their Ability one contract at the FBI Academy.

Rockbridge Area Community Services Board – Lexington, $29,500

Staff position to create an enclave at Auto Recyclers, LLC in Buena Vista. The enclave will create 17 new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

PRS, Inc. – Falls Church, $25,723

Staff to support a specialized community-based work adjustment training program, followed by job development and place and train services targeted at young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Loudon County with the objective of placing 5 consumers in jobs in competitive, integrated settings.

SOC Enterprises – Arlington, Virginia, $50,000

Staff for an employment specialist for a Ready2Work Project to provide timely, targeted and effective employment assistance and job placement for wounded warriors with service connected disabilities. Plans are for 10 Wounded Warriors/DRS consumers to be placed in employment.

The Choice Group – Richmond, $49,364

Staff position as an Enclave Coordinator. The position will start an enclave for DRS referrals with individuals who are not able to succeed in competitive supported employment models, but will also focus on developing soft skills and work behaviors required to ultimately transition into competitive one-to-one supported employment. Enclave census for the first year will be 8 consumers placed.

VCU Health System Authority – Richmond, $48,824

For a new job coach to support the placement of 5 individuals into community based employment during the project period. The focus will be to develop community-based, competitive employment opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) with the emphasis on Aspberger's syndrome.

NW Works, Inc. – Winchester, $36,810

Purchase shredder equipment to expand their existing document destruction operation to allow individuals with the most severe disabilities to gain paid employment. An additional 10 positions will be created with this effort.

The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services is the state agency that provides and advocates for the highest quality of services to help persons with disabilities maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. Through its four regional and 39 field offices, DRS provides a comprehensive array of services such as vocational counseling, career exploration, training, assistive technology, and other specialty programs that meet individual needs, interests and abilities. For more information about DRS, call 1-800-552-5019 (v), 1-800-464-9950 (TTY) or visit www.vadrs.org

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Governor Announces $500,000 in Economic Development Grant Funding From ARRA – Funding to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities –

Governor Announces $500,000 in Economic Development Grant Funding From ARRA
– Funding to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities –