About the SRC
- Why the State Rehabilitation Council Exists
- Who Serves on the State Rehabilitation Council
- Who the Members of the State Rehabilitation Council Are
- Contact Us
Why the State Rehabilitation Council Exists
As a result of amendments to the federal Rehabilitation Act in 1992, each state has a citizens' advisory council for its vocational rehabilitation agency. In Virginia, the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Commonwealth's Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) was established by the General Assembly in its 1994 session. When the Rehabilitation Act was reauthorized as part of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the role of this citizens' council -- now called a State Rehabilitation Council -- was strengthened in order to underscore its importance in providing public input and advice to the state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
There is a separate State Rehabilitation Council, also created by the Rehabilitation Act, for Virginia's Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
The SRC has three standing committees: Outreach, Services and Fiscal and Human Resources.
Outreach Committee - The mission of the Outreach Committee is to provide outreach to the disability community and state and federal policymakers. This committee has responsibility for developing the SRC publications and advising DRS on forums for consumer input.
Fiscal and Human Resources Committee (FHRC) - The mission of the FHRC is to review and provide advice and guidance of the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) recruitment, training and utilization of its human resources. This committee also provides general review and comment on DRS' fiscal and related operating plans.
Services Committee - The mission of the Services Committee is to review, analyze and advise on policy, regulatory, VR services, and consumer satisfaction matters of the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). The Services Committee also reviews performance of Hearing Officers and participates in their selection.
Who Serves on the State Rehabilitation Council
In accordance with federal statutory requirements, the Governor of Virginia appoints individuals to the SRC. The SRC must include among its members:
Representatives of disability groups that include a cross-section of individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves; and current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.
One representative each from the federal Client Assistance Program at the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy; the Statewide Independent Living Council; the Virginia Workforce Council; the Department of Education; the parent training and information center; the Employment Services Organizations; and a qualified counselor from the state's vocational rehabilitation department.
Four representatives of business, industry, and labor.
A majority of the members of the SRC must be people with disabilities.
Who are the Members of the State Rehabilitation Council
Karen Baugh - Waldorf, Maryland, ex officio
Charles Benagh - Alexandria
Sandra Cook - Petersburg
Matthew Deans - Glen Allen
Daniel DeBoer - Richmond, Chairperson
Donna Kay Graff - Shenandoah
Kenneth Holloway - Virginia Beach
Sarah Liddle, Shawsville
Kathleen Maybee - Richmond
Marianne Moore - Staunton, Vice Chairperson
Hiawatha Nicely - Dublin
Michael Organ - Staunton
James Rothrock - Richmond, ex officio
Samuel Simon - McLean
Cherie Rei Takemoto - Arlington
Roy Ward - Richmond
Florence Watt - Ashland
