March 11, 2003 Hearing On: "Workforce Investment and Rehabilitation Acts: Improving Services and Empowering Individuals" Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us for this important hearing today to hear testimony on recommendations for reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Rehabilitation Act. This will be our fourth hearing on the Workforce Investment Act within the last two years, and first hearing focusing on the Rehabilitation Act. In 1998, under this Committee’s leadership, Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act to reform the nation’s job training system that formerly was fragmented, contained overlapping programs, and did not serve either job seekers or employers well. WIA consolidated and integrated employment and training services at the local level in a more unified workforce development system. The Act created three funding streams to provide for adult employment and training services, dislocated workers’ employment and training services, and youth development services. These services are directed by the local, business-led workforce investment boards. One of the hallmarks of the new system is that, in order to encourage the development of comprehensive systems that improve services to both employers and job seekers, local services are provided through a one-stop delivery system. At the one-stop centers, assistance ranges from core services such as job search and placement assistance, access to job listings, and an initial assessment of skills and needs; intensive services such as comprehensive assessments and case management; and if needed, occupational skills training. In addition, to further promote a seamless system of services for job seekers and employers, numerous other federal programs also must make their services available through the one-stop system. Vocational rehabilitation is one of the mandatory partners in the workforce development system. The WIA system contains the federal government’s primary programs for investment in our nation’s workforce preparation. Even though the system is still maturing since its full implementation in July 2000, States and local areas have created comprehensive services and effective one-stop delivery systems. The system is serving the needs of unemployed workers seeking new jobs in this time of economic recovery. In addition, the training services provided through WIA are invaluable in helping employers find the workers they need in areas of the country facing skill shortages. Nonetheless, there have been challenges with the system. For example, we have heard of the need to increase the financial contribution of the mandatory partners in the One-Stop Career Centers while at the same time increasing the service integration among the partner programs. This includes serving through the one-stop system special populations that have unique needs. We have heard recommendations to simplify the local and state governance processes and to strengthen the private sector's role. In addition, we have heard about the need to increase training opportunities and improve performance accountability. We look forward to hearing our witnesses’ comments on these issues as we seek to enhance the system so that it will continue to meet the training and employment needs of the information-based, highly skilled, 21st century workforce. We also are considering the Rehabilitation Act, which authorizes the nation’s major program providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities become employable and achieve full integration into society. The 1998 reauthorization simplified certain aspects of vocational rehabilitation to expand consumer choice of services and providers, coordinate the vocational rehabilitation system with the one-stop delivery system, and to increase consumers’ involvement in the planning process and development of employment goals. The vocational rehabilitation system largely has succeeded in achieving its purpose of providing more control to the individuals it serves. However, we do look forward to examining the degree to which the system is integrating with workforce development, and how well the one-stop system is serving individuals with disabilities. Today we have the opportunity to hear reauthorization recommendations from the Administration and several important stakeholder groups. First we will hear from Assistant Secretary Emily DeRocco from the Department of Labor and Assistant Secretary Robert Pasternack from the Department of Education regarding the Administration’s proposals for reauthorization of these the two vital programs. Then we will hear from leaders in the fields of business, workforce development, and vocational rehabilitation to learn their thoughts and recommendations for these Acts. The Subcommittee welcomes your insights as we move toward reauthorization. I look forward to working with the members of this Committee, the Administration, and all stakeholders as we work to craft legislation that will build upon and improve the systems we created in 1998 and continue to empower individuals in improving their careers. I now will yield to Congressman Kildee for any opening statement he may have. |