(page 1) MEMORANDUM TO SENATOR DOLE DA: April 4, 1995 FR: Alec Vachon RE: LETTER OF ENORSEMENT FOR COMPEER * ATTACHED FOR YOUR APPROVAL IS A LETTER OF ENDORSEMENT FOR COMPEER--BASICALLY SAYS GOOD THINGS ABOUT COMPEER AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THEIR INFORMATION PACKETS ON THEIR LETTERHEAD. * You are the Honorary Chairman of Compeer--a nationwide network of local volunteers who provide friendship and support to people with mental disabilities. (I understand you met briefly with Compeer's Executive Director during a trip to Rochester, NY, last Fall.) DO YOU APPROVE THE ENCLOSED STATEMENT? YES (handwritten checkmark) NO (blank) (page 2) Compeer: Volunteers sharing the power of friendship to help people with mental illness live happier, more productive lives. International Affiliation of Compeer Programs. I.A.C.P. Advisory Board Senator Robert Dole, Honorary R-Kansas Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Honorary D-New York Dr. John McIntyre, Honorary Past President American Psychiatric Assn. Rochester, New York: Elmer Letts Chairperson Richard Ahem Arunas Chesonis Michael Frame Jim Henderson Ron Keller Steven Kousouris Dale Lutz Gail Mahanger Chris McWilton Joyce Moretti Joseph Ragusa Mare Young Bernice Skirboll, M.S. Executive Director, Compeer, Inc. Katey Breen, M.Ed. I.A.C.P. Coordinator Norma Stefano I.A.C.P. Program Assistant Michele Brown Buffalo, NY John Cassase Pittsburgh, PA Marlene Kaatz Phoenix, AZ Linda Stiefel Wichita, KS Doria Williams Atlanta, GA Corporate Sponsors ACC Citibank Genesee Corportaion I.B.M. Corporation Johnson & Johnson February 8, 1995 Compeer. Monroe Square, Suite B-1 259 Monroe Avenue (716) 546-8280 1(800) 836-0475 Fax: (716) 325-2558 (Letter of endorsement) Thirty to forty-five million Americans have a mental illness. Friendship and support are the key ingredients in the recovery process- it's nature's best medicine. Compeer understands and is designed to meet that need. I know first hand, because I am pleased to have served as Honorary Chairperson of Compeer for the past eight years. This organization offers a unique service in the mental health system. Volunteers are matched in a one-to-one friendship relationship with children and adults as an adjunct to therapy. The volunteers/ mental health professionals, Compeer staff, and client form a support network that augments the delivery of regular mental health services. Thousands of volunteers are having a direct and positive impact on the lives of lonely and vulnerable people. Building a trusting friendship is the key ingredient in bringing a person back into the mainstream of community life. The emphasis on reaffirming the dignity of people who are in need, and the goal of the individual developing self-sufficiency are all integral components of Compeer. The program is indeed a partnership between public and private sectors because it maximizes public funds by matching them with out greatest national resource, American volunteers. In these times of limited federal resources and greater demand for accountability and results, when a program like compeer comes along, driven by private dollars and volunteers, we shuld all do what we can to help. Compeer volunteers have used the power of their friendship to help over 20,000 people in 115 cities. That's really making a big difference and really saving money for patients and taxpayers. With soaring health care costs which are expected to reach one trillion dollars and an increasingly burdened health care system, Compeer provides a valuable alternative. Government downsizing is demanding that we provide quality cost effective service to more people than ever with fewer dollars than ever. This is indeed proving to be a critical and challenging time for those of us serving the disabled population. The key elements in health care reform will be programs such as Compeer and people who provide cost effective adjuncts to traditional health services. Every community could benefit from this program. It is my hope that together, we will be able to provide the helping hand of friendship to the still growing thousands who need this service. Senator Robert Dole Winner of the President's Volunteer Action Award (page 3) Bill Frist UNITED STATES SENATOR • TENNESSEE Recommendations for Disability-Specific Provisions to Job Training Bill April 6, 1995 1. Presumption of disability. Require that an individual be considered disabled if the individual offers evidence of a disabilit (e.g. through documentation of eligibility for a state or federal disability program, in the form of medical information, or through the person's physical presence.) 2. Presumption of employability. Require that an individual with a disability be considered employable. 3. Access to appropriate degrees of individual assistance. Require that an individual with a disability has access to the same type and amount of services that a one-stop center offers to other individuals, unless an individual with a disability requests and needs additional or different services to achieve an employment goal. Require that access to additional or different services include access to individuals and entities which have expertise and certification or accreditation in vocational rehabilitation. Specify that if an individual with a disability requests it, the individual would participate in the development of an individualized employment assistance plan to achieve an employment goal. (It is assumed that such an opportunity would be requested most frequently when an individual requests and needs additional or different services connected to long-term planning.) 4. Funds to be expended on an individual with a disability. Specify that an individual with a disability would first have access to services up to the per capita limit adopted by a state for a one-stop center (see #1 under recommendations for general provisions). If the cost of services for an individual's needs exceeds the per capita amount for an individual served by a one-stop center, then funds from Title I of the Rehabilitation Act could be accessed. 5. Choice. In selecting a vendor or program in pursuit of an employment goal, specify that an individual with a disability may select any vendor on the approved list maintained by a one-stop center. 6. Retain an Amended Title I of the Rehabilitation Act. Specify a line item authorization of appropriations that would be used exclusively to meet the job training-related needs of individuals with disabilities. Incorporate state plan provisions from Title I of the Rehabilitation Act that provide guidance on how to assist individuals with disabilities in a job training context.