[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 3339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1312]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public 
Law 92-463 that a meeting of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
Rehabilitation (VACOR), authorized by Public Law 96-466, section 1521, 
will be held on February 2nd through 4th, 1999. The meeting will be 
held at the Washington Office of the American Legion, 1608 K Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20006. On February 2nd and 3rd, the meeting will convene 
at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn at 4:00 p.m. On February 4th, the meeting will 
convene at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn at 12:00 noon. The purpose of the 
meeting is to review the quality of the services which the Department 
of Veterans Affairs provides to disabled veterans who participate in VA 
sponsored programs of rehabilitation. In addition, the Committee will 
conduct an internal business meeting focusing on past activities and 
future initiatives.
    On February 2nd, the meeting will begin with opening remarks and an 
overview by Mr. Ronald W. Drach, Committee Chairman. Mindy Aisen, M.D., 
Director, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, will present 
a progress report on selected rehabilitation research projects, as well 
as comment on the overall state of rehabilitation research within the 
Department. Alfonso Batres, Ph.D., Chief Officer, Readjustment 
Counseling Service, will address the Committee on the history of VA 
community-based vet centers and their role in the process of veterans' 
post-war rehabilitation. The afternoon portion will consist of a 
rehabilitation over-view by Mr. Frederick Downs, Chief Consultant, 
Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service. The meeting will conclude with 
two Committee task-force reviews on the nature of outside service 
contracting by the Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Service and 
the operative goals which guide the behaviors of that program.
    On February 3rd, Mr. Dennis Duffy, Assistant Secretary for Policy 
and Planning, will provide a presentation on veteran rehabilitation in 
a ``One-VA'' Environment. Later, Mr. Hershel W. Gober, Deputy 
Secretary, will give a historical overview of VA's veterans 
rehabilitation programs. The afternoon session will be devoted in its 
entirety to a panel discussion conducted by spokespersons from veterans 
service organizations on the quality of constituent experiences with 
the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and recommendations for program 
change.
    The February 4th meeting will encompass a review of past unfinished 
business, recommendations for program changes, and a discussion of 
future meeting sites and future agenda topics.
    All meetings will be open to the general public and statements may 
be submitted by the general public at the February 4th morning meeting. 
If additional information is needed, please contact Frank J. Donlan, 
Counseling Psychologist, Department of Veterans Affairs, at (202) 273-
7436.

    Dated: January 12, 1999.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
Heyward Bannister,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-1312 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am]
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