[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 67443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31568]



  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 249 / Friday, December 28, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 67443]]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Request for Public Suggestions on Ways To Support Youth With 
Disabilities in Transition to Adulthood

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice with request for suggestions.

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SUMMARY: We are requesting suggestions from the public on ways to 
support youth with disabilities that would help them in the transition 
to adulthood.

DATES: The comment period ends February 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted:
     In writing, to the Office of Employment Support Programs, 
Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 107 Altmeyer 
Building, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401;
     By E-mail to [email protected]; or
     By telefax to (410) 966-1278.
     By web site entry to SSA's Public Policy Information Site 
at http://policy.ssa.gov. Click on public comment. Click on open 
discussions. The direct link is http://policy.ssa.gov/si/ttwwiia.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christa Bucks Camacho, Social Security 
Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs, 6401 Security 
Boulevard, 107 Altmeyer Building, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401; Phone: 
(410) 966-5147 or TTY 1 (800) 988-5906; or through E-mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing final rules for the Ticket 
to Work and Self-Sufficiency program (Ticket to Work program) in 
today's Federal Register. Under this program, qualified disability 
beneficiaries will be issued tickets they can use to access vocational 
rehabilitation services, employment services and other support services 
from approved providers. SSA will pay the service providers if the 
beneficiaries achieve certain outcomes.
    In the final rules for the Ticket to Work program, we have decided 
not to issue tickets to those beneficiaries under age 18 or to those 
who have attained age 18, but for whom we have not yet conducted a 
redetermination of their eligibility under the disability standard for 
adults. We are interested in exploring various approaches to assist 
youth with disabilities who receive payments from us under one of the 
programs we administer. Therefore, we are seeking suggestions from the 
public to help us develop new programs that will assist these 
beneficiaries make the transition to independence, further education, 
and enhance careers in the workforce and that will complement the 
Ticket to Work program.
    During the comment period for the proposed rules for the Ticket to 
Work program, we received suggestions from the public on ways to 
provide alternative tools to assist young beneficiaries. We invite the 
public to submit additional opinions and suggestions on alternative 
options to support the transition of young beneficiaries to adulthood. 
To assist you in preparing your response, we offer the following 
questions as a guide. However, we welcome any suggestions you may have.
     What approaches could benefit these beneficiaries in 
preparing for future employment?
     What types of services might be useful to help these 
beneficiaries?
     The successful completion of a transition plan at the high 
school or post-secondary level is an essential part of preparing 
students with disabilities for independence as adults. What events or 
steps in the transition process could we establish for these 
beneficiaries that would demonstrate progress through their plan 
towards independence, education, and employment?
     What incentives would be appropriate to encourage 
providers, educational facilities, employers and others to provide 
assistance toward successful employment outcomes?
     Would it be appropriate and useful to expand the Ticket 
age limits to include disability beneficiaries 16 and 17 years old? How 
would the Ticket program assist these individuals?

    Dated: December 11, 2001.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 01-31568 Filed 12-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P