[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 14273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6902]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Task Force; 
Notice of Establishment

    As required by section 9(a)(2) of Public Law 92-463 (Federal 
Advisory Committee Act), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby 
gives notice of the establishment of the Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment (VR&E) Task Force. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has 
determined that establishing the Task Force is both necessary and in 
the public interest.
    The Task Force will conduct an independent review of the VR&E 
Program within the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Task 
Force will make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on 
improving the Department's ability to provide comprehensive services 
and assistance to veterans with service-connected disabilities and 
employment handicaps in becoming employable, and obtaining and 
maintaining suitable employment. The Task Force will also assess 
independent living services provided by VA.
    The duties and responsibilities of the Task Force will focus on 
training, employment, and independent living services. The Task Force 
will engage in the following activities: (i) Conduct a functional and 
organizational assessment of the VR&E Service; (ii) evaluate 
eligibility criteria, procedures, and processes for determining how a 
veteran is approved for training, employment, or independent living 
services as governed by applicable provisions of chapter 31 of title 
38, United States Code; (iii) appraise current VR&E processes, 
information systems, and management controls; (iv) determine 
consistency in the administration of the VR&E Program across VBA 
regional offices; and (v) examine clinical rehabilitation practices and 
employment placement services being utilized by other Federal, state, 
local or private organizations serving disabled persons, including 
veterans.

    Dated: March 18, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-6902 Filed 3-21-03; 8:45 am]
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