[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 35255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14812]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force; Notice of 
Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public 
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the VA 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Task Force will be held 
on Monday, June 23, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Tuesday, June 
24, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Room 230, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The meeting is open 
to the public.
    The purpose of the Task Force is to conduct an independent review 
of the VR&E program within the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). 
The Task Force will provide 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 VBA.
    On June 23, VBA officials will make presentations on independent 
living services, self-employment program, and employment placement 
services. There will be a panel discussion with VA Regional Office 
Directors on the status of VR&E programs. The Small Business 
Administration and VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization will provide comment on self-employment opportunities for 
disabled veterans. On June 24, presentations will be made by the United 
States Postal Service, AFL-CIO, National Council on Independent Living, 
and National Organization on Disability with a focus on employment of 
disabled persons. The Task Force will be briefed by VBA on the G.I. 
Bill. The Task Force will hear remarks from senior officials from the 
Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education 
on employing individuals with disabilities. The Commission on 
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities will also provide comment.
    No time will be allocated for receiving oral presentations from the 
public. Interested parties who wish to attend the meeting should have 
adequate identification for entry into the building and will be subject 
to a security screening process. Members of the public may submit 
written comments for review by the Committee to: Mr. John O'Hara, 
Executive Director, VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task 
Force, VA Office of Policy, Planning, and Preparedness (008B), 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Mr. O'Hara can be reached at 
(202) 273-5130; fax number (202) 273-5991 and e-mail address 
john.o'[email protected].

    Dated: June 4, 2003.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-14812 Filed 6-11-03; 8:45 am]
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