
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 20, 1994                   TAG: 9407200080
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

SOME DISABLED WORKERS COULD GET STATE AID BY BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER

Some of the disabled employees at the New River Valley Workshop who were scheduled to lose their sponsorship by the Community Services Board could get a boost from the state.

Bob Huff, executive director of the workshop, said officials from the Department of Rehabilitation Services notified him late Tuesday afternoon that the workshop and the board would be eligible for an additional $3,700 each - enough to provide day support for two disabled adults.

Lynn Chenault, executive director of the Community Services Board, had not heard the report, but said the funds would be welcomed. Whether the funds would be used to sponsor workshop employees depends on the state's requirements, he said.

Chenault hopes to have more information before the board meets July 28 to consider its 1994-95 contract with the workshop.

The need for additional funding became clear in May. At that time, the board decided to reduce its contract with the workshop because of budget reductions and the belief the workshop should serve as a training center rather than a permanent employer.

At Monday's executive committee meeting, Chenault recommended the board sponsor eight adults, down from the 16 it supported in 1993-94.

Of the eight adults scheduled to lose their funding at the workshop, four have joined supported employment or other day support programs, but at least three want to stay on at the workshop. Another employee is also considering supported employment, Chenault said.

Board member Andy McCready, who recently visited the workshop, said some board-sponsored employees appeared to be as productive as regular wage employees. He said the employees, some of whom have been at the workshop for more than 10 years, should be ready to move into a supported employment environment, which the board prefers.

A counselor employed by the board helps adults in supported employment programs adjust to their new workplace, McCready said. For example, the counselor would visit the employee at work every day for the first month or so and then follow up periodically.

However, Huff said none of the eight employees previously sponsored by the board are ready for a mainstream job.

The workshop, which employs 75 disabled adults among its work force, also has 30 regular wage employees. Huff said he could hire 25 additional regular wage employees and match the workshop's current rate of productivity if the company was interested in making a profit.

"That's not our mission," Huff said, but the workshop does provide training for disabled adults and helps them find jobs when they're ready.

The Community Services Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. July 28 at the Landmark Building in Radford.

by CNB