SENATE MEMORIAL 25

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND REPORT ON WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM OF SCHOOL-TO-WORK TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, a public education department post-school outcome survey in 2012 reported that employment was declining for individuals with any disability, but in particular for those individuals reporting a developmental disability; and

     WHEREAS, national data from the United States department of labor reflects that more than seventy percent of students with disabilities leave high school each year without employment prospects; and

     WHEREAS, diminished employment prospects set a lifetime pattern and expectation of dependence on public assistance, poverty, inactivity and segregation from the community; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which took effect on July 1, 2015, requires that states engage in a unified strategic planning process and collaborate to improve school-to-work transition outcomes for students with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, the act provides a promising opportunity for New Mexico youth with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, for New Mexico to successfully comply with the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act mandates, it is important for state and local agencies serving youth with disabilities to work cooperatively and to leverage their resources; and

     WHEREAS, successful outcomes must engage local community organizations, advocacy groups and youth with disabilities and their families in planning and education; and

     WHEREAS, the creation of a task force to include young adults with disabilities and state, local and community stakeholders would facilitate compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the developmental disabilities planning council and the university of New Mexico center for development and disability be requested to convene a task force to conduct a needs assessment and report on ways to improve the system of school-to-work transition of students with disabilities in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to make formal recommendations for changes to existing policies, programs or regulatory provisions that would:

          A. address barriers to effective school-to-work transition for youth with disabilities;

          B. result in more effective services for youth with disabilities as they make the transition from school to work;

          C. improve the efficiency of the school-to-work transition process for students with disabilities;

          D. increase the knowledge of students with disabilities and their family members on transition from school-to-work options; and

          E. maximize outcomes, including lifelong opportunities for persons with disabilities to obtain competitive integrated employment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of one or more young adults with disabilities who have transitioned from high school to adult life and their family members; and representatives of the developmental disabilities planning council, the university of New Mexico center for development and disability, parents reaching out, the vocational rehabilitation division of the public education department, the public education department, the developmental disabilities supports division of the department of health, the workforce solutions department, youth development inc., advocacy organizations, centers for independent living, the governor's commission on disability and disability rights New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee by December 1, 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of public education, the executive director of the developmental disabilities planning council and the president of the university of New Mexico.

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