Congressman Harper Re-Introduces the TEAM Act
The three bills which comprised the TEAM Act began and finished the 112th Congress without ever making it to a vote. The package of bills serve the dual function of promoting the training and employment of individuals with disabilities on the one hand and taking a government-wide critical look at how these activities are funded and reorganizing those activities to take maximum advantage of the dollars that are already spent on the other.
These bills fit perfectly into the current social/ethical environment which recognizes the value that individuals with cognitive and other disabilities add to our economy and society as a whole and into the current economic environment that demands that government spend the dollars it does more efficiently. The time for the TEAM Act is now.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) reintroduced a legislative package today that aims to redesign federal programs for individuals living with intellectual disabilities as they transition from secondary school to the workforce.
The three bills, collectively referred to as the “Transition toward Excellence, Achievement and Mobility” (TEAM Act), aim to support youth with significant disabilities from adolescence to adulthood and refocus federal resources on improved outcomes in post-secondary education and integrated employment.
By promoting meaningful post-secondary educational and employment opportunities, this package intends for intellectually disabled citizens to gain full-time employment in an integrated setting at a livable wage. The plan also seeks to produce long-term career development and community inclusion through independent living and social engagement opportunities.
“In order for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their maximum potential, Congress must enact a systems change,” said Harper, a third-term lawmaker and longtime champion for the disabilities community. “The current federal disability laws are hopelessly outdated and will ultimately lead to unemployment and poverty for these children.”
The “TEAM-Education Act” ensures that schools are provided the necessary guidance and resources to proactively engage transition coordinators who assist America’s disabled children during their public education tenure.
The “TEAM-Empowerment Act” creates an adult transition planning process and system of supports for youth and their families under the supervision of state disabilities agencies.
The “TEAM-Employment Act” seeks to stimulate a national system-change initiative, which will establish that agencies coordinate services better to produce the desired outcomes of integrated living and employment.
“This legislation helps promote an efficient blending of resources and coordination of services among federal and state agencies,” added Harper. “As the father of a special needs child, I understand the need for these reforms and the urgency to act.”
Harper’s 23-year-old son, Livingston, lives with Fragile X Syndrome. This disorder is the most commonly inherited form of intellectual disabilities and the only known genetic cause of autism.
The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD) has endorsed this legislation. This advocacy group is a network of eighteen national disability organizations committed to high-impact public policy reform to promote the economic advancement of citizens with significant disabilities.
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Its encouraging to know someone in goverment is working on this. I have a little girl with fx.
Agreed. I know several children and adults that would benefit from any programs that help with employment and becoming productive citizens. Keep on working towards this goal!
The TEAM-Act bills sound very beneficial for post-secondary education and employment. However, this is the second time it has been introduced and nothing has come of it. The information is positive but provides no future direction. Will Congressman Harper re-introduce a third time?
Hooray to Rep. Harper. Let’s hope this makes it through the legislature.
A Good Friend with FX:
I have been a mentor in the Mentoring Youth Program operated by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County in New Jersey for 11 years. The boy I have been mentoring is now 17 years of age. (I met him in our program when he was 8 years old). He has pre-mutation Fragile X. He spends 1/2 of his academic day in his local high school and the remainder of the day in a technical/vocational school learning Small Animal Care. He would very much like to be a vet. tech.
The concern I have is that he may not pass the state test for certification. I will be meeting soon with the school Caseworker and Guidance team to discuss his options for the future (in the event he does not pass the test).
Any direction you could provide would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Robert Relay
Having a 40 year old daughter with severe mental retardation, mild cerbral palsy and autistic. She was born with the cord around her neck 4 times deprived oxygen for several minutes, she is our blessing and teaches us compassion everyday.
Kudos to Congressman Harper for understanding the needs of the special needs population. The Team Empowerment Act will provide a better quality of life for adults with special needs as they transision into work.We are so,so lucky to have Congressman Harper on our side he truly understands what is needed for people that need extra help everyday. Getting resources and services from our State and Federal agencies to help people with special needs is very important, these services weren’t available when my daughter was young. Come into the 21 century and help the adults strive to be the best they can be.
Respectfully, Jayann Brooks Parent/Guardian