Scope of Study
Consolidation of Rehabilitative Services
Services to help adults with physical and mental disabilities find and keep jobs and live independently are provided through a variety of government programs and a number of state and federal agencies. The Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Mental Retardation, Social Services, and Veterans' Affairs, as well as the Board of Education and Services for the Blind, the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and the Workers' Compensation Commission are among the current state agencies with roles and responsibilities for vocational and other rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities.
All of the many studies of Connecticut's human services system conducted over the past three decades have recommended consolidating state agencies and programs to eliminate duplication and fragmentation, improve coordination and integration, and reduce administrative costs. Few restructuring proposals have been implemented, however, due in large part to strong resistance to service consolidation from clients groups and agency staff.
Area of Focus
The study would determine if the costs of providing rehabilitative services to persons with disabilities can be reduced through the consolidation or restructuring of state agencies, programs, or functions.
Areas of Analysis
· Identify and categorize state rehabilitative services for persons with physical and mental disabilities
· Describe the services provided, clients served, administrative structures, and service delivery methods
· Analyze the extent of duplication, fragmentation, and administrative inefficiency among current services
· Evaluate alternative structures to reduce duplication, promote coordination, and increase efficiency of service delivery
· Determine what if any changes would permit the more efficient use of available resources for rehabilitative services
Areas Excluded From Analysis
The study would be not examine rehabilitative services for children or evaluate the eligibility criteria for or outcomes of services provided.