Welcome!

Why a national group for SRCs?‍What would be the benefit for my SRC to participate with this effort?‍Do we have plans to target specific issues?‍What about SRCs that have a “special interest” or their own agendas?‍Does a consumer based group really have enough knowledge about the intricacies of the public VR system?‍How is this group managed and who has oversight?‍How is the NCSRC funded?‍How much is this going to cost my state agency?‍How do you see CSAVR fitting into this coalition?

WHY A NATIONAL GROUP FOR SRCS?

At the CSAVR Fall Conference in the fall of 2005, a number of SRC attendees had discussion about the value of establishing a national connection.  It was determined that best practices could be shared and that our national voice advocating on behalf of the public VR system would have a strong impact.

WHAT WOULD BE THE BENEFIT FOR MY SRC TO PARTICIPATE WITH THIS EFFORT?

As each SRC and/or Commission maintains their respective individuality, the NCSRC will provide a national resource to those Councils or Commissions who may need to connect with a peer state on issues along with providing a mechanism for training with subject matter experts.

DO WE HAVE PLANS TO TARGET SPECIFIC ISSUES?

Any position that NCSRC takes will be one where there is consensus, where the position falls under the federally mandated responsibility of the councils, and the position is supported by data/evidence.

WHAT ABOUT SRCS THAT HAVE A “SPECIAL INTEREST” OR THEIR OWN AGENDAS?

See the answer to the previous question.

DOES A CONSUMER BASED GROUP REALLY HAVE ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE INTRICACIES OF THE PUBLIC VR SYSTEM?

We recognize that there is a vast learning curve for SRC members and staff related to the implementation of the federal regulations and internal workings of each public VR agency.  Experience has demonstrated that at a state level we have resources available which educate and empower us to be successful in our federal mandates. We expect this to be carried forward into the national arena.

HOW IS THIS GROUP MANAGED AND WHO HAS OVERSIGHT?

There is a Board of Directors of 14 members .Organizational documents (Mission, Vision, Values, etc.) have been finalized and serve as the guideposts for the NCSRC.  The NCSRC is the entity which provides leadership of this national coalition building effort.

HOW IS THE NCSRC FUNDED?

Historically, the organization had been supported by “in kind” donations of supplies and people hours.  The Saturday Leadership and Sunday Training sessions at CSAVR Conferences (rooms, equipment, and refreshment costs) had been supported by CSAVR and teleconference meetings were funded by RSA.  Since April 2012, attendees at Saturday and Sunday Sessions have been charged registration fees (Member and Non-Member rates), which presently support the expense requirements for the sessions.  The NCSRC continues to be supported by “in kind” donations of supplies and people hours as contributed by SC Members.  In the future, we may work to raise funds via grants, etc.

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST MY STATE AGENCY?

The cost to each state and/or territory is based on the involvement of each SRC or Commission.  We would like to encourage State Director’s to provide financial support both to their SRC members and the state agency staff who are assigned to work for the Council to attend the Saturday Leadership and Sunday Training sessions at the two CSAVR Conferences.  We recognize that attendance at the Spring CSAVR Conference may provide the best value for each state, as it serves as the opportunity to visit the Hill and educate your state’s congressional delegation about public VR, both from an administrative and consumer perspective.

HOW DO YOU SEE CSAVR FITTING INTO THIS COALITION?

One of our primary focuses from the beginning of establishing this organization is to enter into a proactive and credible partnership with CSAVR.  We believe that our unified voice would serve as an asset to the public VR system as we all work to advocate on issues related to funding and the continual evolution of the service system.