SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A New Mexico agency that helps people with disabilities find work is telling many job seekers to look elsewhere for assistance because of a policy adopted in August that limits help to those people with the most significant disabilities.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation says the biggest problem is a lack of money, and the Santa Fe New Mexican reports that it is unclear how long the policy will remain in place.
The division is only accepting people with what federal law describes as the most significant disabilities, such as disabilities that severely limit speech and mobility. Those who are turned away are being referred to local service organizations.
“With the demand for and cost of services increasing in recent years, the lack of additional funding from the Legislature has been and continues to be the biggest problem here,” Adrian Apodaca, the division’s acting director, said in a statement.
Currently serving nearly 6,500 New Mexicans, the division’s rehabilitation services unit helps people with disabilities get into the workforce. Job seekers can be connected with prospective employment, arrange training, offer career counseling and furnish equipment such as hearing aids.
The federal government requires the agency to serve those with the most significant disabilities when funding or staffing shortages make it impossible for the division to meet the needs of all of its clientele.
Under the state’s plan, people with disabilities must meet at least three of five criteria, such as requiring assistance to communicate, bathe or move about the community, to be considered among the most significantly disabled.
The agency has used specific criteria off and on since 2011 in response to budget cuts and staffing freezes. Other states have similar policies in place, too.
The decision in August to limit applicants based on the severity of their disabilities came as the agency’s budget remained mostly flat.
Most of the agency’s budget - about $44.4 million - comes from the federal government. Neither the governor nor the Legislature has recommended increasing what the state kicks in, which totals about $5.6 million.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com
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