I am belatedly reviewing the helpful discussion and wanted to share some information from Massachusetts that relates to the issue of ways to obtain diagnostic assessments. 

Several years ago, I filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services alleging that our state TANF agency (the Department of Transitional Assistance or DTA) was failing to accommodate the needs of persons with learning disabilities in its Employment Services Program for TANF recipients. In 2001, OCR ruled that TANF agencies have an obligation to assess whether recipients have disabilities that may interfere with their ability to participate equally in TANF-funded programs. In late 2006, OCR and DTA entered into a Resolution Agreement under which participants in DTA's ESP system, which can include those participating in adult education courses, can be screened for learning disabilities using the Washington State screening instrument. If the recipients screen positively, then DTA pays for a diagnostic assessment performed by qualified individuals under contract with the University of Massachusetts' Disability Evaluation Service. 

This provides an important avenue for TANF recipients to obtain a diagnostic assessment that can then form the basis for education and training providers affording the kinds of accommodations necessary to help their participants succeed. Attached is a DTA memo very generally describing the process.

(TANF recipients who are not participating in ESP activities can also be screened by DTA and, if screened positively, they are referred to our vocational rehabilitation agency with a possibility of obtaining an assessment there, although I think that there are long waiting lists.)


Ruth A. Bourquin
Mass. Law Reform Institute
99 Chauncy Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA  02111
(617)357-0700 ext. 333
fax: (617)357-0777
email: rbourquin at mlri.org

>>> <RKenyon721 at aol.com> 01/12/08 12:07 PM >>>

Hi all,
 
I want to thank Sharon Reynolds and Katrina Seymour for sharing information  
on Ohio's LD Policy and Professional Development.  Also, thanks to Patti  
White from the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center for sharing the  system 
used in Arkansas.
 
I am disappointed that subscribers didn't share information about other  
states and their LD Policy, Screening, and Professional Development.  I  would 
like to extend the discussion by asking those that are willing to share -  to do 
so.  If you are proud of the services that your state provides to  identify, 
provide services, or deliver staff development, p l e a s e   share it by 
posting a message.
 
I know there is much to be learned by sharing and I look forward to  hearing 
from members of this online community.
 
Thanks,
 
 
Rochelle
 
 
 
Rochelle Kenyon
Moderator, NIFL/LINCS Learning Disabilities  Discussion List
Center for Literacy Studies at the University of  Tennessee
_RKenyon721 at aol.com_ (mailto:RKenyon721 at aol.com)  

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