“The governor has always been supportive of our programs,” he said. “We are expecting that his support.”
Elameto said Fitial has consistently made sure that funds for the programs of OVR and SRC are available.
Last year, the CNMI government, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, granted OVR over $250,000 to fund its services.
Elameto also lauded Fitial for always attending the annual OVR employee and employer awards.
OVR’s programs include counseling services, job placement and providing the technical needs for people with disabilities such as wheelchairs.
Challenges
During last year’s People Disability Awareness Month, OVR Executive Director Maggie Olopai-Taitano mentioned the need for more training for OVR staff.
A recent federal report on the services and programs of OVR said this “challenge” must be addressed by the CNMI.
Titled “Fiscal Year 2009 Monitoring Report on Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Programs,” the report was written by the U.S Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
It focused on the quality of the programs offered by OVR from 2004 until last year.
According to the report, the other challenges OVR is facing include recruiting and retaining qualified management and program staff, and establishing a partnership with the Public School System.
The report states that the Statewide Independent Living Council and the State Rehabilitation Council are not fully constituted, and that OVR has a substantial amount of expenditure of funds on off-island travel for staff and consumers without policies, procedures or fiscal controls in place.
Elameto said they will work with their partners such as the SILC this year to address the report’s concerns.
“We will continue our good relationship with our government partners,” he added.
