Nice to chat with again the other day. Yes, I know about and appreciate your hard work. My post was more oriented to the weird restrictions on listserv when "politics" threaten our very profession and people with disabilities. In such a unique circumstance I see it as illogical malpractice to artificially restrict discussion of what we as individual professionals and the profession do, say, post in a public forum. If vaccination was suddenly made illegal my bet is that AMA would not rule out discussion of such as "politics". If a law was being discussed making it illegal to perform this or that therapy or to ignore a DX, my bet APA members would not be prohibited from forum discussion on the lame premise of "just politics and verboten".
As for retirement I very much appreciate all the very kind messages and emails. It has not been an easy transition even though mine was very gradual. Still getting calls from attorneys. Decided to renew my certifications, always the pragmatist. Going from decades of long hours and deadlines and being referred to as an expert to not exactly knowing what to do with myself some days is a trip. Word to younger VEs: work less, if volunteer take on less, develop more hobbies, retire gradually. I might develop a 501C organization. Being a car nut that stuff is appealing. As used Tesla prices radically crater, I might buy up some for scrap parts to use in hot rods. World of opportunity!
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Scott T. Stipe, MA, CRC, IPEC, D/ABVE
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Board Certified Vocational Expert
Scott Stipe & Associates, Inc.
DBA Career Directions Northwest
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd
#188
Portland, Oregon, 97214
(503)807-2668
email:
sstipecrc@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2025 10:13
From: Michelle Aliff
Subject: IARP fiddling as Rome burns?
Good morning everyone,
Lynne thank you for some perspective. IARP has not been silent on many of these issues and has in fact been extremely busy working on numerous issues. Its where most of my free time goes these days. As some of you in the Forensic section may know, IARP has a new lobbyist, Ryann Hill. Jeanne Morin retired at the end of last year. Below is a list of activities for February Ryann performed on our behalf.
- Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH)
- Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA)
- Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL)
- Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
- Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT)
- Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV)
- Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)
- Rep. Stacy Plaskett (D-VI)
- Rep. Pete Aguilar (D- CA)
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
These meetings have been introductory meetings where I brief the staff on the disability insurance process and the role of VEs in that process and offer you all as SMEs should they ever have questions or want to talk through any changes at SSA that would impact VEs. I've followed up with several offices (those listed above and every Republican and Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee) regarding the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs at Dept. of Ed while we're still having convos about eliminating the agency.
I still have meeting requests outstanding with a few members of the TX delegation and will continue to make my way through the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee staff!
Staff are drinking from a firehouse right now so these intro meetings have not been met with pushback/ any opinions on VEs. We're planting the seed and will follow up with any VE developments!
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Michelle Aliff
Ph.D, CRC, CVE
michelle.aliff@gmail.com
[Keller], TX United States
Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2025 21:17
From: Lynne Tracy
Subject: IARP fiddling as Rome burns?
Scott,
It has been a pleasure collaborating with the establishment of the SSVE section and OIDAP with you. You have been an important voice and helpful to many.
With that said, IARP is still strong and committed to our professions and our members, and is NOT standing by while "Rome burns." Leadership works very hard and I think this statement is quite unfair.
Regarding the state of the profession and politics, I agree that IARP and the membership should be a voice - but this has been true for many years as VR has been in jeopardy for more than 10-15 years. Attempts to rally VRCs has been difficult, and possibly now will be more likely as it is hitting people in the pocketbook.
But I would remind everyone that IARP has been a consistent, active voice in deeds and time spent by leaders of the association to take action and work toward saving the profession.
I do not agree with you if posts attack and make the discussion political. I would support discussion around what we can do to advocate for the Depart of Ed, consumers, our profession, etc., and those posts have been fine and well-received. But, I do not believe that posts that are politically charged as a recent post seemed to be IMHO are appropriate for the listserve.
Let's be proactive change agents and discuss what other kinds of work our members can do, how do we transition and weather the storm. Opportunities will surely arise.
I would just ask people to re-read before posting and keep political opinions out of the posts. And please be respectful of others positions.
Best Regards,
Lynne Tracy, M.A., LMFT, CRC, ABVE/D
Vocational Counseling
P.O. Box 8333, Calabasas, CA 91372
Direct: (818) 880-6460
FAX: (818) 880-6494
Electronic Disclosure Statement: This e-mail is not encrypted. If you are communicating about a client, please DO NOT place the person's full name or personal information in the e-mail or subject line since this is an unsecured form of communication. Any communication regarding a client is considered work product and will become part of the file. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately and remove the information from all electronic and hard copy sources. Storing, printing, or disseminating this e-mail to other parties is prohibited unless authorized by the sender.
Original Message:
Sent: 3/12/2025 5:59:00 PM
From: Scott T. Stipe
Subject: IARP fiddling as Rome burns?
I have just closed my last case so am now retired, just shy of one-half century in VR and VE. But I still care deeply about our profession and our clients.
- Most of us obtained our educational credentials in VR and related master's programs now in jeopardy with potential abolishment of Education Department
- VR, our primary profession, has its historical foundation in services to injured veterans. Veterans are now faced with huge personnel cuts at VA which surely will include CRCs now employed
- Special Education and student transition services are in jeopardy
- The State/Federal VR programs in every state around the US are in serious jeopardy which will impact individuals with disability and parents/family
- Many IARP members deal with complex Medicare and Medicaid benefits and such programs are in crosshairs
- Most all IARP members who do forensic VE services are or have before been SSVEs. The SSA disability adjudication process provides the underlying foundation for VEs in any forensic domain. Huge numbers of IARP members perform much or most of their professional work in relation to SSA. SSA is faced with huge potential personnel and program cuts.
Discussion and brainstorming in relation to any and all of this is not "politics" and off limits. It is a professional obligation of all IARP members. To be mum is to be self-defeating. These are in no way normal times. Fussy silencing communication about serious threats to our profession is illogical, unprofessional and contrary to purpose of associations. If such issues, so very profoundly important to IARP members, their livelihoods, as well as those of people with disability and their employers I sincerely question the purpose of the association. Needless to say, if such serious issues are not discussed all members of the association will likely be impacted to some extent causing the association itself to lose significant membership membership.
------------------------------
Scott T. Stipe, MA, CRC, IPEC, D/ABVE
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Board Certified Vocational Expert
Scott Stipe & Associates, Inc.
DBA Career Directions Northwest
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd
#188
Portland, Oregon, 97214
(503)807-2668
email: sstipecrc@gmail.com
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