Governors Jim Holshouser and Jim Martin gave me the opportunity to serve as secretary of Human Resources. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a part of that department. VR works both with people who are born with disabilities and those who may have acquired one or more later in life.

To put the function of this program in the simplest terms possible, VR helps individuals obtain and keep jobs. Its workers provide training for new skills, teach people how to live more independently, and help clients utilize new technologies in their daily lives.

Last year, 9,415 North Carolinians with disabilities completed their individualized plans and achieved their employment goals. Ninety-eight percent of VR's job placements were in competitive (paid) employment. VR ranks eighth nationally in the number of individuals served whose employment outcomes placed them above the poverty line. The percentage of VR clients employed more than 20 hours a week is significantly higher than the national average.

These impressive statistics are made possible because of many reasons. The strong economy helps, as does better training. A very important factor is the increasing number of North Carolina employers who realize the value of hiring VR-trained employees.

Employment services are provided to persons with mental or physical disabilities. Last year, VR employment services assisted 63,254 North Carolinians. Average weekly earnings for VR consumers before they received any helpful services averaged a paltry $37. This increased to an average of $268 per week after services. For every VR dollar spent, a consumer earns an $11 increase in taxable earnings.

Travis Wilson is just one example of VR successes. Because of autism, Travis often experiences communication problems. He clerks with First Union in Charlotte, is a whiz with numbers and handles millions of dollars in investments daily. He's able to be successful because VR provided him with counseling, evaluation, and training.

Another valuable VR program is its Independent Living Services. This program is designed to teach the disabled how to live and function as independently as possible. This is a much more cost-effective alternative to institutionalization.

In 1999, this program served 5,177 individuals and of these, 1,712 achieved their independent living goals while others made significant progress.

I've always felt VR is one of the most cost-effective programs in government at any level. Only about seven percent of their funding goes to program administration or overhead. The North Carolina division enjoys case service costs that are more than $400 below the national average.

Client satisfaction remains high and that's a tribute to State Director Bob Philbeck and his staff.

A statewide consumer survey last year revealed that 92 percent were satisfied with their involvement with VR staff and 93 percent of those were satisfied with jobs they had obtained with VR assistance. More than 94 percent of those in the Independent Living program expressed satisfaction.

VR does not rest on its laurels. It is raising standards for professional training, streamlining its record keeping, and reaching out to serve more non-traditional consumers.

Truly, this is a program that is working for those who need a little extra help.

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