The Maryland State Board of Education convened on May 23, 2023, to address pressing issues surrounding the state's vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, particularly the significant backlog affecting individuals with disabilities. A key focus of the meeting was the request for 74 additional positions, or "pins," to eliminate the current waitlist for services, which has left many individuals waiting for over eight years.

The board discussed the critical need for these additional staff members to enhance service delivery and reduce the backlog. Currently, the VR program is facing challenges due to insufficient staffing, which has hindered its ability to meet federal benchmarks and adequately serve the community. The discussion highlighted that while funding is available, the authority to create these positions is lacking, creating a bottleneck in service provision.

Board members expressed their commitment to advocating for the necessary resources to support the VR program. They emphasized the importance of demonstrating the impact that additional staff would have on reducing wait times and improving service quality for individuals with disabilities. The board is poised to consider a proposal to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to utilize federal funds for hiring, which could significantly alleviate the current staffing crisis.

In addition to the staffing discussion, the board acknowledged the ongoing efforts to analyze program effectiveness and success metrics in collaboration with San Diego State University. This analysis aims to identify successful programs and eliminate those that are not meeting the needs of the community.

The meeting concluded with a call for a concrete proposal outlining the number of positions needed, the associated costs, and the anticipated impact on the backlog. The board expressed optimism that with the right advocacy and planning, they could make significant strides in addressing the needs of Maryland's disability community.