ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Acting Commissioner of Human Resources Gary B. Redding announced today that the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) will be transferred from the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) to the Georgia Department of Labor (GDL) on July 1.

The transfer was mandated by House Bill 172, enacted by the 2000 Georgia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

"This merger will provide the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities into the workforce and allow us to end the long-standing segregation of employment services to people because of their perceived abilities or disabilities," said Thurmond. "By doing this, persons with disabilities will have the same opportunities for successful, productive careers as all other Georgians. The labor department and rehabilitation services have shared a common goal of providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities and combining our efforts will enable us to do a better job of serving our clients, and that’s what it’s all about."

Redding echoed similar feelings and a belief that all citizens of the state will benefit from this legislative action. "The Division of Rehabilitation Services has been a vital part of the DHR family since its inception in 1972, so naturally we'll miss their being a part of this agency. However, we will remain connected in many ways through the individuals, families and children that we both serve."

The labor department, with 2,100 employees, is the lead state agency in administering the Workforce Investment Act. It is responsible for administering employment services, job-training, the state’s unemployment insurance program, and publishing labor market data critical to workforce and economic development.

Rehabilitation Services, with 2,000 employees, manages five integrated and interdependent programs, each focusing on specific aspects of rehabilitation, including assistance toward employment.

"No matter where we reside," says Rehabilitation Services Director Jimmy DeFoor, "as the cornerstone of Georgia's rehabilitation community, our mission will still focus on helping people with disabilities become productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment."

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DOL-DHR MERGER – LAST ADD

Larry Beck, manager of the labor department’s career center in Cartersville, is directing the merger of the two agencies. "This merger will give all Georgians an opportunity to participate in comprehensive training and career development," said Beck, "as well as giving employers an opportunity to access a well-trained, under-utilized segment of the population."

Beck said there will be no interruption of services for customers and clients of either existing agency as the merger is implemented. For now, the staff of the two agencies will continue to work in their present office locations and telephone numbers will remain the same.

The "new" Georgia Department of Labor will be doubled in the number of employees, allowing unprecedented opportunities to serve all Georgians with a comprehensive, coordinated plan of developing a world-class workforce in Georgia.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER MAY CONTACT: THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AT (404) 656-3032, OR LEE MILLER, CHAIRPERSON, GEORGIA COMMITTEE ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT (706) 324-2150, OR NANCY DUNCAN, DIRECTOR, GEORGIA ADA EXCHANGE AT (770) 451-2340.