Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The public is cordially invited to attend one of three public hearings set for Mon- day, February 3, 2014, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at (DRS) state office, 3535 N.W. 58th2nd Floor Conference Room, Oklaho- ma City, OK ,. Tuesday, February 4, 2014 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access, 8740 E. 11th, Conference Room, Tulsa, OK., and Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Great Plains Technical Center, 4500 S.W. Lee Blvd., Bldg. 300, Lawton, OK. The new proposed changes will affect vocational rehabilitation and employment services for Oklahomans with all types of disabilities. The majority of changes throughout involve the name changes associated with the Office of State Finance becoming Office of Management and Enter- prise Services and the related integration of other agencies into (OMES). Changes to Chapter 10 are to demonstrate that some determinations by (DRS) are not subject to the Fair Hearing Process, and updating procedures for Special Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Due to state and federal audits, minor changes to the Business Enterprise policies section, Chapter 25, must be made. Office of Disability Concerns VOLUME I, ISSUE 4 January 2014 The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs now has online account services for veterans. ItÕs called My HealthVet Account. There are three account type options basic, advanced, and premium. This pro- vides veterans to enter or access their information faster, such as reviewing their VA Medication Histo- ry, Pathology Reports, Vitals and Readings, Wellness Reminders, and much more. Please be advised there is an authentication process by which VA verifies a VeteransÕ identity before allowing access to their VA health record. For more information, please visit: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Council Inside this issue: Social Security Administration 2 Nutrition Month 2 U.S. Department of Education 2 OKCareerPlanner.com 3 LAW DAY 2014 4 Older Americans 5 New YeaÕs Resolutions' 6 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2014 Public Hearings Oklahoma Pledge Quarterly Newsletter Page 2 Volume I, Issue 4 A 1.5 percent (cost of living adjustment) benefit increase for thousands who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries starting in December 2013 and January 2014. Also beginning January 2014, Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will change from previously $113,700 to $117,000. To learn how (COLA) is calculated please visit: http://ssa.gov/ pressoffice/pr/2014cola- pr.html? utm_source=home&utm_medium=panel&utm_campaign=cola The Oklahoma City Social Security Administration locat- ed at 2401 N.W. 23rd St,. (located in Shepherd Mall) will be moving to their new constructed offices Spring 2014. Their new location will be at N.E. 122nd St., and Kelley Ave in Oklahoma City, OK. The Edmond public transpor- tation system will be providing daily stops at the new (SSA- OKC) offices. For more information, please visit: http://edmondok.com/index. aspx?nid=205 According to the U.S. Depart- ment of Educa- tion web site they have assist- ed more than $150 billion each year to help millions of stu- dents pay for higher educa- tion. Start today achieving your edu- cational goal by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). ItÕs easy and itÕs simple. Go to http:// studentaid.ed.gov/ You will also find (FAFSA) required deadlines dates for Federal, State, and College by states. Check out the Oklaho- ma Scholarships at www.mycollegeoptions.org The Office of Disabil- ity Concerns will be hosting Coupon Uni- versity Nutritional Workshop in March 2014. Come learn how to effectively use cou- pons, read nutritional food labels, and more. This is a free event and to learn more please visit us on Facebook or visit us at www.odc.ok.gov National Nutrition MonthÑ March 2014 designated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. January 1 is New YearÕs Day, and a time when people decide to make better choices for their life. Hopefully eating healthier foods will be on the list of changes. Eating healthier offers benefits such as help main- taining proper weight, lowers blood pres- sure , and a host of other medical chronic conditions. ÒEnjoy the Taste of Eating RightÓ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics March 2014 is National Nutrition Month U.S. Department of Education College of Your Choice 2014 Social Security Administration Social Security Administration Social Security Card Page 3 Oklahoma Pledge Quarterly Newsletter Starting a new career can be exciting. Let OKCareer Plan- ner.com help get you started. The OKCareerPlanner.com provides an array of useful information. One may choose topics raging from job open- ings, industries updates, edu- cation, training, entrepreneur- ship and a link to Oklahoma Career Information System. The OKCareerPlanner.com is user friendly, and requires no assigned login needed to search the website. Should you decide to create your per- sonal resume, keep track of testing assessments, or person- al information in OKCIS a secure login is required for security. The OKCareerPlan- ner.com is sponsored by the GovernorÕs Council for Work- force and Economic Development, previ- ously known as GrowOklahoma.com Another free user friendly search engine is OKJobMatch it offers a an extensive job search database, and other resource tips for successful employ- ment. Another plus OKCareerPlanner.com can help you discover your college career path, and how to get there. Began your new future today. Older Americans are all around us, setting mile stones along the way past, pre- sent, and future. This year the Ad- ministration for Community Living is honoring Older Americans Month. This years theme year Ò Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.Ó Many times older Americans are over looked, of the contribu- tions to our society. Older Americans , and young children are usually the first to experi- ence serious medical crisis such as the flu epidemic . Join the celebration if you have a loved one, or know someone who is an older American. Spend time with them, listen to their family- history stories, have dinner, but let them know you care. For more information, please visit: http://www.acl.gov/ NewsRoom/ News- Info/2013/2013_12_20b.aspx OKCareerPlanner.com Honoring Older Americans The Oklahoma Bar Associa- tionÕs annual event ÒAsk a LawyerÓ TV Show will be May 2014, on Oklahoma Edu- cational Television Authority (OETA). (OBA) lawyers pro- vide free legal advice to all Oklahoma callers statewide. (OBA) Law Day is also a free legal advice for one day in various Oklahoma counties . Answering Oklahoma callers statewide 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (OBA) offers online services to meet your legal needs, and for more information. Please visit: www.okbar.org to check dates and times for the LAW DAY activities. The (OBA) board members are (17) elected lawyers by their peers. To learn more about (OBA) please visit: http://www.okbar.org/public/About.aspx Oklahoma Bar Association ÒLAW DAY 2014Ó Oklahoma Bar Association Law Day 2014 Find your career path in 2014 2401 NW 23rd St., Ste 90 Oklahoma City, OK 73107-2423 A new 365 days is now in progress along with thousands of New YearÕs Resolutions'. New YearÕs Resolutions' brings new career or changes, spend more time with family, travel, meet new people, and at the top of the list start a new or better fitness program. According to Merriam- Webster dictionary the mean- ing of resolutions: An answer or solution to something. ItÕs about seeking new ways to approach to an old problem. Enjoy 2014 New Year one day at a time, and make it count! Happy New Year ! 2014Ñ 2014Ñ 2014Ñ 2014Ñ 2014 Phone: 405- 521-3756 Fax: 405-522-6695 E-mail: valencia.stiggers@odc.ok.gov ÒKeeping you informed is Our PledgeÓ Oklahoma Pledge Quarterly Newsletter Office of Disability Concerns New YearÕs Resolutions 2014 The Office of Disability Concerns ( ODC ) provides accurate and timely information, referral and advocacy. We act as an intermediary to persons with disabilities and provide services for those with disabilities.