RESUME
Robert Silverstein, Esq.
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, P.C.
1875 Eye Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202-466-6550
Fax: 202-785-1756
Email:
Career Summary
Nationally-recognized attorney with over 30 years experience negotiating and drafting bipartisan, consensus landmark legislation; directing action research and analysis (including Congressionally-mandated studies) of complex public policy issues; translating research into comprehensive, innovative, common-sense, flexible solutions that meet the divergent needs of multiple stakeholders; teaching leaders and others how to serve as effective policy change agents by reaching negotiated consensus; writing peer-reviewed journal articles that offer conceptual frameworks for public policy analysis and implementation; and presenting keynote speeches that make understandable complex public policy issues.
Education
J.D. Georgetown University Law Center, 1974
B.S. Economics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (cum laude), 1971
Professional Experience
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, P.C.
Principal (February 1, 2007-present)
Federal regulatory and legislative practice focuses in the areas of disability, health care, rehabilitation, employment, education, social security, and civil rights.
Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy
Director (July 1, 2000-present)
Directs action research and analysis of complex public policy issues affecting persons with disabilities; assists federal, state, and local policymakers (e.g., U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor and the Social Security Administration) and key stakeholder groups translate research into consensus public policy solutions addressing identified needs; trains leaders and various stakeholder groups how to mediate and facilitate negotiated consensus solutions to public policy issues (150 training sessions in 40 states); wrote peer-reviewed journal articles about ways to develop and assess public policy; and presents keynote speeches.
Achievements:
· Conducted action research related to and developed policy options for addressing work disincentive under the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.
· Conducted action research on the relationship between disability policy and welfare reform (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and assisted staff members and federal policymakers in the Department of Health and Human Services to draft policy guidelines.
· Conducted action research on the application of the concept of universal access to One-stop job training centers under the Workforce Investment Act for persons with disabilities and assisted staff members and federal policymakers in the Department of Labor to draft policy guidelines.
· Served as a member of an advisory group to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and drafted the group’s policy recommendations for improving the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program, a major policy initiative designed to assist Social Security disabled beneficiaries return to work. SSA’s response to the group’s recommendations is pending (12/01/04).
· Wrote two peer-reviewed journal articles presenting conceptual frameworks for researching and analyzing public policy relating to persons with disabilities.
· Drafted more than 40 policy briefs and papers relating to employment, education, health care, cash benefits, and civil rights from a disability perspective.
· Developed training materials (including a CD-Rom) and conducted more than 150 public policy and advocacy training seminars in 40 states relating to disability policy and how to be effective disability policy change agents.
· Presented more than 100 keynote speeches on public policy issues affecting persons with disabilities.
The George Washington University Medical Center (November 1997-June 2000)
Director, Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy
Associate Professor of Health Services Management and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Services
Associate Professor of Health Care Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Responsibilities related to the Center are the same as described above. In addition, responsible for teaching graduate courses.
Achievements
· Taught a course about issues related to health care and disability policy.
· Taught a course about how to present results from research and present policy options that enable policymakers to form positions.
· Guest Lecturer, how to develop and negotiate public policy.
U.S. Senate
Senior Counsel, Committee on Labor and Human Resources (1997)
Minority Staff Director, Subcommittee on Disability Policy (1995-1997)
Staff Director and Chief Counsel, Subcommittee on Disability Policy (1987-1995)
Responsibilities included conducting policy analysis and research, negotiating and drafting legislation and accompanying reports, writing policy memoranda and conducting briefings for Senators and staff, planning and executing public hearings, making keynote speeches, communicating with press, and supervising staff members and fellows.
Achievements
· Behind-the-scenes architect of more than 15 bills enacted into law on a bipartisan, consensus basis, including the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (often referred to as the “20th century Emancipation Proclamation” for people with disabilities), the Rehabilitation Act (1992 Amendments), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1991, 1997 Amendments).
· Drafted and negotiated numerous disability-related amendments enacted into law, including disability-related amendments to the Fair Housing Act.
· Planned and executed more than 40 public hearings on topics including civil rights, education, job training, health care, and technology.
U.S. House of Representatives
Counsel, Subcommittee on Select Education, Committee on Education and Labor
(1985-1987)
Responsibilities included conducting policy analysis and research, negotiating and drafting legislation and accompanying reports, writing policy memoranda and conducting briefings for representatives and staff, and planning and executing public hearings.
Achievements
· A behind-the-scenes architect of numerous bills enacted into law, including the landmark early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, which has been described as the “template for all future social policy legislation.”
· Drafted and negotiated numerous disability-related amendments enacted into law concerning education, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile justice.
· Planned and executed numerous hearings related to early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities, attorneys’ fees for families of children with disabilities, and vocational rehabilitation.
Private Practice
Long and Silverstein, P.C. (1978-1985)
Co-founder
Responsibilities included conducting a multi-year Congressionally-mandated policy study, drafting suggested version of federal regulations, policy manuals, and policy briefs; and representing clients.
Achievements
· Directed Congressionally-mandated study of the Vocational Education Act.
· Drafted a suggested version of regulations implementing Title I of ESEA at the request of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
· Co-authored 300-page manual explaining the legal framework of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and regulations (civil rights policy for persons with disabilities).
· Prepared policy briefs relating to Section 504 and Title I for state and local agencies.
· Conducted extensive training sessions for federal agency staff, state and local agencies, persons with disabilities, parents, and other stakeholders regarding Section 504 and Title I of ESEA.
· Represented 200 children with disabilities and their parents seeking a free appropriate public education (settled all cases without going to hearing).
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Attorney-Advisor
(1978)
Responsibilities included drafting policy interpretations concerning three civil rights laws—Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national origin), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (gender).
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Director, Legal Standards Project
(1975-1978)
Responsibilities included serving as director and principal investigator of a Congressionally-mandated policy research study of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (multi-billion dollar program providing compensatory education to educationally disadvantaged children residing in low-income areas).
Achievements
· Prepared six comprehensive policy papers analyzing the Title I legal framework (2000 pages).
· At the request of the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Education Subcommittees, drafted bills which were used by Congress to reauthorize the law.
· Served as expert witness at Subcommittee hearings regarding the findings and recommendations of the Study.
Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor
Staff Attorney
(1974-1975)
Responsibilities included drafting regulations implementing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Bills Enacted into Law
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (P.L. 101-336)
The ADA extends civil rights protections to persons with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA has been described as the "20th Century Emancipation proclamation” for people with disabilities and "the single most important legislation for people with disabilities ever enacted into law."
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 (P.L. 102-569)
This legislation provided authorization to support vocational rehabilitation (multi-billion dollar programs) and independent living for individuals with disabilities and supports a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the administration and conduct of research, demonstration projects, and related activities concerning the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA) (P.L. 101-476)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-119), and
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-17)
These bills expanded and improved the education of infants and toddlers and children with disabilities. The legislation ensures that all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education and infants and toddlers receive family-centered interdisciplinary early intervention services. The legislation also supports research, demonstration projects, and personnel preparation related to the education of children with disabilities.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Act (P.L. 100-553)
This legislation established the Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders within the National Institutes of Health.
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act
of 1988 (P.L. 100-407)
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act Amendments (P.L. 103-218)
The “Tech Act” and 1994 amendments enhanced the availability of and support for assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities.
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights
Amendments of 1987 (P.L. 100-146);
Developmental Disabilities Act Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-496); and
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Amendments of 1993 (P.L. 103-230)
These bills strengthened the program of support for Centers for Excellence, Developmental Disability Councils, and Protection and Advocacy Systems.
The Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-431)
This legislation requires all televisions manufactured for sale in the United
States with screens 13 inches or larger to have low-cost, built-in decoder circuitry to display closed-captioned television transmissions.
Families of Children with Disabilities Support Act of 1994 (Included in Improving America’s Schools Act, P.L. 103-382)
This legislation provides support to states to develop or expand and improve statewide systems of family support for families of children with disabilities.
Education for the Deaf Act Amendments of 1992 (P.L. 102-421)
This legislation authorizes continued support for Gallaudet University and The National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986 (P.L. 99-506)
This legislation increased self-determination for individuals with disabilities,, clarified the appropriateness of supported employment for persons with the most significant disabilities as a legitimate outcome of the vocational rehabilitation program, and specified that states must plan for individuals making transition from school to work.
Handicapped Children's Protection Act (P.L. 99-372)
Overturned a Supreme Court decision (which denied attorneys fees) and authorized courts to award reasonable attorneys fees to parents who prevail in due process proceedings and court actions under part B of the Education of the Handicapped Act.
The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 (P.L. 99-457)
Included a new grant program for states to develop an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families and provided greater incentives for states to provide preschool programs for children with disabilities between the ages of three and five.
Disability-Related Amendments to Other Bills Enacted into Law:
§ Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-259)
§ Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-430)
§ Civil Rights Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-166)
§ The Goals 2000: Educate America Act (P.L. 103-227)
§ The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-82)
§ The School-to-Work Opportunities Act (P.L. 103-239)
§ Improving America's Schools Act (P.L. 103-382)
Publications, Papers, and Manuals (Papers, articles and policy briefs can be downloaded from www.disabilitypolicycenter.org)
Silverstein, Robert; Jensen, Allen. Systems Change Information Bulletin #1: Overview of the New Series of Information Bulletins (January 2007).
Silverstein, Robert; Jensen, Allen. Systems Change Information Bulletin #2: Opportunities for State VR Agency Participation in Statewide Systems Change (January 2007).
Jensen, Allen; Silverstein, Robert. Systems Change Information Bulletin #3: Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Resource Guide: Potential Uses by a State VR Agency (January 2007)
Jensen, Allen; Silverstein, Robert. Systems Change Information Bulletin #4: Medicaid Infrastructure Grants and State VR Agencies (January 2007).
Jensen, Allen; Silverstein, Robert. Systems Change Information Bulletin #5: Work Incentives & Benefits Planning and Assistance & State VR Agencies (January 2007).
Jensen, Allen; Silverstein, Robert. Systems Change Information Bulletin #6: The Role of State VR Agencies in Proposing Reforms to Existing Work Disincentives in the SSI and SSDI Programs (January 2007).
Silverstein, Robert; Jensen, Allen. Systems Change Information Bulletin #7: The Role of State VR Agencies in Working with Transition-Age Youth (January 2007).
Silverstein, Robert; Jensen, Allen. Systems Change Information Bulletin #8: The Role of State VR Agencies in Workforce Investment Systems (January 2007).
Silverstein, Robert. Policy Brief: Side-by-Side Comparison (From a Disability Perspective) Between the Senate Bill (S. 1021) and the House Bill (H.R. 27) Reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (July 2006).
Silverstein, Robert. Policy Brief: Section-by-Section Analysis (From a Disability Perspective) of S. 1021, the Workforce Investment Act Amendments of 2005 (July 2006).
Silverstein, Robert. Policy Brief: Analysis of the Planning Guidance for Submission of Two Years of the Strategic Five-Year State Plan for Title I of WIA From a Disability Policy Perspective (April 2005).
Silverstein, Robert. Policy Brief: Analysis of Workforce Investment Act: Unified Planning Guidance Notice From a Disability Perspective (April 2005).
Silverstein, Robert. Policy Brief: H.R. 27, The Job Training Improvement Act of 2005, As Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives” A Section-by-Section Analysis From a Disability Perspective (March 2005).