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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Drew, Lisa <Lisa.Drew@ct.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 07, 2025 1:38 PM<br><b>To:</b> Ferron-Poole, Astread O. <Astread.Ferron-Poole@ct.gov>; Eileen Akers <egakers25@gmail.com>; dawgmawm@gmail.com; kcdesign123@hotmail.com; pride11292003@yahoo.com; erival@comcast.net; marysilverfox@gmail.com; Lassen, Christopher <Christopher.Lassen@ct.gov>; Gulino-Farnum, Kailie <Kailie.Gulino-Farnum@ct.gov>; crival@comcast.net; ambassador.ct Mikaela <ambassador.ct@usher-syndrome.org>; SECT of Blind <centeroftheblind@gmail.com>; Phillip A. Magalnick <philmag@optonline.net>; rivalbeth@gmail.com; Burgard, Mary <Mary.Burgard@ct.gov>; pduke58@comcast.net; kristen dockendorff <kdockendorff@gmail.com>; Thal, Stephen <stephenthal@sbcglobal.net>; Summ, Catherine <Catherine.Summ@ct.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> Legislative Update to the BESB Advisory Board<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'>All,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'>Please see the Legislative Update to the BESB Advisory Board.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>Legislative Update to the BESB Advisory Board<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>by Jennifer Proto, ADS Legislative & Administrative Advisor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>4-3-2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>HB 7025,</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'> <i>An Act Concerning Updating the Staffing Methodology for Teachers of Visually Impaired Children</i></span></b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>, would eliminate reference to an outdated statutory formula (CGS 17a-812(b)(3)) that credits 6 points for each child learning braille (10% of our student caseload) and 1 point for each non-braille student (90% of our caseload), with a recommendation of one full-time certified teacher who instructs students who are visually impaired assigned per 25 points credited. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>The new replacement language aligns with our current practice by requiring consideration of the instruction levels established in the student’s individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 service plan, the student’s geographical location, and other relevant caseload management factors to determine the number of teachers needed to serve the school districts. Considering multiple factors relevant to the unique needs of students with blindness or visual impairments allows for a more realistic determination of teacher workload and to efficiently utilize teacher capacity to effectively serve as many students as possible within our budgeted resources.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>Wasn’t voted out of Human Services Committee but we hope to work with the Chairs to get it added to another piece of legislation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>SB 1158, An Act Concerning the Establishment of a Department on Aging</span></i></b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>, has the stated goal of aligning agency functions and improving efficiency and service delivery, but for several reasons we have opposed this bill. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>Over the last 30 years, services for Connecticut’s older adults have gone through several restructurings (1997, 2013, and 2018). Each time this restructuring occurs, we must shift the focus of our limited administrative resources to creating new infrastructure, policies, and process flows - which drains support away from our frontline staff and their critical work. With the last restructuring in 2018, we brought services for older adults and people with disabilities together under one umbrella. We embraced this move, as it made sense in light of Connecticut and national demographic trends. It is also structured this way at the federal level under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), in recognition of the fact that the prevalence of disabilities increases as we age.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>Fracturing our services yet again will set us back in terms of our ability to effectively meet the needs of older adults in Connecticut. This was voted out of the committee, but as there would be a cost associated with it, we are hoping that fiscal barrier will stop this legislation in its tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><i><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>sHB 6932 An Act Concerning the Establishment of a State Interpreting Standards Board</span></i></b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>, as its title indicates, would establish a new standards board for interpreters. The bill would allow interpreters who hold different certificates or credentials from recognized credentialing organizations to apply to the Board for an approved credential equivalent, substitute, or waiver for a set period of time. The bill additionally requires the board to establish education, training and certification requirements for interpreters working in community, educational, legal, and medical settings and operational standards for interpreter agencies and service providers providing interpreting services in these settings. The board would handle all complaints concerning noncompliance, hold hearings under the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act (UAPA), and refer them to local law enforcement or credentialling agencies as needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>We have also opposed this proposal due to timing and had requested that our new Director, who has been onboard for just 3 months, be given time to learn about the services, understand the challenges and potential solutions, and work to set a course that meets the needs of the community. That may include the creation of an Interpreting Standards Board, it may mean focusing on recruitment into the profession, or it may reflect best practices from other states. And currently this position is funded through temporary ARPA funds which is not sufficient to cover existing requirements, never mind new ones. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'>This was also voted out of the committee, but we are trying to negotiate a compromise to amend the bill later during session. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:20.0pt;line-height:106%;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:14.0pt'><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=684 style='width:512.75pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr style='height:71.4pt'><td width=138 valign=top style='width:103.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:71.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><img width=105 height=105 style='width:1.0937in;height:1.0937in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DBA7C0.07F6DD20"></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=546 valign=top style='width:409.25pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:71.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Lisa Drew<br>Administrative Assistant </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>ADS - Aging and Disability Services</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>BESB- Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 860-876-9471</span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:lisa.drew@ct.com" title="lisa.drew@ct.com"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Lisa Drew's Email</span></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Check out our new website for information and services:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:black;mso-ligatures:none'> </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/ads?language=en_US" title="https://portal.ct.gov/ads?language=en_US"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Didact Gothic";color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Department of Aging and Disability Services</span></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-bottom:12.0pt;min-width: 424px'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=0 width=491 style='width:368.15pt;border:solid #C8C8C8 1.0pt'><tr style='height:95.7pt'><td width=436 style='width:327.05pt;border:none;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:95.7pt'><div style='margin-right:6.0pt;margin-bottom:9.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/ads?language=en_US"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Light",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none;text-decoration:none'>Department of Aging and Disability Services</span></a><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style='margin-right:6.0pt;margin-bottom:9.0pt;max-height: 100px'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#666666;mso-ligatures:none'>Explore Connecticut's Department of Aging & Disability Services for resources, programs, services, and FAQs designed to help the older individuals and individuals with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#A6A6A6;mso-ligatures:none'>portal.ct.gov<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><div style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:24.0pt'><i><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:controlIcons;mso-ligatures:none'>?</span></i><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:controlIcons;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>