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<b>The following information comes from State Services for the Blind
regarding a public hearing to be held September 23 about “Order of
Selection” which will affect access to vocational rehabilitation services
for anyone who is not currently working under an individual plan for
employment. Various locations around the state will be able to link into
this hearing. Please read for more details on what it is about and where
to go to participate in the hearing.<br>
Re: Order of Selection and Public Hearing<br>
<br>
I want to update you about a change that may impact your case with State
Services for the Blind (SSB)’s Workforce Development Unit (WDU). We
are in the process of going on Order of Selection starting October
1<sup>st</sup>, 2015. <br>
<u> <br>
What is Order of Selection?<br>
</u>The demand for vocational rehabilitation services is greater than the
budget we have. This means SSB cannot fund vocational rehabilitation
services for everyone, and we must limit our spending by placing eligible
individuals into categories and on a wait list. Your category is
determined by the number of severe barriers you have to getting a job.
<br>
<br>
When funds become available, categories are opened up and those
individuals can begin receiving services. This process is called Order of
Selection (OOS) and is required by the Federal Government when an agency
does not have the funds to provide services to every eligible person.
<br>
<br>
If you do not have a signed IPE by October 1<sup>st</sup>, 2015, you will
be notified what category you are in and if you will be placed on the
wait list. <br>
<u> <br>
<div align="center">Notice of Public Hearing for Order of Selection<br>
</u></b></div>
Date: Wednesday, September 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2015<br>
Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m.<br>
Location: State Services for the Blind (SSB)<br>
2200 University Ave West, Suite 240 <br>
St. Paul, MN 55114<br>
(651) 539-2300<br>
<br>
If you are unable to attend in person, you may visit any of the following
Workforce Center locations to attend via phone conference. Simply tell
the worker at the front desk you are there to attend the State Services
for the Blind Public Hearing. An SSB staff person will be available to
assist you. <br>
<br>
Bemidji Workforce Center<br>
616 America Avenue Northwest<br>
Bemidji, MN 56601 <br>
(218) 333-8200<br>
<br>
Brainerd Workforce Center<br>
204 Laurel Street<br>
Brainerd, MN 56401<br>
(218) 828-2450<br>
<br>
Duluth Workforce Center<br>
402 West 1<sup>st</sup> St.<br>
Duluth, MN 55802<br>
(218)302-8418<br>
Mankato Workforce Center<br>
12 Civic Center Plaza<br>
Mankato, MN 56001<br>
(507) 344-2622<br>
<br>
<br>
Moorhead Workforce Center<br>
715 11<sup>th</sup> St North, #302<br>
Moorhead, MN 56560<br>
(218) 287-5060<br>
<br>
Rochester Workforce Center<br>
2070 College View Road East<br>
Rochester, MN 55904<br>
(507) 923-2828<br>
<br>
St. Cloud Workforce Center<br>
1542 Northway Drive<br>
St. Cloud, MN 56303<br>
(320) 308-5320<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Carol N Pankow</b> <br>
Director<br>
<i>Department of Employment and Economic Development<br>
State Services for the Blind<br>
</i>2200 University Avenue, Suite 240, St. Paul, MN 55114<br>
Direct: 651-539-2272 <br>
<a href="http://mn.gov/deed">http://mn.gov/deed</a><br>
</blockquote>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<x-tab> </x-tab>David
Andrews and long white cane Harry.<br>
E-Mail: dandrews@visi.com or david.andrews@nfbnet.org<br>
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