[Nfbk] Saving OFB

[Lisa Irving]

Thank you

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBK [mailto:nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cathy Jackson via
NFBK
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 3:38 PM
To: Nfbk <nfbk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cathy Jackson <cathyj1949 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Nfbk] Saving OFB

Good Afternoon,
As all of you know there has been much speculation about the possible merger
of OFB with OVR. There has been work going on behind the Scene. I haven't
posted because there was nothing to report until today. Representatives from
the consumer organizations and the SRC met today with Beth Kuhn,
commissioner Department of Workforce Development. We asked very direct
questions and as far as I can tell she was upfront and honest. It is
important to note that much of what Is driving merger is federal law. There
is much emphasis being placed on collaboration and how money can be spent.
There is nothing that anyone can do about that. 
There are positives that we will continue to use to our advantages. Cora
McNabb and Becky Cabe are our allies, so as long as they are in the
positions they are currently holding we will take advantage. Beth Kuhn
welcomed our input. As a matter of fact, she said right away that this was
the first of many meetings to come. We have been assured that the
specialized training needed by the blind will continue to be offered and
taught by persons with their degree in the field of blindness and visual
impairment, including O&M. There is absolutely no plan to close the McDowell
Center. 
The Governor is determined to open all categories. He is aware that we
aren't pulling down the federal money we should be getting and want's to
remedy this as well. 
We will continue to push for a separate agency until the ink is dry on a new
plan. Who knows what the end result might look like. I have a gut feeling
there is going to be a lot of give and take, but we have been invited to the
table and that's a good thing.
At this point in time we are satisfied with how things are moving along. We
hope beyond hope that this continues. It would be a great thing to look back
on all of this this time next year and say we are safe and sound. I know I
can count on all of you if the time comes when we need to show force. Let's
hope we can avoid that. However, we are not beyond doing what ever it takes.
Now for a bit of humor. There was a rumor going around at OVR that they were
going to be under the umbrella of OFB since Becky is their interim director.
LOL!
Cathy
Sent from my iPhone
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