[nfbmi-talk] System Seven

Joe Sontag suncat0 at gmail.com
Thu Dec 23 23:00:03 UTC 2010


I couldn't have said it better than Joe and Fred have done.  Truth isn't always pleasant, but it must be faced bravely by each of 
us.  I have no sympathy for the managers who have created the mess that is MCB and who should now be working with us to straighten 
it up, especially those blind people in high places who seem to have forgotten where they came from and who helped them get their 
positions in State government.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 23:30
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] System Seven


> In addition as Fred rightfully points out every dime that is misspent on this or that boondoggle including the System Seven fiasco 
> is taken away from direct services for the blind of Michigan. I have heard from others currently in the system that counselors 
> have taken hours, literally hours to enter an amended IPE into the system. This certainly, in and of itself takes away time from 
> others needing services.
>
> All the squandered resources in the MCB temporary TC fiasco takes away from needed orientation and mobility services, Braille 
> instruction, activities of daily living and all of the other programs that NFB and MCBVI and others have fought for all of these 
> years.
>
> Oh, yes and at every turn Mr. Cannon says over and over again that we don't have the money for say job developers in Detroit or 
> elsewhere (remember all those bullet proof drape items and the Advocate for the Blind protests)? And as Fred rightfully pointed 
> out at the last MCB meeting the squandering of resources around the MCB TC moved costs this agency in excess of $70,000 which 
> could have funded a blind person or two all the way through college, or supplied dozens of blind folks with assistive technology, 
> or could have been used for hundreds of hours of Braille or mobility instruction, etc., etc.
>
> What has me so outraged by all of this is that these so-called leaders of MCB have been fiddling while Rome has burned and that is 
> not a blithe contention but is documented in the public record and by facts, not nicey nicey conjecture. There is an issue of 
> public accountability here which some seem to think should remain the status quo.
>
> The prospects for the blind and, indeed others with other disabilities have been shattered from cradle to the grave. And, indeed 
> not only has cannon stood blithely by but he is the problem. He not only fiddles while Rome burns he is holding the match!
>
> Shoot, all it ain't hard to spot an arsonist when you find him with the gas can and a burnt match!
>
> People need only to look at documented facts and do a little research. I've sent plenty to the board and to mr. Sibley.
>
> as I told him at the MCB meeting of last March when he said NFB and ACB have different philosophies, I said, "I don't give a hoot 
> about philosophy. I care about following known laws, proven and document actions or inactions, openness, accessibility and 
> accountability from public officials."
>
> we can debate philosophy or tone or other irrelevant items at another point in time. Besides, I'd like to point out to Mr. Sibley 
> that Cannon has not only witch hunted blind and qualified members of MCB who are members of NFB MI like Dave and Christine but he 
> long ago threw one of the greatest counselors in the history of MCB under the bus. That was John MCMahan who not only was blind, 
> but consumer oriented, was both a duel Certified rehab Teacher and CRCC and now holds his PhD and runs the Maine blind VR program. 
> And John was a stalwart of MCBVI! And Cannon, being the equal opportunity offendor he is also goes after non-affiliated folks too 
> and that is documented including all of those BEP operators that in recent years have been denied jobs, opportunities, due process 
> and other civil rights..
>
>
>
> Facts are facts. Look either System Seven works correctly or it doesn't. Either Main is accessible or it isn't. We either give 
> accessible information to blind members of the public and consumers in a timely manner or we don't (and it is documented MCB does 
> not do so).
>
> Either MCB and other state facilities are in compliance with the ADA or they aren't. And they aren't and not by a long shot 
> either.
>
> I mean my brothers and sisters in MCBVI have fought for accessibility and ADA/504 compliance from the SSA and even the U.S. 
> Treasury. Should we have a lesser standard for Mr. Cannon, State ADA coordinator and former Chair of the United States Access 
> Board?
>
> Either Cannon follows the law related to PA 260 and the BEP or he doesn't. And it is documented over and over again that he and 
> his cronies violate it with malice and forethought.
>
> And, by the way have people forgotten all of the legal liability out their due to these violations and resulting suits including 
> the Hill suit, the Eagle suit, and the NFB suit? Oh and cannon will blame the costly legal situations on those who have had to sue 
> for justice on the victims of discrimination by MCB upper management rather than on himself and them for causing the problems to 
> begin with. And we've already spent at least $50,000 this year for A.G. fees fighting these suits which comes out of the general 
> rehab services for the blind. What is going to happen when Hill et al actually win $500,000 plus in court which they will? It will 
> come out of our services.
>
> how many blind folks have been robbed in fact by the illegal practices and policies  vis a vis the college policies including 
> illegal maintainence and effective needs testing? How many have been robbed when told, illegally or implied that they must take 
> out student loands or because of the broken apparratus were forced into dire debt illegally? How many people have been turned away 
> right at the front door because they don't even get a return phone call in their lifetime or if the phone isn't answerred at all 
> which happens often enough and is happening right now when one calls a number of numnbers at the MCB TC? What happens to fed funds 
> when MCB violates its already required mandates to RSA? What happens when they carry cases without being able to find anything 
> about the disposition as RSA documented in some cases for more than ten years? What happened to those 41 people who in the recent 
> MCB TC satisfaction survey cannot be contacted for follow up? Where did they go? What happens to fourteen year old kids who we 
> find out aren't even getting large print books let alone Braille and from news accounts at that? What happends to our blind kids 
> when MCB fouls up its transition services and memorandums of understanding and plays this revolving money laundering scheme with 
> indermediate school districts? What has happened to all the blind trust funds? What has happend to the MCB gift fund? Where is the 
> money coming from to pay top drawer rates at a hotel with dwindling services? Come on Joe Sibley and MCB Board it isn't rude or 
> untowards to ask these questions and to demand answers from this federally and state funded agency! In fact we all would be 
> derelict in our advocacy duties if we didn't ask and demand answers.
>
>
> and, Fred is most correct in the fact that you, and we are not fighting against the good and hard working staff; the frontline 
> staff of MCB, but rather, we are fighting for them.
>
> We want these good counselors to be doing their jobs and doing them effeciently. we want our VRTs and mobility instructors 
> teaching blind folks the skills of blindness and not frittering their time away in the Fetzer Center for even one hour let alone 
> more than a week. They want this too. Most are goodly people and some are to me very beloved people.
>
> But, it is the upper management heade by Cannon that has been over a decade derelict in their duties at best and especially over 
> the last year and one half on a collision course with totally destroying any meaningful MCB.
>
> MCB is so out of control on so many levels that one cannot deny it and that is not a dig or a personal attack but, once again 
> documented in the public record now and more will be coming out in the near term.
>
> Finally, I'llreiterate for the record that Bernie is not only a likable and fine man, but he worked tirelessly for what was right 
> and tried his darndest to reform the institution from the inside. It was to no avail for as he put it his region is "Burned out" 
> by this ancien regime. Now, there is only one Director of MCB. I only wished that he had the moral courage of Harry Truman when 
> that President, taking ppersonal responsability for decisions said, "The buck stops here."
>
> I'm sorry to all that I'm strident. I'm sorry I'm angry. But, all that we, the organized blind (and that includes MCBVI and other 
> organszations) have worked for over decades to make a brighter future for all people who are blind and visually impaired is 
> exploding and has been. We don't have time for nice-nicey and for dancing around the issues that have been brought up and again 
> are documented. We only have time for immediate action and a full accounting and for full accountability.
>
> Peace only comes when we have justice.
>
> Joe Harcz
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
> To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 9:01 PM
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] System Seven
>
>
>>    Larry Posont
>>
>> 20812 Ann Arbor Trail
>>
>> Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
>>
>> (313)727-3546
>>
>> president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Michigan Federationists:
>>
>>
>>
>>            I would like to encourage your thoughts and discussion concerning the following emails, which I have included below my
>> letter to you. One is from Joe Sibley.
>>
>> They all concern the problems at the Commission for the Blind with System Seven.  They also concern the problem with the Director 
>> of
>> our agency. I propose a dialog on the listserve about who is really the problem with the Michigan Commission for the Blind?
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>>
>> Larry J. Posont
>>
>> President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Joe Sibley
>>
>>
>>
>> Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI)
>>
>> An affiliate of the American Council of the Blind
>>
>> Joe Sibley - President
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Jo Ann,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am writing to respond to a letter recently sent to you by Larry Posant, president of the National Federation of the Blind of
>> Michigan, the letter is currently posted publicly on the NFB website. Although I am very pleased with the recent open dialogue
>> between MCBVI and NFB of MI, and continue to look forward to working with the NFB in areas where we can agree, I must take 
>> exception
>> to the letter sent by Larry to you and widely distributed to many others. In the interest of open dialogue I am sending a copy of
>> this letter to Larry Posant and Fred Wurtzel, and other involved officials, and give you permission to share it wherever you see
>> fit. I need to address this from three angles.
>>
>>
>>
>> First, I am very troubled that internal emails from within MCB staff were used as a base to add additional allegations and bring
>> personal attack against director Pat Canon. Using these emails in this fashion has created a turmoil among the MCB staff and can
>> only result in a situation where staff will be afraid to address concerns in internal emails for fear that they will be 
>> publicized
>> and put them in uncomfortable situations. That only further discourages open communication which is already a problem within the
>> agency. We can't have a situation where staff is afraid to bring problems to the attention of management. Reading Karen Silky's
>> email it is a very well written and constructive message pointing out many of the serious problems with the new System 7 upgrade. 
>> It
>> is written by a very frustrated staff member trying to resolve these problems, yet it was used for political purposes to attack 
>> the
>> director, this was obviously not Karen's intent in writing this message.
>>
>>
>>
>> Next I would like to address the continuous attacks on director Canon. I am truly tiring of the never ending personal attacks on 
>> the
>> director from those who try to portray him either as incompetent or an all powerful evil dictator. I have known Pat Canon for 
>> quite
>> a few years now and have had many conversations with him, and with those who work around him. Do I always agree with Pat on every
>> issue? Of course not. I do find him to be a man of good character and I do believe his actions and intentions are always aimed
>> toward the best for the agency. I can't imagine having to juggle the politics, the burocracy, the variety of funding sources, and
>> the public relations headaches that Pat has to handle. The fact that the agency is still fairly well funded at a time when many
>> departments in our state are having to slash programs tells me that Pat is doing some very positive things. Yes, there are many
>> problems within the Michigan Commission for the Blind and we will continue to speak out to try to address those problems, and yes
>> the ultimate responsibility for all activity in the agency lands on the directors desk, but to continuously try to personally
>> assassinate Pat's character is a cruel mistake. I have not seen the criteria used on the board's annual evaluation of the 
>> director,
>> but from my vantage point I believe your 2.1 out of 3 is probably a very fair judgement.
>>
>>
>>
>> I am in agreement with Larry's letter in one area. I have spoken to a number of MCB staff members and this new System 7 so called
>> upgrade is a disaster. The Commission's internal computer technology has never been great, I am assuming much of that goes back 
>> to
>> the DTMB. For starters, I imagine those making decisions for the state's computer networks know little about access technology. 
>> With
>> this new System 7 revision, field staff who are already stretched with large case loads are having to spend many more hours 
>> trying
>> to do their jobs, and the system won't allow them to do what they have to do to do those jobs. From what I have heard and 
>> reviewing
>> Karen's original email, this is a problem that must be addressed immediately as it looks like the longer that staff tries to work
>> around this useless new system, the greater shambles that the agency's records will be. I hope that correcting this problem is an
>> urgent priority for the administration.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you as always Jo Ann for your time, and your service to the agency. I have great respect for you and the direction you have
>> been moving the board in during the past year or so. There will be those that disagree with portions of my message, and I will
>> defend everyone's right to state their opinion. MCBVI remains committed to working to make this a great state to live in if you 
>> are
>> visually impaired. We will address problems and work with all parties to correct those problems, but will do so with an attitude 
>> of
>> positivity and constructive dialogue.
>>
>>
>>
>> I hope you have a very blessed holiday season and a truly happy new year.
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe Sibley
>>
>> Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI)
>>
>>
>>
>> From: "Kramer, Bernie (DELEG)" <kramerb at michigan.gov>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Mr. Posont,
>>
>>
>>
>> Larry,
>>
>>
>>
>> I feel humbled  in thanking you for your kind remarks.  I am indeed honored by your compliments and  feel I'm leaving before the 
>> job
>> is done.  It is just Larry, that it's time to go.
>>
>>
>>
>> In terms of personal situations I am a first generation American German Jew, born in NYC but faced tremendous prejudice as I grew 
>> up
>>
>> in rural New York State.  The community had many Nazi's living in the area.  I know it's not the same issue; but that is why I 
>> have
>>
>> always fought for what is right.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have the highest professional respect for Karyn Silky.  I believe you are right on target.  Her expertise in all facets of 
>> Blind
>>
>> and Low Vision qualifications are exemplary.  I think what we both are frustrated with is the Politic that I wrote about.  We 
>> cannot
>>
>> as an organization get beyond those issues.  I would stand this Staff up against any in State Government.  They are a special 
>> group
>>
>> of professionals willing to go to the edge to ensure services are offered.
>>
>>
>>
>> Until this Management team trusts it's staff, all the learning opportunities I was offered by John Victory just will not allow 
>> this
>>
>> organization to move Forward.  The tragic part of all this is that my friend and brother, Tony Van Staveren, and I to an extent,
>>
>> determined we could no longer "fight the fight".
>>
>>
>>
>> You may know I have faced many health  challenges the past two years.  In the early 2000's Tony Van Staveren and I took a lot on 
>> by
>>
>> ourselves.  I thought we were making progress, but I take you back to my remarks of yesterday's message.
>>
>>
>>
>> I would appreciate it if I can remain on the NFB of MI distribution list. This address expires 29 Dec 10 and new address for you 
>> is
>>
>> bpkramer45 at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>> What I will look back on is the tremendous folks I was blessed to have spent the best part of my day with; for 15 years.  I 
>> continue
>>
>> to learn about Blindness.
>>
>>
>>
>> God willing I hope to attend next year's state conference.
>>
>>
>>
>> All the Best.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Bernie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>>
>> 20812 Ann Arbor Trail
>>
>> Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
>>
>> December 15, 2010
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Jo Ann,
>>
>>
>>
>> Below are 2 emails from 2 of the most dedicated people in the MCB.  They are speaking out about one more system within MCB that 
>> is
>>
>> broken.  As you are aware, much of the relationship with RSA is data driven.  That is, the agency performance is measured and
>>
>> evaluated in quantitative measures.  There are few, if any qualitative measures.
>>
>>
>>
>> The RSA recently completed a monitoring report which was a very poor reflection on the agency.  As you read the comments from 
>> Karyn
>>
>> Silky, you can sense her frustration as she tries to do her work and cannot do it efficiently and meet the demands of the
>>
>> administrative management information system (System 7).  As she points out, even the accounting is broken.  She cannot charge 
>> costs
>>
>> to the proper accounts.  If these are not caught and manually corrected, RSA will, again, find that MCB is misappropriating 
>> funds.
>>
>> The bottom line here is that System 7 is failing.
>>
>>
>>
>> If that were the only major administrative problem in MCB it would be very serious and demand immediate and drastic action.
>>
>> Unfortunately, this is only one among at least 4 other systems that have failed within the past year.  Or should I say, more
>>
>> correctly, which have been reported in the past year.  Certainly the monitoring report covers a broader time span and shows 
>> ongoing
>>
>> mismanagement by the Director.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here is a brief recap of some of the failed and broken systems at MCB:
>>
>>
>>
>>  1.. 37 MCBTC staff are sitting idle and did so all last week at a cost of more than $75000/week, because there was inadequate
>>
>> planning to anticipate issues that may arise in commencing a major construction project.  This project has been in some stage of
>>
>> planning since around 2005; it did not sneak up on anyone.  This failure alone ought to be enough to demand drastic action from 
>> the
>>
>> board.  It is easy to predict that Pat will blame Melody Lindsey, Christine Boone or Sherri Heibeck.  He will not ever take
>>
>> responsibility for anything.  Who is accountable?
>>
>>
>>
>>  2.. The Business Enterprise Program is in meltdown.  With 15 facilities on the bid line and not enough blind people trained to
>>
>> fill these positions it is just going to continue to cause major problems for MCB.  Sooner or later, there will be a major 
>> incident
>>
>> someplace which will create public relations problems and possibly attract negative legislature attention.
>>
>>
>>
>> The last BEP training class of only 8, had no one in charge.  Trainees were left to sit unsupervised with no assignments and no
>>
>> oversight.  An interpreter at $40/hour was allowed to sit while the person for whom they were to interpret had no activity. 
>> Fred
>>
>> Wurtzel, the retired BEP administrator called James Hull and offered to supervise the class during John McEntee's absence.  No
>>
>> teacher was apparently better than a 20 year veteran.  There have been talks of early retirements for years.  It could be
>>
>> anticipated that such an event would occur, yet there was absolutely no planning.  This is difficult to understand, since 
>> placements
>>
>> of blind clients are down and there allegedly very few jobs, except there 15, today in the Business Enterprise Program.  Who will
>>
>> take the fall for this.  Will anyone take responsibility?  Will anyone be held accountable?  Certainly not Pat Cannon, Heaven
>>
>> forbid.
>>
>>
>>
>>  3.. The RSA monitoring report showed a monumental lack of oversight and numerous instances of violations of the law and rules. 
>> It
>>
>> is alleged that RSA is wrong and MCB is not to blame.  It is doubtful if this argument will hold water.  Consumers have brought 
>> many
>>
>> of these issues to the attention of the Commission Board, the MCB director and various staff people over the years.  Some of 
>> these,
>>
>> consumers could not easily detect, like misappropriation of funds by serving ineligible clients below the age of 14.  Pat alleged 
>> in
>>
>> a meeting with the NFB that he provided a copy of the preliminary monitoring report to you, Jo Ann, more than a year ago.  You 
>> have
>>
>> denied having a copy.  I'm not sure of the truth, here.  It certainly appears that Pat is, again, dumping responsibility on you 
>> and
>>
>> not taking his own responsibility.  Who will be blamed for this? Will it be Leamon, the MCB Board, and the counselors or, as we
>>
>> heard, it is RSA's fault.  Amazing!
>>
>>
>>
>>  4.. Back to System 7.  This is the very heart of managing the MCB.  RSA will use data from System 7 to evaluate the agency
>>
>> performance.
>>
>>
>>
>>  5..
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  6.. Yesterday, in the Services Delivery Design Team meeting staff expressed much dissatisfaction with System 7 and MAIN. it was
>>
>> mentioned that blind staff, after how many years, now, still cannot  do many of the administrative tasks which most state 
>> employees
>>
>> must do either as a regular part of their job or as incidental parts of carrying out their duties.  For example blind staff in 
>> state
>>
>> government cannot even complete their own time sheets, let alone do a large number of tasks required for state jobs.  The 
>> Commission
>>
>> may become the only place where blind people can work if they need to use MAIN. The whole "MAIN" system is inaccessible and Pat
>>
>> cannon is the state ADA coordinator.  Michigan is at risk for a giant ADA suit such as the ones in Arkansas and New york.  These
>>
>> states had exactly the same problem with their statewide accounting systems.  Is the Governor aware of this threat?  Pat Cannon
>>
>> cannot even advocate for his agencies' constituency, himself or anyone else it seems.  Who is at fault for this system failure? 
>> It
>>
>> must be Connie Zanger, right?  She has been doing the job for the past few months and did not fix it.  Or, could it be Sherri
>>
>> Heibeck?  She was in charge for several years.  Or is it Libera?  Did they follow the MCB specifications incorrectly?  Or, is it
>>
>> DTMB for not monitoring the system progress.  Oh, how about Pat Cannon? Could he, as administrator be accountable?  No, he is no
>>
>> computer guru, so it must be someone else.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> These are just 4, (did I say "just" 4?) items that, in most places of employment just 1 problem of the magnitude of these would 
>> have
>>
>> caused major disciplinary action, that are plaguing MCB  Yet, given all these, you just gave this man a satisfactory job rating.
>>
>> This seems inconceivable.
>>
>>
>>
>> How about some other items like the firing of Christine Boone on false pretenses with no MCB Board oversight, though the board is
>>
>> the direct supervisor of the Director and P.A. 260 calls for such oversight, 2 instances of breaking and entry into the MCB 
>> office
>>
>> where computers were stolen, allegations of misuse of travel by a staff person, questions about BEP inventories, questions about 
>> bep
>>
>> judge shopping resulting in overturned administrative hearings?  How many more do you need?
>>
>>
>>
>> Read both Bernie's and Karin's messages.  They are afraid of reprisals. Pat Cannon has managed by bullying and intimidation.  Why
>>
>> should an employee be afraid to report problems with the software they are depending on to do their jobs?  This is the very 
>> software
>>
>> the agency will depend on to report accurately to RSA to account for the $20 million the agency is entrusted with each year to 
>> serve
>>
>> blind people.  Fear is the management style of preference and as you can see from the list above it is not very effective as a
>>
>> strategy.  When will someone take responsibility?  Are blind people so inconsequential that a person earning more than 120000 per
>>
>> year is allowed to behave in any manner they choose wit impunity?
>>
>>
>>
>> It is up to you.  We are depending on you as the legally appointed body to oversee the Commission to take charge.  When will this
>>
>> madness stop and who will stop it?
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely
>>
>>
>>
>> Larry Posont, President
>>
>> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>>
>> 517-482-1800
>>
>> Email: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
>>
>> Web page
>>
>> www.nfbmi.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Subject: RE: System 7 issues
>>
>>
>>
>> All,
>>
>>
>>
>> Good afternoon.
>>
>>
>>
>> Is this another case of Manager's making decisions WITHOUT ANY INPUT OF STAFF? I can't even count the number of times we have 
>> just
>> shoved stuff down the chain, (in our case the West Region) to Field Staff and Administrative Support. What affect does this have 
>> on
>> the overall push down to us; to increase Competitive Closures?
>>
>>
>>
>> There most surely is POLITIC with this latest decision to revamp System 7? It must have to do with funding to LIBERA?  Appease
>> RSA? Does anyone hear, or read of staff and administrative support input to the latest from Libera?  Does anyone care about this
>> Staff; BUT, particularly here in the West Region?  Kisiel and I do!  Some of the West Staff may not agree with me; and that's OK.
>>
>>
>>
>> How much more can this agency from Commissioner's, right down thru the "THE CHAIN OF COMMAND" ask of this Staff? For one time can 
>> we
>> be straight and honest to the hardest worker's we have?  OK; worker's may not be a good title but is this how MANAGEMENT sees 
>> it's
>> front line employees
>>
>>
>>
>> ?   Sherry Gordon, Lisa Kisiel and the writer have always tried to put our STAFF first.  We tried but maybe never enough, to 
>> stand
>> up to what we felt was right?   I always lived with FEAR, i.e., what can "they" do to me?  And, I am a former Colonel in the 
>> United
>> States Army.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have sat by for many days now; first thinking WHAT CAN THEY DO TO ME if I respond In good conscience I have to!  I have the
>> highest of respect for the professionalism that Karyn Silky and ALL STAFF of this agency bring to the table. For so many years I
>> supported the Director's approach which began upon arrival in 1999.  As a Manager I became a learning person as was suggested to 
>> me,
>> not by my Boss then; but the Director.  Eleven years ago I honored that attempt.
>>
>>
>>
>> It pains me to see after these eleven years, that I have to ask; have we made any progress
>>
>>
>>
>> ?  THIS IS A BURNED OUT FIELD STAFF in the West Region.
>>
>>
>>
>> BERNIE P. KRAMER
>>
>> West Region Manager
>>
>> Michigan Commission For The Blind
>>
>> 350 Ottawa NW
>>
>> Grand Rapids, MI
>>
>> 616-356-0183
>>
>>
>>
>> Subject: System 7 issues
>>
>>
>>
>> Julia,
>>
>>
>>
>> First, thanks for being patient with all of us as we struggle through this mess. My comments below are not directed toward you,
>> please know that.
>>
>>
>>
>> My first question is why can't we be allowed to view all consumers who are in the System?  I needed to check to see if someone 
>> from
>> the other side of the state was currently open etc. for a new referral that came in with the same first and last name, and I was 
>> not
>> able to view any case information because I wasn't assigned to the case. If the response is that the counselor assigned to the 
>> case
>> must change it, then this is just not acceptable.  What if the counselor/teacher doesn't do it in a timely fashion?  What if the
>> person assigned to the case has retired?  Doesn't Libra understand how this complicates service delivery for consumers?  Not
>> everyone sits at their desk 8-10 hours per day - most, if not all of us, are out in the field for the majority of the week.
>>
>>
>>
>> Secondly - why can't our support staff be able to do IPE amendments for counselors/teachers? Apparently the counselor/teacher
>> assigned to the case must do the IPE amendment, approve it then our support staff can follow through and do an authorization.
>> Again, this is not allowing us to do our jobs in a timely manner.  It's not that support staff are actually writing the auth - 
>> it's
>> that some of us might call/email in a request to have support staff input the information into system, with all the particulars,
>> when we can't access or get to the system for various reasons like being on the road. If timely service delivery is being asked 
>> of
>> staff, this problem does not make it very feasible.  It's insane that all of the methods we used to have in the old version 
>> aren't
>> still there.
>>
>>
>>
>> The new requirement to go into the IPE and Amendments and date when services were rendered and the outcomes is also a huge issue.
>> How are we supposed to know when this has been done if we didn't have the case when original services were planned?  This process
>> does not make our system "efficient" - it is taking an incredible amount of time for staff to even do a simple IPE amendment. 
>> Case
>> note entries should document that services were rendered.  Sounds to me like someone doesn't want to review case files to get 
>> this
>> information and want a "quick fix".
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm concerned that management does not have a full grasp on how difficult this "upgrade" has made our jobs.  I would suggest that
>> those supervisors without case loads sit down and try to muddle through this mess and get things done in a timely fashion. I mean
>> actually try to write an IPE amendment, try to print one out and see what happens, try to do an authorization, add a new 
>> consumer,
>> try to find an existing consumer etc. . .   and do this without having all the rights that you likely would have.  The upgrade is
>> not acting like it did in training nor is it working like it did during the testing phase.  I'm appalled that there doesn't seem 
>> to
>> be an upper management statement being made to Libra about the urgency of fixing these issues if not taking us back to the old 
>> way
>> of doing things.  If it is being done on the Director or upper management level, it would be nice for staff to know that this is
>> happening - communicate with us on what is being asked to be fixed or corrected,
>>
>>
>>
>> let us know that you are all supporting our concerns.  I know that I am speaking for most if not all of my colleagues when I say
>> that we are fed up, tired and angry with what has been occurring.
>>
>>
>>
>> My last issue is huge and has been asked of Libera already, but is creating a serious problem - staff (all staff) must be able to
>> plan and do authorizations from the appropriate accounting codes.  Can't anyone see that when authorizations are being done, they
>> are being pulled from AARA funds versus VR because it can't be changed? What about YLV students - what if they are VR and we need
>> to do both YLV authorization as well as a VR service?  It won't let you do this.  Why are we being required to do ILOB plans when
>> only IL was supposed to have plans.  While I'm on it, what is the definition of an IL consumer versus a homemaker?  When do we 
>> serve
>> someone as IL and not VR homemaker?   This question was asked during the testing phase of the upgrade when we learned there would 
>> be
>> a split in the funding for IL/ILOB.  That was months ago. How can you implement a new approach to fund and serve IL/ILOB without
>> defining for us what that means?  Leamon, you must address this issue because there will be and possibly are consumers out there 
>> not
>> getting services through general IL who have the right to services and/or are being put in the wrong program.
>>
>>
>>
>> This "upgrade" is not an upgrade - it is a completely new system. Upgrades only fix minor issues - not create disasters. I feel
>> sorry for whoever will be in charge of gathering financial data at the end of Fiscal 2011 because the way things are going, 
>> nothing
>> will be accurate.
>>
>>
>>
>> My appeal to all staff who are trying to use this system is this - if you are struggling with all of these issues, let management
>> know directly via email or phone calls. Specific issues must be identified to them and how it is impacting your job, how long it 
>> is
>> taking to do tasks (literally track the time) is absolutely necessary in order for users of the system to get our point across.
>>
>>
>>
>> I might be putting my neck on the line sending this, but frankly, I don't care anymore. Karyn
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> I am using the free version of SPAMfighter.
>> We are a community of 7 million users fighting spam.
>> SPAMfighter has removed 984 of my spam emails to date.
>> Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
>>
>> The Professional version does not have this message
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfbmi-talk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfbmi-talk mailing list
> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfbmi-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/suncat0%40gmail.com 





More information about the NFBMI-Talk mailing list