[nfbmi-talk] more jagged notes re college policy

joe harcz Comcast joeharcz at comcast.net
Sun Jun 27 19:02:15 UTC 2010


The counselor is required to write the IPE, of course in direct consultation 
with the consumer.

It is all in the rules for the Rehab Act....

And so are procedures. They are also in the MCB policy manual....

Peace,

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marcus Simmons" <MarcusSimmons at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] more jagged notes re college policy


> Where does it say that the counselor is supposed to write the IPE? I 
> thought the client was responsible for the contents and has the right to 
> ask for assistance from MCB if they so wish.
>
> Marcus
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 4:43 PM
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] more jagged notes re college policy
>
>
>> Ok I finished the afternoon session. I noted Leeman Jones continued 
>> references to required performance standards and indicators relative to 
>> the timeline and closure issue. And on several occasions both then and in 
>> the past Gerri Taeckens asked for data to support the contentions made by 
>> mostly staff, yet Leemon has never been able to produce data.
>>
>> Now, this is exactly the type of data that  MCB is required to submit to 
>> RSA, and indeed to the Commission Board and indeed the public in the RSA 
>> monitoring, state plans, and annual reviews.
>>
>> It is the commission folks that hasn't done its RSA homework in a timely 
>> manner in these regards! And it is hiding this information from the 
>> commission board and the public including NFB MI and individuals like 
>> myself with its ludicrous FOIA denials, which, of course are totally 
>> illegal in and of themselves.
>>
>> Moreover, the counselors voted on the timeline issue when they know or 
>> should know that a uniform timeline (not a goal) is not something that 
>> fits all. These things as Taeckens rightfully and to her credit 
>> consistently pointsout are a function of the Individual Plan for 
>> Employment. Note the term "Individual" here.
>>
>> Now each and every counselor speaking is supposed to be intiment with the 
>> requirements for IPE development and related civil rights checks on 
>> arbitrary and capricious administration. They were after all Certified 
>> Rehabilitation Counselors and this goes into the training requirements. 
>> Did each and every one of them flunk "IPE development 101"?
>>
>> Have not a one of them referenced RSA circulars, the Rehab Act itself, 
>> and/or had continuous improvement in training on this issue?
>>
>> I simply wonder what in the world is going on here.
>>
>> My goodness consumers and other non-professionals including, by the way 
>> Ms. Taeckens seem to have a grasp of what goes into the IPE and that also 
>> includes setting goals and effectively timelines on an Individualized 
>> basis. It also must consider going to Lydia's continued point and others, 
>> the impact of multiple disabilities upon a person, sickness, and other 
>> contingencies.
>>
>>
>> Going back to the data issue...Leemon and others wish to use this issue 
>> as an excuse on the policy development issue and on the other don't 
>> produce the data or the systems to actually cull data like Taeckens asks 
>> for in case examinations. and analysis.
>>
>> Other data required is again the consumer satisfaction surveys yet ours 
>> has been so late in coming that findings would be virtually 
>> meaningless...But again MCB was given these "homework" assignments 
>> actually with continuiing and annual updates...And many of these 
>> assignments were missed.
>>
>> Finally, on this thrust I am very proud of Fred in his standing up on the 
>> issue. and I'm very proud of Elizabeth for effectively saying there are 
>> obligations and timelines upon MCB staff including counselors.
>>
>> And I for one demand they meet their responsabilities.
>>
>> They are a dysfunctional family there and I'm talking about the 
>> counselors and supervisors represented in my opinion. They wish to hold 
>> the consumer constantly responsable for standards that the staff violates 
>> routinely. In other words these so-called professionals do not practice 
>> what they preach on the timeliness issue over and over again.
>>
>> And they wish to give anecdotal claims without supplying supporting data 
>> to back allegations up. Good for Ms. Taeckens, Elizabeth and others for 
>> holding them accountable. Good for Larry too in his comments at the end.
>>
>> I believe in high expectations. I expect accountability by highly paid 
>> and professionally trained staff. Oh yes by the way many of these 
>> counselors and supervisors did have much, if not all of their education 
>> funded by MCB, or RSA through either being consumers themselves once upon 
>> a time, or through RSA grants, or through RSA/MCB funding for continuous 
>> improvement and certification.
>>
>> I sure know that Debbie Wilson had her switch from MSW to CRC funded 
>> through MCB.
>>
>> Man, what a bunch of hypocrities were represented with that block!
>>
>> Now, before I end this diatribe I must say there are some excellent 
>> counselors in MCB. I noticed not one of them were represented at this 
>> meeting. And I assume that was because they are already competent in IPE 
>> development and are or were working in the field doing their jobs, of 
>> which, again they are highly paid for. No those are not the sherkers, or 
>> the ones that blame consumers for all their earthly woes. Those are the 
>> good guys and gals that Larry was right to point out that we in NFB and 
>> other orgs are trying to protect and assist.
>>
>> Bottom line though is no matter what they do or finally right the law 
>> says what the law says.
>>
>> And a consensus doesn't abrogate legal requirements that are already in 
>> the law.
>>
>> But, sadly Cannon and his gang of disfunctionals seem to contiue to 
>> violate all sorts of laws over and over again.
>>
>> Anyway I do not think frm this meeting that Ms. Taeckens was wrong, or 
>> Jeanette Brown (as far as she went) or of course, those members of the 
>> NFB led by Fred and Elizabeth  on this issue.
>>
>> And I think we should all ask Leemon for the data to affirm the 
>> conjecture,.
>>
>> (Of course he doesn't have it as he has clearly stated over and over 
>> again...Which is my point.)
>>
>> I'm reminded here of an old saying from former Senator Daniel Patrick 
>> Monihan. He said, "People are all entitle to their opinions. But no one 
>> is entitled to his own facts."
>>
>> You see the twenty twenty process has been abused here for it puts 
>> opinions over facts; so-called concensus over fundamental laws including 
>> the Rehab Act itself.
>>
>> I say to those counselors who don't like the Rehab Act or its clear cut 
>> requirments then maybe, just maybe they should find another line of 
>> employment. Perhaps they should consult with each other and draw up an 
>> IPE!
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Joe!
>>
>>
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>
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