[nfbmi-talk] college policy in here and more

[joe harcz Comcast]

Wow, I missed one thing Michigan Rehabilitation Services is talking about an order of selection in FY 2011.

 

Joe

 

 

http://www.misilc.org/index.php?q=node/81

Draft Meeting Minutes - Nov 13th 2009 Council Meeting | Michigan SILC

 

• This year MRS expects the VR Program to be cut. Currently managing the program without knowing how much the cut will be.

 

• MRS is currently working with the IL Network to replace some of the match that was lost due to RSA’s determination that CIL cash-match

collaborative was unallowable.

 

• Department of Management and Budget has only release 20% of the budget to MRS. In January 2010 a Revenue Conference will be held and adjustments

may be made at that time.

 

• B. Barton suggested MRS become a Management Services Organization model and doing fee for service contracts with other organizations to receive

additional revenue. MRS needs to evaluate what the risks are.

 

• RSA draft 107 Report responses are due today. MRS, MCB and SILC have been fervently working on preparing the responses.

 

• In MRS’ long-term plan, one goal is fully devoted to improving the relationship in collaboration with the IL Network. Two other goals have parts

enhancing IL supports and the relationship with the IL community. At least 1/3 of MRS’ long-term plan is devoted to enhancing the relationship the

collaboration with the IL Network.

 

• DN/M, SILC and MRS have met recently as a Strategy team to identify values, vision and principles that can be shared with organizations to figure

out how to operationalize this long-term plan. What strategies and activities can be put into place to achieve these objectives together? Hope to

lay the ground work/foundation for this and turn over to an operational team to move forward.

 

• MRS is anticipating based on the budget and continuing executive order restrictions and anticipates continued limited staff. A work group has been

convened to get prepared for implementing Order of Selection. Projecting that in the State Plan that will be developed next year will be requesting

approval to implement Order of Selection for 2011.

 

• In collaboration with the CILs, MRS completed three accessibility studies in Marquette, Ann Arbor and Macomb district offices. MRS found some areas

that need to be improved. MRS would like to take experiences in these areas and develop a model for expansion to the rest of the state.

 

• Despite all of the challenges, MRS has served over fifty thousand individuals last year and exceeded all front end goals for intakes and

eligibility plans initiated. Did not achieve rehabilitation outcome goal, but within 92% of achievement.

 

list end

 

MCB

– Leamon Jones

 

· MCB has been focused on completing the responses to the Draft FY 2009 RSA Monitoring Report.

 

· One focus is revising our Older Blind Manual to bring it into compliance with the federal government.

 

· Small Business Policy and College Policy have been another focus, to revise and update these policies to be in compliance as well.

 

· MCB served 3500 individual this last year and was successful in achieving 95% of their goal.

 

· MCB has been working with Area on Aging and Office on Aging to purchase technology services to persons of the blind and visually impaired within some

centers. Two programs have been approved and services are moving ahead in that area.

 

· Looking at how to improve outreach and working with centers to establish relationships with Native Americans in particular.

 

· MCB is providing employment seminars in the community to keep individuals interested in seeking employment and employers are an intricate part

providing placement in the local job market.

 

· Currently looking for fill counselor vacancies within MCB.

 

· MCB has an Internship Program and is looking to place forty individuals throughout the state. Internship is for up to one year possibly two years.

ARRA funds are being used for this program.