[nfbmi-talk] Fw: MCB Report for Commission Meeting December 8 & 9, 2011

joe harcz Comcast joeharcz at comcast.net
Thu Dec 1 17:42:44 UTC 2011


----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Michigan Comm for the Blind Vision 20/20 List 
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 12:36 PM
Subject: Re: MCB Report for Commission Meeting December 8 & 9, 2011


Ok,

Now we go to the following:

"ELIMINATING SUB-MINIMUM WAGES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) has reported on a bill, The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act (H. R. 3086) that
would end the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities.  The bill was introduced, October 4, by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Congressman
Tim Bishop (D-NY).  A host of organizations have gone on record in support of the bill, including the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB).

The proposal would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which allows employers holding special wage certificates to pay their
workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.  The legislation would set forth a planned phase out of section 14(c) of the FLSA:

1.   Phased out after one year for all for profit entities

2.   Phased out after two years for all governmental and public entities

3.   Phased out after three years for all not for profit entities

After three years 14(c) would be repealed and all certificates revoked.

While very few blind individuals are today being paid subminimum wages, the overall number of people with disabilities being compensated below the minimum
wage is significant. According to data provided by the DOL Wage and Hour Division, on November 10, 2010 there were approximately 2,552 employers holding
14c certificates, employing approximately 368,106 individuals with disabilities."

This is really cute in your report Pat as you and MCB continue to have so cozy relationships which aren't at all transparent with outfits like New Horizons and Peckham which do use "waivers" and don't =even make all programs and services accessible to the blind including those with multiple disabilities.


Moreover, you've got some rather publicly confliced situations going on with these CRPs including the unreconciled Ingham and Eaton ISD transition programs (re: RSA Monitoring Report) and all the other patronage related to programs related to Gwen McNeal under your direct supervision by the way and New Horizons, Inc. and "players" like Ron Storing who is a trustee with the Oakland ISD, operating and voting on "ccash match agreements" with MCB and LIIO for that matter in spite of being cited for reversion to vendor issues with RSA in their final monitoring report ...

Oh my this is all a tangled web isn't it?

Meanwhile back at the proverbial ranch the average customer of MCB isn't given even short shrift let alone a return phone call from this or that counselor.

But, what the heck you get your free lunch and your perks and your position right?

It's all ok just so long as you and stake hacks get their protected and patronage inspired perks right?




I'm against the machine politics here even though I'm from the nominal left by myown admission.

I want so much for these programs, services, benefits and advocativities of our state and federal government to work. I really do beleive, for lack of better words in that formula for the blind and for others with other disabilities for that matter.

But, you sir in no uncertain words have sold us out for personal benefit and for personal gain.

It is sick. It is disgusting. It is documented. And it is indefenseable except by a mind addled by corruption of the democratic process and all notions of transparency.

And the rights of transparent governmebnt goes to those of us who are blind too.

I, personally have the right to know, in detail how my governmebnt works.

It is as simople as that Mr. Cannon, Mr. Arwood, and Mr. Giovernor Snyder.

My requests for basic information and accountability are not meant to be "burdomesome", they are not. They are my birthright and the birthright of all citizens.

Being vilified for simply asking for information that should be supoplied pro forma in the first place and in accessable format to bootis an arrogent act in and of itself.

The hypocrasy of the opaque nature of MCB or other outfits like MRS for that matter related to governmental spending and actions belies the continued abuses against all those who are blind and otherwise disable here in Michigan and a sort of self annointed and unaccountable to we the people ppyramid scheme whereby sellouts get positions like Cannon to well ...Frankly sell us all out...

Joe

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cannon, Patrick (LARA) 
  To: MCB2020-L at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV 
  Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 11:11 AM
  Subject: MCB Report for Commission Meeting December 8 & 9, 2011


  MCB REPORT

   

  December 1, 2011

   

   

   

  MCB CLIENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM  A SUCCESS

   

  The Michigan Commission for the Blind's (MCB) Client Internship Program concluded at the end of the 2011 Fiscal Year, marked by a celebratory luncheon in Lansing, September 29, to honor the 37 individuals who participated in the popular program.  In addition to the interns, the event was attended by several employers, managers and supervisors who participated in the project, as well as by several MCB staff who worked with the interns.

   

  The goal of the MCB Client Internship Program was to provide Commission clients with opportunities to be placed in private, state and local government job settings, receive compensation for their internship, and gain vital on-the-job experience to assist them on their path toward competitive employment and independence.  The program was coordinated by MCB, with wages and job-related costs of the experience paid for with a grant from the federal government through identified Rehab Stimulus Funds, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

   

  The opportunity was offered to Commission clients who had nearly completed their rehabilitation and training program and who were ready to pursue their career goals through paid internships in state government departments, as well as in local governments.  The program was expanded to include similar arrangements with private-sector employers.  It was initially planned to offer one-year internships to eligible, qualified clients, with the possibility to extend the internship experience for an additional year, if mutually agreeable by the employer and client.

   

  This two-year internship project was developed to help clients receive the training and experience necessary to better prepare individuals for private- and public-sector employment.  The internship experience assisted in the soft-skill development essential to individuals pursuing careers in the 21st Century.  Successful participation in this program benefitted MCB clients as well as participating employers, supervisors and coworkers who experienced, first-hand, the truth that blind persons can be productive, contributing employees.  Evidence of the program's success was the fact that approximately one-third of the interns who participated in the project wound up with permanent job offers, with more competitive employment successes on the horizon.

   

   

  USING SOCIAL NETWORKING IN JOBS SEARCH

   

  The federal Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), part of the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL), reports that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, announced October 20, a partnership with Facebook designed to connect the jobless with companies that are hiring. The Social Jobs Partnership will aggregate a variety of existing, but often little-known, job-search services on a new Facebook page in hopes of drawing more attention to them.

   

  "Landing on this page can help Americans land good jobs," Solis said at a Washington, D. C. news conference, October 20, with representatives from Facebook, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and the Direct Employers Association.

   

  The partnership, which Solis hopes to expand to Twitter, LinkedIn and other social-networking sites, will highlight job-placement resources to match those openings to some of the people who need work. Solis said that there are about 3 million job openings in the U.S., and about 14 million unemployed people .  Among the services available to help match them up are 3,000 one-stop career centers nationwide, and online tools such as the Labor Department's My Skills My Future website, which allows people to see alternative careers for their skills and get information on educational opportunities and employers for those fields that are near them.

   

  "Our data information and services are valuable only when people know about us," said Bonnie Elsey, president of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, which represents public agencies that assist the unemployed, such as the Michigan Bureau of Workforce Development. "Just think of the expanded audience we can reach with our partnership with Facebook", Elsey noted.  "We can connect more job-seekers with jobs."

   

  Facebook's new page will be a one-stop shop for those looking for work, a free, online job fair that can be accessed seven days a week, day or night. A survey this summer by recruiting site Jobvite of 800 U.S. -based human resources and recruitment professionals found that 64 percent hired through social networks this year, up from 58 percent in 2010.

   

   

  ELIMINATING SUB-MINIMUM WAGES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

   

  The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) has reported on a bill, The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act (H. R. 3086) that would end the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities.  The bill was introduced, October 4, by Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY).  A host of organizations have gone on record in support of the bill, including the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

   

  The proposal would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which allows employers holding special wage certificates to pay their workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage.  The legislation would set forth a planned phase out of section 14(c) of the FLSA:

   

  1.   Phased out after one year for all for profit entities

  2.   Phased out after two years for all governmental and public entities

  3.   Phased out after three years for all not for profit entities

   

  After three years 14(c) would be repealed and all certificates revoked.

   

  While very few blind individuals are today being paid subminimum wages, the overall number of people with disabilities being compensated below the minimum wage is significant. According to data provided by the DOL Wage and Hour Division, on November 10, 2010 there were approximately 2,552 employers holding 14c certificates, employing approximately 368,106 individuals with disabilities.

   

   

  MINI ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM IN GAYLORD

   

  MCB conducted its fourth Mini Adjustment Program Workshop of the year, October 9-14, in Gaylord, with 26 MCB consumers participating.  Commission clients attending the week-long Mini Adjustment Program workshop are introduced to a variety of skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, managing time and money, adaptive kitchen skills and other skills to enhance independence.

   

  In conjunction with the workshop, the Commission also conducted an Employment Readiness Seminar, October 13, for nine Commission clients who have advanced to the job-readiness stage of their rehabilitation program.  Consumers attending the seminars learn about various approaches to job searching, Michigan Works!, the Talent Bank, interview preparation and resume development.  They also participate in mock interviews and hear from local employers on their workforce needs.  Additionally, consumers receive information about social security benefits and work incentives, as well as information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it relates to employment of persons with disabilities.  Plans are also underway for the Commission's 2012 Mini Adjustment Program and Employment Readiness Seminar, with likely locations in Battle Creek, Big Rapids, Pontiac and in the Port Huron/Lapeer area.

   

   

  CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

   

  The Consumer Services Division continues to be engaged in a variety of activities.  The staff has participated in training programs, consumer organization conventions, job expos, Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICS) discussions, as well as the Michigan Transition Opportunity Program (MITOPS) conference.  Further, the division was engaged in discussions around customary employment training and the work with Michigan Transition for the 21st Century (MT-21) through Michigan State University's support of transitioning students.  The division is in collaboration with Technical Assistance for Continuing Education (TACE) and Wayne State University (WSU) on a pilot project that focuses on employment outcomes for minority individuals.  

   

  Training

   

  A number of staff attended the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference this fall where a variety of educational topics were presented.  This conference assisted professional individuals with current trends and innovative approaches to improve service delivery models.  Staff is able to obtain continuing education credits that allow them to maintain their professional credentials.  Some of the conference topics emphasized the importance of collaboration with other community partners to increase effective utilization of diminishing resources.  There were sessions on Work Incentive Planning Assistance (WIPA) and CWIC training that provided the counseling staff with techniques and information that is necessary when counselors are assisting consumers in developing their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).  This program is supported by the Social Security Administration to help rehabilitation counselors in their work with potential consumers who are seeking employment.  

   

  Staff attended the Michigan Council of Blind and Visually Impaired and the National Federation of the Blind - Michigan conventions.  Each of the consumer organizations had their conventions in October and November, respectively.  A number of staff attended each of the conventions to receive updated information on topics that were presented regarding blindness issues.  

   

  Job Expos

   

  MCB, through its collaboration with Community Mental Health staff participated in a job expo in each region.  The Kalamazoo office from the West Region participated in the first job expo provided by CMH where the employers interviewed potential job seekers.  The Kalamazoo office was successful in obtaining several job leads and one employment outcome from this activity.  The Detroit Wayne County Job Fair provided an opportunity for job seekers to meet with employers.  The Lansing Job Expo with CMH was held in the fall.  Several job seekers were present and were able to obtain job leads.  This kind of collaboration with community partners provides additional opportunities for MCB consumers to secure employment.  One of the management staff is working with a number of employers in the Southeast area to assist job ready consumers in obtaining employment in the technical fields.  These are national companies that align themselves with the single point of contact as MCB is positioning itself in working with the National Employment Team (NET) to provide job ready consumers for employment opportunities. 

   

  Michigan Transition Outcomes Project (MITOPS)

   

  A number of MCB's staff who works with transition youths attended a three day workshop sponsored in connection with the Department of Education, Community Mental Health, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and MCB.  The program provided information on improving transition outcomes for students.  Particularly, the information that was shared focused on students with severe impairments.  A presenter from the University of Montana discussed customized employment approaches for job placement for individuals with multiple impairments.  The customized employment appears to have potential for some of MCB's consumers.  MCB will explore this training for staff and consumers and potential training dates will be discussed.  MCB will continue to work with MITOPS through its representative.  

   

  Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC's)

   

  The Michigan Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) provides opportunities for individuals to become trained in understanding the work incentives for individuals who are disabled.  Through MCB's collaboration with the project manager of the grant, MCB was able to secure some training slots for staff to receive CWIC training.  The training will enable the staff to work effectively with consumers who are seeking employment.  The agency is emphasizing the importance of all job ready consumers to receive information from CWIC's regarding their benefits and how working is beneficial to the individual.  This training also provides specific information regarding individuals who are blind and visually impaired as the work incentives are different for this population.  

   

  TACE and WSU

   

  The agency is working with TACE and WSU to develop a pilot project to assess rehabilitation outcomes for minorities in several of the major cities in the state.  This project will focus on the dropout rate for minorities in the rehabilitation process.  As the project provides information regarding the outcomes and ways to improve outcomes through the use of motivational interviewing, staff will have tools to effectively work with consumers.



  Summer Transition Programs

   

  MCB summer transition planning is scheduled for January 2012, at which time the staff will work with the existing programs to determine the need based on the evaluation results received from the previous year.  The program content is reviewed for the purpose of improving the objectives.  There were eight summer programs for FY 2011 with a total of 115 participants.  The average cost of the individual program varied based on the number of participants.  The following is a breakdown of the average cost per student per summer program:

   

  Summer Employment Excursion (SEE) - $774.96

  Detroit Summer Youth Program - $1,528.85

  Camp Daggett - $255.48

  Career Club - $4,166.67

  Summer in the City - $2,647.00

  Summer Work Opportunity Program (SWOP) - $948.00

  College Prep - $3,160.00

  Macomb Summer Transition Program - $1,124.86

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY REPORT

   

  Subregional Library Moves

   

  Macomb County LBPH is in the process of moving from the Hall Road location to the Clinton-Macomb Public Library (CMPL) on Romeo Plank Road. Anne Mandel is the new sub-regional librarian.  Anne has 14 years of LBPH experience at the Hall Road site. Scott Norris and Sue Chinault conducted two orientation sessions for staff at CMPL on November 16th and Andrew Wilson will train staff in the use of the library software on December 19th. CMPL will begin serving patrons in early January and a smooth transition is expected.

   

  Circulation Statistics

   

  BTBL circulated 18,203 items from November 1 through 28. Digital books account for 72 percent, cassette books for 27 percent and Braille books for 1 percent. When subtracting holidays and weekends during which there is no circulation, the average shipment per day was 1,400 items. 

   

  Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD)


  October 2011 statistics show that 583 individual BTBL patrons are using BARD to download books, which is an increase of 58 individuals over the last 3 month period.  During the month of October, this group downloaded 2,939 books and magazines. 

   

  InFocus Newsletter

   

  The fall edition of InFocus was shipped to patrons in late October with the winter edition due to ship in late December. This issue was devoted to a survey on the patron satisfaction level with the BTBL services. Responses have been received from 415 individuals which is 10 percent of the BTBL direct service population.  A report on the survey results will be available in the spring issue. Braille and audio copies are available upon request. InFocus can also be found on the MCB-BTBL website www.michigan.gov/btbl under the heading "News". 

   

   

   

  TRAINING CENTER REPORT

   

  Construction update


  Until recently, work on the TC renovation has been progressing very slowly.  Due to a delay in the acquisition of a 12,000 amp switch that is a necessary element of the new green HVAC system being installed at the Center, the completion of system installation was delayed.  As a result, the building was extremely cold inside by the end of October, making the application of plaster, dry-wall mud, paint and even some adhesives highly impractical.  

   

  The 83 individual heat pumps that make up the new HVAC system have been installed, and most are operational.  Floor coverings of carpet and vinyl tile are being laid and this work is approximately 25% complete.   The contractor has requested additional time, beyond December 21, 2011 to finish the project and is currently seeking permission to receive an interim occupancy certificate upon completion of all but the facility's main kitchen.  Commercial kitchen updates were only recently made necessary after a routine inspection turned up code violations in stove hoods and floor drains.  

   

  A firm moving date should be in place soon, as well as an agreed upon date for issuance of the certificate of occupancy to the MCB.    

   

   

  Moving 

   

  A moving committee has been assembled and charged with developing a smooth and orderly plan for relocating all of MCB's Kalamazoo based staff back to the Oakland Drive facility.  The charge includes the consolidation of four sites into their original location.  The Regional office will move from its premises at Good Will Industries of Southwest Michigan; the TC will move out of the Clarion Hotel; the training kitchen will move out of its quarters at the Marriot Residence Inn; and the warehouse will be emptied of teaching supplies, maintenance equipment, office supplies and everything that would not fit into temporary headquarters.  The committee will benefit from the assistance of Teri Martin, Property Specialist in LARA's Facilities and office services Bureau.  It will also be drawing upon the considerable expertise that was gained during the original move out of the Oakland Drive site last December.  

      

   

  Staffing

    

  The posting for the position of executive secretary to the Center director should happen within the next few weeks.  

   

  The Training Center reluctantly announces that Karen DeVera, who teaches the vocational exploration and career planning curriculum, will be transferring to a rehabilitation teaching position in the Kalamazoo Regional Office effective December 10, 2011.  Acting West Regional Manager Lisa Kisiel and Training Center Director Christine Boone are working together to effectuate the gradual transfer of management of the regional caseload to Karen.  In turn Karen will be able to return to the Center after a new career planning instructor is hired, to assist that individual in assuming the duties of this vital, employment-focused curriculum.  

   

  Appreciation is expressed to Faith Meadows who has taken on a greatly increased caseload after the recent resignation of teacher/counselor Ian Shadrick, who relocated to Missouri as an instructor at Missouri State University; and to Karen DeVera who took on a counseling caseload in addition to her rigorous schedule as the TC's vocational instructor.  

   

   

  Technology Center 

   

  Plans are underway to expand the technology-related instructional offerings at the Center upon its return to Oakland Drive.  The newly created Technology Center includes 3 large classrooms and a spacious central presentation room.  A dividing wall, originally intended to separate the presentation area from the classrooms was accidentally removed from the plans.  LARA has given approval for the wall to be constructed as a separate project following completion of the present construction work.  

   

  After the return to Oakland Drive, computer classes will no longer be separated into beginning and advanced levels.  Rather computer training will be a single class, in which a student will be enrolled throughout their time at the TC as part of the core curriculum.  This eliminates the need for an interview and a scheduling change when a student moves from beginning to advanced teaching levels and should contribute significantly to improving the TC's weekly class schedule.  

   

  System 7


  The entire teaching, counseling, scheduling and administrative support staff at the TC is being included as System 7 users.  At the same time, the TC will be making greater use of the System over the coming months.  The referral form that is used to direct MCB customers to the TC for services has been a part of System 7 for about 2 years.  The next step will be to incorporate letters that are routinely sent to customers during their time on the waiting list, so that all staff may have access to these documents.  Each new feature that is added to System 7 will increase the consistency of communication between the TC and customers in the field.  

   

  Teaching staff in every discipline are in the process of updating the list of skills or competencies that are taught in each subject area.  It is anticipated that these lists will form the basis of the progress reports that TC teachers will regularly post in System 7.  As each list is finalized, it will be e-mailed to Libera staff for inclusion in the TC's portion of MCB's System 7 network.  These lists will double as course outlines, and will also be continuously updated in order to ensure that MCB customers receive the best and most up-to-date skill training and vocational preparation that can possibly be provided.  

   

     

  Miscellaneous 

   

  During the week of November 27 the TC census stands at 23 students.  

   

  Students will remain on site at the Clarion until Friday December 16, 2011, at which time they will return home for the Christmas, Chanukah/winter recess.  It is anticipated that students will return to the TC no later than January 29, 2012.  

   

   

   

  ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

   

   

  Although not yet final, the MCB FY11 Budget appears to be over 80% spent.  This has been a challenging fiscal year for budget because it was the last year for ARRA funds to be spent, MCB was under a hiring and spending freeze imposed in June, 2011 and the Administrative Services Manager position was not filled until March 2011.  These things significantly affected the percentage of the MCB regular budget that was spent by the end of the fiscal year. 

   

  Concerning ARRA funds, by the end of the fiscal year, all of the ARRA funds granted to MCB had been spent and/or encumbered.  MCB now has until December 31 to ensure that all ARRA purchase orders and encumbrances are paid in full.

   

  Earlier this year, staff began distributing the MCB Budget to Commissioners on a monthly basis.  However, during the last two months of the fiscal year, LARA's Finance division was unable to provide staff with the monthly budget as they had in the past due to end of fiscal year and change in LARA staff.  The budget report that is included with this report was generated by MCB staff based exclusively on expenditures.

   

  The State is currently in the middle of the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012 and staff will be generating an MCB fiscal year spending plan and match analysis before the end of the first quarter.

   

  Also during this quarter the following federal reports are due to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA):

   

  ·        RSA - 113:  This report provides for the quarterly collection of information on persons with disabilities in their rehabilitation process at State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies.

  ·        RSA - 911:  The RSA 911 data contains a record of demographic and programmatic data for each person who exited the Vocational Rehabilitation program during the fiscal year.

  ·        RSA - ILOB: The RSA IL-OB report provides performance data on the independent living older blind program.

  ·        RSA - IL 704: The 704 report serves as a performance activity measuring instrument of independent living (IL) programs, including both quantitative and qualitative information.

   

  With regard to Technology and System 7, staff have developed an in-house System 7 coordinator group of end users to assist in testing new updates, identifying training needs, and assisting in improving the System 7 process.  Also, in recent months, Libera staff has visited Michigan to introduce themselves and assist in configuring System 7 for optimal use by the end users.  

   

  Part of the recommendation for improved performance is to upgrade JAWs users to version 12, install scripts developed for JAWs 12, and to upgrade all users to Internet Explorer 8.  These two changes will decrease the occurrence of computers locking up and/or crashing when using System 7.  These upgrades are being tested by the MCB Technology Committee and are scheduled to occur within the next month.

   

  In addition, MCB has contracted with Libera to provide System 7 end-user support and are serviced by a team of 12 Libera staff that provides over the phone training and technical support to all of MCB system 7 users.  With this additional end-user assistance provided by Libera, MCB staff will be able to devote more time to working with improving the configuration and administration of System 7 and coordinating training.

   

  Finally, staff continues to give audio streaming of Commission meetings a high priority for Internet participants, telephone participants, and participants in the audience.  The greatest challenge continues to be eliminating the feedback and improving the quality of sound for telephone participants.  Unfortunately, as of this writing a better solution has not been found but staff will continue research to resolve these challenges.  Instructions are provided for all participants to help improve the listening experience. 

   

  Publications Update

   

  The new Braille and Talking Book Library brochure has been distributed to MCB offices, and the Fall edition of In Focus has been mailed to library patrons and posted on the MCB website.  Alternative formats are available upon request.

   

  The MCB 2011 Annual Report is in final draft, scheduled to be distributed by email and posted on the MCB website in January 2012.  When the publication is distributed, alternative formats will be available upon request.

   

  Investing in Abilities Month in Michigan

   

  October 2011 was proclaimed Investing in Abilities Month in Michigan by Governor Rick Snyder.  In keeping with this theme, MCB presented its 2011 Achievement Honor Roll Awards on October 21.  Award recipients and their guests were honored at a luncheon in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson Office Building in Lansing with MCB commissioners and staff.  After welcome remarks by MCB State Director Pat Cannon, Consumer Services Director Leamon Jones introduced each MCB staff person who had nominated an award recipient, and the MCB staff person in turn spoke about the person's accomplishments and presented the award.  This year's award recipients included five consumers, three employers, and two community partners.  Complete details are on the MCB website in the Press Room section.  Follow-up news articles on local award recipients appeared in the Muskegon Chronicle, the Lansing State Journal, and the WBUP-TV (Ishpeming) website.

   

  Also, coinciding with Investing in Abilities Month, a $10,000 Michigan Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) became available to MCB, which was used in part to purchase air time for radio ads encouraging employers to consider hiring inidividuals who are blind or visually impaired.  During October, the ads were read on all 31 Michigan public radio stations, and an audio testimonial ad featuring Jim Stelter, CEO of VanerumStelter in Grand Rapids, aired on WJR Detroit.   These combined ads aired a total of 229 times during October.  The audio ad is on the MCB website, and this ad will be distributed to radio stations for future use as a non-paid public service announcement (PSA).  The remainder of the grant funds were used for an information booth table cover for each MCB office for use at conventions and community resource fairs as well as a small number of promotional items imprinted with MCB contact information to be distributed to employers.

   

  Outreach 

   

  On October 5-6, MCB hosted an information booth at the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) annual Fall Seminar at the Lansing Center.  Many optometrists who were already familiar with MCB stopped to say hello, and others learned about MCB and picked up informational materials for their low-vision patients.  MOA has provided the booth space to MCB free of charge for the past several years.

   

  MCB hosted an information booth at the annual Michigan Rehabilitation Conference, this year held October 26-28 in Grand Rapids at DeVos Place/Amway Grand Plaza.  MCB publications were available in large print, Braille, digital audio, and audio cassette formats. 

   

  MCB continues to send consumer publications to eye doctors, health care workers, Michigan Secretary of State offices, and individuals in the format(s) requested.

   

  HR

   

  MCB is currently in the process of filling several positions. Many of these positions were on hold last fiscal year due to budgetary concerns by the department. The vacancies currently in some stage of the process for being filled are:

   

  1.   part-time secretary in Gaylord - filled as of 11/27

  2.   part-time secretary in Escanaba - interviews being done in late November

  3.   receptionist in Lansing Central - interviews to be scheduled soon

  4.   rehab teacher in Lansing - interviews to be scheduled soon

  5.   librarian at BTBL - interviews to be done soon

  6.   rehab teacher in Kalamazoo Regional - this was filled by a transfer from the TC

  7.   VR manager in Grand Rapids - approved, will be posted soon

  8.   employment specialist in Central Region - sent to OHR for approval

  9.   secretary in Detroit - awaiting approval

  10.      secretary at Training Center - awaiting approval

  11.      rehab teacher at the Training Center - this is to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of a teacher from the Center to the regional office in Kalamazoo

   

  In addition to these vacancies, two recent hires have occurred at the Library for student assistants. As noted above, a new part-time secretary has been hired in the Gaylord office. The full-time secretary position in Escanaba was divided into two part-time secretaries - one in Escanaba and one in Gaylord. The new secretary in Gaylord is Sarah Oberlin. In addition to this recent hire, the agency was able to keep two of the ARRA-funded individuals after that funding source was exhausted by filling a couple of vacant FTEs. One is the employment specialist in the East Region and the other is a rehabilitation coordinator in the support services section at the Training Center. These FTEs became available in those locations due to recent retirements. 

   

  Training

   

  LARA Office of Human Resources is requiring that all employees complete an online training course focusing on Discriminatory Harassment in the Workplace. Steps have also begun to try and arrange for another session of diversity training presented by the individual who presented last year on the topic. His work schedule is very busy so it has proven to be difficult to identify a particular date. 

   

  About 15 MCB employees recently attended the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference in Grand Rapids. Next year's conference will take place at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. 

   

  Steps are being taken to identify a trainer and a possible training date for the Business Enterprise Program on Robert's Rules and conducting meetings. This should be scheduled in the near future and is being sponsored by the Region 5 TACE Center. 

   

  Additional training is being planned with the Michigan State Police. Over the past year or two, a number of employees have participated in either a driving safety program or an "awareness in the workplace" training. Both were well-received and the plan is to offer these to new employees and others who did not attend previously. 

   

   

  BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

   

  Training

   

  B E P Manager Training

  The 3 students who began their B E P manager training in June of this year successfully completed their training in mid-October.  One of those students has already assumed responsibility for a B E P facility.

   

  And, a second 2011 B E P manager training class commenced on September 26th. The classroom training followed the same format as the June class, incorporating the feedback of the June class.  Five students participated in the September class, taking the exam for the classroom portion of the training on December 2nd.  These students will participate in their on-the-job experience from December 12th through February 10th.

   

  B E P anticipates conducting two B E P manager training classes in calendar year 2012.  Currently, it is expected 5 students will participate in the April class.  And if enrollment warrants, a second class will be conducted in October.

   

  Ongoing Training of Graduates of 2010 B E P Manager Training

  All but one of the students from the 2010 class are currently working in locations.  Each of these operators has been queried as to any additional training needs, and where requested, the training has been provided.  One of those new operators is getting support from an informal BEST team.  A review of another new operator's spreadsheet indicates areas where additional training could hone the operator's skills and increase the bottom line.  Arrangements for the training were initiated at the time of this writing.

    

  Facilities

   

  New Operator

  B E P is happy to announce Lisa Weber, a graduate of the June 2011 class, has been inventoried into the Justice Building facility in downtown Grand Rapids.

   

  Military Contracts

  In its September 2011 report, BEP advised the Board the 2 contracts with Michigan National Guard bases had been re-evaluated due to the current nature of the economy and the status of military deployments.  Neither facility is judged to still be viable.  The contract for the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena will expire December 31, 2011 and will not be renewed.  The operator of the Alpena facility has assumed responsibility for the Cadillac Vending Route.  The contract for the Fort Custer Education Center, which was managed by a temporary operator, was terminated in early October.  

   

  Facility Remodeling

  B E P continues to wait for the approval of the county Board of Commissioners prior to commencing a remodel at the Ingham County Human Services snack bar in Lansing.  The county is in the process of soliciting R F Ps for a space utilization study they hope to initiate in January 2012.  When the study is complete and approval secured from the county board, the facility will go back on the bid line and the remodel will commence 

   

  The Secretary of State facility remodeling has commenced and Plan Review documents have been submitted to the local health department.  The existing cafeteria remains in operation under the management of a temporary operator during construction of the new café.  The café, similar in design to the Michigan State Police Headquarters, is expected to open about March 1, 2012 and will go back on the bid line on January 3, 2012.  

   

  Subsequent to the change in administration, talks with Department of Human Services management regarding the Grand Tower facility expansion resumed.  The green light was recently given for this project and Program staff has already met with the food service designer to update current drawings which will accommodate the revised space for the expanded food service facility.  This remodeled facility will include a conference room, similar in design to the Lewis Cass cafeteria conference room.

   

  EOC Active Participation

   

  In the Program's September report, the Board was advised the March 18, 2011, Operator Selection System baseline points have been transmitted to all the operators and the March 18, 2011 operator selection system was in use.  BEP continues to work with the System Developer to integrate the Operator Selection System into the database.  While a test version has been submitted to BEP staff, it was not sufficient.  Staff identified and forwarded needed revisions to Libera, awaiting the next test version of the System.

   

  The Committee continues to meet according to its established schedule, and several Subcommittees have met since the September report.  The Workshop Subcommittee has been meeting to develop the 2012 Workshop and the Locations and Repair Committee has met to discuss the viability of 3 of the Program's less lucrative facilities.  

   



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