[nfbmi-talk] anyone see problems w this?

Tue Feb 22 16:41:59 UTC 2011

In all of that garbage, there was nothing at all about any services that CAP itself might provide.  In the world as I know it, caP is supposed to work with any customer who is dissatisfied with the services they receive, or fail to receive, from the rehabilitation agency.  A CAP representative should accompany a customer to the administrative review, to a mediation, and to the hearing before an Administrative law judge (ALJ).   There should be no charge for this service, and there is one more important thing...the CAP representative is supposed to represent the best interests of the customer...they are not supposed to support the agency!!!  The fact that MRS and MCB continue to contgract with Protection and Advocacy for  the services of a client assistance program really constitutes a mis-use of funds, given that the intent of the rehabilitation act is not being carried out by the so-called protection and advocacy organization; nor has it ever been, at least not during my time in Michigan.  

That is all I have to say on the subject.

Christine

On Feb 21, 2011, at 2:52 PM, Fred wurtzel wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> This is the biggest pile of horse poop to ever excrete itself from my
> computer speakers!
> 
> Sorry for holding back, I'm working on really saying what I think.
> 
> Warmest Regards,
> 
> Fred
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Marcus Simmons
> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 2:30 PM
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] anyone see problems w this?
> 
> In my case, CAP was totally ineffective.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 7:23 AM
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] anyone see problems w this?
> 
> 
> What to do when your MRS/MCB Counselor says "NO"
> 
> 
> 
> What to do When Your MRS/MCB Counselor says, "NO"
> 
> 
> 
> By Andrea Rizor, Employment Advocate
> 
> 
> 
> Many customers think they are without recourse when Michigan Rehabilitation 
> Services (MRS) or Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB)makes decisions 
> they
> 
> disagree with. Have you been denied eligibility for MRS or MCB services? Has
> 
> it been longer than 60 days for an eligibility decision and you don't know
> 
> why? Were you denied a request for a new counsel or denied an individualized
> 
> plan for employment goal or a service? Have you been denied acceptance into
> 
> Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) or Michigan Commission for 
> the Blind Training Center (MCBTC)? There are steps you can take to make sure
> 
> this decision was appropriate. If you are unhappy with decisions made by MRS
> 
> or MCB, you have the right to appeal.
> 
> 
> 
> If you feel the reason why MRS or MCB made the decision or denial is wrong, 
> you can try to resolve the disagreement administratively (by contacting the
> 
> supervisor, filing a complaint, and/or consulting with the Client Assistance
> 
> Program (CAP)). Many times this route is successful; however, you should 
> know
> 
> what other steps are available to you.
> 
> 
> 
> So what is an appeal? An appeal (request for a hearing) is a process where 
> you are asking for a formal change to an official decision - challenging a 
> decision
> 
> made by the local office. You are essentially asking a third party to review
> 
> your case in order to resolve the dispute.
> 
> 
> 
> Why file an appeal? Many people file an appeal after attempting to resolve 
> the disagreement administratively but feel that things are taking too long 
> (dragging
> 
> out) or feel that it's going nowhere. MRS has an incentive to try and 
> resolve the matter internally once an appeal is on the table and will, 
> therefore,
> 
> have staff from other offices review the disagreement to make sure their 
> decision follows policy. If no agreement is made, however, the hearing in 
> front
> 
> of an Administrative Law Judge will be held within 60 days of your appeal 
> request. There is no cost to you, the customer. Each agency has its own 
> procedure
> 
> when it comes to appeals. Here are some important things to remember when 
> filing an appeal.
> 
> 
> 
> A few things to know about writing an MRS appeal:
> 
> 
> 
> 1.   The appeal letter must be written and signed.
> 
> 
> 
> 2.   The appeal letter should be dated.
> 
> 
> 
> 3.   The appeal letter should be brief.
> 
> 
> 
> 4.   The appeal letter must specify that you wish to appeal the particular 
> denial. The first sentence should include: "I would like to appeal MRS' 
> decision
> 
> to.." If this is not clear, MRS may think you are simply filing a complaint 
> and your appeal will not be processed.
> 
> 
> 
> 5.   If you receive a letter back saying that the request cannot be 
> processed, make sure to follow up with the hearings manager to find out why.
> 
> 
> 
> 6.   The appeal letter must be mailed to:
> 
> 
> 
>                 Jaye Porter, Director
> 
>           P.O. Box 30010
> 
>           Lansing, MI 48909
> 
> 
> 
> Any time you are dissatisfied with a decision made by MCB, you can request:
> 
> 
> 
> 1.   Informal Administrative Review (conducted by MCB administrator)
> 
> 
> 
> 2.   Formal Fair Hearing (conducted by an Administrative Law Judge)
> 
> 
> 
> 3.   Mediation (conducted by Michigan Supreme Court Community Dispute 
> Resolution Program)
> 
> 
> 
>      There is no cost to you, the customer. To make a request you must call
> 
> or send a letter to the MCB Hearings Coordinator:
> 
> 
> 
>                 Michigan Commission for the Blind
> 
>           P.O. Box 30652
> 
>           Lansing, MI 48909
> 
> 
> 
> 1. If you choose an Informal Administrative Review, an MCB administrator 
> will be assigned to review your case and will make recommendations for 
> possible
> 
> resolution. The review must be completed within 10 days and a decision must 
> be delivered within another 10 days. This decision does not deny or delay 
> your
> 
> right to a Fair Hearing.
> 
> 
> 
> 2. If you choose a Fair Hearing, it will be conducted within 60 calendar 
> days of the request. The judge will deliver his/her report within 30 
> calendar days
> 
> of the completion of the hearing. You have 20 days to request a review of 
> this decision and it must be in writing to the MCB Hearings Coordinator.
> 
> 
> 
> 3. If you choose Mediation, it will be conducted within 20 calendar days of 
> the request. If agreement is made, a written copy will be received within 20
> 
> days of agreement. Entering into the Mediation process will not deny or 
> delay your right to a Fair Hearing.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From:
> 
> Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service
> 
> 
> 
> At:
> 
> http://www.mpas.org/Article.asp?TOPIC=11220
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