[nfbmi-talk] Fw: MCB Report for Commission meeting June 17, 2011

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: Luzenski, Sue (DELEG) 
To: MCB2020-L at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV 
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 2:22 PM
Subject: MCB Report for Commission meeting June 17, 2011


MCB REPORT

 

June 7, 2011

 

 

WORK & RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLIND YOUTH

 

This summer the Michigan Commission for the Blind is offering nine programs for eligible youth who are blind or visually impaired.  All of these programs are designed as opportunities to prepare for independence and the transition into postsecondary education or employment:

 

·     Summer Employment Excursion, June 6 - August 26, is a 12-week program that provides students who are blind or visually impaired in the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) with the opportunity to explore career possibilities under direction of mentors who may have similar disabilities. Training in "soft skills" such as appropriate attire, workplace behavior, work ethic, etc., focuses on ways to improve employability. Upon completion of soft skills training, students have the opportunity to gain valuable paid work experience with ongoing follow-up. This program is sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and GISD. For more information, contact Danielle Smith at (810) 760-2036. 

 

·     Summer Work Opportunity Program, June 13 - August 19, is a food service and vending internship in MCB's Business Enterprise Program for youth who are blind or visually impaired ages 15-22. Participants work 20-30 hours per week at $7.40 per hour with a Business Enterprise Program food service entrepreneur. The June 13 through August 19 timeline is flexible. For more information, contact the MCB counselor in your area or Lucy Edmonds at (517) 373-3459.

 

·     Summer in the City program, June 20-July 1, is a two-week program that will focus on pre-employment skill development for youth who are blind or visually impaired ages 14 and up in the Kent/Ottawa area. For more information, contact Michelle Visscher at (616) 356-0180.

 

·     Detroit Summer Youth Program, June 20 - August 12, will provide Detroit Public Schools students ages 14-26 who are blind or visually impaired with vocational exploration, technology training, and pre-employment and employment experiences. The participants will have an opportunity to work at a variety of organizations and agencies throughout the city. For more information, contact Gwen McNeal at (313) 456-1655 or Phyllis Njoroge at (313) 456-1646. 

 

·     Career Club, June 20 - August 26, is for students ages 14-26 in Ingham and Eaton counties who are blind or visually impaired. The program includes but is not limited to job tours, job planning, interviewing activities, job shadows, job try-outs, disability rights/self advocacy, soft skills related to preparing for employment, team building activities, and goal setting. For more information, contact Elizabeth White at (517) 335-5521. 

 

·     College Preparatory Program, June 30 - August 19, is a seven-and-a-half-week program held at Western Michigan University (WMU). The program is designed to allow potential college students who are blind or visually impaired an opportunity to experience campus life and take college classes in a supervised environment with support from MCB counselors. Participants are housed in a WMU residence hall.  They take a three-credit WMU class and are expected to obtain a part-time job while in this program. For more information, contact Pat Angerman at (269) 337-3276, ext. 257, or Shannon McVoy at (269) 337-3449, ext 255.

 

·     Blindness without Barriers, beginning July 9-11, is a one-week summer program at Camp Tuhsmeheta, a 300-acre environmental education facility for individuals who are blind and visually impaired located in Greenville near Grand Rapids.  This program will provide students with soft skills training, social skills development, camp experiences, and employment within the local communities with various small businesses. For more information, contact Lisa Kisiel at (269) 337-3238, ext. 253.

 

·     Macomb Summer Transition Program, July 11-22, will provide Macomb Intermediate School District students ages 14-26 who are blind or visually impaired with an opportunity to participate in pre-employment training, soft skills development, and possible work experience. Week one will focus on academic enrichment and week two will focus on vocational enrichment. For more information, contact Tina West at (313) 456-1646. 



·     Camp Daggett, August 15-18, is a four-day camp experience at Camp Daggett near Petoskey for youth ages 14-19 who are blind or visually impaired.  The camp will provide an opportunity to gain independent living skills, learn pre-employment skills, and participate in vocational exploration.  For more information, contact Julie Clark at (989) 732-5814.

 

 

EMPLOYMENT, TECHNOLOGY & BUDGET TOP NCSAB AGENDA

 

The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) annual spring conference was held from April 13th through the 15th in Bethesda Maryland.  This conference is designed to bring together agency directors, management staff and professionals from Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies for persons who are blind and vision impaired throughout the country. 

 

The 2011 spring conference was highlighted by overviews and updates from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge, and the annual Washington legislative updates from Dr. Fredric Schroeder, Policy Advisor for NCSAB. Their clear messages were that these are delicate times in public VR.

 

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The Federal budget is generally challenged and the VR programs and budget as well as many others are all under extreme scrutiny and evaluation.  The Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which has not been reauthorized since 1998 appears, once again, to not be a high congressional priority, however there is a lot of talk regarding moving VR under the one stop umbrella, which would, of course, be vigorously opposed by the rehab community.

 

The Projects with Industry (PWI) grants will not be re-authorized.  Supported Employment funds (SE) will be reduced, but not eliminated.  There has been a bill introduced to move Independent Living (IL) part C funds to the states allowing them to manage them.  This does not affect IL OB.  

 

The Business Enterprise Program update indicated that commercialization of rest stops is a concern for many states and one that also needs to be monitored very closely. This could mean that these facilities would no longer be dedicated to individuals who are blind and vision impaired to run and manage.  

 

The NCSAB Conference showcased some new and innovative ideas that were exciting to share.  Newsline for the Blind now has employment opportunities listed as an option.  These are transferred from Career Builder.  If a position is posted on Career Builder it will be placed on the Newsline services.

 

Other creative ideas included a presentation by individuals from New Jersey doing some amazing work with transition students that are not college-bound, and consumers needing transition services can participate in a two week camp designed to address needs of individuals with significant and often multiple disabilities including blindness. The New Jersey Commission for the Blind, in collaboration with a local college, has designed this program and it has been an asset to serving individuals who meet the identified criteria. 

 

The Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing was also on hand at the conference, providing information about progress towards making paper dollars accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  Their presentation offered updates on currency conversions and scanning technology to identify currency.  They also offered a hands-on opportunity for conference participants to examine the tactile features of various types of accessible currency currently under consideration.  They did not, however, offer any free samples to attendees. 

 

 

DISABILITY RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY

 

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued, May 26, guidance through Dear Colleague Letters to elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education along with a Frequently Asked Questions document on the legal obligation to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of technology. This guidance is a critical step in the Department's ongoing efforts to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to the educational benefits and services provided by their schools, colleges and universities. All students, including those with disabilities, must have the tools needed to obtain a world-class education that prepares them for success in college and careers.

 

The guidance provides information to schools about their responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guidance supplements a June 2010 letter issued jointly by OCR and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The June letter explains that technological devices must be accessible to students with disabilities, including students who are blind or have low vision, unless the benefits of the technology are provided equally through other means. The guidance highlights what educational institutions need to know and take into consideration in order to ensure that students with disabilities enjoy equal access when information and resources are provided through technology.

 

The federal guidance is part of a larger effort by the Department and Obama administration to better serve the needs of people with disabilities. Last month, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined Kareem Dale, Associate Director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, for a conference call with stakeholders to talk about some of the Department's efforts. During the call, Duncan discussed the Department's commitment to maintaining accountability in No Child Left Behind for all subgroups, including students with disabilities, and highlighted the Department's proposal to increase funding for students with disabilities in the fiscal year 2012 budget. 

 

To read the Dear Colleague Letter to elementary and secondary schools, see http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html.

 

To read the Dear Colleague Letter to institutions of higher education, see http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-pse.html.

 

 

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT SETTLEMENT WITH WELLS FARGO

 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), announced May 31, a comprehensive settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Wells Fargo & Company ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities to Wells Fargo's services nationwide, including its nearly 10,000 retail banking, brokerage and mortgage stores, over 12,000 ATMs, and its telephone and website services.  

 

The agreement resolves numerous ADA complaints filed by individuals who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities who allege that Wells Fargo would not do business with them over the phone using a telecommunications relay service.  Instead, the individuals were directed to call a TTY/TDD line that asked them to leave a message, which went unanswered.  Wells Fargo started addressing these customers' concerns before the Justice Department investigation began.  Once the department opened an investigation, Wells Fargo worked cooperatively to achieve a comprehensive settlement addressing all ADA issues in its retail banking and financial services.  

 

            "Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by financial institutions simply because of their disability. Wells Fargo has shown that it is committed to equal access and effective communication with its customers who have disabilities," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  "The department is aware that other major financial institutions are refusing to communicate with individuals with disabilities who use relay services to communicate by telephone.  These refusals are discrimination, and other financial institutions must follow Wells Fargo's example and accept relay calls immediately."  

 

"The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to working with the Civil Rights Division to help ensure that businesses in this district fully comply with the ADA," said Melinda Haag, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, which is where Wells Fargo is headquartered.

 

Wells Fargo will pay up to $16 million to compensate individuals harmed by certain violations of Title III of the ADA.  The department will be administering a claims process to distribute these funds.  

 

Wells Fargo will also pay a $55,000 civil penalty to the United States.  In addition, Wells Fargo affirms its commitment to advancing the interests of individuals with disabilities by paying a total of $1 million in charitable donations to non-profit organizations that will assist veterans with disabilities resulting from injuries sustained while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to live independently in the community.  

 

Finally, the agreement requires Wells Fargo to take the following steps to improve access for customers with disabilities:

 

·        Remove physical barriers to access, as required, at its retail stores across the nation and remedy all other instances of discrimination under Title III of the ADA that are identified during the claims process.  

 

·        Provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, computer-assisted real time transcription, qualified readers and documents in Braille, large print, and other alternate formats to persons with disabilities when necessary to ensure effective communication throughout its financial services and programs.

 

·        Adopt and enforce a policy on effective communication with individuals who are deaf, are hard of hearing, are blind or have low vision for all Wells Fargo retail stores and financial services nationwide, post a summary of the policy on its website and distribute the policy to current and new employees and contractors.

 

·        Accept calls made through a relay service operator by customers who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities on an equivalent basis to calls from other customers.  This includes eliminating special security provisions applied to relay calls and using the same caller verification procedures whether or not a customer uses a relay service.

 

·        Maintain staffing of phone lines dedicated to TTYs / TDDs, wherever provided, on a basis equivalent to telephone lines that are not dedicated to TTYs / TDDs.

 

·        Ensure that its ATMs and websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

 

·        Establish a toll-free ADA comment/complaint line so customers with disabilities have an easy avenue for alerting Wells Fargo to concerns about disability-related problems accessing goods, services and facilities.

 

·        Hire a full-time national ADA coordinator to coordinate Wells Fargo's efforts to comply with its responsibilities under the ADA and this agreement, including the investigation of ADA complaints received on its ADA comment/complaint line.

 

·        Provide staff training on the ADA and Wells Fargo's obligations to provide effective communication to individuals with disabilities.

 

·        Post and maintain in a conspicuous location in all Wells Fargo banking stores a notice stating that individuals with disabilities have a right under the ADA to request a sign language or oral interpreter or other auxiliary aids or services. 

 

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public. Among other things, the ADA requires financial institutions, accountants, lawyers, doctors and other businesses to provide auxiliary aids and services that are necessary for effective communication.  For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, auxiliary aids include qualified sign language or oral interpreters, use of relay services, computer-assisted real time transcription, and, for simple communications, the exchange of written notes.  For individuals who are blind or have low vision, auxiliary aids include qualified readers, assistance in filling out forms and written materials provided in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, audio recordings or accessible electronic formats such as email or HTML.

 

 

MINI ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM IN THE UPPER PENINSULA

 

MCB conducted its second Mini Adjustment Program Workshop of 2011, May 1-6, in Gladstone, located near Escanaba, with 17 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, May 5, for four rehab 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 underway to conduct two additional Mini Adjustment Program and Employment Readiness Seminars this year in Detroit, September 11-16 and in Gaylord, October 9-14.

 

 

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

 

During the last twelve weeks, the Consumer Services Division has been engaged in numerous activities to promote the services provided by the division for all eligible consumers.  These activities include summer transition projects, counselor training, state plan amendments, employment initiative, community collaboration and personnel enhancements.  

 

Transition Projects

 

This quarter the Consumer Services Division has diligently worked with ISD's to expand transition projects with two new school districts.  Progress is moving with both districts with the expectation to implement an agreement with each district by the fall of 2011.  These districts provide transition services to more than 500 students.  MCB's involvement will provide expanded opportunities for students to receive additional services through the agreement developed to enhance vocational experiences and options.   College Prep is one of the transition experiences provided by MCB for juniors and seniors who would like to experience the demands of college life and to receive information and resources that will assist one while in college.  This program is eight weeks with two weeks of assessment prior to the start of College Prep.  It is a joint program between MCB and Western Michigan University that allow the students to participate in an academic class and other college life experiences that are valuable to beginning college students.  Each student will have an opportunity to receive work assignments thereby gaining valuable work experience during the summer.  

 

Again this year, the Consumer Services Division has collaborated with various stakeholders to provide nine intern summer transition experiences through the Summer Work Opportunity Program (SWOP).  The Business Enterprise Program and the Consumer Services Division continues to collaborate to provide intern experiences in the food service industry for high school and college students ages 15-21.  Each of the interns may work up to ten weeks starting June 13 - August 19, 2011.   They are expected to work 20-30 hours each week.  This intern program will provide the individuals an opportunity to receive supervision, work requirements and work skills.  

 

MCB has continued its involvement with ISD's and community partners to provide nine additional transition projects:  Detroit Summer Youth Program, Macomb Summer Transition Programs (1) Academic Enrichment and (2) Vocational Exploration and Enrichment, Summer Employment Excursion, Summer in the City, Career Club, Camp Daggett and Blindness without Barriers.  The transition program, Blindness without Barriers, is a collaboration between MCB and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind.  This is a one-week summer program providing the students with soft skills training, social skills development, camp experiences and employment within the local communities with various small businesses.  The Blindness without Barriers program starts July 9-16, 2011.  All of the summer transition projects will continue to provide the participants with expanded transition activities relating to the expanded core curriculum, as well as the Guidepost for all of the students in each program.  The overarching objectives of the summer transition projects are to ensure that the students receive pre-employment assessments, skill building, adaptive technology experiences, as well as employment opportunities.

 

Counselor Training

 

The Consumer Services Division met with the counseling staff to provide an opportunity to discuss issues that are pertinent to counselors in the application of the new policies which includes the Small Business Policy, the College Policy and the Performance Improvement Plan, as well as some discussion regarding improved employment outcomes.  This was a one and one-half day meeting held in Detroit.  Along with the topics mentioned above, the staff had an opportunity to share great practices with their colleagues.  The counselors appreciated the opportunity to share new ideas in an ever changing demand upon their time.  Additional training opportunities are currently being developed with Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Region 5 to provide timely training needs for the staff.  The management staff expressed their appreciation to the counselors for their dedication and hard work through a variety of celebration activities.  The management staff will also express their appreciation to the teaching staff in the near future.

 

State Plan Amendments

 

MCB has completed the draft of its 2012 State Plan amendments.  The updates reflect the goals, strategies and evaluation and progress of the agency.  The plan must be submitted to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) by July 1, 2011. This year, MCB will conduct three hearings to allow for comments on the amendments.  These public meetings will be held in the following cities:  Grand Rapids- June 16, 2011, Escanaba- June 20, 2011 and Detroit -June 23, 2011.  The draft will also be on MCB's website for individuals to have an opportunity to make comments as well.  Upon approval by RSA, the final State Plan amendments will be added to MCB's website.  

 

Employment Initiatives

 

The Consumer Services staff continues to work with its community partners to provide opportunities to job ready consumers to become gainfully employed.  Job placement staff is making a number of employment contacts throughout the state.  Staff reports reflect the work that they are doing with job ready consumers.  The staff has identified several job fairs and is working collaboratively with federal, state and local governments to secure employment opportunities.  The East Region manager, through her work with Michigan Works!, has developed a contact with Penske Automotive group to explore employment opportunities for persons who are blind and visually impaired.  Through this contact she learned of a job fair where the emphasis will be on hiring veterans; although, Penske will consider MCB's consumers.  This will provide MCB with an opportunity to assist veterans as well as the general consumer population with obtaining employment opportunities.  Currently, she has identified some specific job categories that will be considered first.  Additionally, her collaboration with the Michigan Works! Board in Detroit has allowed her to be in a position to receive information regarding a survey that will be conducted to determine their effectiveness in providing employment services to persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairment and blindness.  This survey will provide MCB ways to assist its consumers to be successful in obtaining job leads through Michigan Works!  The results of the survey will be shared with MCB offices statewide.  The staff continues to work with job placement staff and community partners to secure assistance for job ready consumers in working with employers.  

 

Community Collaboration

 

The staff continues to work with community partners to improve and increase relationships that lead to expanded vocational training opportunities.  As a result of this collaboration, consumers will be able to obtain training in a host of vocational areas; such as, janitorial, customer services, retail sales, certified nurse assistants and food service assistants.  The staff is fully aware of the benefits of working with the community partners to provide alternative training opportunities for a variety of consumers.

 

Personnel Enhancements

 

The MCB personnel liaison has been instrumental in assisting the Consumer Services Division with needed staff.  The Flint office was successful in securing a counselor to cover the northern part of the Central region including Saginaw.  Staff wants to welcome Marcianna Wade to the Consumer Services family.  Cherrele Alexander, rehabilitation teacher from the Lansing office, transferred to the Grand Rapids office and is now providing counseling and teaching services for consumers in the area.  The division recognizes the dedication and commitment of Shig Toda in providing valuable teaching services from the Kalamazoo Regional Office.  Shig will be missed as a rehabilitation teacher; although he will be providing valuable technology assistance to the consumers at MCBTC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY REPORT (BTBL)

 

Subregional Libraries

 

Macomb County Commissioners are considering a transfer of subregional library services from the current location to the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. This move would include an administrative change as well as a physical move for the subregional library. BTBL will work with the new library administration and staff to alleviate service disruptions during the process if this plan is accepted.

 

Oakland County Commissioners are studying a similar change for the Oakland County subregional. Staff is following that discussion and will report when more is known.

 

Libraries Without Walls

 

Furthering Our Digital Journey: Books Anytime, Anywhere is being held on June 8, 2011 at the Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL), sponsored by BTBL and the Library of Michigan Foundation. It is expected that 100 patrons, educators, librarians, MCB staff and interested friends and family will attend the all day conference. Norman R. Coombs of the Rochester Institute of Technology is giving the keynote speech. Participants will have the choice to attend three workshops from a selection of 15 sessions throughout the day. Adaptive technology vendors will be on hand to discuss available products.  

 

Digital Deployment

 

Ninety-four percent of BTBL's individual patrons now have a digital player!  Digital books accounted for 58 percent of circulation for the month of May. That's a six percent increase over the figure reported for February. The final allotment of new players for the initial digital deployment phase arrived in April.  More will be ordered on an "as needed" basis.

 

Braille and Audio Recording Download (BARD) 

 

April 2011 statistics show that 496 BTBL patrons and another 697 Michigan subregional library patrons are using BARD to download books. That equates to approximately eleven percent of all active patrons in Michigan (excluding Wayne County).  During the month of April, this group downloaded 5,562 books. 

 

BTBL staff, Scott Norris and Nancy Verburg, have trained by NLS to take over local administration of BARD service. All approvals and issues with registration are now handled locally. Scott and Nancy serve as primary administrators for six of the subregionals, and act as backup for the remaining two. Nancy is working with all schools serving qualified students. She and Scott will present teacher in-service trainings on downloading from BARD on September 22.  They will offer this training for MCB staff on July 25 at the Library of Michigan. Future classes will be held if there is interest.  

 

 

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

 

New Hires

 

MCBTC recently added four new teaching staff.  Shig Toda has transferred to the Training Center from the Kalamazoo Regional office and will be an integral part of the MCBTC Technology Staff.   Chuck Denaway was a substitute teacher for MCBTC and will be joining the MCBTC staff as an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Instructor.  Amber Willard will also be joining the Training Center O&M staff, she previously worked as both a Blind Teacher Consultant and an O&M Instructor at the Van Buren Community Intermediate School District.  Last but not least, Jenny Doane will be joining the MCBTC teaching staff as well as working with the O&M staff.  She was employed as an instructor at the Edward Hines Veterans Administration Hospital's Blind Center in Chicago Illinois.  These new hires will fully staff the teaching positions vacated from the last early out.

 

College Assessments

 

The annual two week College Assessment program is planned for June 19th through July 2nd.  There are currently 24 students scheduled to participate in the program.  This is nearly full capacity.

 

Renovation Progress

 

MCBTC staff continues to meet bi-weekly with contractors, LARA staff, and DTMB Project Managers regarding the status of the Training Center remodel.  Everything is going according to schedule.  The on-site project manager is still comfortable with the October 28th 2011 completion date but stresses the delays with bulletins, changes or additions to the original project plan may jeopardize the schedule.  There are currently 4 bulletins.  These cover a multitude of adjustments.  All requested bulletin changes have been approved by DTMB and are in various stages of completion.

 

The Geo-Thermal HVAC System is nearly complete both inside and outside.  All of the cement work has been completed and demolition is nearly complete with just the ceilings in the dorm remaining to be removed and reconstruction has begun.  Ductwork, wiring, masonry walls and plumbing are eighty percent complete.   Build-out of the technology center space and the administrative wing offices are now taking shape.  Finally, excavation of the new conference room has begun.

 

Color swatches, flooring samples and office modular designs have been determined.  It is anticipated that an audio visual plan will be presented in the very near future so that the equipment can be ordered.  Some of the Apple computer products have been received by DTMB and will be delivered to the Training Center once the entire order has been received by DTMB.  

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

 

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, MCB finished up the DeLEG 2011 COSO audit.  This audit is an excellent tool designed to help agencies identify critical processes and develop a system for managing risk through monitoring schedules and an accountability framework.  The COSO audit occurs every other year.  Materials submitted for review by the Office of Audit & Financial Compliance will be compiled in a report to be presented to the Governor during June 2011.  

 

The MCB Budget through the second quarter of FY11 is at 40% spent.  In 2010 spending was at 42%; 2009 - 58%; 2008 - 45%; and 2007 - 46%.  During this fiscal year, the Administrative Services manager position was vacant until near the end of the second quarter.  Expenditures are expected to pick up for the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) expenditures and projected statuses continue on target.  MCB currently has about 25 MCB Interns and are in the process of hiring 10 additional interns for the remainder of the fiscal year.  This was one of the VR ARRA projects designed to give MCB clients work experience through on-the-job training.  

 

Other projects accomplished using ARRA funding include:

·        Hiring three job developers, providing teacher kits which will allow teachers to more easily and efficiently identify Independent Living (I L) consumers' needs for assistive devices, 

·        Offering assistive technology training at senior center sites, 

·        Providing more low vision evaluations, assessments and assistive technology devices not otherwise available, 

·        Providing additional college tuition and related costs so that more MCB consumers are able to gain higher education, 

·        The construction and establishment of an expanded Technology Center at the MCB Training Center that focuses on accessible employment related technology

·        Providing assistive and ergonomic technology for older blind clients to access equipment, devices and software at the Commission's newly expanded Technology Center.

 

Of the $4 million dollars of ARRA funding received, MCB has spent over 60% and expect to completely exhaust all ARRA funding by the end of the fiscal year.

 

Concerning technology and System 7, the Libera group has offered additional support services to MCB through a changing of staff.  The  new Libera Project Manager and initial contact person has greater expertise in the functioning of System 7 and can provide a stronger liaison role between MCB and Libera.  In addition, Libera has named a full-time person dedicated for the next 12 months to resolving all past issues related to using System 7.  Ultimately the end users at MCB will benefit from this added support from Libera staff. 

 

Also, with the help of ARRA funded Interns, MCB will be establishing a process for collecting and collaborating on future issues with the end users of System 7.  Interns will research methods for data gathering and delivery and recommend the best approach that we can offer to System 7 end users.  MCB is working towards developing a system with a schedule for reviewing and prioritizing enhancements, and setting expectations on timeframes for issues that are critical functions.  

 

Audio streaming of Commission meetings have been given special attention as a number one priority for providing quality sound to Internet participants, telephone participants, and participants in the audience.  

 

Blindness Prevention and Services Month

 

At the request of MCB, Governor Rick Snyder issued a proclamation designating April 2011 as Blindness Prevention and Services month.  The proclamation specifically named the Michigan Commission for the Blind and also noted that "eye doctors and agencies throughout Michigan provide support groups and programs that educate communities about vision loss and blindness prevention, and offer services to help visually impaired and blind individuals to live independently."  The complete proclamation is on the governor's website at www.michigan.gov/snyder under Proclamations.

 

2011 Achievement Honor Roll Awards Presentation in October

 

Previously held during the December MCB commission board meeting, this year's MCB Achievement Honor Roll Awards presentation will be held in October.  This is because, for many years, October has been recognized nationally and in Michigan as a time to emphasize to employers that it's good business practice to invest in the abilities of people with disabilities.  On October 21, MCB will recognize the abilities of its Achievement Honor Roll Award recipients with an award presentation and luncheon in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.  This special event will be catered by a BEP Operator.

 

Communications update

 

The new DeafBlind brochure is online in PDF and Microsoft Word formats.  The brochure is being recorded for digital and cassette audio formats, and print copies have been distributed to all MCB offices.  As with all MCB publications, alternative formats are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  

 

On April 17, MCB State Director Pat Cannon was the guest on the WJR Detroit Sunday evening radio program Anything is Possible, hosted by Jack Krasula.  During the hour-long program, topics discussed included MCB programs and services, blindness awareness, the capabilities of people who are blind and visually impaired, and related subjects.

 

The MCB Insight internal bimonthly employee e-newsletter has two new regular columns.  Beginning with the May 2011 issue, the newsletter has a regular Business Enterprise Program operator profile.  The first profile, written by Lansing B E P Promotional Agent Josh Hoskins, featured Greg Keathley and Dillon's Café.  The other new column, which will debut with the July issue, will feature an outstanding MCB consumer.  Overall, MCB Insight editor and client intern Christine Movalson continues to be successful in her efforts to publish articles by as many different staff members as possible in order to include a wide variety of information and voices.  MCB Insight is archived on the MCB website at www.michigan.gov/mcb under Resources, then under Information for MCB staff.

 

On April 28, Christine Movalson and her Guide Dog, Simone, gave a presentation on Guide Dogs for the Blind and blindness awareness to about 30 women of Delta Gamma sorority at Michigan State University, whose members are all majoring in or otherwise involved with special education and disability-related community service activities.  The women expressed their appreciation for the informative two-hour presentation.  For the past year, Christine has been a member of Guide Dogs' official volunteer Speakers' Bureau.

 

As suggested by Shannon McVoy of the Image and Identity Team, MCB has printed thank-you notes for use when thanking individuals who have assisted the agency.  The cards have the MCB logo on the front and the words "thank you" in very large, bold Arial print.  The cards are blank inside, suitable for a brief handwritten or Braille message, for use when an informal message is desired.  The cards were printed free of charge by the Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, with donated labor and paper.  A supply has been distributed to each MCB office

 

MCB will host a booth at the 2011 Braille-A-Thon on the Capitol lawn June 21 to distribute information on MCB programs and services in multiple formats including Braille and print.  MCB has hosted a booth each year at this event since the first Braille-A-Thon in 2009.

 

The Spring 2011 edition of In Focus, the patron newsletter of the MCB Braille and Talking Book Library, has been printed and distributed to more than 4,000 library patrons.

 

MCB Website Highlight-MCB Vision 2020 Listserv

 

The MCB Vision 2020 listserv is an e-mail distribution list for MCB information as well as other topics related to blindness.  Anyone can join the list free of charge to receive and send e-mail messages on these topics.  MCB press releases and commission meeting agendas are sent to all members of the list, and all members can send blindness-related news stories, information, and topics for discussion.

 

Subscribing to and unsubscribing from the list are both simple processes, and the instructions are printed below and on the MCB website's Resources page.

 

To subscribe, send an e-mail message with LISTSERV at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV in the address (or To:) field,  SUB MCB2020-L in the subject field, and SUBSCRIBE MCB2020-L <your name> in the message area of the e-mail (for example, SUBSCRIBE MCB2020-L John Doe).

 

To send an e-mail message to everyone on the subscriber list, put MCB2020-L at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV in the address (To:) field of your e-mail.  Then complete and send the e-mail.  Within a few seconds, you'll receive an email asking you to click on a link to confirm that you sent an e-mail message to the listserv.  Your e-mail message will then go to the list moderator, who will read it and send it to all members of the list.  The confirmation and review steps are to ensure that list members do not receive spam through the listserv.

 

To unsubscribe from the list, send an e-mail message with LISTSERV at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV in the address (To:) field and UNSUB MCB2020-L in the message area.

 

Members of the listserv receive a monthly email with the listserv's Purpose Statement and Participant Guidelines, which are also posted on the MCB website's Resources page under "MCB Vision 2020 Listserv-Subscribe Here."

 

Personnel

 

The agency has hired several new people since the last report. Marcianna Wade is the new rehabilitation counselor in the Flint Office. She started on May 15. Three new rehabilitation teachers have been hired at the Training Center - Chuck Denaway started on May 23, Jenny Doane will start on June 12, and Amber Willard will start on June 19. In addition, two new MCB interns have been hired. Leatrice Fullerton is working at the DHS office in Kalamazoo and Cassaundra Bell will be starting at the MCB office in Grand Rapids very soon.

 

Requests have been submitted seeking approval to fill several other positions such as the receptionist in Central Office, a teacher in the Kalamazoo Regional office, a part-time secretary in Gaylord, a part-time secretary in Escanaba, a tech position at the Library, and a secretary in the Detroit Office. All of these requests are on hold for the time being due to budget concerns.

 

 

 

 

Training

 

On April 1, twenty-six MCB employees participated in three different types of Safe Driving training at the Michigan State Police Training Academy. All participants attended a one-hour lecture on defensive driving and following that session, 12 of the attendees went to the driving track to participate in some actual, hands-on driving exercises such as serpentine driving, evasive maneuvering, skid control, and more. That portion of the training was about six hours long. The remaining participants had two more hours of lecture on winter driving and seat belt usage. Three people also participated in a simulator exercise, which some describe as similar to sitting inside a video game. 

 

This training is provided by the State Police to all interested groups. The MCB Safety Team worked with the MSP to make the arrangements. Additional sessions will be scheduled for other interested staff and drivers at a later date and participation in at least the lecture series will be arranged for all new MCB hires.

  

A training session for office safety monitors is scheduled for June 14 in Lansing. Through the efforts of the MCB Safety Team, steps were made to identify two safety monitors for each office. The next step was to offer training on the roles and responsibilities of safety monitors. The facilitators will be from LARA Office Services.

 

A training program designed primarily for counselors and managers is being planned for early August looking at the provision of rehabilitation services to ex-offenders. The presenters will be from the Great Lakes TACE Center. More information on that program will be sent out as soon as it's finalized. 

 

The MCB Blindness Training Group is in the process of finalizing a survey to be given to all new hires when they first start and again about three months after they've started working. The reason is to evaluate the effectiveness of the items outlined on the new employee orientation checklist. It will show where additional training is needed and areas where the agency can improve the overall initial orientation of new employees.  Another product of the committee's work is now underway and enables new staff to meet with consumer organization leaders to better understand their mission.

 

The Michigan Rehabilitation Conference is scheduled for October 26-28 in Grand Rapids. The organizers are currently soliciting ideas for breakout session presentations. More information on the conference will be shared with staff and others over the coming months.

 

 

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

 

Training

 

Five students are projected to participate in the June 2011 B E P Manager Training class.  Class will commence on Monday, June 6 and continue through August 12, 2011.  Eight weeks of on the job experience (O J E) follows commencing August 22.  Students who successfully complete the training will be qualified to bid on available facilities in mid-October.  

 

As the B E P trainer position has yet to be filled, B E P has arranged for McVety and Associates to update the curriculum and conduct the operational portion of the training.  The vending machine training portion of the curriculum will be provided by Bill Butler, who currently provides a large portion of the Program's vending machine repairs.  And, B E P staff will give students a general orientation to the Commission and the Committee; provide instruction on Program rules and regulations; and provide recordkeeping and reporting instruction.  Following is an overview of the curriculum:

 

Week 1:  Introductions and orientation; B E P rules and regulations; Role of the Elected Committee; Operator retirement; presentations by blind consumer groups.

Week 2:  B E P recordkeeping and reporting

Week 3:  Organization and business planning

Week 4:  General food service concepts

Week 5:  Leadership techniques; Offering healthy choices; sanitation training

Week 6:  Fundamentals of operations

Week 7:  Customer service; Marketing; Merchandising; Promotions; Catering

Week 8:  Vending machine training

Week 9:  Wrap up; Review; Graduation

 

Facilities

 

The effect of the 17 early retirements last calendar year continues.  BEP still has many vacancies despite a more concerted focus on training new operators.  B E P is happy to announce Michael Torrez, a recent graduate, has been offered and accepted the Treasury Building facility in downtown Lansing.   

 

Building grantors of the Secretary of State and Ingham County Human Services are ready to move forward with renovations, and these facilities have been temporarily removed from the bid line.  The Ingham County Human Services renovation is a relatively small project expected to take approximately 90 to 120 days.  The Secretary of State renovation is a much larger project.  It is the Program's understanding the Department of Technology Management and Budget (D T M B) is deconstructing the building down to the girders and completely renovating the aging building.  Plans include an updated and more efficient food service facility similar to the new Michigan State Police headquarters.

 

EOC Relationship

 

The 42nd annual E O C Workshop, with the theme of Taking Care of Business and Fiscal Responsibility, was held on the weekend of April 29th, 2011.  The Workshop agenda offered a plenary session, regional break out sessions, a food show, the award banquet, and the E O C election.  The 2011 Elected Committee held its first meeting at the annual Workshop.  One motion was made and approved by the body of the whole, to reimburse licensees for the 3% retirement health insurance contribution from set-aside fees via a vacation fund.  The next meeting of the Elected Committee will take place by teleconference on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

 

The Committee's re-configured subcommittees are demonstrating their commitment to active participation and have already begun meeting.  The Promotions and Seniority, Locations and Repair and Training subcommittees held a joint meeting in early May.  The Training Subcommittee met on the last day of May and will meet again in mid-June.  And, as of this writing the Promotions and Seniority Subcommittee has 2 meetings scheduled.

 

The Ad Hoc Committee comprised of representatives from the Agency, the E O C and the Board continues to meet to discuss issues and concerns and develop positive and creative solutions.  Past discussions revolved around the role of the Agency and the kinds and level of support the Licensees want and need from the Agency.  The role of the Promotional Agents in monitoring licensees and methods to successfully complete this obligation while still allowing for independent business operations for licensees has been discussed.  In the most recent meeting, discussion focused on the role and responsibilities of the licensees.  The group's next meeting will finalize recommendations concerning operators review actions and next steps from the work of this team since January.

 

 

 

 
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