[nfbmi-talk] from draft plan

[joe harcz Comcast]

MCB failed on most of its standards and indicators here:
Indicator 1.1: Number of Individuals with Employment Outcomes. The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons projection for the number of individuals with employment
outcomes that was set by the agency was not achieved compared with the national average of blind agencies. BSBP is focusing on specific training from TACE
and other agencies to assist the staff with innovative approaches to redefine its efforts to increase employment outcomes. Michigan’s unemployment rate
is among the highest in the nation, which directly affects employment opportunities for all citizens including those with disabilities in obtaining gainful
employment. The bureau’s strategic plan emphasizes the need to be aware of employment opportunities and employment trends as the agency collaborates with
Michigan Works! in identifying Michigan’s 50 Top Hot Jobs so that consumers will receive training in emerging careers. As BSBP continues to receive labor
market information through its collaboration with DTMB Regional economic analyst Bureau of Labor Market Information that provides employment trends locally
and statewide, this will enable the agency to provide training appropriate to the current labor market demands. Staff will work with a variety of employers
to increase on-the-job training opportunities for job-ready consumers. BSBP has initiated job clubs in major cities throughout the state for the purpose
of assisting job ready consumers in their efforts to obtain employment. BSBP provides Employment Readiness Seminars quarterly for all job ready consumers.
The seminars provides local employers opportunities to interview job ready consumers and shares information regarding work incentives for employers and
benefits planning for consumers, formerly known as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA). BSBP encourages consumers to utilize Disability Benefits
101 website, educating parents on work related benefits and strategies early on. BSBP will continue to work with the National Business Network, trade organizations
and apprenticeship programs through its Business Services system to expand employment opportunities for the population that BSBP serves.

Indicator 1.2: Percentage of Individuals Receiving Services Who Had Employment Outcomes. BSBP was not successful in achieving this indicator. The State
of Michigan unemployment rate is still among the highest in the nation. This high unemployment rate directly affected the employment outcomes for the BSBP
consumers.  BSBP has several new staff that are in various stages of the initial training for first year counselors. The time period for new staff to be
productive is generally one to two years.  However, BSBP continues to invest in appropriate training for staff in job placement and other related training
to attempt to minimize the effects of the depressed labor market. BSBP makes available to counseling staff the opportunity to participate in job placement
training through the Michigan Rehabilitation Counseling Educators Association and the Job Placement Division of the Michigan Rehabilitation Association,
along with private trainers emphasizing job placement techniques as well as TACE Supported Employment programs that equip the staff with tools to compete
in the competitive labor market. BSBP has job placement specialists in each region to assist counselors in securing appropriate job placement for consumers.
These positions have expanded BSBP’s infrastructure to heighten its ability to work more effectively with employers and other community agencies to increase
employment options.

Indicator 1.3: Percentage of Individuals with Employment Outcomes Who Were Competitively Employed. BSBP staff is aware of the importance of establishing
relationships with community partners in order to increase opportunities for consumers to expand employment options that will result in more individuals
being placed in the competitive labor market.  The agency will continue to meet this goal by working with the employer community.  BSBP met this indicator

with 79.28%.

Indicator 1.4: Percentage of Persons with Competitive Employment Outcomes Who Had Significant Disabilities.  The individuals that BSBP serves are those
with blindness which is considered a severe disability.  BSBP met this indicator with 100%.

Indicator 1.5: Ratio of Average VR Hourly Wage to Average Wage. BSBP continues to provide consumers with choices regarding their vocational objectives;
therefore, the development of career options has continued to assist BSBP in reaching this indicator. The agency met this indicator with 0.659%.

Indicator 1.6: Difference in Percentage of individuals Achieving Competitive Employment Who Report Own Income as Primary Source of Support at Closure and
Application. It is a goal of BSBP to provide consumers with options to choose careers that lead to gainful employment. As a result of the economy and consumers
desire to work part-time, BSBP was not successful in assisting consumers to obtain full time employment which would elevate their income. A number of consumers
are choosing to work part-time so that full-time employment will not affect their benefits. The bureau continues to encourage consumers to work with the
CWICS to receive appropriate information regarding work incentives that will allow them to make informed choices regarding full-time employment.

Indicator 2.1: Ratio of Minority to Non-Minority Service Rate. Although BSBP did not meet this indicator, BSBP continues to emphasize the importance of
outreach to minority populations that are experiencing blindness and visual impairment. The Cultural Diversity team is one of BSBP’s strategic teams that
provide the agency with some of the approaches to serving the minority population.  The staff is primarily responsible for making contacts with agencies
and organizations that serves minority individuals to provide information regarding the agency’s procedures and practices for obtaining services.