[nfbmi-talk] I Can Connect program funding

Marcus Simmons president at map-n.org
Mon Nov 4 21:59:44 UTC 2013


Dear Carla Haynes,

I am requesting to withdraw my September 21, 2013, FOIA request.

The request for the copy of the contract of October 21,23 and 28 still stands, thank you.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
  To: president at map-n.org 
  Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Duell, Elsie (LARA) ; Jones, Leamon (LARA) ; Gaston, Diamalyn (LARA) 
  Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 4:40 PM
  Subject: I Can Connect program funding


  Hello,

   

  I am in receipt of your email to Director Rodgers contained below.  Are you requesting to withdraw your September 21, 2013, FOIA request?  In this request you asked for:  "I am writing you today to request any correspondence, including e-mails between yourself and anyone either departmentally (within Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, or with the Rehabilitation Services Administration) (r)elative to "I Can Connect".  Specifically, I need the copy of the program guidelines, the contact persons providing your department with the information on this program, financial data, contact information on who will do the training, compensation scales and who will dispense the funds and on what conditions."

   

  You have been sent an invoice (10-9-13) in regards to the above request for the amount of $319.62, of which one-half of the amount ($159.81) was due as a deposit to begin the processing of this request.  To date we have not received your payment.

   

  Are you also withdrawing your FOIA requests of October 21st, 23rd and 27th, 2013, which were combined into one request?  This request currently has an extension taken to November 12, 2013.  The information in this request is as follows:


  "..Apparently, Perkins renegotiated the contract with LARA earlier this year and signed the agreement in April of 2013.  However, in July of 2013, Perkins refused to pay for services and directed providers to seek their money from BSBP.  Therefore, I am requesting a copy of that contract."

   

  (Description from email of 10-23-13): "I am writing you today to request a copy of the contract between the Perkins School for the Blind and DSBP concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" program in which you alluded to in your comments on Saturday at the NFBMI State Convention."

   

  (Description from email of 10-27-13): "I am writing you today for the third time to request a copy of the contract between the Perkins School for the Blind and DSBP concerning obligations in the "I Can Connect" program in which you alluded to in your comments on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the NFBMI State Convention. The audio clip is attached for your recollection."

   

  Please let me know.

   

   

  Carla Miller Haynes

  LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

  201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

  P.O. Box 30652

  Lansing, MI  48909

  Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200

  Fax:  517-335-5140

   

  www.michigan.gov/bsbp

   

            

  From: Marcus Simmons [mailto:president at map-n.org] 
  Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2013 7:31 PM
  To: Jackie Ellington; Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
  Cc: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org; Luzenski, Sue (LARA)
  Subject: I Can Connect program funding

   

  Dear Mr. Edward F. Rodgers,

   

  I understand you are a very busy person and depend on your staff to do research and supply you with all the answers to questions submitted by the public. It has come to my attention; some of the information given to you by your staff is flawed.

   

  Take for instance, the "I Can Connect" program.

   

  I have been asked to provide funds for a FOIA search for the contract between DSBP and the Perkins School for the Blind, which was to provide financial support for equipment and training for qualified deaf/blind individuals.

   

  My personal research indicates from Perkins School for the Blind that no such contract is in effect. Perkins states, "Perkins is the certified entity in 13 states but not in Michigan. The certified entity in Michigan is Bureau of Services for Blind Persons. Perkins does provide some services in Michigan (database and equipment procurement) but BSBP manages the program in the state. As such, BSBP provides services and submits claims for reimbursement to the FCC through their subcontracted fund manager, RLSA of Pennsylvania."

   

  I have contacted them and there appears to be a connection between DSBP and Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates of Pennsylvania and this is as far as I have got.

   

  Therefore, I will not support payment for a FOIA search for the Perkins contract since it is irrelevant.

   

  You are now directed to contact the subcontracted fund manager for operational funds to continue with the "I Can Connect" program in earnests.

   

  Cordially,
  Marcus Simmons - President
  ASE Certified Technician
  Motown Automotive Professionals nonprofit
  A 501(C)(3) Public Charity
  55390 Lion Industrial Drive
  New Hudson, MI 48165-8544
  (248) 552-8928
  See our story at:
  http://www.carcrazycentral.com/Video.aspx?VideoID=306
  And get more information at:
  http://www.map-n.org
  Email: president at map-n.org



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