[nfbmi-talk] I Can Connect program funding

Mon Nov 4 22:12:53 UTC 2013

to charge or try to charge anything for governmenttal contracts related to 
this "deaf-blind" program from a deaf-blind advocate isn't just wrong it is 
abuse.

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marcus Simmons" <president at map-n.org>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>; 
"Haynes, Carla (LARA)" <haynesc at michigan.gov>
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] I Can Connect program funding

> 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
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>  New Hudson, MI 48165-8544
>  (248) 552-8928
>  See our story at:
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>  And get more information at:
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>  Email: president at map-n.org
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