[nfbmi-talk] request 7ob report

[joe harcz Comcast]

June 10 2014 Request RSA 7OB BSBP FY 2013

 

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net            

810-516-5262

 

To: Edward Rodgers, Director

Michigan Bureau Services to Blind Persons (BSBP)

Leemon Jones, BSBP

S. Luzenski, BSBP

Mike Ppemble, BSBP

 

Mr. Rodgers and All,

 

I am writing today to request a copy, in accessible format of BSBP’s required 7OB Report for the period ending September 30, 2013. Note I’ve included the last such report conducted by the defunct Michigan Commission for the Blind for your convenience after my signature line. Note: that there are requirements   documenting diversity of staff, etc. is required in this report alone which goes to my requests for documentation of 503 and related requirements in other requests.

 

In addition it would be interesting to note whether or not BSBP has delivered better services than its predecessor, and can indeed document them on this very valuable program for Michigan’s ever growing population of elderly blind people.

 

Again I thank you as always in advance for your transparency, accountability and accessibility.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc: RSA

Cc: MI SILC

Cc: BSBP Commissioners

Cc: MCRS

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: several

Attachment:

 

 

 

Annual Report  Independent Living Services For Older Individuals Who Are Blind

 

RSA-7-OB for Michigan Commission for the Blind - H177B120022 report through September 30, 2012

 

Part I: Funding Sources And Expenditures

 

Table with 2 columns and 19 rows

Title VII-Chapter 2 Federal grant award for reported fiscal year

1,071,864

Other federal grant award for reported fiscal year

0

Title VII-Chapter 2 carryover from previous year

0

Other federal grant carryover from previous year

165,595

A. Funding Sources for Expenditures in Reported FY

  

A1. Title VII-Chapter 2

1,008,384

A2. Total other federal

0

(a) Title VII-Chapter 1-Part B

0

(b) SSA reimbursement

0

(c) Title XX - Social Security Act

0

(d) Older Americans Act

0

(e) Other

0

A3. State (excluding in-kind)

119,094

A4. Third party

0

A5. In-kind

0

A6. Total Matching Funds

119,094

A7. Total All Funds Expended

1,127,478

B. Total expenditures and encumbrances allocated to administrative, support staff, and general overhead costs

93,044

C. Total expenditures and encumbrances for direct program services

1,034,434

table end

 

Part II: Staffing

 

FTE (full time equivalent) is based upon a 40-hour workweek or 2080 hours per year.

 

A. Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

 

Table with 4 columns and 4 rows

Program Staff

a) Administrative and Support

b) Direct Service

c) Total

1. FTE State Agency

0.8000

5.3700

6.1700

2. FTE Contractors

1.0000

5.0700

6.0700

3. Total FTE

1.8000

10.4400

12.2400

table end

 

B. Employed or advanced in employment

 

Table with 3 columns and 6 rows

  

a) Number employed

b) FTE

1. Employees with Disabilities

8

1.8600

2. Employees with Blindness Age 55 and Older

6

2.9700

3. Employees who are Racial/Ethnic Minorities

16

3.4700

4. Employees who are Women

55

9.7200

5. Employees Age 55 and Older

18

0.7300

table end

 

C. Volunteers

 

C1. FTE program volunteers (number of volunteer hours divided by 2080) 0

 

Part III: Data on Individuals Served

 

Provide data in each of the categories below related to the number of individuals for whom one or more services were provided during the reported fiscal

year.

 

A. Individuals Served

 

Table with 2 columns and 3 rows

1. Number of individuals who began receiving services in the previous FY and continued to receive services in the reported FY

720

2. Number of individuals who began receiving services in the reported FY

302

3. Total individuals served during the reported fiscal year (A1 + A2)

1,022

table end

 

B. Age

 

Table with 2 columns and 11 rows

1. 55-59

86

2. 60-64

98

3. 65-69

107

4. 70-74

103

5. 75-79

140

6. 80-84

169

7. 85-89

189

8. 90-94

95

9. 95-99

32

10. 100 & over

3

11. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

C. Gender

 

Table with 2 columns and 3 rows

1. Female

725

2. Male

297

3. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

D. Race/Ethnicity

 

Table with 2 columns and 9 rows

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race

13

 

For individuals who are non-Hispanic/Latino only

 

2. American Indian or Alaska Native

4

3. Asian

2

4. Black or African American

153

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

0

6. White

778

7. Two or more races

72

8. Race and ethnicity unknown (only if consumer refuses to identify)

0

9. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

E. Degree of Visual Impairment

 

Table with 2 columns and 4 rows

1. Totally Blind (LP only or NLP)

62

2. Legally Blind (excluding totally blind)

931

3. Severe Visual Impairment

29

4. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

F. Major Cause of Visual Impairment

 

Table with 2 columns and 6 rows

1. Macular Degeneration

452

2. Diabetic Retinopathy

131

3. Glaucoma

133

4. Cataracts

12

5. Other

294

6. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

G. Other Age-Related Impairments

 

Table with 2 columns and 8 rows

1. Hearing Impairment

116

2. Diabetes

107

3. Cardiovascular Disease and Strokes

166

4. Cancer

35

5. Bone, Muscle, Skin, Joint, and Movement Disorders

206

6. Alzheimer's Disease/Cognitive Impairment

16

7. Depression/Mood Disorder

49

8. Other Major Geriatric Concerns

168

table end

 

H. Type of Residence

 

Table with 2 columns and 6 rows

1. Private residence (house or apartment)

817

2. Senior Living/Retirement Community

143

3. Assisted Living Facility

27

4. Nursing Home/Long-term Care facility

35

5. Homeless

0

6. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

I. Source of Referral

 

Table with 2 columns and 14 rows

1. Eye care provider (ophthalmologist, optometrist)

169

2. Physician/medical provider

82

3. State VR agency

10

4. Government or Social Service Agency

34

5. Veterans Administration

14

6. Senior Center

38

7. Assisted Living Facility

2

8. Nursing Home/Long-term Care facility

2

9. Faith-based organization

2

10. Independent Living center

13

11. Family member or friend

213

12. Self-referral

411

13. Other

32

14. Total (must agree with A3)

1,022

table end

 

Part IV: Types of Services Provided and Resources Allocated

 

Provide data related to the number of older individuals who are blind receiving each type of service and resources committed to each type of service.

 

A. Clinical/functional vision assessments and services

 

Table with 3 columns and 5 rows

  

Cost

Persons Served

1a. Total Cost from VII-2 funds

4,940

  

1b. Total Cost from other funds

0

  

2. Vision screening / vision examination / low vision evaluation

  

110

3. Surgical or therapeutic treatment to prevent, correct, or modify disabling eye conditions

  

1

table end

 

B. Assistive technology devices and services

 

Table with 3 columns and 5 rows

  

Cost

Persons Served

1a. Total Cost from VII-2 funds

226,890

  

1b. Total Cost from other funds

0

  

2. Provision of assistive technology devices and aids

  

354

3. Provision of assistive technology services

  

71

table end

 

C. Independent living and adjustment training and services

 

Table with 3 columns and 11 rows

  

Cost

Persons Served

1a. Total Cost from VII-2 funds

29,909

  

1b. Total Cost from other funds

0

  

2. Orientation and Mobility training

  

683

3. Communication skills

  

121

4. Daily living skills

  

151

5. Supportive services (reader services, transportation, personal

  

14

6. Advocacy training and support networks

  

30

7. Counseling (peer, individual and group)

  

92

8. Information, referral and community integration

  

78

. Other IL services

  

100

table end

 

D. Community Awareness: Events & Activities

 

Table with 4 columns and 5 rows



Cost

a. Events / Activities

b. Persons Served

1a. Total Cost from VII-2 funds

0

   

1b. Total Cost from other funds

0

   

2. Information and Referral

   

80

3. Community Awareness: Events/Activities

  

77

253

table end

 

Part V: Comparison of Prior Year Activities to Current Reported Year

 

A. Activity

 

Table with 4 columns and 7 rows

  

a) Prior Year

b) Reported FY

c) Change ( + / - )

1. Program Cost (all sources)

1,461,641

1,127,478

-334,163

2. Number of Individuals Served

1,001

1,022

21

3. Number of Minority Individuals Served

197

244

47

4. Number of Community Awareness Activities

14

5

-9

5. Number of Collaborating agencies and organizations

12

0

-12

6. Number of Sub-grantees

1

1



table end

 

Part VI: Program Outcomes/Performance Measures

 

Provide the following data for each of the performance measures below. This will assist RSA in reporting results and outcomes related to the program.

 

Table with 3 columns and 18 rows

  

Number of persons

Percent of persons

A1. Number of individuals receiving AT (assistive technology) services and training

71

100.00%

A2. Number of individuals receiving AT (assistive technology) services and training who maintained or improved functional abilities that were previously

lost or diminished as a result of vision loss. (closed/inactive cases only)

13

18.31%

A3. Number of individuals for whom functional gains have not yet been determined at the close of the reporting period.

53

74.65%

B1. Number of individuals who received orientation and mobility (O & M) services

683

100.00%

B2. Of those receiving orientation and mobility (O & M) services, the number of individuals who experienced functional gains or maintained their ability

to travel safely and independently in their residence and/or community environment as a result of services. (closed/inactive cases only)

14

2.05%

B3. Number of individuals for whom functional gains have not yet been determined at the close of the reporting period.

596

87.26%

C1. Number of individuals who received communication skills training

121

100.00%

C2. Of those receiving communication skills training, the number of individuals who gained or maintained their functional abilities as a result of services

they received. (Closed/inactive cases only)

25

20.66%

C3. Number of individuals for whom functional gains have not yet been determined at the close of the reporting period.

86

71.07%

D1. Number of individuals who received daily living skills training

151

100.00%

D2. Number of individuals that experienced functional gains or successfully restored or maintained their functional ability to engage in their customary

daily life activities as a result of services or training in personal management and daily living skills. (closed/inactive cases only)

26

17.22%

D3. Number of individuals for whom functional gains have not yet been determined at the close of the reporting period.

106

70.20%

E1. Number of individuals served who reported feeling that they are in greater control and are more confident in their ability to maintain their current

living situation as a result of services they received. (closed/inactive cases only)

105

n/a

E2. Number of individuals served who reported feeling that they have less control and confidence in their ability to maintain their current living situation

as a result of services they received. (closed/inactive cases only)

9

n/a

E3. Number of individuals served who reported no change in their feelings of control and confidence in their ability to maintain their current living situation

as a result of services they received. (closed/inactive cases only)

0

n/a

E4. Number of individuals served who experienced changes in lifestyle for reasons unrelated to vision loss. (closed/inactive cases only)

6

n/a

E5. Number of individuals served who died before achieving functional gain or experiencing changes in lifestyle as a result of services they received. (closed/inactive

cases only)

5

n/a

table end

 

Part VII: Narrative

 

A. Briefly describe the agency's method of implementation for the Title VII-Chapter 2 program (i.e. in-house, through sub-grantees/contractors, or a combination)

incorporating outreach efforts to reach underserved and/or unserved populations. Please list all sub-grantees/contractors.

 

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 2012-10 effective October 1, 2012, the agency’s new name is the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, formerly

known as the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

 

Over the past year, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) agency continues to expand and increase ways to provide services to unserved and underserved

populations. The agency focused on working with local area agencies on aging (Region 1b, Region 2 and Valley Area on Aging) to identify areas of need within

the local community, securing interpreters and translators as needed for ESL consumers. As the population increases with multiple languages, these efforts

are needed to order to meet the increasing demands for services to individuals with English as a second language. The agency continues to diversify its

network and outreach with other professional and community partners, which includes senior centers, adult foster care, Commission on Aging, and eye care

professionals to ensure that services are explained and materials are provided in order that consumers may contact the agency.

 

Additionally, the BSBP collaborated with a private mobility contractor, local division on aging and Lions Club to provide various services to consumers

to assist in leader dog care by providing transportation for individuals to and from Leader Dogs. Through this coordination, individuals are gaining independence

and confidence in maintaining their lives within their home and communities.

 

The agency contracts with SVRC, Inc to provide independent living services.

 

B. Briefly describe any activities designed to expand or improve services including collaborative activities or community awareness; and efforts to incorporate

new methods and approaches developed by the program into the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) under Section 704.

 

BSBP staff are creative in their approaches to expand and enhance service delivery for individuals with blindness and visually impaired. Through the collaboration

with the various community agencies and organizations, the agency was able to increase services to a host of individuals. The following activities are

some examples of BSBP’s efforts to expand and increase, as well as to inform individuals about the services and service provision: Intensive community

outreach consists of meeting with various organizations that work with the aging population such as professional offices, libraries, senior centers, senior

meal sites and churches to provide information and answer questions about the program and services offed by the agency. Educational presentations are coordinated

to increase awareness of BSBP and to foster positive attitudes about blindness and low vision thus minimizing fears related to blindness and independence.

Mini Adjustment programs around the state of Michigan serves as a mobile classroom and enables the agency to provide training in skills of blindness to

newly older blind individuals. These activities are designed to increase outreach and positively impact more consumers.

 

Presentations were presented at a variety of public forums that included health fairs, senior housing facilities and professional groups, as well as support

groups. Individuals who attended shared information about services provided to others and the agency received numerous inquiries.

 

In one area of the state, a staff member developed a project where CCTV’s were donated from families of former consumers to current consumers that could

utilize them in their daily living activities. The family members believed by donating the CCTV’s, that the memory of their loved ones could continue to

positively affect the lives of others. The equipment promoted greater independence for these individuals in caring out their daily living activities.

 

C. Briefly summarize results from any of the most recent evaluations or satisfaction surveys conducted for your program and attach a copy of applicable

reports.

 

BSBP in collaboration with Michigan State University and Michigan Rehabilitation Services jointly conducted a Comprehensive Needs Assessment for the each

agency’s programs. The Needs Assessment indicated that BSBP should increase efforts in outreach to persons with blindness and low vision. As stated in

this report, BSBP has increased activities focusing on unserved areas in the state to eliminate the lack of services. The Comprehensive Needs Assessment

further stated that BSBP should work more with ophthalmologists and optometrists to provide pamphlets and brochures on the agency services. Each year the

agency participates in the Michigan Optometric Association Conference where optometrists and student optometrists are present. This event provides an opportunity

for BSBP to display material regarding services, as well as an opportunity for attendees to inquire about services and assistance that the agency provides.

 

>From the Comprehensive Needs Assessment FY 2011

 

Underserved Populations

 

MCB staff comments echoed those of the other two agencies but the MCB staff identified older blind and low vision Michigan residents as the primary underserved

population

 

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

 

In addition, MCB and CIL staff identified older blind and low vision Michigan residents and Somalian and Native American residents with disabilities as

populations they believe are underserved by their agency

 

Age Related Underserved Population

 

Older Michigan Residents who are Blind or have Low Vision and VR Services

 

There has been a slow but notable decrease in the proportion of older customers receiving vocational rehabilitation services from MCB during the past three

years (5.3% in 2009; 6.0% in 2008; 11.3% in 2007). The need for improved services for this population was also identified in the Key Informant and staff

survey qualitative data. These combined findings suggest that older blind and low vision customers are an underserved population at MCB.

 

Recommendation:

 

MCB need to increase outreach efforts to older Michigan residents who are blind or have low vision. These efforts could include providing medical doctors,

ophthalmologists who specialize in low vision and gerontologists with information and brochures.

 

D. Briefly describe the impact of the Title VII-Chapter 2 program, citing examples from individual cases (without identifying information) in which services

contributed significantly to increasing independence and quality of life for the individual(s).

 

“No thank you, I’m doing pretty well on my own” is a common statement that a vision rehabilitation therapist from the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

often hears. This consumer was no different; however, after speaking with her family and scheduling a visit with the vision rehabilitation therapist, the

consumer changed her mind and began her journey to independence.

 

As the center point for her family, the consumer manages a lot of responsibilities and needed techniques to continue to function independently in almost

every aspect of her life. Although the consumer had a high number of IL goals, her warm personality and easy going spirit helped guide her through rehabilitation

services seamlessly. Specifically, she has been able to continue to travel independently with the help of the white cane and sun shades, manage her finances

and appointments with a large print calendar, check writing guides and 20/20 pens. The consumer is also able to safely prepare her families favorite dishes

through the use of various assistive devices. I observed her confidence and skill levels increase as she will now proudly use her white cane and travel

across the street to the local store, a task that once seemed daunting to her.

 

I believe that this consumer’s involvement with the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons taught her skills that she may never have learned otherwise and

promoted her independence. Aside from providing skills and training, I believe that fostering a welcoming and safe environment for her played a major role

in her success.

 

In the customer service world, the sincerest form of flattery is a referral from a satisfied customer, and this consumer has done just that. The consumer

commented about the wonderful services she received within her living community and shared information about the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons prompting

two new referrals to the Independent Living Program.

 

Ms. M K is 72 years old and a grandmother of 6. When she began services with the Michigan Commission for the Blind (now the Michigan Bureau of Services

for Blind Persons BSBP), her vision had declined just to the point of being legally blind. She was devastated and had no idea what she was going to do.

She contacted the BSBP, and a vision rehabilitation therapist (VRT) went to see her because, at that time, she was considered for the Independent Living

Program ILP. However, during the first interview, she casually mentioned that she had a work telephone number. The VRT immediately began getting her involved

with the Vocational Rehabilitation program. Ms. K admitted during this first interview that she thought she would have to quit her job because her vision

impairment was making it too hard to read the documents necessary for her to perform her duties as the building manager of the senior apartment building

where she was also a resident.

 

Throughout the first year working with her, Ms. K did not partake of the available VR services because she still couldn’t imagine how she would be able

to perform the necessary reading for her job. She attended a 5-day mini adjustment program in her area, and then she went to the BSBP Training Center located

in Kalamazoo where she also mentioned she had been working, but now she had a deadline of October 1st to decide whether she would return to her job. It

was discovered that her supervisor had been discussing with her during the year how they could accommodate her so that she could return to her job. They

were willing to work with her regarding workplace accommodations. The VR counselor at the Training Center phoned VRT about the client’s interest, and we

finally got Ms. K to accept services from the VR program.

 

Ms. K received services from both the IL and VR programs in her quest to be independent and employed. She has reported being very happy to be back working,

feeling very satisfied with being able to remain in the workforce, and her supervisor is still very pleased with her work. Ms. K is a shining star to the

IL and to the VR programs that provided services. She continues to talk with others about the programs and has made several referrals of seniors with whom

she is acquainted in the building she manages. The last time VRT spoke in person with Ms. K, she was grinning from ear to ear despite the fact that her

vision had continued to decline over the past couple of years.

 

E. Finally, note any problematic areas or concerns related to implementing the Title VII-Chapter 2 program in your state.

 

The agency is working diligently to provide training for staff on the client tracking system to improve data collection.

 

Part VIII: Signature

 

As the authorized signatory, I will sign, date and retain in the state agency's files a copy of this 7-OB Report and the separate Certification of Lobbying

form ED-80-0013 (available in MS Word and PDF formats.

 

Table with 2 columns and 4 rows

Signed by

Leamon Jones

Title

Consumer Services Director

Telephone

517 373-0579

Date signed

12/27/2012

table end

 

Source:

https://rsa.ed.gov/includes/export-html.cfm?filename=tmp-843020e4cc3b47d02c7861412e2b4c614491.html&exportto=print&utf16=1