[nfbmi-talk] our src isn't involved either

[joe harcz Comcast]

STATE PLAN FY 2015 - ATTACHMENT 4.2 (c) – DSU: Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) in Michigan, known as the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services (MCRS) serves as the SRC to the designated state unit (DSU) for the blind, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) and the general DSU, Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS).  The designated state agency (DSA) for BSBP is the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), while the DSA for MRS is the Department of Human Services (DHS). This attachment is focused on how the MCRS worked to achieve the eight federal mandates with BSBP during fiscal year 2013.  It is important to note that the partnership between the MCRS and BSBP  was new for FY 2013 and functioned in a state of transition.  

 

1.   Review, analyze, and advise the Grantor regarding its performance in determining eligibility, order of selection, effectiveness, scope and provision of services, and functions of the Grantor that affect or potentially affect the ability of persons with disabilities to achieve rehabilitation goals and objectives.  This mandate was achieved through active participation in the following activities/work teams:  (1) attendance at BSBP Advisory Commission Meetings (2) Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) (3) MCRS FY 2013 Joint Resource Plan/Budget Meetings with AGs Office, BSBP, Civil Service, DHS, LARA, MARO, MCRS Chair, and MRS (4) State Plan.  

 

2.  In partnership with the Grantor, provide advice in the preparation of statewide goals and priorities.  During June 2013, the Council met with BSBP Administration and discussed their Draft FY 2014 State Plan, which included statewide goals and priorities.  The MCRS looked forward to continuing to grow the partnership with BSBP in order to facilitate the exchange of information regarding emerging issues and current projects as related to their service system.  

 

3.  In partnership with the Grantor, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness and consumer satisfaction with vocational rehabilitation services and employment outcomes, including employment benefits.  This activity did not take place in FY 2013, but the MCRS looks forward to working on this activity with BSBP in the future. 

 

4.  Assist in the preparation of the State Plan, Plan amendments, reports, needs assessments, and evaluation required by the Rehabilitation Act.  MCRS began work to establish its representation as the ‘customer voice’ in the BSBP State Plan process.  The Council met with BSBP Administration during early spring 2013 to discuss its new role and determine how it would proceed with involvement in the process.  Following discussions, the MCRS was informed by the BSBP Director that the BSBP State Plan Team would work with the Council once their updates to the attachments had been completed.  The MCRS presented Attachment 4.2 (c) to BSBP for response and inclusion in their State Plan.  

 

5.  Prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) on the status of the general vocational rehabilitation program operated within the State.  BSBP provided their annual report which was included the MCRS document. 

 

6.  Coordinate with other state councils, including but not limited to the Statewide Independent Living Council, the Special Education Advisory Council under IDEA, the Developmental Disabilities Council, the State Mental Health Planning Council, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board.  

Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC):  Coordinated activities included (1) members appointed to represent the respective councils (2) MCRS reports for SILC business meeting packets, SILC reports for MCRS business meeting packets (3) MCRS/SILC Member representation at the SILC/MCRS quarterly meetings (4) MCRS presentation to SILC Membership during their in-service session and (5) coordination with the appointing authorities to fill the SILC vacancy on the Council. 

The other mandated partnerships which include: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC); the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC); the State Mental Health Planning Council; and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board have been managed through members who represent these organizations and or at Executive Team direction. 

7.  Facilitate coordination and working relationships between the Grantor, the Statewide Independent Living Council and centers for independent living throughout the state.

In Michigan, the CIL trade association, Disability Network/Michigan, and the Michigan SILC have an established a partnership with BSBP.  The MCRS worked to enhance the partnership by continually advocating on behalf of the independent living needs of customers of BSBP.  

 

8.  Perform other functions consistent with the purpose of the Rehabilitation Act.  

New SRC

The Governor’s Executive Order Number 2012-10 issued in June 2012, abolished the Michigan Rehabilitation Council and created the SRC, the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services (MCRS), with responsibilities for two separate DSU’s, BSBP and MRS. Appointments for the new SRC were received in October 2012 (FY 2013) and a schedule of meetings and other activities was created to orient and involve the Council throughout the fiscal year.  

 

A Review of Business Activities related to Functions:

November 2012:  A teleconference meeting took place to welcome the new membership to the Council and answer any initial questions.  Members were encouraged to view the online SRC training modules in preparation for the first scheduled member orientation session scheduled for January 2013.  A tentative meetings schedule was reviewed, with notice that further changes might be needed.

 

January 2013: The MCRS held an in-person Orientation Session.  Members had discussion and were educated about the Rehabilitation Act, including Section 105, which outlines the mandated responsibilities of the SRC; SRC history in Michigan; MCRS leadership and operational structure, including business and program operations; member roles and responsibilities; public VR in Michigan, including BSBP and MRS services, MCRS Bylaws, strategic plan, work teams; and partnerships, including both state and national partners.  The members heard from DHS Directors Corrigan and Rooney about the role and responsibilities of the MCRS. 

 

March:  The Council conducted a business meeting in Lansing with members, staff, partners and guests in attendance.  The Agenda included: approval of the FY 2013 Meeting Schedule; Strategic Plan (through the end of FY 2013); and MCRS legal address, phone numbers, and website address.  In addition the following business was managed: Financial Statements; proposed draft Bylaws; Conflict of Interest statement; Executive Team election; partner reports and public comment.  

 

May:  An in-service training session was conducted for members in the morning just prior to the start of the business meeting, which focused on the VR process as it relates to services provided by BSBP and MRS.  A BSBP PowerPoint presentation provided an overview of their service system.  

 

The Council conducted a business meeting in Lansing, with members, staff, partners and guests in attendance.  The Agenda led to the following business being managed: State Plan Attachment 4.2 for BSBP and Attachment 4.2 for MRS; Financial Statements; the MCRS FY 2012 Financial Review; proposed draft Bylaws with a work team established to manage this document to resolution; ET was empowered to work with the Designated State Units (BSBP and MRS) to develop Resource Plans and Budgets for both FY 2013 and 2014; signed the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils (NCRSC) Resolution; added a second opportunity for public comment on agendas for future MCRS business meetings; public comment and partnership updates.  

 

June:  MCRS members participated in a teleconference training session focused on Overviews of the BSBP and MRS systems.  Members had opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussion, and learn more about how both bureaus operate to provide VR counseling to customers, services to employers, and more.  A training modality was designed to be held via teleconference and was implemented this month, with additional sessions in July and August.  The topics included:  organizational structure of BSBP and MRS; Strategic Planning for the Mandates; VR Data Collection; Customer Satisfaction Survey Process and the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment.

 

July:  MCRS members participated in a teleconference training session focused on Data Collection and Reporting.  Members had opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussion, and learn more about how data impacts the provision of VR counseling services to customers, employers, and more

 

As a result of a memorandum issued by DHS this month imposing travel restrictions through the end of September 2013, the in person August Business Meeting was held by teleconference.  

 

August:  MCRS members participated in a teleconference training session focused on Strategic Planning.  Members reviewed information about strategic planning, as well as the current FY 2013 Strategic Plan.  

 

A business meeting by teleconference was held with members, staff, partners and guests were in attendance.  The Agenda led to the following business being conducted: Financial Statements; approval of amended Bylaws; approval of the proposed MCRS Resource Plan and Budget for FY 2014; partnership reports; and public comment.

 

Work Teams Functions:

Executive Team (ET): The ET held twice monthly meetings beginning in February 2014.  A number of the meetings were held in person for a longer period of time. The Agendas focused on becoming informed about the staff’s management of the daily business operations and other Council operational and program needs. 

 

An Advisory Bylaws Work Team was established in June in an effort to review and assure that the ‘new’ Bylaws met the legislative standards and input from the Assistant Attorney General.  

 

Strategic Plan – Environmental Scan: For strategic planning purposes, with consideration given to travel limitations, three advisory ad hoc work teams (Agency Staff, Customers, and Partners/Legislature) were established. Their charge was to complete an environmental scan of their topic via research and discussion with recommendations made of key findings to be considered for the strategic plan. The ET determined a timeframe for completion of the work by the end of the calendar year, with the Strategic Plan day scheduled early in 2014. 

 

Membership:  A new SRC of 17 members was announced by the Governor in October 2012. With the EO’s requirement for a minimum of 15 voting members (with both the Director of the BSBP and MRS Director as ex-officio non-voting members), this group (and its staff) doubled its mandated responsibilities to include SRC responsibilities for both DSUs.  As a result of this increased responsibility, education for new members became the initial focus.  The learning curve of the two public VR service systems is great as there are many nuances along with specific differences between the two DSUs.  The MCRS looked forward to the new opportunity of advocating on behalf of citizens served by both DSUs.  Throughout the balance of the fiscal year, there were marked reductions in the membership through attrition.  The MCRS staff worked with the Appointments and DHS Staff to fill the vacancies.

Statewide Activities (focused on strengthening partnerships): The MCRS continued participation in the following statewide activities representing the customer voice for both DSU’s: (1) Governor’s Business to Business Summit on Disability (2) MARO Day at the Capitol (3) MARO Spring Leadership Training Conference in Traverse City; (4) Nancy Crewe Memorial Symposium event held at Peckham (5) the re:con Convention of New Beginnings Program Planning Committee and (6) re:con – The Convention of New Beginnings - in Traverse City and (7) SILC Business Meetings.
National Activities:  

The MCRS Staff Members are members of the National Rehabilitation Association.   

 

The MCRS is a member of the National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils (NCSRC).  Participation included teleconferences for national NCSRC meetings and monthly NCSRC Steering Committee (SC) meetings.  The Executive Director (ED) served as Chair of the NCSRC, while the AD provided expertise and technical support through management of the website and list servs as supported by the MCRS. including a new ‘Coalition Members Only’ list serv developed for SRC Members, Staff, VR Agency Staff/Liaisons and others associated with the 46 Member SRCs.  

 

In June, the MCRS Chair represented the Council at a 2-day RSA SRC Training Forum in Washington DC.  The main objectives of the forum were to empower Councils and strengthen partnerships with State VR Agencies.

 

The ED served on the Summit Group, a national work team dedicated to reading cutting edge books related to leadership and quality management, with plans to provide workshop sessions on the reading materials at a national program evaluation conference in the fall of 2013.  

 

The ED served on the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Effective VR Service Delivery Practices Advisory Council.  This five year grant funded project is determining methods that can be utilized to transition research findings into practice in the field of vocational rehabilitation. 

re:con a convention of new beginnings (formerly Michigan Rehabilitation Conference):  The MCRS engaged in activities related to this event through the following:  (1) The AD attended program planning committee meetings for the newly named and redesigned re:con Conference, (2) members and staff attended re:con (which took place in Traverse City in November 2012) and included the responsibilities of staffing the exhibit, attending sessions, and taking advantage of networking opportunities on behalf of both DSUs customers.  

Miscellaneous INFORMATION – Daily Business Operations:

Fiscal Agent:  In an effort to uphold the intent of the Rehabilitation Act, to assure the autonomy and independence of the State Rehabilitation Council operations and staff, BSBP contracts with MARO, as it provides the mechanism needed for a fiscal agent to serve as the employer of record for MCRS staff, along with accounting services for payroll and operational expenses.  The MCRS expects that this contract will continue to be supported by BSBP, assuring the stability of the Council’s future operations.  

 

FY 2013 Financial Review:  The Auditor finalized the review of the Council’s financial records for FY 2013, resulting in a clean financial review.

 

FY 2013 / FY 2014 MCRS Budget:  

Following implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order 2012-10 in October 2012, initial meetings took place between the MCRS and BSBP to determine a plan for how BSBP would provide funding to the MCRS for its new responsibility as BSBP’s SRC.  Further joint meetings took place between the BSBP, DHS, LARA, MARO, MCRS, MRS, Attorney General’s Office, and Civil Service over the next few months to have further discussions and negotiations about how the Designated State Agencies (DHS and LARA) and Designated State Units (BSBP and MRS) would work together with the MCRS to establish a Resource Plan and Budget to fund the Council for the current and future fiscal years.  

 

The MCRS Resource Plan and Budget for FY 2013 was approved by the membership and then negotiated with each DSU to ensure financial solvency for the MCRS beginning October 1, 2012.  The grant between MARO and BSBP was signed in October 2013 with funding for the entire fiscal year. 

MCRS Staff:  The staff of the Council began the fiscal year with three full-time employees:  Executive Director (ED), Assistant Director (AD), and Executive Assistant (EA).  In March 2013 the staff complement was reduced to two, with the EA being laid off due to loss of funding.  With the EA vacancy, the ED and AD absorbed the administrative responsibilities of this position.  The daily business workload was managed to assure the success of the membership as they worked with the two DSUs (within two DSAs), with the staff reduction.  

In Closing:

The MCRS maintains a focus of the ‘customer’s best interest’ throughout all levels of their work.  The transition to a new DSU and DSA made progress during FY 2013. The MCRS was eager to develop more opportunities to work with BSBP and its staff to review, analyze and advise the Bureau with regard to its provision of services to customers. We expect that this partnership will continue to flourish and gain productivity in the future. 

 

Recommendations:

1 - We recommend that the Council receives the program and financial data that MRS submits to Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) each month.  We recognize the value of this information as we work to review, analyze and advise BSBP about their service system.  

 

2 – We recommend that the process of conducting the triennial Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment be reviewed at a meeting with all of the involved partners.  The Council would like to see the process be designed at the beginning of the three year cycle, that it is ongoing in the first two years, and that the report is written in the third year, with ample time for review, discussion and consensus on the final document.  In addition, we would like to see consideration given to the expansion of modalities in gaining “needs input”. 

 

3 - We recommend that the Council receives the tool and data (including anecdotal information) from the Customer Satisfaction Survey implemented during FY 2014.  We recognize the value of this information as we work to review, analyze and advise BSBP about their service system.  

 

4 – We recommend that BSBP provides the Council with assurances in an agreed upon ongoing manner that the various methods of communication to their customers and the public (i.e. customer applications, brochures, website, etc.) be provided in a manner that is in accessible formats. We recognize that this service system practice is the foundation for BSBP and that it is critical to the ongoing work of the MCRS, as we review, analyze and advise your program.

 

5 – We recommend that the Council receive any Title 1 BSBP Hearings Reports conducted since the beginning of FY 2013 in a redacted version.  This requests assures that the DSU is upholding one of the federal mandate requirements for their State Rehabilitation Council.