[Nfbmt] Fwd: Public Hearing Announcement - Order of Selection

Thu Dec 19 03:40:16 UTC 2013

Hi Rebecca and all,

I'll be sending out this information directly to all members of the 
board or to anyone requesting this information.  The attachments didn't 
come through to this list and these need to be read.  I'll appreciate 
all analysis especially from those in state government as to the 
direction we'll need to take on this  matter. If we aren't able to 
atend this meeting for any reason, a policy of submitting our comments 
to this hearing in writing is in place till January 31st.  We are not 
without any options which is good.   The ideal is to be there!

I haven't heard about any resumption of transportation to Helena to 
date nor do I have any indication of when any transportation to Helena 
will begin! If you or anyone else here learns anything more about 
transportation, please pass it on to this list!

Thank you so much!

Jim ,

Original message:
> Hi guys.  Has anyone heard whether bus service to Helena has been 
> restored yet?  If it has not been restored by the time of this meeting, 
> how are we supposed to attend? I'm afraid I haven't called my contact 
> at the bus station here regarding bus service but I guess I better make 
> myself a note to call her tomorrow.  This meeting sounds like it is an 
> important meeting that we should attend if we are not busy.  I'll let 
> you  know what I learn about bus service if none of you have any 
> information regarding it.
> Becca

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James Aldrich
> Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 7:28 PM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
> Subject: [Nfbmt] Fwd: Public Hearing Announcement - Order of Selection

> Hello all,

> I just received this  post and I hope all attachments come through.

> Jim Aldrich

> Sent from my iPhone

> Begin forwarded message:

>> From: "Anderson, Sue (VR Helena)" <suea at mt.gov>
>> Date: December 17, 2013 at 2:09:35 PM MST
>> To: Undisclosed recipients:;
>> Subject: Public Hearing Announcement - Order of Selection

>> Subject:  Notice of Public Hearing on “Order of Selection”
>> Dear Colleagues,
>> Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRB) will host a 
>> public hearing in Helena and invites you to share your perspectives and 
>> ideas regarding the proposed waiting list that will be implemented 
>> under an “Order of Selection.”  VRB also wishes to make the public 
>> aware of an associated policy change affecting individuals who may be 
>> placed on the proposed waiting list. The draft policy is attached.  
>> Draft Order of Selection state plan amendments for 4.11(b)-Annual 
>> Estimates and 4.11(c)(3)-Order of Selection are also attached.
>> Federal regulations describe Order of Selection (OOS) as a mechanism to 
>> continue to operate a vocational rehabilitation program when there are 
>> not sufficient resources to serve everyone who requires services. When 
>> a vocational rehabilitation program determines that there are not 
>> enough resources, it must establish a waiting list by priority 
>> category.   Those with the most significant disabilities will be served 
>> first.  When sufficient resources are available, individuals on the 
>> waiting list will be contacted and served in chronological order based 
>> on their application date.
>> It is important to note that individuals found eligible before the 
>> Order is implemented will continue to receive services; VRB will not 
>> place them on the waiting list.
>> VRB anticipates that we will not have enough resources to serve all 
>> individuals in federal fiscal year 2014, and anticipates that OOS will 
>> be implemented the first quarter of calendar year 2014.
>> VRB regrets the disruption that the proposed waiting list may cause 
>> Montanans with disabilities and will continue to closely monitor the 
>> situation regarding the associated resources for the VRB program.
>>                         Date:           Thursday, January 9, 2014
>>                         Time:           1:30pm to 3:00pm
>>                         Location:       DPHHS auditorium (111 N 
>> Sanders, Helena)

>> If you are unable to attend the public hearing in person, you may 
>> submit your comments to our website 
>> (http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/index.shtml) or in writing (ATTN: Barbara 
>> Varnum, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT  59601).  Please submit any comments 
>> you have by January 31, 2014.
>> Barbara

>> Barbara  Varnum, MS, CRC
>> Chief of Field Services
>> Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services PO Box 4210 Helena, MT
>> 59604

>> This message and any attached documents may be confidential and/or
>> privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you may not read,
>> copy, distribute or use the information.  If you have received this
>> transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by
>> replying to this e-mail and then delete this message.  Thank you

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-- 
NFB of Montana

James Aldrich, President
 502 Miles Avenue
 Billings, Montana 59101
 Phone: 406–698-3729
 E-mail: jkaldrich at samobile.net
 Web site: http://www.nfbmt.org
 Web site: http://www.nfbmontana.org
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Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!

For more information, please call 1–855-659–9314