[NFBMT] Helena Industries

[Jim Marks]

It's fascinating how national public policies drive so much.  For example,
following the 2014 amendments to the Rehab Act, AKA the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act, national policy prohibits the use of any Vocational
Rehabilitation resources for sub-minimum wage and/or segregated employment.
Federal rules require VR Counselors to close cases when the client wants
sub-minimum wages or segregated employment.  This is a very big deal, both
in terms of the money involved and the sheer audacity of the progressive
policies.  Interestingly enough, the national policy was set before the 2014
amendments, but those amendments drove the point home.  It was as if some
Senators were standing on their desks and shouting, do you get my meaning
now?

Montana is terrible about both sub-minimum wage and segregated employment.
Those who stick to these outdated ways are going to go the way of the
dinosaur.  And the transition to community-based services would be far, far
more effective if state government would step up with state public policies
that endorse integration.  Given how progressive the national policies are
and how backwards our state policies and providers are in response to the
federal push, I predict there will be a lot more upheaval to come in Big Sky
Country.  The budget cuts certainly hurt, but it's important to realize
there is a whole lot more going on here than fiscal troubles.

Bottom line is we should not listen to Helena Industries and others when
they blame shrinking funding for services.  The real cause is staying with
outdated methods of sub-minimum wages and segregation.  In addition, and
this is vital because it's about the present and future, the hardship for
people served doesn't come from the loss of Helena Industries.  Rather,
their pain stems from having hardly any community-based alternatives.  The
NFB-MT ought to help lead the way on building the infrastructure that does
not yet exist in Montana.


Jim Marks
Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
(406) 438-1421

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Burke via
NFBMT
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 1:01 PM
To: NFB of Montana Discussion List <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Helena Industries

Well, my observation of 25 years in Montana was that workshops tried to flex
when supported employment was funded in the Rehab Act of 1986, but they only
mouthed the words "integrated and competitive" because they couldn't
conceive of themselves as community do-gooders without their workshops.
Around the country workshops with visionary and committed leadership
actually closed their buildings and carried on with employment and case
management without a facility. The models are over 30 years old, but Montana
still acts like they've never heard of these things. Instead the boards kept
patting each other on the back for being so compassionate and approving
6-figure salaries for the CEO.  While Supported Employment was a disruptive
service strategy in the early 1990s, it was just another passing fad in MT.
Maybe in Colorado too.  But certainly the arguments that folks with IDD
should be allowed to go back to sheltered employment at subminimum wages
because they missed their friends demonstrates how little workshops were
committed to the human rights value of competitive and integrated
employment, of real dignity in work. And now Helena Industries is picking up
its marbles and going home.



On 4/27/18, Jim Marks via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I don't have any inside information, but I think the debt load was 
> facility costs.  Helena Industries was making pretty good progress 
> with community-based services, but it was the traditional sheltered 
> workshop costs that dragged them down.  BTW, Helena Industries may be 
> at least partially for profit.  They had their hands in a lot of pots, 
> which is usually a good thing in that revenue diversity helps 
> organizations weather rough fiscal times.  One would think that the 
> loss of a contract would affect only the work that contract covered.  
> However, Helena Industries was trying to subsidize its core sheltered 
> employment services, and it was these costs that ate up all their 
> resources.  They should have gotten out of the sheltered business 
> years ago.  The state really has no plan for what it wants.  I wish 
> they would show leadership for community-based services, but, they 
> also make the mistake of relying too heavily on institution-based 
> services.  Pretty much, we have a situation in which the times are a 
> changing, but the establishment is clueless about how to manage or 
> lead the changes.  As you noticed, even the media doesn't know what to 
> ask.  Very, very few people are talking about the dynamics of the 
> disability rights movement from institutions to community-based 
> services.  Right now, there is a significant void in community-based 
> services, but given how society is moving faster than government and 
> its contractors are, my guess is that the void will be filled by 
> smaller, more nimble providers.  Lots of individuals will fall between 
> the cracks and get hurt in the meanwhile, though.  I wish change were 
> not so difficult, but you know what they say.  Wherever the wind 
> lulls, a snowdrift forms, and wherever the truth lulls, an institution 
> forms.  Really, I think we are witnessing a correction that will 
> eventually lead us to a better place.
>
> Jim Marks
> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
> (406) 438-1421
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Burke 
> via NFBMT
> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 10:24 AM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Helena Industries
>
> The reporter missed something there, or cut it out -
>
> "With decreases in both of these programs, we cannot support both the 
> debt load and the remaining programs and we must terminate 
> operations," the letter said.
>
> Just what is the *debt load*? Why would a nonprofit have a debt load?
> Dan
>
> On 4/27/18, Jim Marks via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Today's community-based disability services should be focused on 
>> integration.  Helena Industries is indeed a victim of state budget 
>> cuts, but it's also a victim of increasingly dysfunctional practices 
>> that segregate workers and that pays them sub-minimum wages.  Much of 
>> its budget goes towards the bricks and mortar expenses, in other 
>> words, the buildings and grounds for its sheltered workshop.  Had 
>> Helena Industries moved deliberately to a more modern way of 
>> providing services, which is jobs in the community for comparable 
>> wages and advancement opportunities, it may have survived the current 
>> state budget cuts.  I think the closing of Helena Industries is 
>> indeed a tragedy, but the tragedy is that Montana doesn't have clear 
>> leadership and purpose when it comes to the employment of people with 
>> disabilities.  We keep focusing on budgets when the real problem is 
>> where we are going and the best methods of achieving high-quality 
>> employment for people with disabilities.
>>
>> Jim Marks
>> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
>> (406) 438-1421
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of BRESLAUERS 
>> via NFBMT
>> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 8:16 AM
>> To: nfbmt <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: BRESLAUERS <breslauerj at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [NFBMT] Helena Industries
>>
>> Helena Industries, which serves hundreds of Montanans with 
>> disabilities, will close April 13
>>
>>
>>
>> ERIN LORANGER erin.loranger at helenair.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 5, 2018
>>
>>
>>
>> Helena Industries wood shop
>>
>> In this IR file photo, Helena Industries employees work in their wood 
>> working shop on Helena Avenue making pallets, sheds and wooden stakes.
>>
>>
>>
>> With plans to close its doors on April 13, Helena Industries will lay 
>> off its employees and stop providing services for hundreds of 
>> Montanans with disabilities.
>>
>>
>>
>> Staff members received a letter Thursday notifying them that the 
>> organization will lay off employees over the next week. The 
>> Independent Record obtained a copy of the letter after Helena 
>> Industries closed for the day and the IR could not immediately reach 
>> the CEO for comment. The CEO did not respond to a request for comment 
>> about the future of the organization earlier this week.
>>
>>
>>
>> Helena Industries provides career development services and workforce 
>> programs for people who are developmentally disabled. Those 
>> opportunities include working with textiles and wood products, 
>> working in the organization's thrift store, providing janitorial 
>> services and recycling electronics.
>>
>>
>>
>> Helena Industries has case management offices in Bozeman, Great 
>> Falls, Butte and Anaconda, and its website says it serves more than 
>> 900 people with disabilities each year.
>>
>>
>>
>> But in response to deep state budget cuts caused by 
>> lower-than-projected revenue, the Department of Public Health and 
>> Human Services is ending contracts and reducing rates for providers 
>> such
> as Helena Industries.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Due to decisions by the state over the last few months, the current 
>> rates being offered for bid for case management services will not 
>> even cover the costs associated with the case management program," 
>> the letter to employees said.
>>
>>
>>
>> The money from the state case management program would be nearly half 
>> of what the organization received in the past.
>>
>>
>>
>> The letter also says participation in the vocational job coaching and 
>> training program has decreased and service rates have gone down 15 to
>> 20 percent.
>>
>>
>>
>> "With decreases in both of these programs, we cannot support both the 
>> debt load and the remaining programs and we must terminate 
>> operations," the letter said.
>>
>>
>>
>> Providers, including Helena Industries, said moving away from 
>> community-based care could force clients to go into higher levels of 
>> care and increase levels of institutionalization.
>>
>>
>>
>> The organization's clients will be transferred to the state.
>>
>>
>>
>> The letter says the board of directors considered multiple avenues 
>> before deciding to close and will file for bankruptcy protection on 
>> April 17. It warns employees to cash checks by April 16.
>>
>>
>>
>> (19) COMMENTS
>>
>> Apr 7, 2018 8:02am
>>
>> It should have been considered an emergency need. This is the end of 
>> appropriate care and health services for Montanans with disabilities, 
>> and it is a tragedy. Other expenditures of the state (land purchases) 
>> should have been delayed to keep the system for the disabled in place.
>> Sen. Nancy Ballance and Rep. Austin Knudsen said they like the 
>> cutbacks and feel fine about them. Bullock should have raised heck 
>> about it and considered it an emergency. Now, disabled adults will 
>> lose access to critical services, including food, housing and other 
>> health services that come from effective case management, making the 
>> connections for people in need. I am ashamed of this state and the 
>> GOP leadership who destroyed an effective group of supports.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 7, 2018 3:06am
>>
>> What's going on in Montana? Jon Tester's TV ads say Montanan's help 
>> each other. Apparently Bullock and the legislature missed that. It 
>> started by taking funds away from people on Medicaid and now they're 
>> closing Helena Industries. I recently read the state is going to 
>> purchase a parcel of land for $11,000,000.
>>
>> That small parcel will benefit a very small portion of our population.
>> Why not put that money toward Medicaid? Our state is harming the 
>> people who need the most help! It's not just one party but both of 
>> them!!!!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 1:52pm
>>
>>   Pretty standard example of how these so-called Christian Republican 
>> legislators treat the least among us. Why again do people continue to 
>> vote for a party bent on destroying communities in the name of "less 
>> government"?
>> WWJW? Remember this in November and vote these sorry excuses for 
>> human beings out.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 12:41pm
>>
>> The Republican's passed a stupid draconian budget. But let's not 
>> forget that the Governor's budget director is responsible for how the 
>> cuts have been implemented.  Helena Industries is just another 
>> casualty in a long list resulting from bad decisions by Republican 
>> legislators, the Governor and the department of public health and 
>> human services. Such a tragedy, services in Montana will never be the 
>> same.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 9:29am
>>
>> Maybe we should have been working on getting funding for this program 
>> instead of putting in for free Housing for the offenders to live in 
>> our communities...
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 9:06am
>>
>> Republicans are running the show. Put the blame where it belongs. 
>> AND, look around and see what is happening to our great country. It 
>> is not good. Once again, republicans are in charge.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 8:56am
>>
>> Be sure to thank your Republican lawmakers and "leadership" for 
>> another GOP sponsored closure.
>>
>>
>>
>> We all know they don't care about DD, Education, or anyone else but 
>> themselves for that matter. Commentary from them is nothing more than 
>> a smokescreen.  They choose to cut funds or make voters and the 
>> governor choose and lay blame when the shit hits the fan. Successful 
>> enterprise's like this one aren't important to them and now we 
>> witness the results. They fold and shut the doors to the public.
>>
>>
>>
>> Buyer Beware.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 8:50am
>>
>> The state legislature is controlled by Republicans. Expanding 
>> Medicaid could not have happened without Republican votes. Medicaid 
>> needed to expand. Of course some of us don't believe in eugenics. Let 
>> the poor people die mentality is what is considered a sicko. Bullock 
>> balanced his budget by taking Federal Title IV-e money, that was to 
>> go to Child and Family Services (CFS), and SNAP money for food stamps 
>> and put it into the General Fund, to pay for his plane rides to the 
>> Paul McCartney concert and campaigning. The problem is your state 
>> legislator voted to give $100,000 of taxpayer money to Rep. Jennifer 
>> Fielder
>>
>> (R-Thompson Falls) to pay her legal fees for crimes she committed 
>> against taxpayers. The only legislator to vote against giving her the 
>> money was Sen.
>> Mary Caferro (D-Helena). Your legislator is only in Helena to line 
>> their pockets.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 8:29am
>>
>> Bullock has picked the most helpless people of the state to take out 
>> his vendetta against this state. He ran the money out and blew it.
>> Even the worst garbage of a human doesn't do this to the HELPLESS??
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 6:27am
>>
>> Since our Governor has messed this up, how about another tax increase?
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 8:46am
>>
>> How did he mess this up. GOP have majorities in both houses and 
>> passed a budget against Bullocks HB2 proposal to find programs. Since 
>> when have GOPers cared for anyone but themselves?
>>
>>
>>
>> The DD population deserves better than this. GOPers are accountable 
>> for this.
>> 100%
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 5, 2018 10:36pm
>>
>> Terribly upsetting
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 5, 2018 9:12pm
>>
>> Bullock blew a $400 million surplus by expanding Medicaid for no reason.
>> I'm
>> sure planned parenthood is fully funded. Sickos
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 8:49am
>>
>> The Medicaid expansion bill in MY was actually proposed by a 
>> Republican and passed by Republican majorities as was the budget. Ask 
>> them what happened to the $300 surplus. Repubs could not sustain it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 10:44am
>>
>> Wrong as always...This is the republican legislature led by wingers 
>> like Knudsen (and that dark money creep Wittich) before him putting 
>> agenda and policy before the people of this state and forcing the 
>> cuts that are crippling the state at times...and causing this mess. 
>> They blocked even simple measures - like cigarette taxes and rolling 
>> back fat cat tax cuts given by the Martz admin that have cost MT a 
>> billion dollar in revenue in
>> 10
>> years. While Bullock tried to negotiate they played their favorite 
>> hand - cutting service that people need...and then they use people 
>> like to point fingers as if they didn't force this situation.
>>
>>
>>
>> Be a man Patrick, quit passing your buck and at least admit you 
>> support (and lie here to protect) the lot that killed the surplus, 
>> and forced the across the board cuts that caused this...anybody who's 
>> worked with or been around HI and it's many folks know that these men 
>> and women want to work and be productive
>>
>> no matter their disability...it was a great program until the right 
>> decided that they would rather keep huge tax cuts for the rich and 
>> put disabled men and women in the state out of work.
>>
>>
>>
>> Helena Industries should rename themselves Really Big Out of State 
>> Mining Conglomerate - Knudsen and the wingers would line up to give 
>> them tax holidays, bloated budgets, strip them of any regulations, 
>> send them loads of cash and anything they want...of course, they'd 
>> also have their hands out like beggars.
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 5, 2018 8:53pm
>>
>> Thank a republican is what you do!
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 5, 2018 7:47pm
>>
>> sad!  what do we do now?
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018 12:17am
>>
>> Bullock surely knows...? He's done everything to put us in this mess...!
>>
>>
>>
>> Apr 6, 2018
>>
>> Same answer as patty Laine above Dan.
>>
>>
>>
>> Why don't you righties at least act like men or women and admit that 
>> this is your doing instead of playing playground politics like 
>> children. When the budget revenue dropped because of low energy 
>> prices...Bullock went to the legislature with a plan to raise a sin 
>> tax on smoking and roll back tax cuts
>>
>> given only to the top 10 percent by the martz administration. Those 
>> tax cuts cost the state over a billion in revenue lost over those 
>> years. The plan had cutting, revenue increase and would have balanced 
>> the budget, refilled a budget rainy day fund that the right had 
>> drained...and made sense. of course the
>>
>> right rejected it out of hand and refused anything but draconian cuts 
>> across the board.
>>
>>
>>
>> The right refused any consideration or budgets negotiations and 
>> forced across the board cuts...they were in charge and forced those 
>> cuts, and refused to work towards a solution or compromise. And then 
>> as the disastrous cuts began to hit home - they played baby like you 
>> and started pointing fingers. And
>>
>> when Bullock had to call a special session to deal with the mess they 
>> created
>> - they still refused to negotiate...and used their time in special 
>> session to write sham laws designed to force the governors hand.
>>
>>
>>
>> Essentially these are cuts and these poor hard working folk are out 
>> of the street because you and yours would rather make sure the most 
>> very rich out of state trophy ranchers and the fabulously wealthy 
>> don't pay a little extra in taxes...and that smokers can still go on 
>> killing themselves at a cheaper rate
>> - and sticking the state with the costs of their addiction.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you are going to support these j-donkeys that care only for the 
>> few over the real people that make up most of this state...then at 
>> least be honest about it by not trying to blame everybody but you and 
>> your fellow republicans in the legislature.
>>
>>
>>
>> Joy Breslauer, President
>>
>> National Federation of the Blind of Montana
>>
>> Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/>
>>
>>
>>
>> Live the life you want
>>
>>
>>
>> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and 
>> friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind.
>> Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they 
>> want.
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Dan Burke
> President, NFB of Denver
>
> "Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
> My Cell:  406.546.8546
> Twitter:  @DallDonal
>
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--
Dan Burke
President, NFB of Denver

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal

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