[NFBNJ] Message from Executive Director of CBVI

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Received from Bernice Davis, Executive Director of the NJ CBVI.
I want to thank you for the information.
To all, please read through and share with others.
Stay well!
Stay Safe!
Stay informed!
Warmly,
Joe

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!

Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
www.carshelpingtheblind.org
or call 855 659 9314


From: Pamela Gaston
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2020 4:58 PM
To: askcbvi at dhs.nj.gov
Subject: Message from Executive Director of CBVI



Dear Stakeholders,

During this unprecedented health crisis, please know that the Commission for 
the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) team continues to work diligently to 
serve and address the needs of each individual. In the midst of a rapidly 
changing environment, we know that access to CBVI services is a critical 
concern to many of you. To help ensure continuity of vital services, we have 
been working together over the past few weeks and have established other 
methods to effectively address consumer needs.




CBVI's Business Enterprise, Independent Living,Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Education staff have successfully transitioned to a remote service delivery 
platform.  Our consumers are currently engaged in online learning, remote 
assistive technology training, and have been provided employment, daily 
living, and ASPIRE service supports via telephone, email and video 
conferencing. CBVI's high school and college students continue to receive a 
dynamic provision of remote services through our Employment, Development, 
Guidance, and Engagement (EDGE) program.




In addition to the above,  I would like to highlight the extensive 
compilation of community resources that have been distributed by CBVI's 
community outreach and social work teams to meet emergent, and day-to-day 
consumer needs during this challenging time.




In response to current health and safety social distancing guidelines, CBVI 
suspended eye screenings, the vocational rehabilitation training program at 
the Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC) and all community based service 
delivery programs, such as hands on orientation and mobility lessons, the 
Senior Hands-On Retreat Experience (SHORE) program and the Support Services 
Provider (SSP) program.




There have been no decisions made about summer programs at this time.





Many significant changes have occurred in such a short period of time. 
Despite the disruption, CBVI's team, its stakeholders and the remarkable 
consumers we serve, have joined together, adapted and continue to strive. 
Please know that although the days ahead may be challenging, CBVI�s 
commitment to the New Jerseyans who count on us will not lessen.



If you need us, we are just a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to 
contact your CBVI caseworker or leave a message on the toll free line for 
assistance: 1-877-685-8878.



Stay Safe and Well.



Sincerely,

Dr. Bernice Davis

Executive Director


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