[nfbwatlk] FW: Director's Update 4/13/09

Tue Apr 14 14:11:44 UTC 2009

Hi,
I wonder where the resource room will be with the 7th apt gone?
Thanks
Lauren
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mello, Michael (DSB)" <micmello at DSB.WA.GOV>
To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 2:27 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] FW: Director's Update 4/13/09


> Good afternoon NFBW listers:
> Please see this update from DSB director Lou Oma Durand.
>
> Mike Mello
> Access Technology Specialist
> Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
>
> 3411 South Alaska Street
> Seattle, WA 98118
> Direct: 206-721-6492
>
> Toll Free: 800-552-7103
>
> Fax: 206-721-4103
>
> E-Mail: micmello at dsb.wa.gov
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Durand, LouOma (DSB)
> Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 11:43 AM
> To: All DSB
> Subject: Director's Update 4/13/09
> Importance: High
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello All:
>
>
>
> I am writing this with the assumption that you have been following our
> recent communications about budget and planning scenarios, including
> issues and analyses, responses to feedback and so on.  So, I won't start
> from scratch in this email.  This update describes how our planning has
> evolved based on our most current budget information and the overall
> feedback we have been receiving from staff, customers, the SRC,
> stakeholders, IL contractors, OFM, the Governor's office, the Union and
> Labor Relations.
>
>
>
> BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION AND PLANNING:
>
>
>
> OTC Residential Component
>
>
>
> As you know, customers, staff, and consumer groups have made a strong
> case for retaining the residential component of our OTC program.  As a
> result, we went back to the drawing board and carefully reconsidered
> various ways of cutting and leveraging our resources.  Because the
> Legislative cuts so far are within our planning ballpark, and because we
> are taking a somewhat different approach to accomplishing the necessary
> savings, we anticipate continuing to rent six of the seven OTC
> apartments.  We will switch from a yearly lease to a month-to-month
> arrangement for the units, which will give us more flexibility if we
> should need to absorb additional cuts in the future.  We will still need
> to discontinue the residential instructor contract and staff the
> apartments with DSB OTC staff.  Because the seventh apartment has been
> used as the contractor's office and a resource room, we are actually
> maintaining, and not reducing, our present capacity to house students.
>
>
>
> Integrated Services
>
>
>
> While we have heard some concerns about how integrated services will
> actually be implemented (the learning curve, the management structure,
> etc.), the majority of the feedback has been in support of this vision
> and direction.  Staff have expressed willingness and even excitement
> about moving toward this customer-focused model.  Staff have been
> working with their managers to flesh out many of the details and
> logistics of implementation.   It will take some time to transition to
> this new way of doing business and things won't be perfect in the
> beginning.  (Some of you may recall the process when we first formed
> cross-functional teams in VR.  Now we are taking that team concept to
> another level.)
>
>
>
> We are excited about working in-house with the under age 55 Independent
> Living (Part B) customers and giving these individuals access to
> internal O&M, assistive technology and OTC services.  We expect the
> transition to or from VR to be more seamless.  We may still purchase
> specific services from IL providers for certain under 55 clients, as
> appropriate.  While moving our Part-B IL services in-house will have
> some impact on our IL contractors, we may be able to offset the initial
> impact with Stimulus funds.
>
>
>
> Our IL contractors will continue to provide services to the older blind
> population statewide.  And we will work to develop more providers and
> better geographic coverage.
>
>
>
> Consistent with the integrated model, we will be looking at doing OTC
> business differently to broaden the student base beyond VR.
>
>
>
> Our strategy will be one of continuous improvement, streamlining and
> customer-focus.  We will provide as much service to our customers as we
> can internally and purchase what we must.  The cross-functional team
> structure will allow us the flexibility to use staff and resources most
> efficiently as needed.  We expect to achieve cost-savings through this
> streamlined resource management process.
>
>
>
> Staffing
>
>
>
> At this time, we do not anticipate doing any layoffs.   However, as I
> have mentioned before, the duties of managers, Child and Family, IL, and
> OTC staff, will evolve.  Some staff may be asked to relocate as there is
> a need for more rehabilitation teaching capacity in the field.  We need
> to wait until the budget is finalized before making a decision about
> moving staff to the field, but we anticipate moving at least one
> rehabilitation teacher position.
>
>
>
> NEXT STEPS:
>
>
>
> If any of you have additional questions or comments, please contact me
> or your manager.  We will begin to develop our spend plan for the coming
> year at Management Team Monday, April 20th.  I will send you all another
> update this Thursday to let you know if there are any other developments
> in the overall plan.
>
>
>
> STIMULUS FUNDS:
>
>
>
> Mark Adreon and Debbie Cook will send out updates on VR and IL Stimulus
> planning as those processes evolve.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Lou Oma Durand
> Executive Director
> Department of Services for the Blind
> 3411 S. Alaska St.
> Seattle, WA 98118
> Voice: (206) 721-6435
> Toll-Free: 1-800-552-7103
> Fax: (206) 721-4103
> Email: loudurand at dsb.wa.gov
>
> ________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfbwatlk mailing list
> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nfbwatlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/lauren1%40catliness.com
>