[nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
Bennett.Prows at HHS.GOV
Mon Mar 2 22:38:35 UTC 2009
My opinion is partly what Dean says, but we have to be realistic. While
it is great to be able to help advocate for having those in need get to
good blindness skills training centers in Louisiana, Minnesota and
Colorado, (as we've done", there are folks who can't, or won't leave the
state for numerous, and very important and personal reasons. I'm not
sure what the alternative is to a residential program in this state to
really learn skills, even if it isn't the best in the world. What of
rehab in the state for those people outside of a few western Washington
counties.
I think we have to think this through and come up with financially
responsible solutions, otherwise we run a risk of more drastic and
intolerable measures.
/s/
Bennett Prows
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Dean Martineau
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 1:28 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency
Program
My guess here is that the NFB won't view this development as too much of
a
negative, because it means that they will be able to leverage more
people
being sent to the Colorado Center because, after all, comparable
services
aren't provided in Washington.
Dean
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On
Behalf Of Nfbnorthwest at aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 12:17 PM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
Hello:
Due to the economy and State budget cuts DSB is considering closing the
OTC
Residency program. Please read the info posted below. I was part of the
program for a short time but I had to return for personal reasons
including
health
concerns. I was considering returnin gto the program at a later date,
but
being separated from my Spouse Ron was very hard to deal with and thus
caused a
great deal of stress. However, the program can help and should not be
cut.
I
don't know what our position in this matter is, but I am interested in
finding out. I got the info from the WCBL list. I am very concerned
about
how this
is going to impact services in the State and also how far the budget
cutting
will go. What other programs will be effected.
I have to admit during my short time in the program I never heard
anyone
mention stopping the program for the residents; the hours at the center
were
changed but nothing beyond that. However, I did sense a great deal of
tension
and stress; I had a feeling that something was going to happen.
The program is a good one to have. We should not allow it to be lost.
Even
in favor of other programs in other states. I hope that everyone will
support
the program staying open. Also, I hope that everyone will encourage DSB
to
cut carefully when it comes to services.
Lisa A. Owen
Secretary Officer
NFB of WA Student Division
360-920-0405
_nfbnorthwest at aol.com_ (mailto:nfbnorthwest at aol.com)
PS: Mike I would like to hear your views on this issue please and
thanks.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Denise Colley" <dmc0124 at comcast.net>
To: "wcb list" <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
Cc: "WCB Presidents List" <presidents at wcbinfo.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:15 PM
Subject: [Wcb-l] proposed closure of the DSB OTC apartments
As your president I am posting the following information, as we
understand
it, so that all of you will know where WCB stands and the actions we
have
taken.
Last Wednesday representatives from both WCB and NFBW had a conference
call
with Department of Services for the Blind Director, Lou Oma duirand, to
talk
about the Department, and how they were being impacted budgetarily and
programmatically with the current economic climate in Washington State.
These were conversations we had been having with DSB since October. Up
until this most recent call, we had been led to believe that, while
budget
cuts were inevitable, DSB was going to be able to withstand them with
some
creative budgeting.
The call began with Lou Oma sharing that there were three goals driving
all
of their budget decisions, to include:
1) making cuts that would have the least impact possible on services
to
their customers;
2) protecting as much of their federal funding as they could and not
jeopardizing it;
3) preserving their ability to be a specialized agency offering
specialized
services and specialized expertise, regardless of the customer's age or
circumstances.
What she then shared is of great concern to the board of WCB, and I'm
sure
to all of you, the membership. One of the proposed budget cuts is to
close
the residential program (apartments) of the orientation and training
center.
The training program would remain in tact, but, essentially would
become a
day training program. This would mean that they would really only be
able
to provide their in-depth skills of blindness training to individuals
living
in King County and the surrounding area. They would no longer have the
supervised training component that took place in the apartments in the
evening and on weekends. When asked how those customers living outside
the
immediate area would receive this same level of training, we were told
that
this would free up resources to expand rehab teaching and orientation
and
mobility instruction in these residential areas. Depending on the
circumstances, they could send customers out of state for more
intensive
training. They are also considering bringing itinerant intensive
trainign
workshops into different parts of the state.
The WCB Board met that same evening to discuss the situation and began
formulating our position. We were all in agreement that full and
complete
vocational rehabilitation cannot be done in the home on a once a week
or
once a month basis, and that it is a twenty-four hour a day process.
After
much discussion I was asked to submit to Lou Oma our position, and I'm
pasting it here for your review.
"The Washington Council of the Blind is categorically opposed to
cutting
the
residential function of the orientation and training program, and we
charge
DSB with examining other programmatic/administrative functions that
could be
cut."
Please be assured that we will continue following this situation
diligently
and developing an action plan/strategy, and as it unfolds, I pledge to
keep
you all informed.
Some of you may be asking what you can do. Here is my first appeal to
you.
Next Saturday, March 7, the State Rehabilitation Council will be
holding
their quarterly meeting in Seattle at the DSB office, beginning at 9am.
Not
only is there a time on each agenda for public comment, but the meeting
is
a
public meeting and all topics discussed are open for comments and
questions
from the audience. We need to pack that room and make our concerns and
position clear. We especially need members there who have attended the
OTC
and can talk about what the residential part of that training meant to
you.
The State Rehabilitation Council and DSB staff need to hear from all of
us.
I would be happy to try to answer any questions any of you might have.
You
can contact me by phone at (360) 438-0072 or e-mail me at
dmc0124 at comcast.net.
Denise
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