[nfbwatlk] Funding of blindness skills training center
Jedi
loneblindjedi at samobile.net
Tue Mar 3 18:40:46 UTC 2009
Cheers Noel. Thanks for clearing that up.
Respectfully Submitted
Original message:
> Jeddi and others:
> There has always been a disincentive for DSB to fund out-of-state
> training, but it is a little different than you described.
> Both the OTC and the costs for individuals to receive out-of-state
> blindness skills training are funded by the vocational rehabilitation
> program, about 80 percent of which dollars are federal and 20 percent
> of which are state. The difference in the funding is that the OTC is a
> fixed cost that DSB incurs whether or not an individual attends the OTC
> while the out-of-state training is an expense that DSB would not incur
> if the individual had chosen to attend the OTC. Nevertheless, while
> the numbers are not easy to nail down, many of us believe that the per
> student cost for in-state training at the OTC or out-of-state training
> at one of the NFB-affiliated training centers are about the same.
> It appears that the OTC is or will also be serving independent living
> clients, which is funded about 90 percent by federal dollars and 10
> percent by state dollars, if the state legislature is not providing
> "over match."
> Noel
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Jedi
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 8:30 PM
> To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
> Lisa and List:
> I want to start by clearing up one misconception The money that goes
> into the training center and the money that sends rehab customers out
> of state does not come out of the same pocket so to speak. Out-of-state
> training money comes from actual rehab dollars, and OTC money comes
> from a different part of the budget which is funded by state dollars. I
> found this out while lobbying to go to Louisiana.
> Informed choice is all about allowing customers to really look at their
> options and see what's best for them. What I understand to be true of
> NFB philosophy and policy is that we're in support of informed choice.
> Yes, we believe our training centers provide the best in blindness
> training. We also believe that those who wish for quality training in
> state should have it. Where the NFB gets frustrated with in-state
> services is that many counselors behave as though out-of-state training
> isn't an option when the law clearly states it is, or where a person
> feels that their needs would be best met by attending an out-of-state
> center yet they have to go through so many hoops that it becomes
> utterly rediculous. Lisa's absolutely right that some people, for
> whatever reason, may find it difficult, if not altogether impossible,
> to go out of state. the point to having a state center is not to keep
> people in state as a default, but to offer a local option. If the
> residential portion of the in-state training center closes, the program
> is pretty well ineffective.
> I invite as many people as are able and willing to attend the public
> comment at 9:00 a.m. at DSB's Seattle office on Saturday to show
> support for in-state training as a viable option and to keep it
> available to customers in the rehab system. I am currently working on
> arrangements for those in the Bellingham area who wish to attend. I am
> also willing to make arrangements for those in Whatcom, Island, and
> Skagit Counties as they'll literally be on our way down. Please contact
> me off list at loneblindjedi at samobile.net if you are are in my area and
> are interested in coming. I already know that Lisa is interested.
> For me, I think it's necessary for NFB members to go to the public
> comment to show our support for the OTC's program as a continuous and
> viable training option. Nothing budgetary is set in stone right now,
> but DSB needs to know that we as a blind community care about the
> services we're receiving and that these services matter to us and have
> impact on our lives.
> Original message:
>> Hello Dean:
>> We need to improve the services in our state. We have a direct
>> responsibility to the blind citizens in WA. I agree the programs in
>> CO and LA are better but that does not justify allowing the OTC
>> Residency program to be cut.
>> I have to admit that being apart from Ron for 8-10 weeks at a time is
>> hard enough but I would not go to another state for services I can
>> get in Seattle or locally. If DSB is forced to close the program;
>> there will be much fewer options open for those who cannot travel long
>> distances or out of the state.
>> They should not forced to do so due to a lack of choices.
>> Realisticallyis using
>> leverage in order to send students to CO or LA being fair? What if
>> the student can't leave his family? Or other personal reasons prevent
>> him from traveling such a great distance? Being separated from your
>> family or Spouse may not work for the student and may caurse further
>> stress.
>> The blind community in WA needs this program to remain open. Sending
>> students to other state programs is both unrealistic and cuts into a
>> very stressful state and federal budget. We all must be realistic and
>> try and find a solution that will benefit the blind community of WA
>> on a local level.
>> As the President stated this country is in a depression in many
>> states including ours; we need to be practical and flexible. services
>> need to be better in the state and for all of us to still have the
>> choice of attending our local training center if the need ever
>> arises. Let leaving the state remain a choice if needed. The
>> recession is worsening and we need to remember this.
>> It is also my hope that we in the NFB will not take a passive role in
>> this issue. I think keeping all programs at DSB open is a benefit to
>> all blind people in WA. It is worth fighting for.
>> Lisa Owen
>> In a message dated 3/2/2009 3:53:29 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>> dean at topdotenterprises.com writes:
>> 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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> REspectfully,
> Jedi
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