[nfbwatlk] FW: Director's Update 3/16/09 with two attachments

Tue Mar 17 15:29:54 UTC 2009

Good Morning NFBW listers:
Please see this update from Lou Oma Durand, you may contact her at the
following e-mail address.
loudurand at dsb.wa.gov
Thank You.

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 
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 3:18 PM
To: All DSB
Subject: Director's Update 3/16/09 with two attachments
Importance: High

Dear DSB staff:

You are probably aware that we expect a new revenue forecast for the
state to come out this week and it is expected to be grim.  The
Legislature has been struggling mightily to develop the new biennial
budget and have been on a very fast track to make policy and budget
decisions around necessary cuts.  These cuts are expected to be
significantly more severe than those in the Governor's budget.  We
should have a budget proposal from the Legislature by mid next week.  

Even before we received the Governor's budget in December, we began to
think strategically regarding our mission, and to explore ways to
preserve DSB's core services, infrastructure and ability to continue to
provide specialized services to blind individuals of all ages throughout
the state.   Then the dire February revenue forecast came out .   The
strategy that I outlined in my last note to you "Next Steps for DSB"on
2/26/09 represented our best thinking to that point.  Things continue to
evolve as we receive feedback from the Governor's policy office, the
SRC, the community, consumer groups, the Washington State Federation of
State Employees and DSB staff.    Next week we should know more about
our bottom line budget impacts from the Legislature.   We hope to have
the specifics of a plan for the new biennium in place as early as
possible in April, as changes will need to be implemented beginning July
1, 2009.   

On Saturday March 7th, we conducted a State Rehabilitation Council
meeting in the Seattle office to review what is currently happening in
our state and our agency, why we are facing some very tough decisions,
what options we might still explore, and what needs to happen next.
The downstairs conference room was filled with SRC members, consumers,
members of the public and staff who care about blind and visually
impaired customers in our state and the services we provide.  Those of
you who attended heard the profoundly personal accounts that were
shared, during the public comments portion, about the positive impact
the OTC apartment experience had on their lives.  It was gratifying to
hear how our OTC students have valued their residential experience and
the importance of learning non-visual skills.  The public comment was a
strong testimony in support of the residential opportunity and of the
success of the OTC program.

I have attached two documents to this email.  They are both rather long,
but I want to be sure you are all have access to as much information as
possible.

The first attachment outlines the Director's report I gave at the
beginning of the SRC meeting, prior to the public comment part of the
agenda.  My presentation starts by describing the context or environment
in the state and in the agency for making some very tough decisions.
Then I talk about our vision for the future, in spite of the current
challenges, and the scenario that we think would take us in that
direction and would maximize available resources.  I also address how we
have analyzed various other possible scenarios.   And I talk about the
stimulus funds.

The SRC requested that I follow up my presentation by sending them a
more detailed analysis of several scenarios.  They are interested in DSB
trying to keep at least some of the apartments and want to be sure that
we have considered every possibility and that our rationales are solid.
The analysis of the scenarios requested by the SRC is the second
attachment to this email.

I want to summarize by saying that, as the Director:

*        I value the importance and impact of the residential component
of the OTC.  I know it makes an enormous difference in the lives of
individuals who have that experience.

*        I value early intervention and services to families and
children: to establish high expectations, developmental opportunities,
and to prepare for future success as employed adults.

*        I value competitive employment with benefits for our VR
customers.

*        I value serving all eligible customers in a timely way and do
not want waiting lists (order of selection).

*        I value Independent Living opportunities for older blind
individuals.

*        I value our staff expertise and the specialized services we
offer to thousands of blind and visually-impaired individuals all around
the state.

*        I value the uniqueness of our agency in state government, for
its ability to provide comprehensive, individualized services including
alternative skills of blindness training, assistive technology and more.

*        I value our relationships with the SRC, consumer groups and the
community.

*        I value employment for every staff member and citizen in this
economy.

At the same time, 

*        I am accountable for assuring the future vitality and
sustainability of the agency.

*        I am accountable for serving the entire range of citizens we
are mandated to serve in statute, and for fulfilling our core mission.

*        I am seeking the solution and plan for the future which has the
least negative impact on the fewest people and the biggest positive
impact on our ability to accomplish our mission and to sustain
specialized services for the blind into the future.   

Difficult times like this also enable us to think creatively about new
ways of delivering services.  If you have feedback, questions or ideas,
please contact your supervisor or me directly.

Thank you all for your outstanding work.     

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

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