[Ohio-talk] {Disarmed} Fw: RSC Weekly Focus: 5.2.11

[Dr. JW Smith]

Here is the weekly ORSC update.

jw

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Shirley Marchi 
To: jwsmithnfb at frontier.com 
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 12:52 PM
Subject: RSC Weekly Focus: 5.2.11


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                              Contractors' Meetings 


                              This week, we convened a meeting with a large group of our third party agreement partners and their subcontractors to specifically define the federal requirements we must meet when entering into these agreements.  As our fiscal and monitoring agent, we sought RSA's technical assistance and clarification on match and contract regulations specific to third party agreements and private donations and we shared this information at the meeting.  We will collect additional information to forward to RSA and work closely with our contractors and their subcontractors throughout this process.  Our hope is that there is minimal interruption of services to the consumers as we work to ensure that there is compliance with the FCR specific to this area.
                             
                       
                              Ohio Down Syndrome Association Meeting

                                  
                                Marge Barnheiser, Program Director (left) and Nancy Whetstone, President and CEO of the Ohio Down Syndrome Association, met with RSC Director Kevin Miller earlier this week.  


                              As we work to strengthen our existing partnerships, we are also looking for ways to form new partnerships with community organizations. With this in mind, I had an excellent meeting with leaders from the Ohio Down Syndrome Association to discuss the potential that a partnership between RSC and the Ohio Down Syndrome Association could have for improving services to our consumers. We look forward to continuing to explore this partnership in the coming weeks. 
                             
                              Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program



                              I had the privilege to stop by a meeting of the Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program. I am very proud of the dedication that this program displays in empowering people who are deaf-blind to attain their highest vocational potential and improve their quality of life.
                             
                              Solidarity '11 Conference

                                  
                                Mark Seifarth was Opening Keynote Speaker at the Solidarity '11 Conference. Seifarth is a former RSC Commissioner and Legislative Liaison.  


                              It was a distinct honor to join advocates, volunteers, teachers, service providers, and professionals in the disability field in speaking at Solidarity 2011. Solidarity represents a way for so many different people with many diverse perspectives to come together and share experiences in ways that can help us gain knowledge that is applicable to our mission to improve RSC's services.  




                             
                              Cafe Conversations



                              We conducted a Café Conversation at the Solidarity Conference where we received input from about 30 individuals with disabilities regarding the VR State Plan, the IL State Plan and renaming RSC. There are seven additional Café Conversations scheduled around the state beginning May 9, 2011. I want to thank the following HR staff for their help with the Café Conversation:  Kathy Boss, Mary Koeninger, Lori Carter, James Clinkscale and Gwen Edwards. In addition, I want to thank the Communications staff John Damschroder, Diane Koren and Shirley Marchi for their assistance.
                             
                              Commission Meeting at Solidarity



                              In addition to the Café Conversation, we held the RSC Commission Meeting at the Solidarity Conference. Commissioners held an open forum and heard comments from members of the Consumer Advisory Council and the Springfield Developmental Disabilities Board.
                             
                              Ohio Ex-Offender Re-entry Coalition Meeting



                              I attended the Ohio Ex-Offender Re-entry Coalition Meeting in effort to broaden our Recovery to Work program. As the Ohio Ex-Offender Re-entry Coalition harnesses an evidence-based approach to reduce recidivism that includes education, families, health services, alcohol and other drug treatment and job training, we want to ensure that the Recovery to Work program is utilized by ex-offenders who have had opiate addictions in the past. We are confident that this program can make a real-world difference in helping individuals gain new skills that can lead to fulfilling careers and lives.
                             
                              Ohio Board of Regents



                              We had yet another productive meeting with the Ohio Board of Regents to discuss ways we can expand our existing partnership to draw down additional federal funds. These funds can not only put more students with disabilities in our college classrooms, but they can also help to ensure students with disabilities receive the services they require once on campus.
                             
                              DDD Meetings

                                  
                                Executive Director Kevin Miller discusses DDD policy implementation with Disability Claims Supervisor John Manzi.  


                              To wrap up the week, we had a pair of meetings that included DDD's Professional Relations Officers and Supervisors that were aimed at taking advantage of the opportunities that exist to improve the way our services are delivered to consumers across the state.  One aspect of our strategy that we discussed is to ensure we build on DDD's strengths while also eliminating ways we sometimes fall short on our mission.
                             
                              YouTube



                              In addition to Facebook and Twitter, RSC now has a YouTube account.  You will see a few videos have already been uploaded with more on their way as we continue our efforts to provide real-time communication updates to share with our partners and consumers.



                              Go here to visit the YouTube page.
                             
                       
                       
                  
                        John Damschroder
                        Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission
                        614-438-1470 
                 
           
                 
           
     

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