[Ohio-Talk] Fwd: Welcome to the BSVI Bulletin!

Jordy Stringer jssocil at gmail.com
Tue Jul 23 17:15:48 UTC 2019


Greetings friends and colleagues, I hope this message finds all of you finally having a cool off day.
I want to share the below message as I thought many would find it of particular interest.

Happy reading

Jordy D. Stringer
Executive Director, Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities" <ood.ohio at public.govdelivery.com>
> Date: July 23, 2019 at 12:52:49 PM EDT
> To: jssocil at gmail.com
> Subject: Welcome to the BSVI Bulletin!
> Reply-To: ood.ohio at public.govdelivery.com
> 
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> Welcome to the BSVI Bulletin!
> 
>                In this first edition of the Bulletin, we want to inform partners, stakeholders and other interested parties about activities happening within the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI). This issue will focus on outreach initiatives, but we are excited to use this newsletter format to inform and communicate about issues related to blindness or vision loss going forward. If you have newsletter feedback, send it to Kathryn.frederick at ood.ohio.gov. Happy reading!
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> BSVI Outreach Plan Purpose
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>                An initiative that the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) is undertaking is an increased focus on outreach. Within BSVI, we know there are areas where we can improve, and connecting with potential consumers is just one example. Reaching out to partners, building on existing relationships and making new community connections are all key elements of this outreach plan.
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> How Can You Help?
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> Through partnership and collaboration, what suggestions do you have for improving the services offered to consumers who are blind or experiencing vision loss? How can we work together to ensure the agency is providing the best service possible and reaching those who need it most? If you have feedback, ideas, and or want to discuss our outreach initiatives, please contact Katie Frederick Kathryn.frederick at ood.ohio.gov or call her at (614) 438-1260.
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> Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) Improvement Plan
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> Targeted Areas of Improvement
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> Relationships with Blind Community
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> Establish relationships with local advocacy groups
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>  Staff Assigned: Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Ongoing (work has begun May 2019)
> Identify the local chapters (ACB, NFB, OADB) around the state and their meeting schedules.  First meeting should be informal but see if OOD staff can be an agenda item, introduce staff
> Schedule meeting at least once per quarter with local staff; once a year for Central Office staff
> June 2019 Update:
> List of local chapters and points of contact. Targeting fall meetings for attendance
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> Leadership have an increased presence with CRP’s, operators, stakeholders
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>  Staff Assigned: Greg Dormer
>  Timeline: June/July visits scheduled, then ongoing/recurring annually
>  Greg currently scheduling visits with appropriate CRP’s, operators, and stakeholders
>  June 2019 update:
>  All three sight centers have been visited once by Greg and Sarah.
>  Sarah and Jeremy Morris (OSILC) have visited 5 of 12 CIL’s
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> Develop process for engaging advocacy groups such as NFB or ACB to gather feedback or engage in policy discussions
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly and Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Ongoing, first town hall meeting scheduled for August 2019.
>  Use town hall meetings to get feedback on how best to engage them in these areas
>  Discuss directly with the groups on how they feel this should best work
>  Develop stakeholder email group using agency mass email distribution channels to send out important information and gather feedback
>  June 2019 Update:
>  Stakeholder identified, list of names and contact emails generated. Work with Communications has begun to create the list in Granicus, will be called the “BSVI Bulletin”
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> Hold regular stakeholder meetings or forums
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> Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
> Timeline: Ongoing, development of process to begin Winter 2019
>  Schedule “town hall” meetings around the state to listen to participants, providers, partners, etc. on what OOD can do to improve BSVI
>  Work with local NFB and other partners to schedule, host and advertise
>  Regularly scheduled meetings 2x/year; advocacy groups and providers separate
>  Use technology to reach more people to ensure accessibility
>  June 2019 Update:
>  Cleveland Area townhall meeting scheduled for August 23, in collaboration with the Cleveland NFB chapter.
>  BSVI is set for the Fall 2020 VR Quarterly focus groups as the topic
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> Develop refresher training for staff in developing, formatting, and producing Braille documents
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>  Staff Assigned: Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Targeted Fall/Winter 2019
> Research possibility of contracting with community partners for proofing.
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> Promote voc rehab as a career option to those with disabilities and promote working at BSVI
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly and Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Ongoing, targeted to begin Summer 2019
> Working with NFB to distribute OOD job postings to their membership
> Work with Communications to develop strategies to promote being a BSVI counselor
> Identify other opportunities to promote OOD as a career for individuals with disabilities
> Ensure all materials created by OOD are accessible – HR project overlap
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> Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
> Timeline: Work has begun, will be ongoing
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>  Define standards for what it means when a document/piece of communication is accessible
> Develop training for staff for ALL document creators
> Create a tip sheet for staff for on creating accessible documents
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> 
> Use of Technology
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> Improve use of apps/technology (i.e. AIRA) 
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>  Staff Assigned: Katie Frederick and Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: Ongoing.
>  Research what apps are available and determine pros and cons of each
>  Identify what other agencies/employers use these technologies
>  Develop strategy of feasibility for people to use and continue using beyond OOD support
>  Determine how OOD will authorize for the service – consider Legal and Fiscal feedback
>  June 2019 Update:
>  AIRA set for state fair use with general public
>  Draft guidance for case services purchasing under review
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> Training on mainstream and specific technology for OOD Staff and the community at large
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>  Staff Assigned: Katie Frederick and Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Targeted implementation Fall 2019, then ongoing
>  Determine exact audience
>  Determine training schedule – ongoing training
>  Determine how training will be delivered
>  Develop and facilitate training
>  Partner with AT Ohio to provide trainings
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> Employer education on low vision and blindness
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: targeted as Winter 2019 training
>  Collaborate with EIS on project idea
>  Develop project scope ( i.e. provided at job fairs vs regional workshops)
>  Determine if competitive bid process and contract is necessary if no OOD funds are being spent
>  Develop provider partnerships
>  Identify employer partners
>  Provide employer education sessions
>  June 2019 Update:
>  Included as part of the job fair employer education
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> Partner with other entities for technology friendly community/city/college
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Ongoing
>  Continue to partner with colleges and universities for installation of BlindSquare
>  June 2019 update:
>  MOU’s for Marion Tech/OSU-Marion and Capital Square Review in process for approval
>  Franklin University completed
>  OSSB Scheduled for 7/24-7/25/2019
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> Tech snippets – “ App of the week”
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>  Staff Assignment: Katie Frederick
>  Timeline, ongoing, targeted implementation June 2019
>  Consider audience (Training for staff? Providers? Community?)
>  Identify uses of apps and facilitate process of writing/sharing/recording use of app (i.e.: BE operators, real life experiences, etc.)
>  Work with Communications to determine how to share – social media, multi-platform approach, can audio/video be embedded in e-mail?
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> 
> Improve relationship with AT Ohio & partner on some of these initiatives
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Ongoing, targeting a Spring 2020 training for OOD staff
>  Engage proactively with AT Ohio, set up series of meetings to discuss various ideas/projects
>  AT symposium/forum for OOD staff and/or providers on a regular basis
>  Facilitate partnership with OSILC/AT Ohio
>  Bring AT Ohio on as a Rehab Tech provider
>  June 2019 update:
>  Connected Julie Wood to Bill Darling
>  AT Ohio partnering with OOD on job fair employer education on assistive technology
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> Recruit new rehab tech providers
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>  Timeline: Ongoing, implementation to begin after Fee Schedule changes are approved Fall 2019
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
>  Fee Schedule revisions
>  Identify professional prep programs for recruitment
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> Performance/Outcomes - BE, BSVI & ILOB
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> Develop a training option/path for students served by OOD and the BE Program
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>  Staff Assigned: Christy Hauck and Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Targeted to begin Fall 2019 with OSSB as the pilot.
>  Determine function of training – long term training (4+ program), short term training (Summer Youth programs – both CX and WE), etc.
>  Determine how can this be used as a beginning point for a mentoring relationship
>  Determine how to expand BE presence at parent events
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> Increase Business Enterprise presence across the state
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>  Staff Assigned: Christy Hauck
>  Timeline: ongoing
>  Reach out to all the BSVI staff to see where they are sending kids for SY programing if increasing BE options during SY is an option or if a pilot can be worked out
>  Determine providers to create work sites/work experiences
>  Identify appropriate operators for work sites
>  Develop BE operator Open Houses or community outreach events
>  Outreach to Department of Veterans Affairs – BRS, BROS, VIST coordinators across the state
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> OSSB or high school partnerships to expose students to VR as a career, build our bench
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly and Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline:
>  Determine how, as an agency, this could be a path VR promotes (involve Jay and Julie)
>  Increase exposure to students to develop future BSVI staff and future leadership
>  Develop 1 year internship option after Bachelor’s Degree to get the experience required to become a VRC
>  Can there be a specific internship opportunity for interns in BSVI?
>  Consider rotations at OSSB, and each area sight center
>  Identify schools with Rehab Counseling programs and promote OOD as a career option
>  How do we better support OOD staff to be more involved in the college programs/partner together?
>  
> 
> Connecting OSSB – CSCC – Franklin University (BlindSquare transition) and how to develop the pathway to employment
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: BlindSquare installation targeted completion July 2019.
>  
> 
>  Identifying industries/employers (BSVI in-demand jobs?) that work well for BSVI consumers (more than customer service)
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: Targeted to begin Fall 2019, then ongoing updates
>  Create leave behinds for employers on accommodations
>  Work with EIS to identify and develop BSVI in-demand job lists
>  Training for VR Providers on serving the BSVI participant Re: core services, accommodations, accessibility
>  Complete updating the Fee Schedule Rates which will be more competitive
>  Provider Recruitment for vision services (ADL, O&M, Tech)
>  
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> Develop VRTS onboarding tool with specific BSVI training activities
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>  Staff Assigned: Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: May 2019, implementation with July 2019 hiring
>  Determine specific activities
>  Develop training tool and if additional materials/trainings need developed to accomplish activities
>  June 2019 Update:
>  Draft of tool completed, sent to field for feedback
>  Implementation July 2019
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> 
> Outreach/Referrals
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> Improve service delivery and capacity from the Centers for Independent Living for the B/VI  community
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Ongoing
>  Provide resources to CIL staff on serving B/VI – trainings and/or materials
>  Connect CIL’s with the Sight Centers, local chapters of advocacy groups, and other appropriate professionals
>  Meet with LEAP to discuss how they have increased their service delivery
>  
> 
> Work incentives specific for B/VI
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>  Staff Assigned: Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: May – August 2019 for development, then ongoing as an outreach tool
>  Analyze data to determine how well do we do with B/VI work incentives planning; do individuals really understand the impact?
>  Determine how OOD can assist in the education of community partners understand work incentives planning for B/VI
>  Work with Kathy Seecamp on developing a fact sheet specific to B/VI work incentives
>  Outreach targeted to parents specifically – through advocacy groups, partners and social media/emails
>  June 2019:
>  Jessica and Kathy are developing some tools for the field
>  Topic will be part of the August Statewide BSVI training
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> Education/outreach materials at ophthalmological and optical tech training programs to develop VR providers and increase referrals to program
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Jessica Folsom and Sarah Kelly
>  Timeline: Targeted development to begin Fall/Winter 2019, then ongoing
>  Identify programs and set up meetings to discuss
>  June 2019 update:
>  Schools have been identified, developing budget needs for an RFP to solicit community partners to provide the education piece
>  
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>  VA – consider outreach also to VA for BE Program – ensure no duplicity of efforts.
>  Staff Assigned: not yet assigned
>  Timeline: not yet identified
>  Reach out to Vision Rehab programs in Cleveland, Dayton and Chillicothe; spouses programs
>  Present to members at local meetings
>  Identify staff to maintain an ongoing relationship, not just presenting at a meeting 1x year
>  June 2019 Update:
>  VIST Coordinator from Chillicothe VA will present at August Statewide BSVI training
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> 
> Increase visibility of successes within BSVI
> 
>  Staff Assigned: Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Development Summer 2019, then ongoing
>  Discuss with Communications and develop plan/strategies
>  Tell more of our story with videos, podcasts, social media
>  Ensure accessibility standards are met!
>  
> 
> Improve relationships with schools and Education Service Center’s
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly and Katie Frederick
>  Timeline: Begin development Fall 2019, then ongoing
>  Identify which ESC’s provide itinerate related services (Teachers for the Visually Impaired, Orientation and Mobility).
>  Make connections with ESC’s to establish relationships with field staff, and establish a referral process.
>  Collaborate with OTSP team at Central Office to establish case assignment criteria, identifying training needs of staff and partners
>  
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> Improve relationships with families/family support organizations
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: begin Summer 2019, then ongoing
>  Identify organizations: Children’s Hospitals Social Workers, Community Education programs, Red Treehouse, A Kid Again, Recreation Unlimited, Adaptive Sports Connection, etc.
>  Present to parents/members at local meetings
>  Identify staff to maintain an ongoing relationship, not just presenting at a meeting 1x year
>  
> 
> Determine how to reach individuals who are not a part of an advocacy group
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>  Staff Assigned: Sarah Kelly, Katie Frederick, Jessica Folsom
>  Timeline: Begin Summer/Fall 2019 then ongoing
>  Determine how to disseminate information through library news groups, reach doctors/doctor’s office staff, pharmacies, consider where B/VI partners have already established a partnership such as AIRA, increase and schedule vision screenings by OOD staff
>  Engage with NFB/ACB on recruitment efforts, how do they reach people who are not current members
>  
> 
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>                    Help us support more individuals with disabilities by forwarding to someone you know.
> Programs provided by the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities are funded, in whole or in part, with federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), OOD received 78.7% of its funding through the DOE VR grant. In Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018, OOD received $100,336,097 in federal funds. Funds appropriated by the State covered 21.3 % of the total costs, or $27,155,767. Of these federal funds, $15,050,415 is set aside for Pre-ETS. For purposes of the Supported Employment Program, the DOE VR grant funded 100% of the costs for the Supported Employment for Youth with a Disability Program. In FFY 2018, OOD received $303,725. The grant also funded 95% of the Supported Employment Program (non-Youth). In FFY 2018, OOD received $303,725 and the State appropriated funds paid the remaining 5% or $33,747 of the total costs. For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program, the federal grant received from DOE in FFY 2018 paid 90% of the total costs incurred under the program. In FFY 2018, OOD received $1,174,400 in federal grant funds. Funds appropriated by the State paid 10% or $130,489 of the total costs incurred under the OIB program. For purposes of the Independent Living (IL) Program, the federal grant received from HHS paid 90% of the total costs incurred in FFY 2018. In FFY 2018, OOD received funding of $632,411. Funds appropriated by the State paid 10% or $70,268 of the total costs incurred under the IL Program.
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