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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From State Plan:</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Indicator 1.1: Number of Individuals with
Employment Outcomes. The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons projection for the
number of individuals with employment<BR>outcomes that was set by the agency was
not achieved compared with the national average of blind agencies. BSBP is
focusing on specific training from TACE<BR>and other agencies to assist the
staff with innovative approaches to redefine its efforts to increase employment
outcomes. Michigan’s unemployment rate<BR>is among the highest in the nation,
which directly affects employment opportunities for all citizens including those
with disabilities in obtaining gainful<BR>employment. The agency’s strategic
plan emphasizes the need to be aware of employment opportunities and employment
trends as the agency collaborates with<BR>Michigan Works! in identifying
Michigan’s 50 Top Hot Jobs so that consumers will receive training in emerging
careers. As BSBP continues to receive labor<BR>market information through its
collaboration with DTMB Regional economic analyst Bureau of Labor Market
Information that provides employment trends locally<BR>and statewide, this will
enable the agency to provide training appropriate to the current labor market
demands. Staff will work with a variety of employers<BR>to increase on-the-job
training opportunities for job-ready consumers. BSBP has initiated job clubs in
major cities throughout the state for the purpose<BR>of assisting job ready
consumers in their efforts to obtain employment. BSBP provides Employment
Readiness Seminars quarterly for all job ready consumers.<BR>The seminars
provides local employers opportunities to interview job ready consumers and
shares information regarding work incentives for employers and<BR>benefits
planning for consumers, formerly known as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance
(WIPA). BSBP encourages consumers to utilize Disability Benefits<BR>101 website,
educating parents on work related benefits and strategies early on. BSBP will
continue to work with the National Business Network, trade organizations<BR>and
apprenticeship programs through its Business Services system to expand
employment opportunities for the population that BSBP serves.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Indicator 1.2: Percentage of Individuals Receiving
Services Who Had Employment Outcomes. BSBP was not successful in achieving this
indicator. The State<BR>of Michigan unemployment rate is still among the highest
in the nation. This high unemployment rate directly affected the employment
outcomes for the BSBP<BR>consumers. BSBP has several new staff that are in
various stages of the initial training for first year counselors. The time
period for new staff to be<BR>productive is generally one to two years.
However, BSBP continues to invest in appropriate training for staff in job
placement and other related training<BR>to attempt to minimize the effects of
the depressed labor market. BSBP makes available to counseling staff the
opportunity to participate in job placement<BR>training through the Michigan
Rehabilitation Counseling Educators Association and the Job Placement Division
of the Michigan Rehabilitation Association,<BR>along with private trainers
emphasizing job placement techniques as well as TACE Supported Employment
programs that equip the staff with tools to compete<BR>in the competitive labor
market. BSBP has job placement specialists in each region to assist counselors
in securing appropriate job placement for consumers.<BR>These positions have
expanded BSBP’s infrastructure to heighten its ability to work more effectively
with employers and other community agencies to increase<BR>employment
options.</FONT></DIV>
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