[nfbmi-talk] speaks for itself

[joe harcz Comcast]

BSBP can lie to people about how effective they are in meeting employment outcome standard and indicators at assorted meetings, but they can't legally lie to the feds.

Check this out from the state plan supplement:
Indicator 1.1: Number of Individuals with Employment Outcomes. The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons projection for the number of individuals with employment 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 and other agencies to assist the staff with innovative approaches to redefine its efforts to increase employment outcomes. The agency is participating in the Employment Services Certificate training program for staff to improve their awareness in job placement activities. The bureau is planning on providing the staff that are responsible for job placement an opportunity to receive this certificate training. Michigan’s unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation, which directly affects employment opportunities for all citizens including those with disabilities in obtaining gainful employment. The bureau’s strategic plan emphasizes the need to be aware of employment opportunities and employment trends as the agency collaborates with Michigan Works! so that consumers will receive training in emerging careers. As BSBP continues to receive labor market information through its collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Market Information that provides employment trends locally 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 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 of assisting job ready consumers in their efforts to obtain employment. BSBP provides Employment Readiness Seminars quarterly for all job ready consumers. The seminars provides local employers opportunities to interview job ready consumers and shares information regarding work incentives for employers and benefits planning for consumers, formerly known as Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA). BSBP encourages consumers to utilize Disability Benefits 101 website, educating parents on work related benefits and strategies early on. BSBP will continue to work with the National Business Network, trade organizations and apprenticeship programs through its Business Services system to expand employment opportunities for the population that BSBP serves. 

Indicator 1.2: Percentage of Individuals Receiving Services Who Had Employment Outcomes. BSBP was not successful in achieving this indicator. The State of Michigan unemployment rate is still among the highest in the nation. This high unemployment rate directly affected the employment outcomes for the BSBP consumers. BSBP continues to invest in appropriate training for staff in job placement and other related training to attempt to minimize the effects of the depressed labor market. BSBP makes available to counseling staff the opportunity to participate in job placement training through the Michigan Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association and the Job Placement Division within the Michigan Rehabilitation Association, along with private trainers emphasizing job placement techniques as well as TACE Supported Employment programs that equip the staff with tools to compete in the competitive labor market. The bureau was successful in hiring two job placement specialists to assist staff with placing job ready consumers. The bureau continues to seek additional staff to work with counselors to provide assistance with job ready consumers through the utilizations of community rehabilitation organization and agencies. The job placement specialists and collaboration with community organizations are assisting the bureau to increase its efforts to expand employment opportunities.

Indicator 1.3: Percentage of Individuals with Employment Outcomes Who Were Competitively Employed. BSBP staff is aware of the importance of establishing relationships with community partners in order to increase opportunities for consumers to expand employment options that will result in more individuals being placed in the competitive labor market. The agency will continue to meet this goal by working with the employer community. BSBP met this indicator with 80.43%. 

Indicator 1.4: Percentage of Persons with Competitive Employment Outcomes Who Had Significant Disabilities. The individuals that BSBP serves are those with blindness which is considered a severe disability. BSBP met this indicator with 98.1%.

Indicator 1.5: Ratio of Average VR Hourly Wage to Average Wage. BSBP continues to provide consumers with choices regarding their vocational objectives; therefore, the development of career options has continued to assist BSBP in reaching this indicator. The agency met this indicator with 0.679%.

Indicator 1.6: Difference in Percentage of individuals Achieving Competitive Employment Who Report Own Income as Primary Source of Support at Closure and Application. It is a goal of BSBP to provide consumers with options to choose careers that lead to gainful employment. As a result of the economy and consumers desire to become employed, BSBP staff emphasized the importance of obtaining full time employment. The agency established a goal to refer consumers to benefit planners to provide information to job seekers. As a result of this activity, individuals received information that enabled them to make choices regarding full time employment. The bureau met this indicator with 38.02%.

Indicator 2.1: Ratio of Minority to Non-Minority Service Rate. Although BSBP did not meet this indicator, BSBP continues to emphasize the importance of outreach to minority populations that are experiencing blindness and visual impairment. The Cultural Diversity team is one of BSBP’s strategic teams that provide the agency with some of the approaches to serving the minority population. The staff is primarily responsible for making contacts with agencies and organizations that serves minority individuals to provide information regarding the agency’s procedures and practices for obtaining services.