[nfbmi-talk] Invitation to Informal Roun Table Discussion SaturdayBefore NFB Board Meeting

[joe harcz Comcast]

Hi Terry and All,

Here is how not to run a rehab program. This was the BSBP report submittted 
to the SILC and also earlier to the MCRS:
BUREAU OF SERVICES FOR BLIND PERSONS

FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2013 DIRECTOR'S REPORT

FY 2013 was one of transition and accomplishments for the Bureau of Services 
for Blind Persons (BSPB). This report contains a summary of each Division's 
accomplishments and activities during FY13.



Consumer Services Division (CSD)

The Consumer Services Division participated with Low Incidence Outreach to 
develop a program with intermediate school districts throughout the state to 
serve low-vision individuals. The effort included seminars and meetings with 
districts to establish qualifications and services provided for 
transitioning students. The Division created a partnership with Disability 
Network to increase collaboration between BSBP and the Centers for 
Independent Living. This partnership concentrated on identifying areas of 
services where BSBP and Centers for Independent Living can work together in 
improving services to persons who are blind and visually impaired.

With a specific focus on BSBP job-ready consumers, the Division paired up 
with Michigan Works! to provide a job fair. At the job fair, applicants had 
the opportunity to interview with local companies in the areas that are 
interested in hiring individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

The Division worked with school districts, businesses and mental health 
facilities to make it possible to develop the Project Search Program. The 
Project Search Program provides training and employment opportunities to 
multiply-impaired high school students who are in their last year of school 
and transitioning to work or job training. As a result of these efforts of 
the staff, clients were successful in completing the program and obtaining 
employment with private industries.

In FY13, the Consumer Services Division focused on ensuring that consumers 
receive the same employment opportunities as other transition students.

In FY12, BSBP served 1,769 individuals in vocational rehabilitation. In 
FY13, BSBP served 1,851 individuals in the vocational rehabilitation 
program. This was an increase of 82 individuals served. In FY12, 411 files 
were closed. The Division closed 561 cases in FY13. Thus, BSBP closed 150 
more files than the previous fiscal year.



Business Assistance and Development Program (BADP)

The BADP was created and began operations in August 2013. During FY13, with 
the assistance of the Consumer Services Division, the State Capital Café, 
was remodeled and is in the process of being prepared to be put on the BEP 
bid line.

BADP staff is also assisting in evaluating and writing new rules for the BEP 
program. When the new draft rules are completed, the BADP and BEP will work 
with the Elected Operator's Committee (EOC) in promulgating the new rule 
set.

The BADP division participated in the state National Federation for the 
Blind - Michigan (NFB-M) convention, as well as the Michigan Restaurant 
Association's food show. In the future, BADP will be working with the 
private sector as the Division's assistance and development program evolves.

The staff of the Division has become involved in applications and case 
reviews for small business assistance. The BADP in the future will be 
partnering with the CSD in expanding private sector business opportunities 
for BSBP's clients.

The BADP is involved in an eventual remodeling of a BEP facility in the 
Anderson legislative building. The Division has been successful in securing 
the sale of dairy products from the Michigan State (MSU) dairy.



Administrative Services Division (ASD)

Business Enterprise Program (BEP)

Consumer response time improved with electronic communication devices within 
the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Division staff also conducted a 
preliminary review of the BEP data collection system. This review concluded 
that a new auditing system to provide useful and adequate audit data for 
BSBP and the licensed operators is needed. Presently, BSBP is involved in 
creating a Request For Proposals to bid out a contract for these services.

BSBP is establishing with the Libera Corporation an upgrade to the System 7 
program to enhance future staff training, continuing education, and data 
collection.

Further, the BSBP and licensed operators conducted a thorough review of 
vending machine needs. A study of vending equipment and capabilities have 
been undertaken to upgrade vending services.

In cooperation with the Elected Operators Committee (EOC), facility 
standards have been established in an effort to polish the Program's image 
and to enhance facility sales.

Dialog has commenced with the Office of Retirement Service to identify means 
to more quickly apply operator retirement contributions to 401(k) accounts.



Administrative Services Division

The Division incorporated RSA 911 changes into System 7 and provided end 
user training; implemented a solution for improving audio streaming of 
Advisory Commission Meetings; coordinated upgrade to Office 365 for all 
users; enhanced Equipment Inventory by including all printers and Braillers; 
coordinated an upgrade of network printers in all BSBP offices increasing 
the accessibility for blind and visually impaired staff for faxing, 
scanning, printing, and copying; and completed COSO for FY14.



Human Resources and Training

The Division planned and arranged for two in-service training programs for 
field staff through the Region 5 TACE Center.   (Social Media & Ethics and 
Supported Employment). In addition, staff were regularly notified of 
available training programs and coordinated the registration for several 
large groups of employees to attend programs such as the MAER Conference, 
Re:Con, Michigan Transition Conference, and the MARO Employment Training 
program.

Further, the Division facilitated the monthly statewide BSBP Safety Team 
meetings. Activities in these meetings include a presentation from public 
health on airborne pathogens, sending staff to safety training programs, 
various videos and other training materials on safety related issues (i.e., 
blood borne pathogens, active shooters, etc.), and the ongoing issue of 
emergency procedures at the Cadillac Place.

The Division worked with the Office of Human Resources and BSBP managers to 
coordinate the hiring or promotion of both classified employees and student 
assistants.

Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL)

The following statistics for FY 13 are as follows:

·        690 new patrons signed up in the BTBL direct service area.

·        737 patrons discontinued (deaths and transfers to another region 
included).

·        3,955 total patron count on September 30, 2013

·        330 Braille patrons

·        3,270 digital patrons

·        1,450 cassette patrons

·        3,044 Braille volumes circulated

·        292,615 digital books circulated

·        1,450 cassette books circulated



Local volunteer recordings

·        BTBL submitted the first locally produced book to the National 
Library Service's Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site as part of 
a pilot to add and test the viability of local uploads to the site.

·        11 new volunteer narrators brought on

·        6 new volunteer editors brought on

·        50 local recording projects completed



Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)

·        One-hundred and eleven patrons and institutions signed up for BARD 
bringing the total for BTBL to 792.

·        41,201 books were downloaded by patrons

·        1,965 magazine issues were downloaded by patrons

·        National Library Service introduced the BARD download application 
for iPhone and iPad. A similar application will be released for Android 
products in 2014.



Programs

·        Libraries Without Walls (adaptive technology focus) was held in 
June.  Seventeen workshop sessions were provided by 11 presenters over the 
course of the day. More than one hundred were in attendance consisting of 
patrons and their family members, teachers, counselors and librarians.

·        The Computer Club was held monthly (11 sessions) with a total of 83 
in attendance. On average, 7.5 attended in person and 4 attended on-line.

·        Book Club was held monthly (11 sessions) with a total of 81 in 
attendance. On average, 7 attended in person and 1 attended online.



Training Center Division

          The Training Center Division was able to decrease the number of 
individuals waiting to attend the Center from approximately 40 to 17.  The 
waiting period was reduced from 6 months to 1 month. The Division continues 
striving to keep the facility at capacity as much as possible. The average 
amount of training that each individual received in FY13 was 7.9 weeks in 
duration. The training center served and closed 136 files in FY13.

The Training Center facilitated two mini adjustment programs serving 91 
participants - 49 consumers for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and 42 
consumers for Independent Living (IL).  Additionally, 37 college assessments 
were conducted by the Division during the summer of 2013.

The Division is in the process of hiring additional staff, including a 
registered nurse, which will allow the support services team to increase 
from 4 to 5 full time employees. This is paramount in maintaining the 
resident life program and enhancing the opportunities for health education. 
Additionally, the Division plans to hire a new rehabilitation coordinator in 
the support services area.

For FY14, the Training Center is planning the following: review and update 
of guidelines and curriculum, final completion of the renovation project, 
and facilitation of 3 mini-adjustment programs in the Bay City, Holland and 
the Detroit areas. The Training Center plans FY14 will allow for expansion 
of the Vocational Exploration program which includes a "work experience" 
component of the Center that will utilize the maintenance, dietary, and 
administrative service areas.



BSBP FY14 MISSION, VISION AND GOALS

Mission Statement

          The mission of BSBP is to provide opportunities to individuals who 
are blind or visually-impaired to achieve employment, and/or function 
independently.



Vision

          It is BSBP's vision that Michigan will become a better state for 
blind people to live in, learn, work, raise a family, and enjoy all the 
advantages of a full and independent life.

Goals

          BSBP's priorities and goals are as follows:

1.    To improve and provide better customer service through effective and 
efficient administration of BSBP's programs

2.    To expand the rehabilitation and educational services offered to 
Michigan's blind citizens

3.    To increase the public's understanding and appreciation in the 
abilities of blind people to achieve successful employment and independent 
living.

4.    To increase Michigan's employers belief in, and the hiring of, people 
who are blind.

CONCLUSION

          In addition to the successes outlined above in this report, BSBP, 
in January 2014, received from the Rehabilitation Services Administration 
(RSA) the results of its analysis of Michigan's standards and indicators. 
RSA concluded that BSBP is no longer bound by an improvement plan, which was 
implemented for FY11 and FY12. BSBP exceeded the performance level 
indicators, by 84.92% in the outcomes category for competitive employment. 
The category for increasing disabled individuals in reaching and achieving 
employment was a 97.68% increase. The successfulness of the BEP employment 
program with earnings enhancement was 67%. Finally, the BSBP exceeded the 
standards of self-support by 44%. BSBP will continue to strive to serve 
Michigan's blind community with improved services and increased 
opportunities.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terry D. Eagle" <terrydeagle at yahoo.com>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 11:59 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Invitation to Informal Roun Table Discussion 
SaturdayBefore NFB Board Meeting


Hello Fellow Federationists,



Early-Bird Round Table Discussion Before Board Meeting



Last Fall a list discussion sparked interest an an in-person meeting to
further discuss issues emcompassing rehabilitation, training, youth
education of the blind, and related topics.



Originally, the idea included the suggestion  to informally meet in Jackson
the night before the February NFB board meeting.  The cost of hotel rooms in
Jackson made this option prohibitive.



However, you are invited to join in the informal round table discussion
scheduled prior to the state board meeting this Saturday, February 22nd,
beginning at 8:00 a.m. until a few minutes to the 10 a.m. start of the board
meeting.  The round table discussion will be held at the dining room of the
board meeting site, Steve's Ranch, 311 W. Louis Glick Highway, Jackson MI.



This is an informal opportunity over coffee to share ideas and dreams of
changing what it means to be blind in Michigan for the future.



Directions to Steve's Ranch:

>From the North (Lansing, Michigan area)

Follow Highway 127 South passing under I-94, This street is now named N.
West Ave. (also 127 business & M 50)



Turn Left (East) at Michigan Ave.



Go straight for ¼ mi(East) on Michigan Ave. in the Left lane to the Stop
sign



(most of the traffic will turn Right)



Go 1 block through a second Stop sign



Go 1 block to a third Stop sign and turn Left on Blackstone Street



Go 2 blocks and turn Left (West) at the Stop Light on Louis Glick Highway



Steve's Ranch is on your Left right after the Stop Light, 311 W. Louis Glick
Highway.





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