APPROVED

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

AUGUST 15, 2005

QUALITY INN AND SUITES

SAULT STE MARIE, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair

Mr. Robert Adler

Ms. Sheila Ashcraft

Mr. Richard Grant

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

Mr. J. J. Jackson, Vice Chair

Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) STAFF PRESENT

Mr. Patrick Cannon

Ms. Tish Kingaby

Ms. Melody Lindsey

Mr. Leamon Jones

Mr. Bernie Kramer

Mr. Ed Haines

Ms. Christine Pada

Ms. Cindy Caldwell

Ms. Janet Johnson

GUESTS/ATTENDEES

Dr. Carol Bergquist

Dr. Penny Vizina

Ms. Sandee Raappana

Mr. George Wurtzel

Mr. John Victory

Mr. Casey Dutmer

Ms. Doris Grant

Mr. Brian Erlichman

Ms. Sharon Bunton

Mr. Bob Karvinen

Ms. Trisha Turk

Ms. Agnes Logan

Mr. Joseph Morgan

Ms. Rita Keilholtz

Ms. Geri Taeckens

Ms. Shannon Jones

Ms. Rebecca Shepard

Mr. Tony VanStaveren

Mr. Mike Ellis

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Chair Jo Ann Pilarski at 9:02 a.m.

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

Ms. Sheila Aschraft attended the Eye and the Auto Congress held in Rochester and sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology and the automobile industry which involved the scientific, engineering and medical communities in a program regarding driving safety for individuals with vision limitations. Ms. Ashcraft also participated in a solo test drive of an Accura, achieving 118 miles per hour, using "blue tooth" technology through the stereo system to guide her round the test track.

Mr. Richard (Dick) Grant proposed that a theme for a future Commission meeting could be how to assure that Michigan has the best possible Training Center for the Blind. Mrs. Doris Grant read Mr. Grant’s proposal to the board which included an approach and goals, and also included the suggestion that this theme be a topic under the Appreciative Inquiry model for dialogue. Mr. Patrick Cannon, director, suggested this theme be the focus for the April 2006 meeting to be held at the Training Center. Ms. Pilarski asked that Mr. Grant head up an ad hoc committee to prepare for this meeting.

Ms. Ashcraft requested that in order to be more prepared for commission meetings, a short biographical sketch of the presenters (non-staff) on the agenda be provided in the board’s meeting packet, along with a 3 or 4 talking-point summary of their presentation. Ms. Ashcraft also requested that a segment be included, perhaps as Old Business, on future agendas as a follow-up on remarks made under Public Comment in the previous meeting. Discussion was held and it was agreed that these suggestions would be implemented beginning with the next meeting.

AUDIO STREAMING

Mr. Michael Ellis of MEE, Inc. said he was pleased to assist the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) in its audio streaming broadcasts of the meeting over the Internet. Mr. Ellis said as the meetings progressed, he was able to learn new ways to improve the transmission and that he monitors the transmission to ensure quality and deal with problems such as white or vent noises, drop-outs, microphone placement.

Mr. Ellis explained the options of accessing the audio stream through high speed and dial-in transmission, links, media players, etc. Discussion was also held regarding the relay system to check numbers of participants, future archiving by subjects, feedback via email, etc. Mr. Ellis felt it was important to address streaming issues before looking at these next steps.

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY IN DIALOGUE

Ms. Pilarski said that dialog opportunities would be reinstated in commission meetings, realizing that Public Comment did not allow interaction. Mr. John Victory, of Agile-Enterprise & Victory Group, and facilitator of MCB’s Planning and Quality (PAQ) Team, explained the guidelines for the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) model of dialoging. The topic for this meeting revolved around what are considered to be the best associations between consumers and the MCB, and how a process can be created that encourages mutual involvement and respect between consumers and MCB in interactions regarding issues that progress through the focus design teams, task force and committees, the Planning and Quality Team, Consumer Involvement Council (CIC) and the MCB Board. Mr. Victory said it was important to remain positive and focus on possibilities, not on old history, fault or problems. When asked if there was an official forum for presenting ideas, Mr. Victory said this was usually done on a corporate level at an annual strategic planning session.

Comments during the dialog included the following: Mr. Dutmer said possibilities for strengthening the CIC might include a separate budget, more autonomy, more consumer representation on the design teams and PAQ; ensuring notes from the PAQ are circulated; the possible addition of a strategic planning session, in addition to commission meetings, where consumers had input into issues; training for consumers on communication skills; and the need for a specific design of flow through of issues through the design teams, PAQ, CIC and the board. Ms. Agnes Logan said doctors should be included in the communication process and wanted to know if MCB can help relay information on current medical procedures. Discussion was held regarding MCB’s efforts to reach doctors and to publicize the Commission’s services, including the website, press releases, and mailings to the optometric community. Ms. Geri Taeckens suggested leadership training to help consumers improve quality of life in their area.

Discussion was held regarding comprehension of some of the psychological jargon used to explain the appreciative inquiry dialog and it was expressed that examples would be helpful.

Ms. Pilarski suggested that the theme for the February 2006 commission meeting in Ann Arbor could be consumer issues. Mr. Victory restated that all consumers are welcome to participate in the design teams. Ms. Pilarski emphasized that this was just the beginning of the dialogue process.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

The regular meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 24, 2005 MEETING, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMUNITY PARTNER REPORT

Sault Tribal Health Center

Dr. Penny Vizina, Optometrist and Director of Optometric Services, Sault Tribal Health Center, explained that in her ten year tenure the relationship between the Sault tribe and MCB has been an excellent one. Through its five clinics, the center serves five counties of the eastern Upper Peninsula (UP) and covers tribal members and their families, other Native Americans, and Sault Tribe employees.

Dr. Vizina said the Center’s goal is to provide low vision services delivered by a low vision certified optometrist at one or more of their clinics in order to reduce travel for the patients, who must presently go to either Escanaba or Traverse City, and to help low vision individuals who do not meet the MCB eligibility criteria and cannot afford the low vision equipment. A current low vision provider is pursuing certification to attain this goal. Dr. Vizina said a proposal would need to be submitted to the Sault Tribe Board of Directors for their approval, and funding of approximately $5,000 would be needed to equip a low vision clinic. Dr. Vizina has been working with Mr. Bernie Kramer, MCB West Region Supervisor, to develop an approach for a possible cash-match partnership, which could include the possibility of accepting referrals of non tribal members from MCB throughout the eastern UP. Ms. Ashcraft suggested approaching the tribe’s governing body regarding use of casino profits for funding. Mr. Cannon said that Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) would be a good partner in this arrangement also.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Geri Taeckens of the Sault Area Schools said the schools and the Chippewa Public Health Department are in the process of developing a grant proposal to have a health clinic at Sault High School. The grant awards will be made October 1 and Ms. Taeckens said it would be essential for MCB to be a referral resource for low vision. Ms. Taeckens thanked the board for the dialogue session and said it was important to allow attendees the opportunity to communicate during the meeting process.

Ms. Sandee Raappana, counselor with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, said she welcomed the opportunity to develop a relationship with the Sault Tribe Health Center and MCB which would be of tremendous benefit to the community.

Ms. Agnes Logan said it should be emphasized that life is not over when a person becomes blind and that it should be instilled in them that, once they accept their blindness, they can be positive and go on with a normal life despite it.

Mr. Bob Karvinen, of Squintless, said he distributes low vision aids and equipment and he suggested that a reason people do not attend the meetings is because of the politics involved. Mr. Karvinen said it would be helpful to these people if MCB provided an 800 number or a website which details a list of different agencies and companies who can work with a person of low vision.

Mr. Casey Dutmer thanked the board for his participation in the dialogue process and appreciated the support of the people at the meeting. He said it was important for the board to take the process seriously.

Ms. Rebecca Shepard said she was grateful to her MCB caseworker, Cindy Caldwell, for all her help.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

There was no Board Correspondence.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Patrick Cannon, State Director, called attention to the written MCB report distributed to the commissioners.

Mr. Cannon said that problems with voting in 2000 led Congress to pass the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which called for significant reforms in the electoral process. Part of that process is taking place in Michigan with the expectation that in 2006 this will include accessible voting machines which will allow everyone to cast their ballot independently and privately. Mr. Cannon said the Secretary of State Elections Bureau has worked with several disability organizations as they developed their invitation to bid for voting machine vendors. Mr. Cannon is very optimistic that the voting machines in Michigan will allow people with disabilities to vote privately and independently.

Mr. Cannon reported that following contact with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a federal agency which was activated following the September 11 terrorist acts, he and representatives from the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, had visited TSA at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport at their request as they attempt to improve airport security measures in a way that do not negatively impact travelers with disabilities.

In a further access related issue, Mr. Cannon attended a meeting in Chicago of the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (known as the U.S. Access Board) Courthouse Access Advisory Committee, of which he is a member. Topics included access to courthouses by blind persons, and Mr. Cannon gave a blindness awareness presentation which included a new tool developed by MCB, the Blindness Awareness Survey. Mr. Cannon said he would be happy to share the survey with anyone who wished to receive it.

Mr. Cannon reported national celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and his attendance at a local event hosted by the Capital Area Center for Independent living, at which he presented a certificate of tribute issued by the Governor to honor the anniversary.

Mr. Cannon said that U.S. Department of Education is continuing its plan to close by the end of September the ten regional offices of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) which works with agencies such as MCB to provide technical assistance, monitoring, and help with standards and indicators. This is highly opposed by supporters of public rehabilitation. RSA is hosting a meeting in late August in Washington, DC, to receive input from stakeholders on how they should go about their Monitoring Redesign Initiative (MRI). It is believed that some of these monitoring services will be contracted out to agencies such as Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services which also conducts the Client Assistance Program. Regarding the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, no further action is expected until September, when it is expected a committee will be formed to resolve the differences between the House and Senate bills.

Mr. Cannon reported attendance at a special awards luncheon hosted by MCB and MRS to honor entrepreneurs with disabilities who have been successful in starting a business, as well as to recognize rehab counselors and other staff who have contributed to their success. Mr. Michael LaHote of MCB was honored as an entrepreneur, and Mr. Raymond Kirklin of MCB was recognized as Counselor of the Year.

In September, the Michigan Works Conference takes place in Mt. Pleasant, in which MRS and MCB staff participate to promote economic development and job growth. This will be followed by a meeting the Council of Labor and Economic Growth of which Mr. Cannon is a member.

Mr. Cannon said the next mini adjustment program will take place in Jackson August 28-September 1, followed by the final program for the year which will be held in Bay City in October. Finally, Mr. Cannon reported that the budget was on track for the year.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of Consumer Services, reported activities of the staff, including the need to keep staff well trained and up to date with trends in their fields, outreach and collaboration.

Mr. Jones said that this time of year is generally when the staff starts work on reviews required by RSA, but due to the proposed closing of the regional offices, this activity will not take place this year. Monitoring efforts will begin again in October so MCB staff will work to meet have the criteria in place for the required information.

The West Region staff are planning a town hall meeting in the fall to investigate collaboration of efforts and provision of services among the agencies. In addition, Mr. Bernie Kramer has met with Experience Work staff to develop a relationship with that organization in gaining employment opportunities, especially with seniors. Cash match opportunities are also being investigated, as well as Customized Services Programs, and the staff continue to provide Employment Readiness Seminars at mini adjustment programs.

Mr. Jones said a meeting has been scheduled this fall between field staff and training center staff to ensure that referrals and reports meet the needs of both sets of staff in fulfilling their clients’ needs. In addition, a customer satisfaction survey conducted through the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is underway.

YOUTH LOW VISION POLICY

Mr. Jones referred the board to the information included in the packet on the proposed Youth Low Vision policy which had been produced a result of collaboration among stakeholders, low vision providers, K-12 teacher consultants for the visually impaired, parents groups, consumer groups and staff, and which had been approved by the MCB design teams, PAQ team and CIC. In gaining the board’s approval at this time, it was planned to implement the policy immediately so that it was in place for the new school year.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE YOUTH LOW VISION POLICY, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Recessed for lunch at 12:10 p.m.

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The meeting was reconvened at 1:22 p.m.

WEST REGION AND U.P. OFFICE REPORT

Mr. Ed Haines reported on behalf of the UP staff, which has recently moved back to its permanent location on the first floor of the State Office Building, Escanaba. Facilities are extremely improved, with storage space for brochures, etc. and a meeting room that allows full confidentiality. Mr. Haines said the mini adjustment program in the UP had been very successful, with 32 participants attending, and that having worked in other states where this program was not offered, he was inspired to be part of it.

Mr. Haines said closures were up in the UP in all categories and that entrepreneurial opportunities were very successful, with new businesses started which include a day care in Ironwood, a sprinkler installation company and a candy making operation in Marquette; and a farrier business in the eastern UP. A Business Enterprise Program (BEP) operator is starting a new stand, and it is hoped to establish more vending sites in the UP.

Outreach is ongoing to consumers, schools, Michigan Works, the medical community and partners, especially MRS which Mr. Haines said has been extremely helpful. Mr. Haines said the addition of Christine Pada, a native of the UP, has been very beneficial to the staff and that she was already proving her worth to the area. With Ms. Janet Johnson serving the eastern three counties of the UP, the Escanaba office is now fully staffed.

Mr. Haines said that there is a growing problem in the UP with Braille instruction, with only two school districts in Eastern UP and Marquette/Alger having certified teachers for the visually impaired. Students are often given low vision devices which do not encourage learning and use of Braille, or replace its value. Mr. Haines said it is hoped to make the school districts understand the need to accommodate their students’ requirements.

Mr. Bernie Kramer, West Region Supervisor, introduced Ms. Johnson and Ms. Pada, who each gave brief sketches of their background and experiences at MCB, and reported that Susan Anderson, secretary for the Escanaba office, is out on extended medical leave and that a temporary staff person is filling in for her.

COMMUNITY PARTNER REPORTS

PROJECT VISIONS, HANNAHVILLE INDIAN COMMUNITY

Dr. Carol Bergquist, Project Director, reported that the Hannahville Indian Community had an on reservation vocational rehabilitation program which is in its ninth year and whose goal is to keep the children in school and provide employment opportunities. This program receives $300,000 a year under a program which is sanctioned under Section 121 of the Rehabilitation Act as a special set aside for Native Americans. Staff include a half time director, a certified rehab counselor and a trainee who is working toward her Bachelors Degree. Their current five year grant ends September 30, 2005 and a new application has been filed. Dr. Bergquist said several tribes are competing for the same federal dollars.

Dr. Bergquist said that traditionally no one received services from Michigan Rehabilitation Services because it was extremely difficult for the tribal members to accept with trust anyone from a government agency. Eventually, a cash match agreement with MRS was developed which was the first between a government agency and an Indian tribe. From the program’s inception about eight years ago when no one was being served, 350 people have been served.

Dr. Bergquist explained that one barrier they encountered was that there is no concept or word for disability among the Native American tribes, and that people with disabilities are accepted as gifted and life is automatically adapted around them. In order to meet disability guidelines, tribal members had to be taught what a disability was in order to apply for services to which they were entitled.

Dr. Bergquist said that efforts were ongoing to encourage tribal members to continue school and attend training programs at day colleges and universities. Dr. Bergquist explained how the income from casinos affected programs and quality of life.

MICHIGAN REHABILITATION SERVICES

Ms. Sandee Raappana, Rehabilitation Counselor with MRS in the UP, sent greetings from her office and the UP, and said the relationship with MCB was very valuable, productive and rewarding. A priority with MRS is working with transition age youth, with various counselors working in different areas. Ms. Raappana said the My Connections, high school high tech program, is especially beneficial and effective to youth.

DEAFBLIND PROGRAM UPDATE

Ms. Cindy Caldwell, DeafBlind Specialist with MCB, reported that her area covered all 83 counties in Michigan, and that her unit had had success in placing people in a variety of jobs, including fast food and pizza restaurants, a disability office at Wayne State University, a clerk at the Social Security Office, and a maintenance crewperson at the Palace at Auburn Hills.

Ms. Caldwell described various syndromes that include deafness, many times along with other disabilities, which involves not only special communication but understanding of those specific disabilities. The MCB DeafBlind unit works with many partners, and in particular with DB Central which is based on the campus at Central Michigan University and is funded by federal grant to provide services to youth and children who are DeafBlind up to the age of 26. MCB overlaps on service for the 14+ age group. Various teams are formed around the state to accomplish such tasks as a proposed guide for families to track what kinds of services or activities they should be planning for at a particular age, etc.

Ms. Caldwell said the ninth annual DeafBlind Conference was just completed August 14 in Brooklyn. This conference has grown from a two to a three day conference and provides avenues for DeafBlind, and has resulted in a consumer group called Self Help toward Independence in Michigan for the DeafBlind (SHIM) which now plans the agenda, fundraises, and makes arrangements for locations and speakers. It is a very social event, with 25 consumers attending this year’s conference. A tour was held at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), and it is hoped to develop further activities at future conferences. A fundraiser by SHIM is also being held at the next race at MIS.

Another partner is Community Mental Health (CMH) with which they have cash match agreements to fund intervener programs, such as a program at Hiawatha Behavioral Health to provide an intervener for a youth working at Dominos. Ms. Caldwell said she is also pleased to see Goodwill expanding its operations into the area.

Future activities include an Interagency Transition Committee meeting and a DeafBlind family retreat in Midland for parents which are scheduled in the coming weeks. Partners for the retreat include the Michigan Association for the DeafBlind, a parent group, Helen Keller, CMH and Department of Education to focus on secondary transition for DeafBlind children with additional challenges. An Usher’s Syndrome awareness day sponsored by DB Central will be held in Flint, at which Marge Spencer, a staff person from the MCB Training Center will be a presenter. Next spring, the third annual deafblind transition camp will be held at Michigan State University at which students can experience college life during a one week stay on campus.

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, director of the MCB Training Center, reported that in addition to the written report, several events were planned at the Center, including an event on September 2 to unveil artist Mike Donenfeld’s new endeavor, a tactile map of the world. This artist also created the "faces" wall at the Center. Additionally, a meeting is being convened at the Training Center September 16 which will include staff from the Training Center as well as counselors and teachers from the field offices to discuss referrals and reports, and the Technology Team is planning a training session for MCB staff in November.

At the Center, Ms. Lindsey said they are setting up a mentoring program under which current students can help incoming students, and at the beginning of July, the new Rehabilitation Services Coordinator, Laura Schmelzer, began work and is settling in well.

The Quest for Success week at Camp Tuhsmehta (Camp T) was very successful, and Ms. Lindsey said she appreciated the work done by Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB), especially in regard to their utilizing a majority of people who are blind, including former and current staff of the Center.

As a result of a successful approach last year, Ms. Lindsey said the immersion program with Western Michigan University whereby incoming students, who are interested in becoming rehabilitation counselors or teachers serving blind clients, stay at the Center for a two-week period wearing occluders the entire time. It is anticipated 4-5 students will have completed this program by the time school starts.

Ms. Pilarski asked whether it would be possible that the proposed MCB Training Center guidelines would be ready to present to the board by the October 17, 2005 meeting, and Ms. Lindsey said if they could first be presented to the PAQ and CIC, she could have that on the October meeting agenda.

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE TRAINING CENTER REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

UPDATE ON CAMP TUHSMEHETA

Mr. George Wurtzel, Executive Director of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) which ran the camp, said they had had a great summer, with 8 different programs, including the MCB’s "Quest for Success" program. Activities included identifying birds by their calls, building bat boxes, and a variety of camping experiences, and programs included a family camp program which 42 families attended, a boot camp for adventurous kids which was followed by a week long camping trip canoeing the nearby waters over to Lake Michigan, an art week, and a music camp. About 85 children attended the camp, some of them staying for more than one program. Seventeen of 20 camp staff were blind.

Mr. Wurtzel said a forum was held one night which was attended by representatives from both consumer organizations, at which was discussed services for blind youth in the state, specific areas which lack sufficient training and suggestions for areas of focus for the camp.

Mr. Wurtzel said that he had started the summer with what he believed was a firm agreement with MCB regarding joint funding, and based his budgeting on last year’s plan and what was contributed to the program last summer. Talks had been held about funding sources last year, including cash match agreements, however, Mr. Wurtzen said there has been misunderstanding about what happened last year. Mr. Wurtzel said that he believed that MCB was not familiar with how to make the cash match work last year and that therefore it was not a true cash match. MCB contributed $33,000, and Mr. Wurtzel said MCB never asked OUB for its share. Mr. Wurtzel said it was alleged by MCB staff that OUB did not have the money for the cash match, but he stated they did. For this year’s program, Mr. Wurtzel said he inquired whether a similar arrangement could be made with the same amount of funding from MCB, and he was led to believe, though never told, that it could. He said he did not follow through on this. Mr. Wurtzel said that, following the Quest for Success program, he was told MCB would contribute about one third the amount OUB thought it would get, and this had caused OUB financial problems, putting them $20,000 down for their next camp. Mr. Wurtzel said he would be sure to follow through more thoroughly next time.

Mr. Wurtzel alluded to a comment he heard made during a break in a meeting held among staff from Michigan Department of Education (DOE), School for the Blind (MSB), Department of Labor and Economic Growth and MCB, including Pat Cannon and Melody Lindsey, that if only OUB could be bankrupted, the problem of Camp T would go away. Mr. Wurtzel said it was not clear whether that statement was connected to the reduced Commission funding.

Mr. Wurtzel said he understands why no-one wants to run the camp, because he knows, as a very active participant in the camp, it is a great deal of work, involving very long hours. Mr. Wurtzel said that comments were made to him by camp staff and parents, that people from MCB who required sighted guides were not good role models as teachers or visitors, as children are told that they must navigate without guides. Mr. Wurtzel said this situation would be evaluated quite closely next year as OUB feels that teaching children independent travel skills was an important part of their goals. Mr. Wurtzel said he also received criticisms regarding his camp apparel.

Mr. Wurtzel said OUB is doing what MCB or DOE/MSB should be doing, enhancing the skills children who are blind should receive but don’t in the school systems, and OUB needs and deserves the support and to receive financing. Mr. Wurtzel said he fell down on the job this summer, but he needs to find out how cash match agreements work and why it did not meet the criteria of the cash match this year. Additionally, despite many invitations, Mr. Wurtzel said only one MCB commissioner visited the camp and no one came from DOE or MSB, which was an indication to him that these agencies were not interested in the camp. Mr. Wurtzel said DOE was willing to spend $150,000 to regrade a road, but not give a penny in programming.

Ms. Pilarski said she agreed with the concept of Camp T and what OUB could accomplish in a few weeks with children at the camp versus what schools could do. Regarding the issues raised by Mr. Wurtzel, Ms. Pilarski said that answers could be provided to him and two members of the board expressed their desire to visit the camp when their schedules permitted. Director Cannon said he had not heard about any financing problems before Friday, August 12, and he said he was disappointed that Mr. Wurtzel had not approached him about this concern rather than bring it up in public meeting. Mr. Cannon said the cash match was proposed to be between MCB, DOE and OUB, and that because Mr. Wurtzel said the cost per student at Camp T would be $2,000 per week, MCB agreed to pay 55 percent for each eligible MCB client participating in the "Quest for Success" week. Mr. Cannon said a formal cash match agreement between MCB, DOE and OUB could not be completed because the State Board of Education Trust Fund Committee had not yet met to consider cash match requirements. He said that the Trust Fund Committee is expected to meet soon. Regarding funding, Mr. Wurtzel said grants were applied for through MSB for students who qualified for hot school lunch or bridge program, and MSB pays up to $200 per student, and otherwise money was raised privately by OUB to fund the camp and its operating expenses. Mr. Cannon said MCB had spent $44,000 on twenty students for the two summers and MCB has to rationalize its expenditures and felt that $1,100 per student this year had seemed very reasonable, in light of what other campers were paying. Mr. Wutzel said that the total budget for Camp T was $100,000 for the summer, which served 112 campers.

Mr. Wurtzel said he was the first to admit that he did not have a proper grasp of the understanding, and it was only when he asked about billing procedures that he was told OUB would only receive about $1,100 per student. Mr. Wurtzel said he just wants to resolve this situation for the next year. He hopes that OUB and MCB can find a way to finance the camp in a way that was equitable to everyone.

Ms. Pilarski asked Director Cannon to set up a meeting with the involved parties to carry this discussion further.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Casey Dutmer said that when the CIC approved the Youth Low Vision Policy, the committee made recommendations for the future and hoped these were passed on the board. Mr. Dutmer said he felt it had been a good meeting, with many views expressed, and that in regard to the final issue raised, it reflected back to his comments in the dialog that it would help to have training on presentation skills. He looked forward to working with the commission in dialog on other issues.

Dr. Carol Bergquist said in addition to her report, she wished to mention the Hannahville Indian Community and Menominee Intermediate School District are an emerging site for the Mi Connections project and this has been a great catalyst for getting many groups together in their area which she hopes will lead to more collaboration.

ADJOURNMENT

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:17 p.m. The next meeting will be on Monday, October 17, 2005 at the Living Hope Church in Alpena. The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

Date