APPROVED 2/24/2006

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
DECEMBER 12, 2005
KELLOGG CENTER, ROOM 106
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair
Ms. Sheila Ashcraft
Mr. Richard Grant
Ms. Geri Taeckens
Mr. J. J. Jackson, Vice Chair (Via Telephone Conference)
 
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
None

Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) STAFF PRESENT
Mr. Patrick Cannon
Ms. Tish Kingaby
Ms. Melody Lindsey
Mr. Leamon Jones
Ms. Gwen McNeal
Ms. Taletha Crawley
Ms. Susan Turney
Ms. Sherry Gordon
Ms. Lisa Kisiel
Ms. Beth White
Ms. Diamalyn Gaston
Ms. Carla Haynes
Ms. Sherri Heibeck
Mr. Bob Robertson
Ms. Cindy Caldwell
Ms. Dee Robertson
Ms. Debbie Wilson

GUESTS/ATTENDEES
Mr. Robert Adler
Ms. Valarie Barnum Yarger
Ms. Trisha Turk
Mr. John Victory
Mr. Casey Dutmer
Ms. Mamie Louisa Moore
Mr. Jose Moreno
Mrs. Maria Martinez
Mr. Martin Martinez
Ms. Carolyn Houston
Mr. Bob Houston
Mr. Bill Park
Mr. Michael Ellis
Mr. Carl Pilarski
Ms. Michelle Anderson
Mrs. Doris Grant
Mr. Joe Williams
Mr. George Wurtzel
Ms. Wendy Sikkes
Ms. Dixie Kimball
Mr. Richard Hutchins

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

The regular meeting was called to order at 8:34 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION

MR. JEROME J. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. DICK GRANT, TO CONDUCT THE DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION UNDER CLOSED SESSION, PER HIS WRITTEN REQUEST. ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN AND THE MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board closed the regular session at 8:35 a.m.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The meeting was reconvened by Chair Pilarski at 9:55 a.m. who noted the meeting was being audiostreamed. Ms. Pilarski introduced new Commissioner, Ms. Geraldine "Geri" Taeckens of Sault Ste Marie.

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

Mr. Grant reported attendance at two Image and Identity Focus Design Team meetings, at which he said some progress was being demonstrated. Mr. Grant said Ms. Susan Turney, MCB Communications and Outreach Specialist, had joined the team and had developed a brochure on Youth Low Vision and Transition services, which is available online and will be available in print form in January. Mr. Grant said a suggestion concerning presenting issues of blindness to school children was made practical by a proposed section on the website outlining some materials and resources for teachers to use.

Mr. J. J. Jackson attended the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan’s convention in Pontiac, which he said was a great weekend of sharing with consumers and staff and included Commissioners Grant and Ashcraft. Presenters included Ms. Kathy Jackson, state president of NFB from Kentucky, and Mr. Patrick Cannon, director of MCB.

Mr. Jackson also attended a Cultural Diversity Committee meeting in November, and said that Ms. Susan Turney was also appointed as the MCB staff person on that committee, whose participation was very welcome. A strategic plan is being developed and in 2006, three populations are selected for increased exposure to the services of MCB: Chaldeans, Arab-Muslim and DeafBlind communities. After populations are selected, the committee works on educating itself about the community, and develops strategies on how best to reach them, and it concludes each year with an evaluation of how successful the efforts were and what further steps can be taken. Mr. Jackson said Mr. Leamon Jones, MCB Consumer Services Division Director, attended the last meeting, and will be receiving a proposed plan from the Committee. Mr. Jackson encouraged attendance at these committee meetings.

Ms. Sheila Ashcraft said that the Services Delivery Design Team had not convened since the last Commission meeting, although a meeting was scheduled for the next day. Ms. Ashcraft expressed appreciation at being able to serve on this committee, lead by MCB staff person Lisa Marchione, who Ms. Ashcraft said has the consumer interests very much at heart. Ms. Ashcraft attended the convention of the NFB of Michigan in her home town of Pontiac, and said this was a very active and assertive group which helped provide her with additional perspectives.

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski said that at the February commission meeting, she was planning an agenda focused on the consumers and hoped to hear reports from both consumer groups.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Ms. Pilarski announced the official committee assignments for the Commissioners: Ms. Ashcraft - Service Delivery Focus Design Team, Mr. Grant - Business Enterprise Program Elected Operators Committee, Ms. Taeckens - Image and Identity Team, and Mr. Jackson - Cultural Diversity Committee. Ms. Pilarski said she would remain on the Planning and Quality (PAQ) Team, and that commissioners would rotate attendance at the Consumer Involvement Council (CIC) meetings. Commissioners serve as liaisons on these committees in order to update the board on current issues.

PREVIOUS ISSUES

Ms. Tish Kingaby reported on follow-up items from the previous commission meeting, including a letter of sympathy to Ms. Judy Baltz’ family and a breakdown on closure information requested by Ms. Ashcraft.

DIRECTOR’S 2006 OBJECTIVES

Ms. Pilarski said the board had submitted some suggestions for objectives for the calendar year 2006 and, with the help of Mr. John Victory, Ms. Pilarski had produced a draft document of proposed objectives. Ms. Kingaby read the document, which began with an expanded version of the proposed MCB Vision, and was followed by seven goals. Discussion was held following each goal, which included development and improvement on: 1) systems, with several selected subgroups; 2) quality development; 3) communications; 4) leadership; 5) Training Center; 6) contingency plan; and 7) policy manuals and bylaws.

Specific comments regarding the proposed goals included: Regarding the communications goal, it was important to gather background or perspective on individuals submitting anonymous surveys. Regarding leadership training, an example cited was the request by the CIC for individuals to be coached on how to properly present reports, ideas, resolutions, etc., and to help improve communications and leadership in committees and groups and among staff, consumer representatives, stakeholders, etc. Regarding the Training Center, Mr. Grant clarified his recommendation re the formation of an ad hoc committee for the April commission meeting, which he said should be formed by the director as appropriate; also, the Training Center guidelines committee anticipates presenting its proposed policies and guidelines to the board at its February meeting. Regarding the contingency plan, Mr. Cannon said that while it was true the Commission was not presently large enough to meet the demands of the growing, older population, the split in federal funding between Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and MCB was increasing in favor of MCB and efforts were ongoing to increase state matching funds and staff head count, and to work with the Office of Aging, and other state agencies and appropriate organizations to anticipate future needs and programs.

Ms. Pilarski said the proposed goals document was a work in progress which required further discussion and refinement. Mr. Cannon said that the PAQ Team needed to incorporate some of the goals into the Long Range Plans and Action Plans which are required to be submitted to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), with specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timed objectives. Mr. Cannon said that while it was possible some wording or time frames may need to be adjusted, he was confident the proposed goals could be integrated into MCB’s and DLEG’s goals and objectives by the PAQ team at its January 9 meeting. In reply to a query from Mr. Grant regarding his suggested ad hoc committee, Ms. Pilarski said that the whole package of goals needed to be refined first when it would be clearer where the ad hoc committee could be utilized. Mr. Grant was invited to attend the February meeting via telephone conference, as he will be out of state at that time.

REGULAR MEETING

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2005 MEETING, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Regarding the Director’s 2005 Performance Evaluation, Ms. Pilarski announced that the Commissioners had given an overall rating of 2.6, on a scale of one to three, for Mr. Cannon’s performance, and Ms. Pilarski congratulated Mr. Cannon on his fine work and on exceeding many expectations.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE COMMISSIONERS’ EVALUATION OF THE DIRECTOR’S 2005 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. JACKSON, TO SEND A LETTER TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGARDING THE DIRECTOR’S EVALUATION REVIEW. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Cannon thanked the board for their time and energy spent on the evaluation and development of the goals for 2006. Mr. Cannon praised the staff of the Commission and their work, noting that successes achieved on behalf of the agency and its clients were due to the consistent, excellent work of staff.

CONSUMER DIALOGUE

Ms. Pilarski said that dialogue opportunities would be welcomed regarding the goals proposed for 2006. The dialogue was facilitated by Mr. John Victory.

Comments included those by Mr. George Wurtzel, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB), who said they could help with many of the proposed goals and training through the many and various programs offered by their organization. Mr. Wurtzel described these programs and OUB’s fundraising efforts to help develop activities at Camp Tuhsmeheta.

Mr. Casey Dutmer said he thought leadership training should be given to members of teams so that they understood how to interact with one another, to show respect to and appreciate the value of each team’s work. He felt that the roles of the consumer and staff may be changing in order to survive in the future and this training would be helpful in competing with other entities for available programs and funding dollars.

Ms. Taeckens said during her orientation, she heard many times that the goal of MCB was to move from a vertical to a horizontal, interactive management style, with encouragement of feedback from staff, stakeholders and partners.

Mr. Wurtzel said MCB should work on making people feel more comfortable about expressing their views without retaliation. Mr. Victory reiterated that dialogue and appreciative inquiry concentrated on positive reinforcement of future actions to achieve improvements, and not dwelling on past mistakes. Mr. Dutmer suggested a mechanism be built in to help individuals present their comments in a suitable manner and said he was excited by the direction of the board and its consumer dialogue opportunities.

Mr. Victory gave a quick synopsis of the dialogue and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) concept. Ms. Pilarski said that how a message was delivered was important, and that if an idea was not presented in a manner which would be received positively, communication would probably fail.

COMMISSIONER ADLER RECOGNITION

Ms. Pilarski said she was honored to present an award of appreciation to Commissioner Robert Adler for his three years of service and commended his work, candor and practical approach to service. Mr. Adler thanked the Commission and said he had been very impressed with the hard work of the staff, and the energy and integrity of Ms. Pilarski, Mr. Cannon and Ms. Kingaby. Mr. Cannon expressed his appreciation and thanks to Mr. Adler.

MCB Achievement Awards

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of Consumer Services, announced several awards honoring individuals, employers and community partners who were successful in their goals in 2005. Mr. Jones introduced MCB staff who announced the individual awards.

Ms. Taletha Crawley introduced Ms. Mamie Louisa Moore, an Independent Living client, who was presented a 2005 Consumer Achievement Honor Roll Award.

Ms. Cindy Caldwell introduced Mr. Jose Moreno, a DeafBlind client, who was presented a 2005 Consumer Achievement Honor Roll Award. Mr. Morena was accompanied by his brother and his mother, who expressed her gratitude to the Commission.

Ms. Debbie Wilson introduced Ms. Carolyn Houston, Vocational Rehabilitation Client, who was presented a 2005 Achievement Honor Roll Award.

Ms. Wilson also announced awards to Don Pablo’s Restaurant, Flint, which received the Employer Achievement Honor Roll Award, and to Community Connections, Flint, which received the Community Partner Achievement Honor Roll Award. Representatives from these two organizations were unable to attend.

Mr. Jones congratulated all the recipients for their dedication and hard work.

Recessed for lunch at 12:15 p.m.

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The meeting was reconvened at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Pilarski formally introduced Ms. Taeckens as a new commissioner and invited Ms. Taeckens to share some brief background information about herself.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. George Wurtzel of OUB explained an issue with a statement he issued on behalf of a group of people regarding the use of proceeds from sale of the Michigan School for the Blind property in Lansing. In discussions following this action, Mr. Wurtzel said the statement was hastily put together and not worded properly. He apologized to Mr. Michael Geno, President of Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, whose view was not expressed properly in this statement. Mr. Wurtzel said he and Commissioner J.J. Jackson had approached Representative Michael Murphy and asked him to amend his bill so that proceeds from the sale would be placed in the Department of Education’s School for the Blind Trust Fund, rather than General Funds, as many donations were originally made to fund the School by private organizations such as the Lions. A rally was held at the property on December 10 and approximately 40 alumni attended.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

There was no Board Correspondence.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of Consumer Services, reported many activities recorded in the MCB Report, including cash match programs and arrangements, and transition programs for youth from high school to college or employment.

Mr. Jones reported attendance at the Cultural Diversity Committee meeting, to work more closely with them to identify populations that require increased service.

The content of the employment readiness seminars held at the mini adjustment programs is also being reviewed to ensure that additional subjects are covered, such as the effects of earning wages on Social Security disability benefits. Mr. Jones said close collaboration continues with such agencies as Michigan Works! to develop job skills and activities for MCB clients.

Mr. Jones said that staff participated in the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference and presented on the effects of aging and the possible consequences of vision impairment. This presentation by Dee Robertson and Sherry Gordon was very well received, as well as the information they disseminated, which was gathered from such agencies as the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) with which staff works closely.

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

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Patrick Cannon referred the board to the written MCB report and said he wished to identify some highlights, as well as report on additional items.

Mr. Cannon said he and Ms. Sherri Heibeck, Administrative Services Manager, attended the adjacent conferences of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) in San Diego in November. Mr. Cannon said one presentation concentrated on the one stop delivery system and in conjunction with that, Mr. Cannon said MCB had participated on an ad hoc committee with MRS and the Workforce Bureau programs of DLEG whose goal was to help create a one stop delivery service system in Michigan that was not only accessible to people with disabilities but was welcoming, inviting and accessible to everyone. This committee’s 18 month work is completed and their report will be presented to the Council of Labor and Economic Growth shortly. Ms. Pilarski asked whether it was possible to receive a copy of the report.

Also, at the NCSAB conference, discussion was held regarding the method in which people with disabilities and their employment was compiled by the U.S. Census. Mr. Cannon said that although unemployment of people with disabilities is still extremely high, both MCB and MRS have a much higher employment rate of approximately 80 percent of their clients who complete rehabilitation programs. NCSAB conferees agreed there should be a much better way to compile the census figures. Mr. Cannon also said that the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) has stated that vocational rehabilitation is extremely good public policy as the return on the money invested is at least 11 to 1.

Additional topics at the conferences were the work of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee, which is currently scrutinizing the Randolph Sheppard program, and the Newsline program. Mr. Cannon said legislation in Michigan is currently under way to provide a stable source through a charge on phone lines to fund Newsline of Michigan, to which MCB has given a small grant to continue services. Discussion was held on newspaper reading services provided on radio in some areas of Michigan.

Mr. Cannon reported that action in Congress on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act is currently under way, but that estimates vary widely on when this might be passed.

Mr. Cannon said that approximately 20 staff and commissioners attended the NFB of Michigan convention, which included a report given by him and Mr. Bob Robertson on the results of focus group sessions conducted two years before and facilitated by the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Mr. Cannon said the PAQ team meeting scheduled for January 9, 2006, would include seven additional members, two each from the consumer organizations, one from each of the two parents’ groups, and the chair of the CIC.

Mr. Cannon reported on future mini adjustment programs planned for 2006 and invited commissioners who had not participated before to attend one or two days of a program. In budget issues, MCB will receive approximately $19 million in federal funding, but would be challenged to raise matching funds from the state, cash match agreements, etc. In staffing issues, Mr. Cannon said it was hoped to fill a secretarial vacancy in the DeafBlind unit very shortly.

Additional training is proposed for three Discovery Learning sessions, conducted by Mr. Doug Boone, and Mr. Cannon referred to the report regarding Mr. Boone’s wife, Christine Boone, a blind woman who had recently been awarded a large settlement by the courts when she sued for wrongful dismissal from her job as Director of the Commission for the Blind in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Cannon reported on the expansion of catering and coffee services by Business Enterprise Program operators in state owned or operated facilities. MCB had taken affirmative outreach steps to promote this service which included a letter from DLEG Director David Hollister to all department directors, a presentation at the Governor’s Cabinet meeting, and an informational meeting for representatives from the departments to help answer questions they had about this catering service.

Mr. Cannon said he and Mr. Jones joined Ms. Turney at a Cool Cities conference held in Lansing the previous week to promote MCB services and the benefit of hiring people who are blind.

Regarding a topic of public comment today, Mr. Cannon said that efforts to sell the property of the former Michigan School for the Blind property in Lansing had been ongoing for several months, due in part to the State’s lack of funds to maintain empty property. The Michigan Historical Center, Lansing, and the Michigan School for the Deaf and Blind, Flint, have taken the initiative to solicit items of historical significance from the property. Regarding the position outlined by OUB, Mr. Cannon said MCB had not taken any formal action to endorse OUB’s statement. Mr. Wurtzel apologized for the addition of MCB on the statement.

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

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, director of the MCB Training Center, reported that the Guidelines Review Team had been reviewing policies and guidelines for the training center for well over a year and following their last meeting November 29, have a draft which they plan to forward to the PAQ team and CIC in January in the hopes that it can presented to the board at its February meeting.

During the Thanksgiving week, Ms. Lindsey reported training was conducted for MCB staff to acquaint them with the latest technology available for the blind, to help clients with their employment and independence goals. Ms. Lindsey said the Technology Team did a fine job arranging the training.

During the Christmas break, Ms. Lindsey said several staff members are available to help consumers with special training.

Ms. Lindsey reported the forthcoming retirement of Marcia Parks, the longtime receptionist at the Center whose position they hope to fill early in the new year.

Also in January, Ms. Lindsey said a new linen procedure will be implemented for the resident students, who will be responsible for laundering their own bed linen in order to foster another independence skill. The linen had been sent out to a professional laundering service in the past. Commissioners expressed strong support for this change and Chair Pilarski thought it would be consistent with the agency’s goal to promote independence.

Additionally, Ms. Peggy Jackson will be conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation classes for students at the center so they can have some empowerment and help out if circumstances require it.

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

CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT COUNCIL REPORT

Mr. Casey Dutmer, Chair, Ms. Beth White, outgoing MCB liaison, and Ms. Lisa Kisiel, new MCB liaison, gave a report on activities of the CIC. Mr. Dutmer thanked Ms. White for her work over the past two years as liaison to the CIC. Ms. Kisiel, vocational rehabilitation counselor from the Kalamazoo office, said she looked forward to the new challenge. MCB liaisons to the CIC are rotated on an approximate two-year basis.

Mr. Dutmer said beyond the January 23 meeting date, future dates had not yet been scheduled, although they were usually held in May and September.

Mr. Dutmer said that, thanks to the dialogue and appreciative inquiry process, the meeting held in September had been very positive, and that learning to communicate without emotion and blame was very productive. Mr. Dutmer thanked the board and Director Cannon for making certain that their positions on the Youth Low Vision policy recently adopted were taken into account and on the record. He said the CIC felt its work was valued and respected as a result of this action.

Mr. Dutmer also thanked Ms. Taeckens for her participation as a consumer in the dialogue process at the August commission meeting in Sault Ste Marie, which he said had proved very valuable and a useful demonstration of the dialogue process and appreciative inquiry. Mr. Cannon suggested that consideration be given for Mr. John Victory to conduct a training on this dialogue process at the January 23 CIC meeting, to which stakeholders and partners could be invited, especially if the Training Center policies and guidelines are considered. The guidelines are expected to be available for the CIC shortly after the PAQ meeting on January 9.

Discussion was held about commissioner attendance at the CIC meetings: Ms. Taeckens indicated interest in attending the January meeting; Ms. Pilarski will ask Mr. Jackson if he would attend the May meeting, and Ms. Ashcraft said she would attend the September meeting, usually held in the Detroit area.

STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL REPORT

Ms. Valarie Barnum Yarger, Acting Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) introduced Ms. Trisha Turk, Special Projects and Events Planner, who helped conduct the recent consumer satisfaction survey for MCB.

Following a request from Mr. Jones last spring, SILC conducted a satisfaction survey of past clients, following Mr. Jones’ directions that the clients be assured of anonymity. Clients who had participated in the Independent Living (IL) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs were contacted. Ms. Yarger said that following initial contact, 601 clients agreed to share input, and using MCB’s survey instrument, SILC received a response from 315 people, or 52 percent. Of that number, 108 individuals were IL clients, 75 were VR clients, four claimed both services, and 128 did not designate the program.

Ms. Yarger said a report had been prepared showing the breakdown of responses which was available for distribution, as directed by MCB. Highlights of the reports include: 55-60 percent felt that MCB had made a positive impact on their lives and improved their understanding of blindness issues; 30 percent participated in the mini adjustment programs prior to becoming more involved in MCB programs; almost 60 percent felt that they had a large amount of input into their goals and programs and that they were listened to, which Ms. Yarger said was commendable; just under 60 percent said MCB returned their phone calls in the time frames requested. Ms. Yarger said that in their published report, all references to staff names had been redacted, but that information would be forwarded to Mr. Cannon for follow-up purposes. Ms. Yarger said they would maintain the surveys which were available for reference, and added that they would be happy to conduct further surveys, with the suggestion that certain modifications, such as demographics, be included in any future survey instruments.

Mr. Cannon thanked SILC for their willingness to conduct this survey, and for their helpful facilitation of focus group discussions at two consumer organization events and a commission meeting held two years before.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment. Mr. George Wurtzel presented Chair Pilarski with a wooden compact disk tray he had made, containing a compact disk made of a concert held at Camp Tuhsmeheta.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Friday, February 24, 2006 at the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, Ann Arbor. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

Date