MCB REPORT

June 13, 2006

MICHIGAN PARTNERSHIP FORUMS

The fourth in the series of Michigan Partnership Forums was held in Lansing, May 23, attended by approximately 125 participants from several key community partners with the common goal of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB), Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns (MCDC), all within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), hosted the forums. Educators, workforce program service agencies, centers for independent living, and other community partners were also well represented at the forum.

The charge to participants was to examine existing service programs already in place and identify gaps in the service delivery system and also to see where there were overlapping or duplication of services. Through these forums, which attracted nearly 200 participants and were attended by several MCB representatives, four primary issues were identified as priorities to be addressed by sub groups: communications and information sharing, focus marketing, soft skills training, and business services and coordination of placement services. Each of the four groups met separately to identify possible strategies to address the issues, and then the entire group prioritized the following three strategies:

§ Focused marketing – demonstrate unified marketing approach to be used by participating organizations

§ Communication and information sharing – create regional collaborative/local disability councils

§ Soft skills training – identify assessment instruments and techniques to measure a person’s knowledge and application of soft skills

The need for accessible, affordable transportation was also identified as a major factor impeding employment opportunities for people with disabilities and forum participants heard a presentation on efforts under way in the state to focus on transit issues.

Keynote speakers for the forum were Irma Zuckerberg, Acting DLEG Deputy Director, and Mitch Tomlinson, Director of Peckham Vocational Industries in Lansing. Both presenters focused on the need for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to address employment issues.

The forum sub groups will continue to meet and work toward implementation of the top three strategies identified above. It is expected that preliminary reports from the work groups will be released at the end of this year.

FORMER SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND PROPERTY SOLD BY STATE

Property and buildings housing the state's former School for the Blind were sold under legislation, HB 5354, that passed the Michigan Senate on May 24 and signed into law by Governor Granholm, June 6. Under the provisions of the sale, the city of Lansing will retain some of the 35 acres of the site on the northern side of the city, while the bulk of the property is being purchased by the Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy, which is now using the land. About 95 percent of the sale proceeds will be deposited into the Department of Education’s Trust Fund to help support Camp Tuhsmeheta, a 297-acre environmental education campground in Greenville which is owned by the state. The remainder of the proceeds, about $45,000, will help support Newsline, a telephone newspaper service for the blind.

WINNERS AGAIN

On June 2, the weather in Lansing was warm, but the chili was hot! And for the second year in a row, the Michigan Commission for the Blind won a handsome trophy at the Lansing Board of Water and Light Chili Cook-Off. This year, MCB took the bronze trophy for Best Meatless Chili.

A total of 39 organizations served 100 varieties of chili at this year's competition, with all proceeds going to Adopt A River and Pennies for Power, which helps Lansing Board of Water and Light customers who have trouble paying their utility bills. Michigan Commission for the Blind volunteers served 40 gallons of chili and handed out 1,000 Braille fortune cookies and Braille alphabet cards with information on MCB's services. Some people wouldn't leave the table until they'd successfully deciphered their fortunes, and some teachers asked for extra Braille cards for their classrooms.

Constance Zanger, Assistant Administrator of the MCB Business Enterprise Program, is also known among staff as the Chief Chili Organizer, or simply the Chili Queen. "We start work on this in January. It's a group effort. During the cook-off, some people ask, 'What restaurant are you?' I tell them, ‘We do the food service in state and federal buildings,' and then they know who we are."

Leamon Jones, MCB Director of Consumer Services, said, "It was a great event. We served a lot of chili, and we talked to a lot of people about our services for people who are blind and visually impaired. People were especially intrigued with the Braille fortune cookies and Braille alphabet cards."

MCB Business Enterprise Program Manager, Fred Wurtzel, said, "All of the chili we served was prepared at the State Plate, located across the street from the Capitol. It takes a lot of volunteer time to prepare 40 gallons of chili, but we're glad to help--it's all for a good cause."

HOT TOPICS AT CSAVR AND NCSAB CONFERENCES

The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) held their annual spring conferences in Bethesda, Maryland, April 24-28, to cover several topics of interest to public rehab agencies and the consumers they serve, including the future of the Randolph-Sheppard Program, the impact of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) reorganization on state rehab agencies, reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, and funding for the one-stop system and programs for the older blind.

Pat Cannon, Melody Lindsey and Sherri Heibeck attended the adjacent conferences, returning with some good tips on how to capture more federal social security payments, information on how RSA will be proceeding in monitoring state agencies, and continued hope for extra federal funds to construct a technology center within the Commission’s Training Center. The conferences were well attended and participants were highly engaged throughout the week.

The hottest topic which clearly dominated the NCSAB conference was the federal Randolph-Sheppard Program, which sets guidelines for MCB’s Business Enterprise Program. Oversight hearings begun last fall by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) raised questions about the effectiveness of the vendor program and proposed that the program be expanded to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for all people with disabilities, not just those who are blind or visually impaired. Supporters of the program, which has been in place since 1936, said such an expansion would be extremely detrimental to BEP operators and could be "a foot in the door" to eliminate specialized services for the blind through separate agencies such as the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Many conference participants also expressed concerns over RSA’s reorganization and its approach to monitoring and technical assistance. Concerns were also raised over the latest rehab budget proposals, which could eliminate targeted funding for supported employment programs. Sherri Heibeck, MCB’s Administrative Services Manager, attended a day-long seminar hosted by the Social Security Administration, which offered tips on how state VR agencies can maximize their SSA payments for successful VR clients. Melody Lindsey, Director of the Commission’s Training Center, participated in a panel presentation on serving older blind clients, and Pat Cannon joined Ms. Lindsey for a presentation on training center services.

Roseann Ashby and James Sermons, RSA’s liaisons to Michigan, are scheduled to visit MCB and MRS offices in Lansing, August 1-4, which will be the first on-site visit since RSA reorganization last year. MCB has submitted the State plan amendments and Corrective Actions, one of which will require a recommended change in the Policy Manual, and approval by the board.

COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM 2006

The Michigan Commission for the Blind facilitates an 8-week program during the summer semester at Western Michigan University, called the College Prep program. This program is intended to give potential college students an opportunity to experience college life on-campus, to participate in a college course, and to gain a better understanding of what college life is all about and what to expect. Students participating in the College Prep program have usually either just graduated from high school or have just completed their junior year in high school.

Prior to participating in the College Prep program, students need to complete the College Assessment. The College Assessment evaluates student skills which are necessary to be successful in a college program. These skill areas include, but are not limited to, keyboarding, computer, note taking, orientation and mobility, communication, personal care, etc.

During the 8-week session at Western Michigan University, each College Prep student enrolls in one academic class. In addition, the student participates in a class called "Empowering Yourself in Your College Experience" - in this class, instruction is provided to students in working with instructors, residence hall directors, administrative staff, etc. in a college setting. Students participate in another class called the "World of Work" - this class empowers students to become more involved in decisions which need to be made throughout a student’s academic career and beyond. The program also provides a paid work experience during the College Prep program.

Potential College Prep students are referred to the program through their Michigan Commission for the Blind Counselor. If a student is legally blind, is at least 14 years of age, and is not yet enrolled for services through the Michigan Commission for the Blind, they are urged to contact the Commission for information on program enrollment. Recognizing that college programs are not for everyone, the Commission offers a number of different educational and instructional opportunities for youth and adults of all ages.

VISIONS 2006 ATTRACTS 1,255

On May 10, more than 1,000 people attended the day-long VISIONS 2006 vendor fair at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor. Specifically, 1078 attendees, 85 volunteers and 92 vendors representing 52 agencies, organizations and businesses participated. Co-sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (LBPD), the biennial fair featured 92 vendors with assistive technology products for people who are blind or visually impaired. This was the largest such event held in the state of Michigan.

Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to try out new products, ask questions, and compare items, and food was available for sale from Business Enterprise Program vendor Brad Dula.

MCB State Director Patrick Cannon and Washtenaw County LBPD Librarian Coordinator Margaret Wolfe welcomed Dr. David Zacks of the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Zacks, a retinal specialist, spoke on "New Frontiers in Vision Research, From the Lab to the Clinic," focusing on age-related macular degeneration and the new research changing the treatment of that disease.

The Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (http://LBPD.eWashtenaw.org) loans books and magazines free of charge in alternate formats (recorded cassette, large print, and Braille) to individuals in Jackson, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties who are unable to read or use printed materials as a result of a physical disability. The library also offers several innovative programs such as "Doing More With Less," "Many Ways of Seeing" and "I Have a Story."

MINI-ADJUSTMENT WORKSHOP IN CLARE A SUCCESS

The Michigan Commission for the Blind conducted its third Mini-adjustment Program of the year, May 21-26 in Clare, with 35 consumers participating. MCB clients attending the Mini-Adjustment Program workshops are introduced to a variety of skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, managing time and money, adaptive kitchen skills and other skills to enhance independence. MCB will conduct five, week-long Mini-Adjustment Programs in 2006, with the next workshop scheduled for Lansing, August 27 through September 1. Additionally, a special program is being planned for DeafBlind clients in the fall.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

The Consumer Services staff continued to be active in providing opportunities for all of its consumers. The staff has continued to collaborate with the Michigan School for the Blind and Low Incident Outreach to develop programs to assist intermediate school districts in meeting the needs of visually impaired and blind students in the K-12 school system. A pilot program is being initiated that focuses on daily living skills for youths in elementary grades. Further collaboration with the Michigan School for the Blind has resulted in MCB’s participation through the Technology team to share information regarding new technology and the application of it in education and employment. MCB can look for more opportunities to partner with and participate in other projects in the future.

MCB has completed the "coaching phase" of the Building Trust Relationships and employment strategies to support staff in developing employer accounts to assist in placing job ready candidates. The staff that participated in the coaching session stated that "it was beneficial and helpful." Ms. Allison Chase, training coach, stated that "the staff showed an eagerness to carry out this aspect of their job duty." She worked with each staff person to develop a schedule that will allow for time to actively participate in job development. MCB will continue to consult with this company to obtain additional assistance in employment trends and job development.

During the Mini Adjustment program in Clare, the Consumers Services director was privileged to speak to some of the participants who expressed their satisfaction with what they had learned. The Employment Readiness Seminar is a component of the Mini Adjustment programs. It was a successful program in many ways. There were about thirteen employers from the surrounding communities that participated in the interview process. In attendance were thirteen job ready consumers who had an opportunity to interview with the local employers as well as Michigan Works! staff and other interviewers. The consumers received a variety of information that would assist them in conducting a thorough job search. Many of the participants received interviews with local employers such as Soaring Eagle, The Doherty Hotel, Central Michigan University and others. The vocational counselor, Mr. Ray Kirklin, will encourage the consumers to follow up with employers with the objective to obtain employment. The Consumer Services director participated in the interview process and was impressed with the caliber of those seeking employment. MCB will continue to work with its community partners to establish employment activities that prepare the individual to be successful in obtaining employment in their chosen field.

Two East Region staff from the Lansing office have developed employment programs to assist job ready consumers to obtain skills that will help in their job search. At the Washtenaw County Library on May 10, 2006, Ms. Kim Kennedy, vocational counselor, conducted a Job Seeking Skills Workshop. The workshop was in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, Michigan Works! and the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Participants were from MRS and MCB. There were eight participants in the program that received information on how to conduct a job search and information relating to self-advocacy. As a result of this activity, one of the participants received employment and all of the participants received job leads in their area. Janis Benstead will be conducting a similar activity at the Lansing Michigan Works! for several job ready consumers. Michigan Works! staff and MCB will work with helping consumers develop an appropriate job search. This program will attempt to involve local employers to provide mock interviews and discuss work expectations. Staff will continue to develop employment activities to support job ready consumers. They will involve community partners and employers in increasing employment opportunities for MCB’s consumers.

The Summer in the City program is co-sponsored by MCB and Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) in Grand Rapids. The program will start June 19, 2006. The program will provide attendees the opportunity to gain personal and pre-vocational skills. MCB will have approximately thirteen consumers attending the program, primarily from Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. The Summer in the City program is under discussion to integrate the activities in the Kent Intermediate Schools District throughout the year. The goal is to develop an agreement with Kent ISD so that these services will be available to visually impaired students.

The Detroit Public Schools and MCB have finalized the summer work experience program for eighteen participants. These individuals will receive work experience by being employed at various agencies and organizations throughout the city. The program will also have a daily living skills component and pre-employment skills training. Discussion is in process to develop the program into an agreement with Detroit Public Schools to provide the services throughout the school year, most specifically, the services will include pre-employment such as soft skills training, job shadowing, mentoring and work experience.

The Business Enterprise Summer Internship program will provide summer employment opportunities for several youth that wish to gain valuable work experience and knowledge about the Business Enterprise Program as a possible career. At present, four youths are in the process of being placed on the job. Staff will continue to work with consumers in an attempt to provide as many summer work experiences as possible.

MCB and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind have developed an agreement to provide work experience at Camp T. These individuals will be working as camp counselors, kitchen helpers and maintenance workers. There are opportunities for ten consumers to gain work experience during the summer at Camp T. The Consumer Services staff has been very active in working with school districts and other organizations to provide summer work experience for youths. Ultimately, these activities define what transition really means.

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

The Quest for Success team met on May 31 to discuss curriculum development and other issues involved in running the Quest for Success program. Jim Baird, who is handling referrals, reported that, as of this date, there are six completed referrals for the program. The goal is to have at least twelve participants. The next planning meeting will occur on June 20, at which time the team hopes to finalize the curriculum and determine MCB staff participation in the program.

Thanks to Roger Yake, the Center now offers wireless connection for staff and students. The wireless connections are available in classrooms, as well as dorm rooms and will allow students to access the Internet from anywhere in the building using their own laptops or PCs.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

MCB’s budget is still on track. Costs and projections through May 2006 show that MCB has expended sixty-seven percent of the budget sixty-six percent of the way through the year. Currently there is a shortfall with state matching funds that MCB is diligently working with DLEG finance to resolve. One area that has been a drain on matching funds has been the BEP rent charges. BEP rent cannot be used as matching funds nor can it be paid for using federal Title I funds. Up until the early nineties, the Department of Management and Budget fully paid the building occupancy charges. At that point, they decided to change their accounting system to properly reflect building occupancy charges that belonged to each agency. To accomplish this they would appropriate the funds to MCB’s budget and then bill MCB back for the charges. This worked well until MCB changed departments (several times) where the new budget offices had no history of the BEP rent issue and they were asked to cut budgets. In 1995, MCB’s appropriation amounted to $810,700 of state funds for BEP rent, which by 2004 had dwindled to $289,000. All the while, rent costs fluctuated around the one million dollar mark. Time and time again MCB tried to explain to each new financial department the negative effect on MCB state matching obligations due to the eroding BEP rent appropriations. After pulling together mounds of historical documentation it is hoped that MCB finally impressed DLEG that it has not been properly funded with state matching funds. MCB is waiting to see what DLEG’s budget office can do about this situation based on the information provided to them. Hopefully, this can be resolved soon and be a possible solution to MCB’s matching funds for this year and possibly in the future.

MCB has a new Department of Information and Technology (DIT) employee that is detailed to work in the Lansing central office. Jim Hamilton is on board and has been busy working on the BEP System and getting System6 to interface with the State of Michigan’s MAIN Accounting System. Jim has spent two weeks in Florida getting trained on JAWS and script writing for JAWS. He was a programmer for EDS and has already put his skills to use in writing several programs to provide reports for BEP. He is proving to be an excellent asset for MCB.

After two years, MCB finally has a cash match agreement with Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) for Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T.). This is a win-win situation for all. The agreement will assist in providing funds to OUB for the operations of Camp T. In addition, it will give MCB’s eligible clients expanded activities to gain skills and exposure in the areas of independent living; social interactions; recreation and leisure; communication; mentoring and pre employment opportunities. It will also provide MCB with much needed local matching funds for Title I federal funds. This agreement includes not only a funding component for eligible clients that want to attend summer camp but also provides employment opportunities and funding for MCB’s clients.

In human resources, MCB has recently filled two positions:

Shannon McVoy started her job as a Blind Rehab Instructor P11 at the Kalamazoo Regional Office on June 5. She used to work in the Escanaba office after graduating from Western Michigan University and after a stint working as a rehab counselor in Georgia she moved back to Michigan and has been working under contract for the past few years.

Mary Carter will begin working as a Secretary 8 on June 19 at the Training Center filling the vacancy left by Marcia Parks. She is transferring to MCB from DHS and has many years experience working in state government. For the past six months, Marzella Rasmussen has filled in as the temporary receptionist. Her willingness to help out until a permanent receptionist was hired is greatly appreciated.

It is hoped to post the Rehabilitation Consultant 13 position at the Training Center very soon. This position will be the "go-to" person working with consumers, students, employers, and others on issues related to technology in the workplace and school.

There is also a vacancy at the Training Center for a Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor 11. Since the Civil Service register was rather old, a decision has been made to wait until after the CS test is given later this month so that a newer, updated register can be provided. This is the vacancy left by Dick Linihan.

MCB has been given the go-ahead to plan three sessions of Discovery Learning training. The first session will be held in Escanaba on June 13-16. The second session will be in Dearborn on June 19-22. The third session will be for Training Center staff, July 11-14, in Lansing.

The national conference for NAMRC (National Association of Multicultural Rehab Concerns) is set for July 19-23 in Detroit. The title of the program is "Reinventing Rehabilitation in a Diverse World: Achieving Professional Excellence". More information will be coming out very soon on this program.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

A highlight of recent activities is BEP’s recent participation in the Visions 2006 technology event hosted by the Washtenaw County LBPD and MCB. Kudos go to Brad Dula and Joe Pelle for providing an affordable, quality luncheon and snack menu that was well received by Visions 2006 attendees. Brad and Joe worked with Librarian Margaret Wolfe to plan the services. It is expected that BEP will be invited back to provide food for the 2008 event. If invited, BEP will be eager and excited to again participate in such a well-done, exciting and valuable program.

BEP will offer the next training program, beginning in early July for new operators. As part of developing the best training possible, John McEntee and Constance Zanger have been meeting with MCBTC staff and possible trainers to develop a Business Mathematics class. Many good ideas have been proposed and there are still deliberations and decisions to be made. One large question is whether it is efficient for MCB to provide an in-house math class or continue to utilize the many resources in the various communities throughout the state. One consideration is that, despite the number of acceptable classes, not all consumers are near a facility, especially in rural areas. All avenues need to be explored to create a more plentiful supply of qualified and capable trainees for BEP.

In conclusion, after 20 years of service to the Commission for the Blind, Fred Wurtzel has announced his retirement, effective June 23. In addition to serving as BEP Manager, Fred has been integrally involved with the Commission’s Vision 2020 Initiative and the Planning and Quality Team.