GOVERNOR TRANSFERS LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND TO MCB

The governor is establishing a Michigan Center for Innovation and Renovation Board to examine the establishment of the new center that would be a transformed Michigan Library and Historical Center through a partnership with Michigan State University, the city of Lansing and other appropriate public and private partners.  The board is outlined in Executive Order 2009-36 that abolishes the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and transfers that department's functions to various entities.  Skip Pruss, Director of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG), will be in charge of overseeing this transfer and it is expected that it will take affect October 1, 2009.

Representatives from HAL, DELEG and the Commission have been meeting since the announcement to plan for the transfer and to ensure that the expected implementation will be seamless and in the best interests of SBPH and MCB customers.  Transition team members are confident that the transfer poses exciting possibilities for common consumers of the agencies and could open new doors for more effective collaboration in the future.

INTERNSHIPS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Too often, too many MCB clients face enormous challenges getting their first employment opportunity.  Many times, clients have shown genuine success in the classroom and even though their college graduation credentials are in hand, they still find it exceedingly difficult to launch their careers, and in many cases it's because they have no work experience to point to as further evidence of their job readiness.

Because it is known that early work experience leads to vocational success, MCB has established the MCB Client Internship Program, to provide its clients with employment opportunities in state and local government and the private sector.  In this program, consumers will receive compensation for their internship and gain vital on-the-job experience to assist them on their path toward competitive employment and independence.  As a part of this experience, they'll have an opportunity to develop the soft skills that are so essential to employment success in the 21^st century. 

The MCB Client Internship Program is coordinated by MCB, with wages and job-related costs paid with a grant from the federal government through identified Rehab Stimulus Funds, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This opportunity is being offered to Commission clients who have nearly completed their rehabilitation and training program and are ready to pursue their career goals.  Once a candidate is approved by MCB and the employer, an intern will earn job experience and a bi-weekly income reimbursed by MCB.  Initially, the Commission plans to offer one-year internships to eligible, qualified clients, with the possibility to extend the internship experience for an additional year, if mutually agreeable by the employer and client.

The Commission will begin the program in mid-September with a few consumers working in MCB offices and the MCB Training Center .  MCB is also working with state government partners to develop internship opportunities for Commission consumers in other departments.

Thanks to the help and involvement of many individuals over the past few months, the Commission has been able to win support for this initiative from Jeremy Stephens, State Personnel Director, and Michigan 's State Employer, Sharon Bommarito Director, Office of the State Employer.  DELEG's Director of Human Resources, Patty Gamin has also been critical in supporting this effort, offering guidance and advocacy for its approval and implementation.

Clearly, the next big challenge is to market this project to others and, to that end, Ms. Gamin has already begun to promote this program to other state Human Resources directors.  Additionally, Beth White, Patty Gamin and Pat Cannon are scheduled to make a presentation to the Governor's Cabinet Council, September 22, providing an exceptional opportunity to speak to all state department directors about potential MCB client internships in their departments.  In the very near future, MCB will also reach out to local governments, community employment partners, and the private sector to expand opportunities to more and more job-ready consumers.

The best thing about this program is that everyone benefits!  Interns have the opportunity to build skills and explore careers in a paid work experience.  Employers get pre-screened, dedicated interns who are enthusiastic, eager, and talented.  Both interns and employers benefit from access to MCB's qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors to maximize the opportunity for a mutually successful experience, with MCB staff providing necessary support services including coaching, technology evaluations, adaptive equipment, orientation and mobility training, and follow-up consultation.  In addition, and perhaps one of the most important benefits of this program, supervisors and co-workers in the workplace will learn, first-hand, about the abilities of individuals who are blind, as MCB develops and diversifies Michigan 's workforce.

STATE CONSUMER CONVENTIONS PLANNED FOR THIS FALL

Michigan's two major blind consumer organizations are hosting their annual fall conventions in Grand Rapids this fall, bringing together their members, families, advocates, friends and community partners.  The Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI), affiliated nationally with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), will host its convention at the Howard Johnson Plaza, 255 28th St SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (616) 241-6444, in Wyoming, October 8-11. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan, affiliated with NFB's national organization, will conduct its fall convention at the Radisson Hotel Grand Rapids Riverfront  270 Ann Street N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504, 1-800-395-7046 in Grand Rapids, November 6-8.

The two conventions offer participants a variety of technology exhibits, seminars and networking opportunities to help attendees better understand emerging issues facing blind persons and their families today, as well as opportunities to develop strategies on how to effectively advocate for changes which can improve lives for blind persons in the state.  Additional information and registration details can be found at blindmi.org or nfbmi.org.

TURNING THE CORNER - ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) will hold their Fall Conferences, in Phoenix, Arizona, November 15-20, attracting more than 300 participants.  The two organizations hold adjacent conferences twice each year to provide opportunities for administrators, professionals and partners to learn about new trends and issues affecting rehabilitation services for VR agencies and their clients.

The theme of the NCSAB Conference, November 18-20, is "Turning the Corner - On the Road to Recovery."  Participants will learn how other agencies are coping with the challenges of the national economy, continued increases in unemployment rates and how the new federal stimulus funds are helping state rehab agencies to turn the corner on the road to recovery, utilizing funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  There will be presentations by state agencies which showcase their creative approaches to utilizing the stimulus funds over the next two years (such as MCB's Client Internship Program detailed earlier in this report).

Other features of the conferences will be reports by officials from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the federal agency overseeing public rehabilitation programs in the country, which will outline their expectations on the use of stimulus funds, RSA monitoring of state agencies and continued attempts in Congress to re-authorize the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Attached to this report is a position document developed by NCSAB, clearly stating the organization's views on key principles to be considered by Congress as the WIA reauthorization legislation is advanced. 

Conference attendees will also hear presentations by other agencies for the blind on a variety of topics, including why investing in VR is good public policy; orientation and mobility and innovative approaches to rehab teaching; how to keep up with fast changing technological advances; distance learning for staff and clients; and working effectively with transition programs for youth.

Recognizing that many rehab agencies throughout the country are implementing creative and effective initiatives which lead to improved services and outcomes for clients with disabilities, the final portion of the NCSAB Conference will be the popular "Brag and Steal" session, providing participants an opportunity to share some of their great practices, as well as to learn from others.

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PUTS BLIND DRIVERS BEHIND THE WHEEL

According to a report by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), a team of students at the Virginia Tech University have designed a car that allows blind and visually impaired people to take the wheel and drive.  The Blind Driver Challenge team from Virginia Tech's Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory has retrofitted a four-wheel dirt buggy that uses audio cues, a tactile map and laser range finders among other technology to guide vision impaired drivers as they control the vehicle.  Earlier models of the Blind Driver Challenge vehicle swayed more towards being fully autonomous, so the student team changed their approach to the design to focus on giving a vision impaired motorist total control of the vehicle.

With the objective of presenting a blind driver with the same type of control behind the wheel as a sighted person came many challenges. For example, the laser sensors scanning the surrounding environment of the vehicle need to relay large amounts of information back to the driver both quickly and accurately. To achieve this, the team used a number of non-visual interface technologies. These include a click counter steering wheel with audio cues, a vibrating vest worn by the driver for speed feedback, spoken commands for direction and a tactile map using compressed air to relay information about the terrain surrounding the vehicle.

The prototype was recently taken for its first spin around a closed course at the Virginia Tech campus by Wes Majerus, an access technology specialist with the National Federation of the Blind's Jernigan Institute in Baltimore.  According to Majerus, the experience was not only "liberating" but he also found the car's instructions to be more precise than that of a human counterpart.  This translates into this type of technology possibly being used to help elderly drivers, or train new ones.  Plans are underway to continue developing the concept and replace the dirt buggy vehicle with an all-electric car, reducing the vibration that can hinder the laser sensor as well as presenting a benefit to the environment.  While these studies are encouraging, those involved in the project are realistic about the long road ahead for both the development of the vehicle and the changing of laws that prohibit blind people from driving.

Product innovations and improved technologies have enhanced the accessibility of pedestrian signals now on the market.  Low-volume audible signals and tactile features have been incorporated into the design of products to provide access to pedestrians with vision impairments more effectively.  The industry standard, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, includes specifications for accessible pedestrian signals which derive from recommendations developed by a former Board advisory panel, the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee.

The Board has released new guidance on installing these types of pedestrian signals.  "Common Problems Arising in the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals" reviews access features of available products, including locator tones, audible and vibrotactile indicators of crossing cycles, and signal volume and explains important considerations in the placement and orientation of signal devices.  The low-volume indicators of current products make proper installation essential in order for signals to be effective.  The bulletin uses case studies and field evaluations to illustrate various installation ‘do's and don'ts' in relation to common site conditions and factors.  The publication, which includes an installation checklist, is available on the Board's website at www.accessboard.gov/research/pedestrian-signals/bulletin.htm along with other resources on accessible public rights-of-way.

The U.S. Department of Labor launched, July 30, Disability.gov, a redesigned federal Web site that connects the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. Formerly known as DisabilityInfo.gov, the site has been completely redesigned and updated with new social media tools, such as a blog and a Twitter feed, to encourage feedback and interaction among visitors. Disability.gov is not just for Americans with disabilities, but also for parents of children with disabilities, employers, workforce and human resource professionals, veterans, educators, caregivers and many others.

Disability.gov features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments.  Topics covered on the site include: benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation.  To link to Disability.gov, visit Link to U.S. page (http://www.disability.gov/home/link_to_us). 

MINI-ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM IN CLARE

A very successful Mini-Adjustment Program Workshop was held in Clare, August 23-28, with 38 consumers participating.  MCB clients attending the week-long Mini-Adjustment Program workshop were 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.

In conjunction with the workshop, the Commission also conducted an Employment Readiness Seminar, August 27, for 11 rehab clients who have advanced to the job-readiness stage of their rehabilitation program.  Consumers attending the seminars learned about various approaches to job searching, Michigan Works!, the Talent Bank, interview preparation and resume development.  They also took part in mock interviews and heard from local employers on their workforce needs.  Additionally, consumers received information about social security benefits and work incentives, as well as information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it relates to employment of persons with disabilities.  The final Mini-Adjustment Program and Employment Readiness Seminar for this year will be in Grand Rapids, November 15-20.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Outreach Activities

The Consumer Services Division has had a productive summer.  The staff has been active in various outreach activities and continues to develop and expand opportunities for seniors and vocational consumers to continue to receive technology training at several sites through Area Agencies on Aging centers.  The staff involvement in the development of various sites will make available technology training to individuals who are blind and visually impaired.  The emphasis of this training is to provide the opportunity for seniors to acquire basic technology skills within their local area.  The training will also be available to individuals that are 18 years and older who are vocational consumers as long as they have a disability.  The staff is continuing to collaborate with the native health centers to increase their knowledge about the agencies and the various programs that are available to persons who are blind and visually impaired.  It is anticipated that these outreach activities will increase referrals from the Native American population.  Initially, the staff will contact ten centers to provide in-service training to the staff and provide vision screening where possible.  The development of a collaborative relationship will help to improve dialogue resulting in increased vocational training to youths and vocational consumers.  This is one group that is underserved by the agency; therefore, these activities are necessary to increase involvement with the Native Americans in order to increase transition activities, vocational training and employment outcomes.

Summer Programs

The Consumer Services Division provided several opportunities for the youth this summer.  MCB had ten programs which gave 85 youths experience in pre-employment skill training, work experience, job shadowing and adjustment training.  An additional component to the summer program was the summer youth program through Michigan Works! that provided an opportunity for 43 participants to receive compensation as they gained a variety of work experiences.  The fourth Business Enterprise Program Summer Work Opportunity Program (BEP SWOP) offered youths an opportunity to learn about the BEP as they gained knowledge and skills that will equip them to work in the food industry while receiving compensation for their endeavors.  This year's program had five participants who gained valuable work experience.  Some of the participants were supported by the Michigan Works! Summer Program.  It is anticipated that this work experience will increase the individual's knowledge regarding the operations of the program.

Strategic Teams

The staff of the Consumer Services Division is working with the strategic teams to assess and improve service delivery to all consumers.  The Service Delivery Design, Technology and Futuristic Teams are reviewing manual policies and procedures to address the needs and demands of consumers for future rehabilitation and independent living needs.  The ad hoc committees under the SDDT are reviewing the small business policy, as well as the older blind manual to update the policies for improved services.  The Small Business Ad hoc Committee had employed a variety of stakeholders in their endeavors to improve the existing policy.  They have consulted with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Central Michigan University Entrepreneurial Services as well as the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Small Business program, as well as invited business owners and consumers to assist in the revision of the policies and procedures.  The Older Blind Ad hoc Committee is in the process of updating the policies and procedures for the Older Blind/Independent Living program to add to the policy manual.  They are inviting consumers and stakeholders to assist in the revisions.  This activity was in keeping with RSA's monitoring review.  The Futuristic Team is working collaboratively with the Technology team to develop a process to review applicants who wish to provide assistive technology to Commission consumers. They are also working to produce letters to be sent to a number of technology companies to encourage them to consider designing their products to be accessible for people that are blind and visually impaired. 

Transition Activities

The staff is working with the MT-21 project to improve transition services to youths.  MCB is working with Michigan State University and Michigan Rehabilitation Services to expand transition services throughout the state.  Currently MSU is reviewing MCB's data regarding its transition activities.  This review will provide the agency with information about the number of consumers that have received transition services over a period of time.  It will also begin to enable the agency to determine the areas where best practices are yielding positive results.  The staff will be working with the various intermediate school districts to discuss the results of the data analysis of the transition activities.

Internships

The agency has been approved to promote its internship project for a number of consumers who are nearing the completion of the rehabilitation program.  These individuals will have an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a variety of governmental agencies, including some county and municipal agencies.  MCB will follow up with any agencies that will provide an opportunity for its consumer to work with them.  This is a one-year internship with a possibility of an additional year depending on the employers needs.  Internships in state government will be considered as student assistants.  The participants will be compensated through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. 

Mini-Adjustments

MCB has had three Mini Adjustment programs this calendar year in Detroit, Gladstone and Clare.  The next mini will be held in Grand Rapids.  In conjunction with the minis, the Employment Readiness Seminar (ERS) has been conducted to provide job ready consumers' information on Social Security and work incentives, as well as information from Michigan Works! on how to conduct a job search.  At each of these employment seminars, the participants have received mock interviews from local employers.  The agency encourages job ready consumers to attend the ERS to increase their interviewing skills.  At the last ERS in Clare, 11 individuals participated in the program with employers who interviewed them from Mid-Michigan Health, Doherty Hotel, and Horizon Senior Living.

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Staffing 

The Training Center is pleased to announce that a new substitute instructor has been added to the staff.  Megan O'Rourke is a talented orientation & mobility instructor who acquired her initial teaching experience on the campus of Missouri State University prior to her enrollment in WMU'S graduate O&M program.  Megan becomes the first blind orientation & mobility instructor to work at the Center.  Because she also has considerable experience as an instructor of access technology, the Center will be able to use Megan's skills as a substitute in that area as well. 

Student Assistants and Summer Activity Program

In July, 2009, the training center hired two new student assistants, after the departure of J.J. Meddaugh and Dan VanElk.  Kristen Johnson and Tina Snyder are both preparing to be rehabilitation teacher counselors.  They join Jackie Paulding and Tim Paulding (our two remaining student assistants) who have also recently begun work on their Masters Degree programs in rehabilitation teaching (now known as vocational rehabilitation therapy), at Western Michigan University.  

These young people have put together a comprehensive collection of excursions throughout the summer that have exposed Center students to a wide variety of experiences.  These included:  The Mo-Pics theatre in Grand Rapids, where students enjoyed a movie with descriptive video; the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, one of the Nation's leading flight museums, Michigan Adventure, where students learned to negotiate the noisy confusion of an amusement park using their newly acquired skills of blindness; and a host of shopping trips and local concerts. 

Summer Programming

The Training Center introduced a new summer program for customers who need to complete the college assessment, and who are not able to attend the Center during the school year.  The program began on Sunday June 14, with the arrival of 23 young people between the ages of 15 and 22.  Joining these young people were two individuals, who were nearing the completion of their training in the independent living programs.  The whole experience proved to be beneficial to everyone involved, with many of the young people reporting that they made real friends at the Center for the first time in their entire lives.  The entire Center staff was very impressed by this group of young students.  They were intelligent, well mannered, thoughtful, determined and attentive to the work at hand.  They have considered their futures and it is evident that they are striving for excellence. 

The Training Center staff reported that they found this concentrated college assessment program to be a positive change, which should greatly assist field counselors in their work.   Input will now be sought from the Consumer Services staff, as to whether they found the concentration of college assessment services to be helpful.  A decision will be made by November 1, 2009, regarding next year's programming. 

Program Notes and Potpourri

Introduction of Yoga class:  This class is taught by an instructor who has provided many volunteer hours to the Center, during which time it was determined that Yoga is an excellent means through which many Center students are able to develop their core body strength and coordination.  Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and have become one of the most popular electives at the Center.  The class is proving particularly helpful for students with additional disabilities, and those who are congenitally blind.  

The women's round table:  The Center has held both women's and men's attitudes classes for a couple of years now.  These classes provide a forum for discussion issues that might not be appropriate conversation in a mixed-gender group.  Several months ago, the women students assumed the responsibility of planning and facilitating their class, which has been re-named "the women's round table".  Thus far, topics have included everything from cosmetic demonstrations and French braiding lessons, to a field trip to explore the five senses garden that is located next door to the Center. 

Testing site:  The Center is now approved to administer the WOWI (world of work inventory) and the WRAT (wide range aptitude test) for reading.  Center rehabilitation counselor Karen DeVera is qualified to administer these tests, both of which assist VR customers at the Center to take full advantage of their vocational rehabilitation programs by focusing more clearly on a vocational goal that is consistent with their skills, desires, aptitudes, abilities, capabilities and informed choice. 

Trial work incubators:  Center students continue to enjoy work experiences in the areas of reception and secretarial support, food service, facility maintenance and domestic services.  These experiences help to prepare students who have never before enjoyed the chance to work, and they increase confidence and the development of alternative skills for those who have worked as sighted individuals only. 

Partnering with Michigan Works:  The Center has provided part-time paid employment for an MCB client at the Center.  This young woman works approximately 10 hours each week, providing pet care to the Training Center's three dog guides and trainees.  She handles grooming, watering, feeding and exercising for the dogs. 

Growing the continuing partnership with Leader-dog:  For the second year, Leader dog visited the TC in May, bringing a couple of trained dog guides and Trekker GPS units.  After a brief morning lecture and Q&A session, students enjoyed the opportunity to take a short walk with a dog guide, and a separate chance for some hands-on experience with the Trekker Breeze. 

The Amazing Race:  Eight ambitious O&M students donned blindfolds and partnered in groups of two, to pit their skills in orientation & mobility against those of their peers.  After a dash around Kalamazoo using every type of public conveyance available in the city, the winning team received a prize. This race was enjoyed by one and all and is sure to become a seasonal favorite here at the Center. 

Strengthening the Training Center's collegial partnership with WMU, the Center was delighted to have its first functionally blind orientation & mobility practicum student.  This delightful and expert travel instructor did such an admirable job as a practicum student, that she will begin working as a substitute instructor as soon as she completes her internship this summer. 

Staffing the future:  The Training Center Director continues to serve on the advisory board to the Rehabilitation Counselor preparation program at WMU.  In addition, the TC and the VRC program are in the last year of a federal innovation grant that exposes WMU students to a two-week total immersion program.  During this summer season, seven students have completed the immersion program, which requires them to wear a blindfold during all of their waking hours for two entire weeks (including weekends).  During this time, the students participate in classes and residential life at the Training Center.  Preliminary results indicate that the program provides participants with tremendous insight into the barriers faced by persons who are blind (both real and created). 

Working more closely with MCTI:  MCB has a new liaison with the Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI).  The Center's VR counselor, Karen DeVera will work with any MCB customers who attend MCTI, throughout the duration of their participation in programming there.  The two training centers have also begun to collaborate and share ideas to the future benefit of students who are both blind and otherwise physically disabled or cognitively impaired. 

Increasing successful outcomes:  Beginning this year, all VR students who attend the training center are enrolled in JOBS class, where they thoroughly explore their career options.  They then move on to the world of work (WOW) class where they develop a resume and participate in a work experience of some kind.  Some students will work inside the training center, while others will take jobs out in the community of Kalamazoo.  It is hoped that these experiences will greatly assist participants in securing successful outcomes upon completion of their vocational rehabilitation programs.     

Property improvement:  Randy Dykstra, with assistance from the rest of the facilities maintenance team, has created a two stage Walking trail through the partially wooded portion of the TC's 22 acres.  The use of this trail, which includes an easy "phase one" walking path and a more challenging "phase two" trail, should assist in honing the skills of country dwellers who often find little practicality in spending all of their time walking the city streets when they live along a graveled country mile.  

Library enhancement:  The Training Center library has received several donations during the past year (mostly comprised of books on tape and large print editions).  As a result, space had run out.  Thanks to the hard work of Karen Harrington and Dan Grover, the library has been expanded by the addition of new, double-sided book stacks.  It has taken on the look and feel of a real library, and still includes enough seating and work space to accommodate a good sized class or small meeting. 

Student Talent show: Several of the more enterprising summer students organized and presented an outstanding talent show for the Center staff and fellow students.  This event took place during 5th hour, with all other classes being suspended so that everyone could participate. 

The MCB budget is, overall, in good shape, however matching funds remain a concern.  Securing adequate matching funds for MCB's budget is quite complicated because MCB is not allocated enough General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP) state dollars to fully match allotted federal grant resources.  This requires MCB to find other approved matching sources such as capital outlay, BEP set aside funds, private donations, in-kind match (for Independent Living only), and certified and cash match funding.  This year due to a reduction in DMB capital outlay projects for BEP building renovations, slow BEP sales resulting in lower set aside payments, a delay in the MCBTC building project and a cut in GF/GP it is uncertain if MCB will have to relinquish some allotted federal funds.  This will not affect the 2009 budget because MCB is allotted more federal money than it has authority to spend.  Every year MCB carries forward into the new fiscal year any unspent but matched federal funds so in the event that MCB is unable to match any federal funding this year it will result in a smaller carry forward to next years budget.  This economic climate has posed an ultimate challenge to MCB to find any and all resources to ensure that every federal dollar allotted to MCB stays with MCB.  MCB staff has met the challenge head on and has been working diligently to secure all viable matching funds.

MCB has begun expending the much anticipated American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.  Although the funding was a grant, there has been much work involved in actually putting the money to work for the blind citizens of Michigan.  The planning, approvals, coding, expenditure forms and report mechanisms all had to be put in place before one dollar could be spent.  Many levels of government were involved in doing these tasks.  So far MCB has requested adaptive equipment and training for Senior Centers and Area Agencies on Aging to provide training for persons who are blind in their regions and some of those stations will be set up by the end of September.  MCB has also been able to capitalize on additional teaching services in the Grand Rapids area and anticipates an expansion of those services to other areas of the state in the very near future.  A final big hurdle for expending ARRA funding has been the approvals for MCB to hire clients as Student Assistants for work experience.  It appears that infrastructure for that project is now in place and MCB has been given the go ahead to hire.  The agency will model this project by placing interns to work within MCB.

On the topic of ARRA funding, MCB has applied for additional ARRA funding to assist with the upgrade of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and other energy saving systems at the Training Center.  The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) Energy Office has 82 million dollars of ARRA funding to assist with the energy efficiencies and other upgrades in state owned buildings.  If MCB receives a grant from DELEG Energy Office it is required that the receiving office match 50% of the grant award.  The match can be other federal funding, state funding, private donations or in-kind.  In addition, it is anticipated that MCB will need to request an increase in federal authority for the project.

Safety Team

The MCB Safety Team met for the first time with Steve Monet from the Office of the State Employer and Steve Shepard from the UAW facilitating. The first meeting, held in August, was an orientation/training program developed by Steve and Steve to assist newly established safety teams create a foundation and ground rules for the team. Present at this meeting were Betty Rush, Shawnese Laury, Beth White, Patrick Duthie, Amber Pike, Lee Greenacre, Lisa Kisiel, Michelle Visscher, and Bob Robertson. Judy Terwilliger is also a member but was unable to attend. This team will work together to identify some of the priorities from the safety survey conducted several months ago by Steve Monet. Recommendations will be made for possible training programs and other steps to be taken to address those priorities.

On a related note, the first safety training for MCB staff is scheduled in September at three different locations - September 3 in Kalamazoo, September 8 in Lansing, and September 11 in Detroit. The presenter is F/Lt. Mike Krumm from the Michigan State Police. This program will focus on the need to identify potentially dangerous situations and how to control or de-escalate the problems, hopefully through effective communication. Approximately 80 MCB staff and drivers will attend one of the three sessions.

The next meeting of the safety team is scheduled for Sept 16 via telephone conferencing.

Rehab Conference

The Michigan Rehabilitation Conference is scheduled for October 21-23 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. About 18 MCB staff have requested approval to attend the conference. There are over 50 breakout sessions scheduled including a day long session called "Job Development in Spite of the Economy" being presented by Allen Anderson. MCB has brought in Mr. Anderson in the past and his program is very good.

Civil Service Update

MCB is seeking approval from the department and Civil Service to establish three new job placement specialist positions - one in each region. These positions will be limited term appointments paid for using ARRA funds. The process of establishing a new position is sometimes a challenge but it is hoped that these new positions will be posted to fill by early October.

Progress is being made on amending the Civil Service job specification for Rehabilitation Consultant to include those persons with degrees and work experience in rehabilitation teaching. Historically, teachers have not met the qualifications for rehabilitation consultant vacancies. This is the first step to change that and hopefully it will be resolved within the next few weeks.

Staff News

Ray Kirklin, a rehabilitation counselor in the Saginaw Office has retired after more than 35 years of providing services to blind persons in the State of Michigan. Congratulations, Ray!

MCB Website Highlight:  MCB Board and Commission Meetings

To encourage public participation in MCB commission meetings and MCB topics in general, the MCB website has an MCB Board and Commission Meetings section, which includes commissioner biographies and contact information, a schedule of upcoming commission meetings, and recent and archived MCB Reports, meeting agendas, and minutes.  The main page of this section can be reached from the MCB website's home page (  www.michigan.gov/mcb ) by clicking on MCB Board on the main menu.  

The MCB Board and Commission Meetings main page has four parts, with specific information as follows, in this order from the top:

• Board Information
  • MCB Commission Meeting Schedule.  This link goes to a list of all upcoming commission meetings.  Each meeting date has a link that leads to the complete meeting agenda, posted as soon as it becomes available.
  • MCB Commissioners includes each governor-appointed commissioner's name, photo, biography, and contact information.
  • Board Organization--Authority, Structure, and Policies.  This document was written in 1996 and last revised in 2004. 
• MCB Reports--This includes all MCB Reports, listed by date, with the most recent at the top.  The current year's reports are listed under individual links, and older reports are listed under a link for each year from 2008 back to 2004.
• MCB Commission Meeting Agendas--This includes all agendas, listed by date, with the most recent at the top.  The current year's agendas are listed under individual links, and older agendas are listed under a link for each year from 2008 back to 2000.
• MCB Commission Meeting Minutes--This includes all approved minutes, listed by date, with the most recent at the top.  The current year's minutes are listed under individual links, and older minutes are listed under a link for each year from 2008 back to 2000.

More Web Surfers Visit MCB Website

Today, many people find an Internet search to be the fastest and easiest way to get information about anything, and MCB is working to ensure that web surfers seeking blind rehabilitation services for themselves or others will find MCB on the first try.  When a person does a Google search using keywords-for example, the keywords "blind" and "Michigan" to look for blind rehabilitation services in this state-the search produces a list of many, many websites that contain those words, basically listed in order from most-visited to least-visited.  This is what MCB is doing to keep the MCB website near the top of the search results:

• All MCB publications, press releases, stationery, and table display banners are imprinted with the MCB website URL, or address, which is  www.michigan.gov/mcb .  
• MCB's URL is the same as the state of Michigan's main web page plus a forward slash followed by MCB.  This follows the standard pattern used by many state of Michigan departments and agencies, such as MRS, DELEG, DMB, MDOT, and the DNR, among others, which makes the URL easy to remember.
• The MCB website includes information of interest to consumers, employers, MCB staff, other rehab professionals, eye doctors, BEP vendors, community partners, and members of the media.  Every effort is made to keep this information complete and up-to-date, to encourage return visits.
• MCB requests web links on partners' websites and participates in opportunities that bring new visitors to the MCB website.  For example, during July 2009, MCB was the featured agency of the month on the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Senior Site, and the articles and links to MCB are still archived there.   

Here are some recent results of these efforts:

• During June 2009, the number of page views on the MCB website compared to June 2008 showed an increase of 18 percent.  (Note:  Each website visit equals one or more page views.  For a multi-page website, counting the number of page views is considered a better way to evaluate website use than by counting the number of visits.)
• During July 2009, when MCB was the AFB Senior Site agency of the month, the number of page views on the MCB website compared to July 2008 showed an increase of 27 percent.  In addition, during July a Google search using the single keyword "blind" listed MCB number 10 out of 135 million websites.
• Google searches in August 2009 using various keywords produced these rankings for the MCB website:
  • Using the keywords "blind" and "Michigan," MCB ranked number one out of 5.1 million websites.
  • Using the keywords "blind" and "training," MCB ranked number one out of 16.4 million websites.
  • Using the keywords "senior" and "blind," MCB ranked number three out of 10.3 million websites.
  • Using the single keyword "blind," MCB ranked 80th out of 102 million websites that include this word.  According to this search, the MCB website was the eighth most frequently visited site of all the U.S. state agencies serving people who are blind, including both blind and general agencies.

Other MCB Communications & Outreach Activities

MCB Director Pat Cannon was interviewed for two radio programs in June regarding the commission's opportunities available to students.  On June 19, he spoke with AM Lansing's Walt Sorg on 1320 AM about MCB's summer youth programs.  On June 29, Pat spoke with John Ketchum of WCMU Radio (an NPR affiliate) for a segment on the local portion of "All Things Considered" providing information on MCB's College Prep program. 

To provide information on MCB's Independent Living Program to directors of Michigan's 103 senior centers, information has been posted on the Michigan Association of Senior Centers (MASC) online forum regarding the availability of Independent Living Program brochures.  As a result, MCB has received requests from senior center directors for print copies of this publication.

MCB will host a booth at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Fall Job Expo on September 17 at the Lansing Center to provide information to potential consumers and employers.  MCB will also host a booth on October 7-8 at the Michigan Optometric Association's 41st Annual Fall Seminar at the Lansing Center to provide information to optometrists and other eye care professionals about MCB services and MCB publications available for distribution to their low-vision patients.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

Training Activities

The three Spring 2009 B E P manager class students successfully completed their classroom training on June 10th, and completed their on-the job experiences on August 14th.  Ruth Osorio from this class has already bid on and accepted the McCree Courts Building in Flint.  She will commence operation of the facility in mid September.  Jamie Dorn from the October 2008 class accepted the Y M C A and assumed responsibility for the facility on August 31st. 

With the placement of Ruth Osorio at the McCree Courts facility, and after several years, the Business Enterprise Program now has more trained potential operators than facilities available.  This very good news is offset by the fact there presently are not sufficient qualified candidates for the October B E P Manager Training.  The Program's Trainer, John McEntee, and Training Center staff is in frequent and close communication regarding the status of preparing interested consumers for this training.  It is expected the next class will be conducted in April 2010. 

BEP OPPORTUNITIES

Lewis Cass Cafeteria

BEP continues to work with DMB to commence the very long awaited remodel of the Lansing Cass Cafeteria.  The process of awarding the construction contract was delayed while HVAC control issues were resolved.  Hopefully, B E P will be able to occupy the new space early in the new calendar year. 

Michigan State Police Headquarters

Construction continues on the Michigan State Police (MSP) Headquarters snack bar downtown Lansing.  It is uncertain when the new facility will open.

Detroit Arsenal

The Detroit Arsenal is a federal facility located in Warren.  There are currently three B E P facilities in this complex of buildings.  Construction has commenced on a new building to open in 2012.  B E P will be providing snack bar and vending services to the building's initial 700 occupants.

Battle Creek Federal Building

The General Services Administration has invited B E P to bid on the cafeteria services contract at the Battle Creek Federal Building.  Should the B E P be successful in the award, provision of services would commence early in the new calendar year.

U S P S Contract

The B E P continues to doggedly pursue the statewide contract with the United States Postal Service (U S P S).  The USPS has finally reviewed and forwarded the document.  However, some changes made are not acceptable to the Attorney General.  Staff continue to work with these parties to develop a mutually satisfactory contract.  

WORKING WITH THE EOC

Inventory and Evaluation

The B E P has the pleasure of working with an active, interested Elected Operators Committee.  The primary focus of the work right now is revision of the initial inventory policy and update of the Vending Facility Evaluation.   The Locations and Repair Subcommittee and the Promotions and Seniority Subcommittee have taken the lead in these matters.  The Highway Vending Subcommittee has worked with the B E P to develop a highway vending refund policy.  And, the Locations and Repair and the Highway Vending Subcommittees have been in conversation with the B E P regarding the composition of the Okemos Vending Route.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Elected Operators Committee will take place by November 13, 2009.