FINAL
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MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES
3490 Belle Chase Way, Suite 110
Lansing, MI 48911
517.887.9370 or 877.335.9370
Business Meeting Minutes
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Detroit Grand River Office, Detroit
Tuesday July 21, 2015
Members Present: Ed Benning, Carol Bergquist, Sharon Bryant, Adam Kaplan, Deanna
Middlebrooks, Caryn Pack Ivey, Michael Poyma, Anne Riddering, Brian Sabourin, Mitch
Tomlinson, Zach Tomlinson.
Members Excused: Suzanne Howell (Department of Health and Human Services –
Michigan Rehabilitation Services DHHS-MRS), Ed Rodgers (Department of Licensing
and Regulatory Affairs – Bureau of Services for Blind Persons LARA-BSBP), Jennipher
Wiebold.
Members Absent: Sheryl Diamond, Trina Edmondson, Sara Grivetti.
Guests Present: Annette Blough, Joe Harcz, Carolyn Harris-Render (DHHS-MRS),
Jannette Howard (DHHS-MRS), Jon Iannucci-Waller (DHHS-MRS), Leamon Jones
(LARA-BSBP), Lisa Kisiel (LARA-BSBP), Angela Mason (LARA-BSBP), Gwen McNeal
(LARA-BSBP), Robert Moore (DHHS-MRS), Mike Pemble (LARA-BSBP), David
Robinson (National Federation of the Blind).
Staff Present: Marlene Malloy, Shori Teeple.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Council Chairperson C. Bergquist. Roll call
determined that a quorum was present.
Public Comment
The public comment statement was read aloud.
David Robinson
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I’m a member
of the National Federation of the Blind and I’ve been representing blind people for a long
time. My comments today relate to the cooperation of the Americans with Disabilities Act
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(ADA), as you know is a civil rights legislation. We are twenty-five years old and I think
that it's difficult though to feel as though we celebrate the ADA. I think there is much to
be much lacking in terms of progress that we made with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, although it has brought some public attention enforcement of the ADA as a civil
rights piece of legislation and has been clearly lacking within the system. The September
17th celebration at the Capitol, which by the way is not an accessible building and not
compliant with the ADA, seems a bit difficult to put your arms around because it doesn't
seem to be the place that we ought to be celebrating our advancement when it's so far
behind. And, like the Capitol, all state buildings are not in compliance with the ADA and
therefore the National Federation of the Blind and National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan will not be celebrating ADA. In fact, we will be trying to educate the public on
what needs to be done to make the ADA even better within our society, and rather than
spend our time celebrating it, we need to be doing more to advance it in the way that is
going to help people with disabilities. The other comment I have is that in recent
discussions with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) at our national
convention, we had several public officials from RSA there in attendance and whether or
not there has always been a claim here at the state rehabilitation council that you're not
responsible for monitoring the progress or problems with the Randolph Sheppard
program within the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and that is just not true. You're
responsible for that program as well as all other programs with the BSBP program. We
are having some additional discussion with RSA and hopefully we will be able to
determine what needs to be done here in Michigan by RSA to make sure that the
agencies that you monitor are in compliance and they are way, way out of compliance
with service delivery and all the other things that are involved with bringing services to
people with disabilities. So I hope that you shore up your monitoring, look at them very
responsibly and make sure that they are doing what they are supposed to do because
right now they are not and we will make changes as we need to and as necessary and as
we can do it. As a consumer organization of the blind, we are not going to stop just
because somebody says that we are a radical group or don't know what we are talking
about because believe you me, we do know what we are talking about and we will make
the changes as necessary. So thank you for your time and I hope that the state
rehabilitation council there will just make a comment to me, back to me relevant to their
standing in terms of the state agency for the blind and the rehabilitation and the Randolph
Sheppard program, and we will take that back to RSA. Thank you.
Joe Harcz
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a fundamental civil rights law as Mr.
Robinson stated, and no qualified person with disabilities may be excluded from or
discriminated against in the programs and services of any public entity. That includes
this public entity, that includes all the state of Michigan entities and that includes BSBP.
That includes DHHS. And I’ll tell you what, ladies and gentlemen, every one of them
violate the effected communications requirements of the ADA. Every one of them. None
of you people, I believe, and nobody in this state apparently is with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. It’s a non-discrimination law, it's an integration mandate, and it provides
for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. Every scrap of paper, for example,
you people have, every one, I got the right to in a timely and accessible manner. Every
one of you, all of the public buildings are supposed to have program access requirements
met. They are not, including Cadillac Place which was sued by Mr. Bernstein and is still
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out of compliance including the state capitol. We don't even get access to our own
information, its customers. We do not get accessible information from the Michigan
Administrative Hearing System in spite of Tennessee vs. (unclear reference?), and all of
these things were supposed to have been done 25 years ago and they are not done.
And I tell you what, I’m going to be celebrating ADA by filing complaints on every scofflaw
in this state, every one, and that includes you Ms. Malloy. When you do not remit
documents related to this entity, this state rehabilitation council (SRC), in a timely and
accessible manner and you revert to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), then you are
violating my rights, ma'am. When people see in the so-called consumer satisfaction
surveys that no clients who are blind are given information in accessible form, in a timely
manner, related to our own cases, that is a violation of the ADA and that aids and abets
the scofflaws. When we have the hiring of dozens upon dozens of non-disabled people
at BSBP, the very vocational rehabilitation (VR) entity, that is a discriminatory act called
prima fascia. When you, Mr. Sabourin, when you overlook the constant and pernicious
violations of my civil rights, you are aiding and abetting. You have sat here next to me
and seen information that is not accessible to me and it is not timely delivered. It’s an
ADA issue. It’s a Rehabilitation Act issue. Man, what law don't these entities violate?
What it is you people don't understand is the very VR and independent living (IL)
agencies that are supposed to be aiding with empowerment of people with disabilities are
the very agencies that are exploiting and discriminating against us. Put yourselves in a
wheelchair, people. Put yourselves in a blindfold. Make yourselves deaf and you'll see
what people go through in this state to get even access to MRS or DHHS or to BSBP.
Access is a civil right, ladies and gentlemen. Joseph Harcz fought rightfully to sit in the
front of the bus. We would like to get on the bus. Thank you very much.
Welcome & Introductions
C. Bergquist welcomed council members and guests. Introductions were made.
Agenda
The draft agenda (July 21, 2015) was reviewed by the membership. Changes to the
agenda were proposed for additions of acceptance of Executive Team final minutes, work
team reports and acceptance of final minutes, and staff report.
A motion, made by S. Bryant and seconded by A. Riddering,
was passed to approve the draft agenda as amended.
Minutes
The draft minutes (May 19, 2015) were reviewed by the membership.
A motion, made by A. Riddering and seconded by C. Pack
Ivey, was passed to approve the draft minutes as presented.
Executive Team (ET) Report
ET Minutes
The proposed Final ET Minutes for April 27, 2015 were reviewed. Members and guests
were reminded of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) event also on this day at Eastern Market. Members and staff will be attending the
event following the business meeting. The September 17th ADA Anniversary Celebration
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at the Capitol in Lansing was also highlighted. Additional documents in meeting packets
included the Final FY 2016 MCRS Meeting Schedule and Final Amended FY 2014-2015
Strategic Plan, both of which were approved at the May business meeting.
A motion, made by A. Riddering and seconded by B.
Sabourin, was passed to accept and place on file the final
ET minutes as presented.
Financial Operations
Members reviewed the Financial Statements for April, May and June 2015. Also included
in packets were the Final FY 2016 Budget and supporting documents, which were also
approved at the May business meeting.
A motion, made by A. Riddering and seconded by D.
Middlebrooks, was passed to accept and place on file the
Financial Statements for April, May and June 2015 as
presented.
Report of the Executive Director (ED): M. Malloy
A written staff report was included in meeting packets. Additional updates were provided
related to the Council’s involvement with the BSBP and MRS FY 2017 State Plans,
including projected timelines for completion of tasks and work team progress with drafting
Attachment 4.2(c) recommendations.
The Council also recently received MRS’ Customer Satisfaction Survey Final Reports for
FY 2014, including results of surveys at case closure and at the time that Individualized
Plan for Employments (IPEs) are signed by customers and counselors. The reports were
produced by Project Excellence at Michigan State University and will be distributed to the
membership in the near future. It was stated that the reports were very well written, with
a number of the Council’s recommendations for improvements to the report included,
resulting in more information and analysis about results from customers who were ‘not
satisfied’ with services they received from MRS.
Highlights and outcomes were shared of the June 25th pilot focus group that was held for
customers of MRS from the Lansing District Office. There was great diversity among
individuals with regard to disability characteristics, age, race, gender, etc. B. Sabourin
co-facilitated the event with M. Malloy, with others in attendance as observers that
included Rodney Craig, Executive Director for the Statewide Independent Living Council
and Roseann Renauer, District Manager for the MRS Lansing District Office. Customers
provided responses both verbally and in written format, with a CART recorder present to
record verbal responses. The draft report for the event continues to be in progress, with
4 members of the Customer Experience Advisory Work Team planning to meet to review
and analyze the customer input and determine themes for recommendations.
Two awards events were announced that the Council will be hosting: the MRS
Champion Awards, which has been scheduled for Wednesday October 14th and the
BSBP Honor Roll Awards, which is being scheduled for Friday October 16th. Both events
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will take place in the Mackinac Room at the Anderson House Office Building in downtown
Lansing. More event details will be forthcoming as planning moves forward.
The FY 2016 budget negotiation process with both DSUs was reviewed, with updates
provided for where the Council is at in the process of final approvals for funding.
Advisory Work Team Reports
Customer Experience (CE) – M. Poyma (Chair)
A Highlights document and final CE minutes (April 21, 2015 and June 16, 2015) were
included in meeting packets. The Team continues to make progress in the development
of the DSU Dashboards, which represent data for federally mandated requirements.
Additional work has focused on updating the work plan, managing topics related to
customer satisfaction surveys and follow-up from the pilot focus group in Lansing.
A motion, made by B. Sabourin and seconded by D.
Middlebrooks, was passed to accept and place on file the
final Customer Experience minutes as presented.
Regulatory Guidance (RG) - A. Riddering (Chair)
A Highlights document and final RG minutes (March 17, 2015) were included in meeting
packets. Topics covered during meetings included updating the Council’s Annual Activity
Calendar, editing and drafting recommendations for Attachment 4.2(c) for the FY 2017
State Plans, and final printing of the FY 2014 Annual Report. Work will begin in August
on the FY 2015 Annual Report.
A motion, made by S. Bryant and seconded by D.
Middlebrooks, was passed to accept and place on file the
final Regulatory Guidance minutes as presented.
Customer Service System Issues - Brian Sabourin, Vice Chair
Client Assistance Program (CAP) – B. Sabourin
A written report was included in meeting packets.
DHHS-MRS Administrative Hearings Manager
A written report was included in meeting packets.
Overview - Partner Reports
A written SILC report was included in meeting packets.
Update - Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – Bureau of Services for
Blind Persons (LARA-BSBP): Mike Pemble, BSBP Deputy Director and Lisa Kisiel,
BSBP Training Center Director
Library Awards
The Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) was presented with a national
award this year on June 19th in Washington DC. BSBP is proud that the library and its
staff received this award; it was well deserved. MCRS staff attended a recent press
release event during which local media showcased the BTBL and its highly committed
staff and range of services that are offered statewide. Additionally, the Washtenaw
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Library for the Physically Disabled, a sub library for the BTBL, was given an award for the
‘Sub-Regional Library of the Year’.
Business Enterprise Program (BEP)
The BEP Manager, Constance Zanger, retired earlier this year and the process is moving
forward for recruiting a replacement for her. The position has been posted nationally and
a large number of applications have been received. Interviews will take place during the
next month.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for New Vending Machines
Key elements of a new RFP for acquiring new vending machines for the BEP are
expected to change how BSBP does business in terms of purchasing vending equipment,
which is generally quite expensive. A lease-type of arrangement will provide for repairs
to machines, for machines to be moved back and forth between facilities, and for retired
machines to be removed during the lease period. This type of arrangement will allow
BSBP to maintain the equipment for up to 5 years and then determine if replacements
are needed. Additionally, data collection of sales for those machines will be maintained
on an essential network data line. This has been called for under an audit of the BEP
that was completed in 2012; it will eliminate the need to pay high costs that have
previously been incurred for warehouse storage of vending equipment that is waiting to
be refurbished or replaced. The RFP has been posted, questions have been accepted,
and they are now in a response period.
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 113 Reports
The quarterly 113 Reports have been completed and submitted to RSA and will be
forwarded to the membership soon.
Program Data
The current status of program data (new applications, eligibility determinations,
successful closures, targeted projections, etc.) was reported, along with overviews of
current summer programming opportunities for youth at the Training Center and Western
Michigan University.
Update - Department of Health and Human Services – Michigan Rehabilitation
Services (DHHS-MRS): Suzanne Howell, Director (Excused)
A report was not available and/or provided during the meeting.
MCRS Reports on Designated State Unit Work Team Involvement
MRS Idea Stream - S. Teeple
The team has reviewed several new ideas that have been posted, with research taking
place for feasibility and some ideas being implemented. Preparations are being made for
‘town hall meetings’ over the next year, where team members will visit MRS district
offices around the state, simultaneously rolling out Idea Campaigns for topics focused on
critical issues that affect MRS statewide.
MRS Marketing - M. Malloy
Updates were shared about progress made for selecting Champion Award winners from
several categories, including Customer, Partner, Employer, and MRS Staff.
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MRS Online Orientation - M. Malloy
Next steps were reviewed for the final draft of the updated Online Orientation
PowerPoint, which is currently being reviewed by the MRS Executive Team. Council
members were thanked for providing their review and feedback of the PowerPoint for
further consideration by the Marketing Team.
MRS Policy Cadre - S. Bryant
An in-person meeting took place in June, which included discussion about revitalizing the
Cadre and next steps. The Social Security Policy was reviewed and discussed. During
the August meeting, the group will be looking at new requirements of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the regulations, and policy development as it
relates to the WIOA changes.
State Plan - M. Malloy
State Plan updates were reported earlier in the meeting.
re:con Program Planning Committee - S. Teeple
Attendance at the 2nd committee meeting involved discussion and deliberation about
proposed sessions for the re:con conference in Traverse City on November 4-6. The
event will offer a different format, which will include a pre-conference session day on
Wednesday, and then Thursday all-day and Friday through noon conference sessions.
BSBP Detroit Office Overview - Gwen McNeal, East Region Manager and Leamon
Jones, Director Consumer Services Division
An extensive overview was provided of the staff and services of the BSBP East Region,
which includes coverage for Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe and other counties.
Average caseload sizes range from 70-80, including community outreach with extensive
collaboration and referrals. Four division rehabilitation therapists known as Rehabilitation
Teachers also cover services to customers in the region. All counselors are required to
make employer contacts in their areas and to partner with Michigan Works! to make full
use of the resources they can provide to assist in placement efforts for their clients.
With the new WIOA legislation, BSBP has been working with partners about better
innovation and targeting other employers based on goals of clients and the availability of
transportation in communities. Affordable, reliable transportation continues to be one of
the major barriers to employment for persons who are blind.
One of the things that BSBP staff is really proud of is their ability to serve clients who are
blind from the age of 14. For more than 20 years, BSBP has been a great partner with
Detroit Public Schools, working with their Visually Impaired Teachers and Orientation and
Mobility Instructors to secure job sites, which have been meaningful for students.
Enhanced technology training, career exploration integrated into lesson plans, increasing
soft skills and daily living skills, orientation and mobility, interviewing/resume writing,
dressing for success, social media, etc. have been some of the many successes of the
collaborative programming opportunities.
Summer programming opportunities were described, along with a wide array of other
unique services that go above and beyond what schools would ordinarily be able to do on
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their own. BSBP staff participates in teacher staff meetings, maintaining a presence in
their offices and meeting monthly to ensure that they are providing maximum services for
students based on extended core curriculum and guideposts. Services provided under
various interagency cash transfer agreements were also described.
Additional information was shared about the Consumer Assistance Program, which is the
independent living program that focuses on two programs, including older blind. Goals of
the program focus on increasing services to customers, increasing awareness of the
program for more outreach to customers that would benefit from services, and working
with area agencies throughout the state, as well as the Centers for Independent Living, to
make sure they are aware of the program and the services that they provide. They also
work with individuals in a Youth Vision Program, which focus on individuals that have
vision impairments of 20/70, which is different criteria than that of BSBP customers.
MRS Detroit Renaissance District Overview - Jannette Howard, District Manager
An overview was provided of the district’s staffing and coverage areas, which includes 5
offices, some of which will be collocated with DHHS offices in November. Counselors
moving to those offices will be mobile workers. There are currently 13 counselors in a
mobile worker pilot in Detroit doing their work in the field. A description of the mobile
worker pilot was shared, along with answers to questions about technology, logistics,
hubs, referral sites, and other successes and challenges of the program. Currently, the
Detroit District has 38 counselors and 11 rehabilitation assistants, with 12 vacancies.
Staff serves about 6,000 customers each year, maintaining about 4, 000 open cases and
closing out approximately 1,100 annually.
Several successful programming initiatives were described, including Project Search,
which has sites at Blue Cross and DTE and boasts 80% placement rates. Large
transition programs with local school systems were highlighted, which include soft skills
training, work readiness, advocacy training, safety skills, personal empowerment and
more. Other programs include agreements with Community Mental Health, the
Intermediate School District, Sickle Cell Organizations, Services to Enhance Potential,
Community Living Services, and others that focus on transition services to youth.
Some of the difficulties in working with transition youth were shared, which include
challenges in obtaining needed documentation, the inability to obtain local match funds
on time, and also very low parental involvement, which has been a huge barrier.
Outreach strategies to employers and the district’s Business Services representatives
and initiatives were highlighted. Several hiring events have produced many referrals, as
well as numerous customers of MRS being interviewed for positions, with a majority
being hired.
Some questions were asked and answered about the district’s efforts to move individuals
out of a Detroit based sheltered workshop and into competitive employment. With a
focus on about 30 individuals who have expressed an interest in moving into competitive
employment, district staff have begun steps to assess their readiness for the competitive
environments and skills needed to ensure a successful transition to the new work
environment. In response to another question about job coaches, yes, individuals will
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transition along with support from a Supports Coordinator, Job Developer, and a
customized employment person/job coach, working together as a team to help make the
transitions happen.
Adjournment
There was no further business for discussion.
A motion, made by B. Sabourin and seconded by M.
Tomlinson, was passed to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
NEXT BUSINESS MEETING:
Tuesday September 15, 2015
11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
MCRS Office Meeting Room, Lansing
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