FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND

QUARTERLY MEETING

July 21 and 22, 2006

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront

333 1st Street South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

MINUTES

Approved October 21, 2006

FRIDAY, July 21st

Kathy Davis, Chair called the meeting to order at 8:10 AM.

Council members present:

Kathy Davis, Craig Kiser, Jesus Garcia, Paul Kurtz, Terry King, Rick Brown, Ted Hull, Gloria Mills, Dawn Saunders, Ann Robinson, Lee Nasehi, Denise Marshall, Marilyn Palmer and Michael Taylor

Council members absent: Doug Hall, Dwight Sayer and Sue Townsend

DBS staff: Phyllis Dill, Michael Elliott, Joe Pearson, Lynn Ritter, DA, Tony Ames, DA Tampa Office, John Reynolds, Supervisor Tampa Office

Audience: Pat Gleason, Suzanne Dalton, Laurie Revell, Joanne King, Susie King

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Lynn Ritter, District Administrator provided an update on Districts Eight and Nine.

• District Eight includes 5 counties: Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Highlands
• District 8 exceeded their successful closure goals for fiscal year 2005/06.
• Goal was 58 closures, obtained 73.
• Goal of 58 to include 34 legally blind, obtained 51.
• The Bradenton office exceeded their goal of 22 to secure a total of 37 closures, 17 being legally blind competitive closures.
• St. Petersburg achieved their goals of 36 total closures, with 34 of those in the legally blind competitive category.
• Congratulations to the VR staff in both offices and especially to VR supervisors, Deborah Alexander and Linda Brown.
• The Summer Transition Program, through the Lighthouse of Pinellas, has been a great success.
• In partnership with the Hands On Employment Program which provides job coaching services to those individuals who are not eligible for supported employment but who will need more involved coaching to be successful on the job.
• A long term client in the Bradenton office was recently acknowledged as Graduate of the Year from the Hands On program.
• St. Petersburg is currently advertising for a VR counselor and a Sr Word Processor.
• A recent promotion to Customer Service Representative has left a vacancy in an Administrative Secretary position.
• The St. Petersburg office has been providing services to approximately 152 clients with one counselor and a supervisor for the better part of 2 years.
• Bradenton also has one counselor and a supervisor and is currently serving 85 cases and is averaging 10 referrals a month.
• It has been quite difficult to hire staff based on the educational criteria and salary ranges with individuals having a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling who are securing positions in other states for higher salaries.
• Overall, our salaries are quite low and we simply cannot entice folks to join our agency.
• The support staff leaving our office are taking jobs with agencies such as the Health Department where salaries are higher and promotional opportunities are more favorable.
• The Bradenton VR staff notes transportation is still a huge issue as the transportation system does not operate during many standard working hours and employers are not flexible. This creates huge challenges.
• In Pinellas County the lack of staff has meant we simply are not able to get and do the amount of job development we would like and have lost many good contacts we once had simply because we cannot keep our relationship with employers.
• District 8 supervisors have been the driving force in our VR success and have aided the District Administrator great deal while she continues her role as Acting District Administrator for District 9.
• Deborah Alexander makes sure all runs smoothly in St. Pete in Ms. Ritter’s absence leaving her worry free about the office.
• Linda Brown Supervisor from Bradenton has been assisting her in Ft. Myers as the Acting Supervisor there as well as Bradenton.
• District nine includes Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties.
• Lynn has been Acting DA since April of last year and has re-introduced many policies, procedures and processes to the staff to address a variety of issues and concerns.
• A number of VR cases were out of compliance; many client’s having not had services provided timely as well as extremely low referral numbers.
• Total number served in the VR program is roughly 85-95 cases, including the transition students.
• Linda Brown has begun working very intensely with the VR counselor, tech and secretary to clean out the caseload, meet with client’s that have not had service, develop plans and get client’s started in their rehabilitation process.
• Very limited job placement has been done.
• We have recently met with both facilities and together we have developed processes for referring clients, closures, purchasing of items and more.
• Internally we have made some changes to how work is performed in order for it to flow more smoothly and effectively.
• Current Vacant positions in Ft. Myers are the DA position, Rehab Supervisor and VR counselor.
• Lynn and Linda are attempting to alternate weeks so that one is in the Ft. Myers office for a couple of days each week.
• The Ft. Myers office staff did not have a good understanding of how to perform much of the work responsibilities in the various programs
• It has become clear after spending the last 16 months as Acting DA in Ft. Myers that they need a strong DAILY presence on a regular basis.
• The VR program is suffering and requires a full time supervisor with knowledge of rehabilitation and a strong presence to get it back on the right track so that the client’s benefit.
• The ILAP and Children’s program have also suffered, as have the relationships with the facilities and in the community and there are numerous personnel issues that require a DA’s DAILY presence.
• The Ft. Myers office has been in chaos for a very long time with numerous personnel and program issues and while some progress has been made there is a long way to go in Ft. Myers.
• We will continue to work hard with the staff and do all we can to ensure timely, effective and appropriate services are delivered to all client’s as we continue to provide training and support to the staff.
• Ongoing efforts will be made in both Ft. Myers and St. Pete to fill all vacant positions, although this has been difficult for many reasons. We simply cannot compete with the salaries of other states and organizations and this has made hiring qualified staff extremely difficult.
• Staff is under a great deal of stress, especially in St. Pete where we have been riddled with staffing issues for a couple of years.

The Council discussed the issue of obtaining and keeping qualified staff noting that the main reason is salary.

Craig suggested the Council present a resolution which addresses the crisis and request the Commissioner to support an across the board increase in the base salary.

Kathy asked Jesus to draft a resolution with input from Craig. She appointed Terry and Paul to also provide input and feedback.

SUNSHINE LAW

Pat Gleason gave accolades to the Council for adhering to the Sunshine Law. She stated it was one of a few that does.

• When two or more members of the Council are together they must adhere to the Sunshine Law.
• Private discussions between members concerning matters that will foreseeably come before the Council are prohibited.
• Meetings must be open to the public
• Reasonable notice of meetings must be given
• Minutes of the meetings must be taken
• Sunshine Law addresses meetings not the agenda
• Agenda’s are governed by the Administrative Procedures Act and items can be added only if the Chair finds good cause.
• Meetings between an ex officio member and a voting member are also subject to the Sunshine Law.
• If two or more members serve on another Board/Council that Board/Council is subject to the Sunshine Law if a matter is discussed that is also before this Council.

Material for this discussion was provided to the Council via email before the meeting. To contact Pat Gleason via email: pat_gleason@oag.state.fl.us or by telephone at: 850-245-0203.

More information about the Sunshine Law is available at the Office of Attorney General website at: http://myfloridalegal.com/sunshine

BREAK

FLORIDA INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CENTER F/T VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND IT’S ROLE IN FCAT

Suzanne Dalton provided accessible handouts to the Council and provided insight to how the students and teachers are responding to FCAT.

• FCAT is an acronym for Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
• Blind students are included within the field test of FCAT items.
• All Braille transcribers and proofreaders producing the FCAT are certified by the Library of Congress.
• DOE requires that all the tactile graphics on the FCAT are hand-drawn.
• Students are going to receive as much background as they possibly can.
• It’s a partnership between the teachers and parents in teaching the kids how to be effective in a test situation.
• Students who recently lost their vision and don’t know Braille are given a special exemption.
• The Commissioner grants special exemptions.

FLORIDA’S RESPONSE TO THE 2004 NATIONAL AGENDA FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTHS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

A summary of Dawn’s presentation on Florida’s Response to the National Agenda.

• The National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairment began as a grassroots effort in 1993.
• Stakeholders developed a booklet with eight goal statements in 1995.
• Dr. Carol Allman developed the original Florida Action Plan in 1997.
• The National Agenda was revised in 2004 and two goals were added.
• This resulted in Florida’s Response to the National Agenda.
• The ten goals addressed were:
  • Referral
  • Parent Participation
  • Personnel Preparation
  • Provision of Educational Services
  • Array of Services
  • Assessment
  • Access to Instructional Materials
  • Expanded Core Curriculum
  • Transition Services
  • Ongoing Professional Development
• Stakeholders involved in the development of Florida’s Response represented:
  • DOE – Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
  • DOE – Division of Blind Services
  • DOH – Children’s Medical Services
  • Florida Families of Children with Visual Impairment
  • Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired
  • Florida Outreach Project for Children and Young Adults with Deaf-Blindness
  • Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
  • Florida State University – Visual Disabilities department
  • Lighthouse Central Florida
  • The School District of Hillsborough County
• Orange County Public Schools has become involved with the implementation phase of the Florida Response as well.
• Hillsborough County has developed a response group to the Nat’l Agenda and is working on their own action plan.
• Since development of the Florida Response, the stakeholder group has developed an action plan.
• The Division of Blind Services has volunteered to assist with implementation in the following areas:
  • Referral
  • Expanded Core Curriculum
  • Transition Services
  • On-going Professional Development

Additional information regarding the National Agenda, including the full text of Florida’s Response, may be found at the Texas School for the Blind and visually impaired website: http://www.tsbvi.edu/agenda/index.htm

Florida is hosting the 8th Biennial Literacy Conference November 29 to December 2, 2007 in St. Petersburg at the TradeWinds Island Resort. For updates and more information go to: www.gettingintouchwithliteracy.org( note from webmaster this link - has expired but you can get conference hand-outs at http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~emerge/index.htm)

LUNCH BREAK

Meeting resumed at 1:00 PM.

Kathy amended the Agenda for Laurie Revell’s presentation because of her flight schedule.

REORGANIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGE

Laurie Revell provided handouts in accessible format at the meeting and also via email prior to the meeting.

Laurie will send Phyllis data on the trips that will include the percent of Blind users to forward to the Council.

The TD Ombudsman toll free number is: 800-983-2435

• Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged is a state agency promulgated by Chapter 427, Florida Statutes Created in 1979
• TD Coordinates $353,008,807 in transportation services
• The TD MISSION is to ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective and quality transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons.
• The TD System is used by the Elderly, Low Income, Disabled, Children and Disabled with Low Inc.
• The Total Revenues for 2005 was $353,008,807.
• There are Unmet Needs for TDTF Trips because of Lack of Fixed Routes, no other options in more rural areas and limited operating hours.
• TD reported 749,308 denied trips in FY 2005.
• Elder Vision screening began on January 1, 2004.
• The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has entered into a $72 million contract with the TD Commission to administer the CTD Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) program.
• CTD Medicaid NET program provides –
  • "… medically necessary transportation services for any recipient and personal care escort or attendant, if required, who have no other means of transportation available to any Medicaid compensable service for the purpose of receiving treatment, medical evaluation or therapy."
• Implementation for CTD Medicaid NET Program began in November 2004.
• There is a nationwide push for coordinated transportation and President Bush issued an Executive Order on February 24, 2004 for the United We Ride Initiative.
• The State of Florida Received an award (only 1 of 5 states)
• Awards received by Florida:
  • USDOT United We Ride Leadership Award for excellence in improving transportation for citizens with disabilities, older adults, & low-income families.
  • US Department of Transportation and US Department of Human Services "Best Practice" Model
  • Received the 1998 Florida Tax Watch and Florida Council of 100’s Davis Productivity Award
  • Received Community Transportation Association of America’s "2000 and 2004 Distinguished Service Award"
• Legislative Bills of interest are: HB 487, HB 1123, SB 1278 and HB 7121

Lisa’s contact information:

Lisa M. Bacot

Executive Director

Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged

605 Suwannee Street, MS 49

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450

Lisa.bacot@dot.state.fl.us

(850) 410-5711 or (800) 983-2435 Fax (850) 410-5752

(800) 955-8771 Florida Relay- TDD

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd/

CERTIFICATION FOR ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

Michael informed the Council of what was happening with certification of adaptive equipment.

• DBS’ contract with CRPs states that a trainer has to be certified or supervised by an individual that is certified in mobility or independent living training.
• Currently there is no certification for adaptive equipment in the state of Florida.
• There is a program in the state of California.
• DBS looking into the cost of establishing a program to invite people in to train the trainer.

Terry stated there was a course through the internet offered by Accessible Technology Institute in California that is good for those wanting to learn how to access the computer for daily use.

Paul suggested DBS contact community colleges asking if they are interested in having their Computer Science department helping develop a certificate program in adaptive equipment.

Craig informed the Council that he has asked Denise Marshall to go around to district offices and CRPs to make sure the equipment is still there, that the equipment has a current upgrade and the individual responsible knows how to train on it.

Craig suggested DBS staff and FAASB staff get together and present ideas at the October meeting.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

• AWARE is scheduled to go live October 6th.
• DBS still working with the districts on the Strategic Plan
• The new policy was put into affect June 12th at the Orientation and Adjustment Center
• Training the Trainer will be resumed next month (August)
• Letting the districts know what the changes are at the O & A and how it relates to them and what they need to be informing clients of what to expect.
• DBS working on a new LBR (legislative budget request) and includes asking for more funding in the Children’s Program.

Mike suggests coming up with areas of need to present for Gifts and Donations funds to be used.

Craig informed the Council DBS has written a new policy of guidelines for the Gifts and Donations Funds and it is being reviewed by the Inspector General’s office. As soon as it becomes available the new guidelines will be presented to the Council. Basically, the guidelines are as follows:

• There will be two windows of opportunity each year.
• Proposals will go to a committee of DBS staff.
• Committee will determine if proposal can be funded directly through DBS instead of Gifts and Donations or if it’s already being funded.
• Proposal will then be referred to the DSO
• The DSO will make recommendations on which ones should be approved.
• Craig will then make his decision.

Craig stated that he would like to have input from the Council on areas they should seek proposals for the Gifts and Donations funds.

SUMMARY OF TELECONFERENCE WITH SUZANNE TILLMAN

Kathy said the primary discussion was the ad hoc committee report on the input to the State Plan. She felt that Suzanne was very pleased with the report that was provided to her.

Ann summarized the teleconference as follows:

• There was discussion on the collaboration between the Council and DBS.
• The Council assisted with changes to the DBS medical policy and self-employment policy.
• There were discussions concerning the Orientation and Adjustments Center’s new policies.
• The meeting with Commissioner Winn and how it improved the relationship between the Council and Agency with DOE.
• Council’s recommendation that the CRC certification exam fee be paid for by the agency and that the Director agreed.
• The Council established a Training and Education Committee and a State Plan Committee.
• The Council has requested a clear understanding of the disbursement of funds from the Gifts and Donations account.
• The Council continues to hold Public Forums around the state the day before its quarterly meeting.
• DBS is giving the Council a lot more material and data.
• Potential upgrade of Division staff.
• The Council continues contracting with Dr. Mary Stutzman, FSU to conduct the Client Satisfaction Survey.

Ann said she would forward the Council Suzanne Tillman’s report she received.

Craig informed the Council that Region IV is having a SRC training conference, September 13, 14 and 15 in Orlando at the Florida Mall Hotel and Conference Center. Members interested in attending should make their own reservations and let Phyllis know so she can send the travel reimbursement form. Phyllis will email the information to the Council.

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY UPDATE

Mary Stutzman gave the Council a brief update on the survey.

• Will have better data at the October meeting.
• Cooperation is still high.
• Seems that more DBS clients use a cell phone than the rest of the population.
• Still having problems with the telephone numbers given for contact.
• Non response is a big issue with surveys for everyone.
• Staff responsiveness is still being rated at a high level.
• Personal management and mobility training is being rated very high.
• Now seeing a leveling off of percentages.

UPDATE ON ORIENTATION/ADJUSTMENT CENTER

Ed Hudson gave the Council a brief update on the center.

• The new policy went into affect June 12th.
• Network and technology upgrades are still going on.
• Renovations still being done.
• Career counseling center is being set up.
• Starting to integrate CPS training into Orientation and Mobility training.
• Two positions are vacant - a home management position and an O & M Instructor
• Student must be a client of DBS.
• A high school diploma is required for the BBE program.
• There are about 20 individuals on a waiting list for the center.
• There are 10 students in the general program, 4 BBE program and 3 or 4 GED.
• Center is 100% funded for VR; ILAP clients have to be paid directly.
• Full capacity will be 25.
• DBS looking into setting up a revolving fund to be able to write checks for extra curricular activities.
• The staff nurse is teaching students how to get the medical care they need using either insurance (Medicare, Medicaid or private) or founding out about programs available. DBS will step in when needed when medical care can’t be obtained either way.

DBS TRANSITION PROGRAM

Wayne Jennings was unable to attend the meeting so Joe Pearson addressed the Council.

• Planning takes place in October, November and December.
• Instructions are sent to the CRPs the first of the year.
• The program provides:
  • Skills Training
  • Job Shadowing
  • Work Experiences
  • Job Readiness
  • Daily Living Skills
• Family involvement is encouraged and especially at the end of the program when the students put on various activities (fashion shows, cook outs, testimonies, etc.)
• Funding has been an issue over the years.
• This year’s LBR of $800,000 was approved for high school transition which brought down four times the amount from federal match.
• This will enable the development of statewide year round transition services.

CLOSURE PROCESS AND POST EMPLOYMENT

Michael explained the closure process and post employment.

• Status 80 closure - not eligible for services.
• Status 28 closure - determined eligible and a plan developed.
• Status 26 closure - a successful closure after client has been gainfully employed for a minimum of 90 days.
• Status 32 post employment – a client closed successful, status 26, requires additional services, i.e. purchase of equipment.
• Status 33 post employment closure
• Closures from 7/1/2005 to 6/30/2006
  • Status 80 – 487
  • Status 28 – 361
  • Status 26 – 653
• Total number of clients (all status) as of 6/30/2006 – 2855
• Total number of clients in Application Status from 7/1/2005 to 6/30/2006 – 1910

Kathy informed the Council the meeting would begin at 8:00 AM on Saturday

Meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM.

FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND

QUARTERLY MEETING

July 21 and 22, 2006

Saturday, July 22nd

Kathy Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM.

Council members present:

Kathy Davis, Craig Kiser, Jesus Garcia, Paul Kurtz, Terry King, Rick Brown, Ted Hull, Gloria Mills, Dawn Saunders, Ann Robinson, Lee Nasehi, Denise Marshall, Marilyn Palmer and Michael Taylor

Council members absent: Doug Hall, Dwight Sayer and Sue Townsend

DBS staff: Phyllis Dill,

Audience: Suzanne Dalton, Mary Stutzman, Joanne King, Susie King

Mike Taylor moved to accept the April minutes.

Paul Kurtz seconded the motion.

Motion passed.

April minutes approved.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR OCTOBER MEETING

• Foundation Update - Craig
• Client Satisfaction Survey Update – Dr. Mary Stutzman
• Update on Orientation and Adjustment Center – Ed Hudson and Mary Ellen Ottman
• Strategic Plan Update – Bob Seemer
• DBS Training on Children’s Program - Michael Elliott
• Gifts and Donations Grant Application – Craig Kiser
• Employer from Ft. Myers Area – Terry King
• Election of Council Executive Officers
• District Administrators Report
• Approval of Annual Report to RSA and Governor
• Ideas for Certification for Adaptive Equipment – Craig Kiser

DATES AND LOCATION OF APRIL AND JULY 2007 MEETINGS

Council agreed to meet in Jacksonville on April 19, 20 & 21 2007.

Council agreed to meet in Tallahassee, July 19, 20 & 21, 2007.

MENTORING YOUNGER BLIND

Waiting on report from Gloria

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES UPDATES

NFB – Kathy Davis for Dwight Sayer

• NFB held its state convention in Orlando over the Memorial Day Weekend.
• Dr. Joanne Wilson, Former commissioner of Rehabilitation, was the national representative from Baltimore.
• A new division of the NFBF was chartered, the Florida Association of Parents of Blind Children and Debby Brackett is the President.
• NFB's National Convention was held in Dallas with approximately 2800 in attendance.
• The Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader was for sale at the convention.
• The 2007 State Convention will be held in Tampa.
• The 2007 National Convention will be held in Atlanta.
• A bill successfully passed the House and the Senate allowing a commemorative coin to be minted in the name of Louis Braille in 2009.

FCB – Jesus Garcia

Report not submitted

BVA – Michael Taylor

• The Florida Regional Group, (FRG), held their Convention during early May in Daytona Beach.
• After serving as President for five years, Terry King handed over the gavel to Paul Kaminsky.
• Terry was honored by the FRG with a Plaque of Appreciation for his outstanding leadership.
• The development of the FRG under Terry leadership has been tremendous.
• New President Paul Kaminsky is a retired Navy Commander and lives in Middleburg.
• Paul and Terry will be part of a large Florida delegation to be lead by Dr. George Stockings to the Sixty First Convention of the Blinded Veterans Association in Buffalo, New York, in August.

FFCVI – Sue Townsend

Did not attend meeting

IDEA – Dawn Saunders

NIMAS Update:

• Florida continues to participate in national and statewide meetings regarding the implementation of NIMAS
• The regulations are out – as of Wednesday, July 19, 2006. They are being reviewed right now – news to come!

Program Rule for Visually Impaired:

• Language developed during stakeholder meetings (which included a DBS representative) in January and May has been drafted into a revised program rule.
• Public comment sessions will be held regionally. This will be announced via Florida Administrative Weekly and the DOE paperless system.

Sunshine State Standards Revisions

• Anticipated Revision Cycle
  • Language Arts – Summer, 2006
  • Mathematics – Spring, 2007
  • Science – Spring, 2006
• Revisions to SSS now include access points for students with significant cognitive disabilities at 3 levels
  • Independent
    • students are expected to perform the behaviors identified for each benchmark on their own once they have mastered the knowledge and skills. Students may use assistive technology as long as they are able to access and use it on their own.
  • Supported
    • mastery should be determined with consideration of the amount and type of guidance and support necessary for the student to perform the behavior even after demonstrating mastery. This generally consists of some type of prompting or supervision (physical, verbal, or visual prompt or supervision).
  • Participatory
    • mastery should be determined with consideration of the amount and type of physical assistance necessary for the student to participate in the performance of the behavior.

What does this mean? Students working on grade level standards at their ability-level as opposed to working on separate standards.

FILC – Doug Hall

• FILC’s current primary concern is the development of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
• FILC and the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) have generally achieved the goals and objectives that were listed in the 2003-06 SPIL.
• The Planning Committee, which is chaired by Doug Hall, will be meeting in Orlando on August 1 and 2, to discuss and compose the 2007-2010 SPIL.
• The current plan stressed issues such as transitioning persons with disabilities from nursing homes to independent living and access to voting for persons with disabilities (accessible voting equipment, physical access and poll worker awareness).
• I encourage all people with disabilities to exercise our right and responsibility to get out and vote!  

LIONS – Marilyn Palmer

• Report not submitted

FAASB – Lee Nasehi

• Report not submitted

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.

Phyllis Dill, AAII