FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND

QUARTERLY MEETING

OCTOBER 20 & 21, 2006

Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers

12600 University Drive

Ft. Myers, FL 33907

MINUTES

Friday, October 20th

Jesus Garcia, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM

Council members present:

Jesus Garcia, Dawn Saunders, Gloria Mills, Paul Kurtz, Sue Townsend, Rick Brown, Mike Taylor, Terry King, Ted Hull, Marilyn Palmer, Denise Marshall and Craig Kiser.

Council members absent: Kathy Davis, Doug Hall, Ann Robinson, Dwight Sayer

DBS Staff present: Phyllis Dill, Michael Elliott, Linda Brown, Mary Ellen Ottman

Audience: Melody Stewart, Rosanna Lippen, Joanne King

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Jesus turned the elections over to Paul Kurtz because he was running for one of the offices.

Nominations for Chair

Denise Marshall nominated Jesus Garcia

Ted Hull nominated Sue Townsend

Sue declined the nomination

Gloria moved to elect Jesus Garcia.

Jesus elected by acclamation.

Nominations for 1st Vice Chair

Ted Hull nominated Sue Townsend

No other nominations.

Sue elected by acclamation.

Nominations for 2nd Vice Chair

Terry nominated Paul Kurtz

Paul declined the nomination

Paul nominated Rick Brown

No other nominations.

Rick elected by acclamation.

Executive Officers for 2006 – 2007 are:

Jesus Garcia, Chair

Sue Townsend, 1st Vice Chair

Rick Brown, 2nd Vice Chair

Craig expressed his gratitude to the past year’s Council Executive Officers for the smoothest run council in the five years he has been director.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Linda Brown gave the following update on District 9:

• August 1, District 9 reconfigured to include the Bradenton satellite office.
• District 9 Ft. Myers offices include Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Henry, Glades, and the Bradenton office includes: Manatee, Sarasota, Desoto and Highlands.
• Ft. Myers staff: Admin Secretary, ILAP counselor, Rehab Tech, CP counselor, two Word Processing Systems Operators and the recently hired VR Supervisor, Felisia Williams.
• One VR position is expected to start within two weeks.
• Two vacant counselor positions (one ILAP and one VR) are being advertised.
• Bradenton office staff: VR Supervisor- Bruce Emmerton, two ILAP counselors, a Rehab Tech, and a PT Word Processor.
• Currently advertising for a VR counselor.
• Both offices have part time (20 hours per week) OPS reader/drivers for our visually impaired ILAP staff.
• Team- building activities have been implemented:
  • District-wide conference calls bi-weekly when possible.
  • Shared District-wide goals.
  • Kudos board.
  • Monday "thought for the week".
  • Implementing District-wide procedures and reporting processes - i.e. Fax forms, goal sheets, etc.
  • Recognition of staff’s anniversary date with the state.
  • Staff visits to other half of district when appropriate.
  • Nine question Team- Building Survey to measure employees’ feelings pre/post changes.
• District 9 participated in AWARE training at the Lighthouse of Pinellas in early October.
• District staff making strides with a positive working relationship towards reaching the goals laid out by the agency (20% of the statewide closures in ILAP and VR).
• CP counselor in Fort Myers is trained as a volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation.
• Ft Myers ILAP counselor has assumed responsibility for the entire ILAP caseload.
• The two ILAP counselors in Bradenton primarily provide in- home teaching to clients (50) in DeSoto and Highlands counties where no facility is available.
• Division policies are now being enforced and all college bound seniors receive the Division’s College Handbook and are informed well in advance about the policies. In addition, all high school students as well as adult clients who have either not worked before and/or who are newly blind have vocational evaluations on their IPE’s to assist them in determining appropriate vocational goals.
• VR clients in Ft. Myers are now participating in a variety of work and OJT experiences both in/out of the DBS office.
• "Client choice" regarding equipment is now being done.
• District 9’s goal is scheduled to close 62 clients in status "26" this fiscal year which ends June 30. To date we have closed 14 cases.
• DA has met with the Executive Directors of the three facilities in District 9 to discuss contracts and programs.
• District joining the Lee County’s Mayor’s Alliance ("The mission of the Lee County Mayor’s Alliance is to advocate and identify community resources to secure employment for people with disabilities and to recognize those who fulfill that need.")
• DA will continue to serve on the Transportation Disadvantaged Boards - Manatee and Sarasota counties.
• Staff in both offices have and will be participating in several events over the next few weeks including Vision Fairs and White Cane Day Celebrations.
• An article about the Division and the Kurzweill reader (purchased for client) will appear in the local Ft. Myers magazine, "Feeling Fit" in early November.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Bob Seemer was unable to attend the meeting. Craig informed the Council DBS continues to work on the Strategic Plan.

A Decision has been made that DBS will vie for the Governor’s Sterling Award this year. This award is given to businesses whether they are government or private for excellence in business practices.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Craig informed the Council that this year’s DBS Legislative Budget Request (LBR) has been approved by Commissioner Winn and the Department of Education. It includes:

• $500,000 increase in the Blind Babies Program
• 1.9 Million dollar increase in the Children’s Program
• $700,000 increase in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program
• $240,000 in the Independent Living Program
• $50,000 in the Library
• 8 Million dollars for apartment type dorms for the blind vision center.
• Across the board base pay increase for all counselor and counselor related positions from Rehab Tech to District Administrator.

This year DBS had total support of the Department of Education and the Board of Education to get all of the LBR.

Craig believes the chances are very good to get all of the LBR.

• AWARE system went live on October 6th without any major glitches.
• Continuing to work with Dr. Joann Wilson and staff in providing further training at the Orientation Center

Terry made a motion that the four advocacy groups put together a pamphlet with information about the groups to be distributed to the DBS Counselors to give to new clients.

Paul seconded the motion.

After discussion, motion passed.

Dawn informed the Council she would share a similar pamphlet by FFCVI.

The Council decided that each representative would share this information with their organization and the organizations get together on developing a pamphlet.

GIFTS AND DONATIONS GRANT APPLICATION

• Staff reviews proposals to determine if they meet statutory requirements and/or if they can be funded through other sources.

This year there were 4 proposals

• Three met the criteria and one did not.
• Two out of the three could be funded through other sources

The Foundation met and in priority recommended:

• Conklin Center’s request for $65,000 additional funds for supported employment. The internal panel discovered it could be funded through other sources.
• New private provider in Leesburg asking for $250,000 to start up a CRP in the area. The internal panel discovered it could be funded through other sources.
• Lighthouse of Pinellas County requested funds for computers for staff and clients. The internal panel discovered funds could be provided through other sources.
• A mentoring program that wasn’t just for blind did not meet the criteria.

Craig approved three of the recommendations, but disapproved the mentoring program. Two are being funded through other sources and the other is partially funded through other sources with the student’s computers being funded through Gifts and Donations.

Proposals are reviewed twice a year. Those received by July 1st will be considered in August. Those received by December 1st will be considered in January.

Gifts and Donations have a balance of around 2.5 Million dollars.

Craig will get the report to the Council.

FOUNDATION UPDATE

Craig informed the Council that the Foundation was receiving monies now in addition to what DBS provided. DBS provided $100,000 for start up funds and an additional $500,000 to use for "show" and to accrue interest only.

The Foundation receives around $30,000 yearly from a special tag (Bikers Care).

The Foundation has produced posters marketing the tag hoping to encourage bikers to purchase the tag. Besides Prevent Blindness, funds also go to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program and the Able Trust.

Foundation’s budget for staff is $75,000 per year. The Foundation is working with legislature for funding ideas and is looking for experienced people to serve on the board.

Craig informed the Council that DBS was contracting on an as go basis with Carolyn Lapp because she is in a building stage, but should have a full contract next year. Some of the equipment placed at the Palm Beach Lighthouse has been transferred to her.

Craig informed the Council that he received an email with information about Erik Weihenmayer taking a group of high school students to Machu Picchu next July 5 – 18, 2007 . He said DBS would support any DBS student who meets the criteria and want to go. He will email the information he received from Erik.

Erik’s website: Touchthetop.com

BREAK

IDEAS FOR CERTIFICATION FOR ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

Craig informed the Council that there was not one complaint after all the districts and CRPs were surveyed asking if they have had any difficulties with trainers, or complaints that trainers were not competent in what they were training. He stated that complaints typically are more personality related.

Training is usually provided by outside vendors. Mike will provide a list of vendors sent to the Districts.

Michael informed the Council that Steve Rittaco’s unit is in the process of developing a check list to be used when they evaluate facilities.

Terry King asked to go on record that he disagreed with Michael Elliott’s interpretation of Client Choice.

UPDATE ON ORIENTATION AND ADJUSTMENT CENTER

Mary Ellen Ottman gave the following update on the center:

• Policy changes were implemented in early June.
• Using flexibility when needed with the Sleep Shades policy.
• Sleep Shades are mandatory and students are expressing that they are learning a lot with them.
• Still have a shortage in staff.
• Using an outside vendor for a student to take their O&M instruction at night.
• Home Management position should be approved any day.
• The Center’s nurse is teaching a health class the first 2 weeks after a student arrives.
• The night time meal off campus was implemented a few weeks ago.
• Students have to sign up if they want dinner on campus.
• Students are getting their increased monthly maintenance.
• Food is not allowed in the rooms.
• Hoping to market the Medical Transcription Program to other states.
• Placement rate for the program is 75% to 80%.
• More renovations will take place next year.
• Instructional areas are:
  • Communication
  • Home management
  • Personal management
  • O & M
  • Medical Transcription
• When all staff in place the Center will handle 25 students.
• The waiting list is 30 – 40.

Craig informed the Council about an article in a Tampa newspaper concerning the White Cane Law and that tickets were given at a particular intersection and there were 10 tickets given in a 3 hour period.

AWARE

Michael gave the following update and will demonstrate AWARE at the next Council meeting.

• Contracted with AWARE 2 ½ years ago.
• Web based.
• Tested through out the state.
• Pilot program discovered not as accessible as first thought.
• Able to see if client has previously been served.
• Allows case sharing.
• Purchase Orders are tied to the Client’s Plan and cannot be generated if item is not covered in plan.
• On a scale from 1 to 10 the system is given a 10.

RESOLUTION CONCERNING COUNSELOR’S SALARY

After discussion, the Council changed the fourth Whereas to read as follows:

WHEREAS, the low salaries, rising cost of living and increased educational requirements make it impossible to maintain a trained and experienced cadre of counselors,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

By the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind on this 20 th day of October, 2006, this group strongly urges the Legislature and Governor of the State of Florida to authorize a substantial salary increase as well as sufficient funding for counselor pay as set forth in the Division of Blind Services Legislative Budget Request (LBR)

(see attachments 1 & 2)

Terry moved to accept the Resolution with changes.

Motion received a second and passed.

DBS TRAINING ON CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Michael asked for a moment of silence in honor of David Newton.

• Both programs, Children’s and Blind Babies, are state funded.
• DBS has purchased a Braille embosser for each district so that a parent can learn Braille and teach their child at the same time.
• DBS Counselor’s have taken Cognitive Development training.
• There are 12 children Counselor’s throughout the state.
• Social Security Disability Office stopped referring clients to DBS.
• Michael met with the SSD office and they have resumed referring clients.
• DBS was a sponsor of the Children’s workshop held prior to the NFB State Convention.
• DBS is looking for a location to have a sports camp next summer for transition age students.

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

Dr. Stutzman gave the Council a recap of the survey from its inception and summarized the data for the 2005-2006 survey and distributed CDs to the Council. Hard print copies are also available.

• Data now where you can see what’s going on with the program.
• All open ended comments are provided separate from the data.
• 100% of the clients surveyed were satisfied or very satisfied with Personal Management Training provided by DBS.
• One of the most dramatic changes was when the client was asked if they new about services available after case closure. From 58% to 66% in a year.
• Still a few who didn’t realize their case was closed.
• 95% of all clients would recommend services to others.
• All data appears to be on an upward move.
• Only 5 -7% refuse to take the survey.
• Average length of survey is 15 to 20 minutes.
• Response to the DBS survey is 30% compared to 18-20% nationally.

After discussion concerning client satisfaction with computer training, Dr. Stutzman stated she would include asking successful closures about satisfaction with computer training and if the training was adequate.

Michael informed the Council there were certain vendors in the state the division was not using for computer training.

Dawn moved that Dr., Stutzman continue conducting the Client Satisfaction Survey for 2006 – 2007.

Motion received a second.

Motion passed.

Jesus amended the Saturday agenda and asked the Council to approve the minutes of the July meeting today.

Motion to approve July minutes received a second and passed.

BREAK

Jesus asked the Council if they agreed to have another attachment to the Resolution that included data and comments from the Client Satisfaction Survey concerning the problems with Counselor turnover in DBS.

Mike moved to have another attachment to the Resolution from the Client Satisfaction Survey including Client comments concerning the need for more Counselors.

Motion received a second.

Motion passed.

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S UPDATES

NFB – Gloria

• National Office of NFB has designated, in addition to White Cane Safety Day, Meet the Blind Month
• Washington Seminar, January 29 – February, 2007
• Tallahassee Seminar, March 2007 (one issue will be AEIT, electronic internet technology)

FCB – Jesus

• FCB active in White Cane Safety.
• Will also address AEIT.
• Mid year Board meeting will be in Orlando in 2 weeks.
• State convention will be in Tallahassee, May 17 – 20, 2007 at the Ramada Convention Center.

BVA – Mike

• Florida BVA sent a delegation to the National Convention in upper New York.
• 1325 members voted at the convention.
• Florida BVA has more members than California.
• 8 Iraqi veterans attended the convention.
• Jacksonville chapter meeting had 80 attendees
• BVA supporting the White Cane Bill on the federal level to include all 50 states.
• Nationwide membership in BVA is 10,500

FFCVI – Sue

• Newsletter will mostly cover David Newton.
• Putting together a scholarship in David Newton’s name.
• Met with ACB in July in Jacksonville and included Ophthalmologist.
• Attended NFB in May in Orlando.
• Joined FIMC for a Weekend with the Experts October 4 – 6.
• Fifteen families attended.
• FIMC gave each family attending a Braille Panda Bear (over $100)
• Sue joined the Children’s Summit Group.
• Group assists getting children to Children’s Week at the Capitol in March 2007.
• Coordinating efforts with Debbie Brackett, the head of Parent’s of Blind Children.

LIONS – Marilyn

• Local membership dropped 1545 members this year, but added 1550.
• Total membership in Florida is 30,603.
• Membership in the 13,150 clubs throughout the United States is 398,703.
• The most common answer for not joining LIONS is "I don’t have time".
• Trying to start another generation of members through the LEO Clubs (middle school students).
• There are 5 Leo Clubs in northern Florida.
• To start a Club, there has to be a teacher sponsor before the LIONS will get the equipment needed and sponsor the students.
• Community Service is a big part in getting into College and LEOs really get involved, and sometime get more done than the regular LIONS.
• Still trying to get the Camp in full swing again.

IDEA – Dawn

IDEA 2004 Regulations

• Definition of orientation and mobility now includes use of service animal as a safety tool for safely negotiating the environment
• Establishes the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard and the National Instructional Materials Access Center
• Requires states and districts to opt-in or opt-out
• Indicates that states and districts that opt-out are still responsible for providing instructional materials in accessible format in a timely manner

VI rule revision

• Public comment hearings have been scheduled for the end of November
• November 28 – Chipley, FL – Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC)
• November 29 – Tampa, FL – Nova Southeastern Student Educational Center and Gainesville, FL – Best Western Gateway
• November 30 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Embassy Suites
• All meetings are from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Project Update

• FIMC-VI – Held new teacher/new administrator orientation and the first Weekend with the Experts (WWE) on October 4 – 6. This WWE focused on FCAT strategies and was co-sponsored by FFCVI.
• Critical Initiatives – The project continues to have healthy numbers of students both on the main campus in St. Pete. One district is paying for a teacher to fly to St. Pete every week to complete coursework. FSU has been awarded a federal grant to start a second satellite program in South Florida.
• FSDB Outreach Services – The project is receiving many requests for technical assistance and training. They are working on a self-study tool for VI.

FILC – Doug emailed the following report to Phyllis

• The Florida Independent Living Council is in the process of developing its State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).
• Focus meetings are being held by CILs (Centers for Independent Living around the state till early November.
• The proposed three goals are: MICASA (money follows the person), which will be overseen by AHCA in Florida; availability of accessible and affordable housing; and transition of youths into higher education and/or employment.
• The next FILC meeting will be November 15-17 in Orlando, with an all day workshop on November 16, which deals with transitioning from nursing homes to the community.
• FILC is planning another Grass Roots Forum, to be held in late June or early July of 2007. Scholarships may be available for people who have a proven record of advocacy and involvement in grassroots working groups.
• FILC and the CILs continue to urge people with disabilities to get out and vote, both to influence the outcome of the elections and to show officials and the public that accessible voting is important!

Jesus amended the Saturday agenda and asked the Council to approve the Annual Report.

A motion to approve the Annual Report received a second.

Motion passed.

Craig informed the Council on behalf of FAASB that the license plate "State of Vision" was approved by the Governor and Cabinet and should be available now for purchase.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM

FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND

QUARTERLY MEETING

MINUTES

Saturday, October 21st

Jesus Garcia, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM

Council members present:

Jesus Garcia, Dawn Saunders, Gloria Mills, Paul Kurtz, Sue Townsend, Rick Brown, Mike Taylor, Terry King, Ted Hull, Marilyn Palmer, Denise Marshall and Craig Kiser.

Council members absent: Kathy Davis, Doug Hall, Ann Robinson, Dwight Sayer

DBS Staff present: Phyllis Dill, Mary Ellen Ottman

Audience: Melody Stewart, Rosanna Lippen, Joanne King

Craig brought a poster advertising the "Bikers Care" tag to be passed around the Council.

Dawn read the poster which states that the tag benefits, Blind Services, Prevent Blindness America, Able Trust, Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living and the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JANUARY MEETING (18th, 19th & 20th)

• Strategic Plan Update – Bob Seemer
• AWARE Demonstration - Michael
• Private Provider Report (CVI – Ronee Hudson) (added to ongoing agenda items)
• Conklin Center Report – Robert Kelly
• O & A Center Update with Students – Ed Hudson and Mary Ellen Ottman
• DBS Training on Randolph Sheppard – Michael
• IDEA - Dawn

Ongoing agenda items:

• Director’s Report
• District Administrator Report (Alex McLaughlin)
• Representative Updates
• Approval of October Minutes
• Agenda Items for April Meeting
• Open Discussion and Council Concerns

Council agreed for Jesus to send a formal invitation to the new Governor.

If a tour of the Orientation & Adjustment Center is feasible, it will occur at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 18th .

DATES AND LOCATION OF OCTOBER 2007 MEETING

Council agreed on October 18, 19 & 20, 2007

After discussion Council agreed on Key West if it would be available and if not then Gainesville. It was also agreed that the site not used in October would be the site for January.

OPEN DISCUSSION AND COUNCIL CONCERNS

Dawn informed the Council not DOE but the school district that is responsible for purchasing adaptive equipment for students. It is up to the individual education plan team that decides if the student needs a technology assessment. After the assessment the team decides, with the data, if the student needs assistive technology and what that technology is.

She informed the Council that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) governed the districts. She will email the Council a link to the regulations.

Craig reminded the Council that parents can take a representative to the IEP (Individual Education Plan) and the IEP can be amended during the year.

Council agreed that Dawn be on January’s Agenda to present the IDEA Procedural Safe Guards that are supposed to be presented to the parents.

Dawn informed the Council that IDEA was funded at 40%.

Craig proposed getting a brief summary or information packet of Rights from DOE, through Dawn, to be included in the Library mail out.

Dawn said there was a pamphlet entitled "Getting Ready for Your Child’s IEP" already available through IDEA’s clearing house. She will also cover this in January’s meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 AM