March 12, 2021
Online via Zoom
View previous meeting minutes
Attendance – all members attended via videoconference
Council Members Present:
Andy Arvidson, Cathy Wilson, Chris Alejano, Christopher Zilar, Jacob Kamaunu, Jerri Clark, Jerry Johnsen, Julie Brannon, Kim Conner, Kristin Geary, Linda Wilder, Marci Carpenter, Sean McCormick, Sheila Turner, Steve Fiksdal, Michael MacKillop
Council Members Absent:
Corey Grandstaff
Staff and Visitors Present:
Meredith Stannard, Yvonne Grimes, Lisa Wheeler, Tricia Eyerly, Jeannie Brown, Kim Canaan, Alice Klein, Jennifer Bean, Alco Canfield, Carl Jarvis, Sheri Richardson
Welcome and Introductions: Julie Brannon, Chair
Julie welcomed the new Council members, and everyone introduced themselves. Julie reviewed the 2021 calendar for SRCB quarterly meetings, and went over today’s agenda.
Approval of December 2020 Minutes:
Linda moved and Jerry J. seconded acceptance of the December 2020 SRCB meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Acting Director’s Report: Michael MacKillop
Michael said he is excited to have a full Council and thanked members for their recruitment efforts. Michael introduced himself and each of the Executive Team members. He is a non-voting member of the Council and attends every SRC-B meeting to give a state of the agency report; and to receive input and feedback from the Council on how DSB can improve its service to the low vision and blind community.
DSB’s Mission is Inclusion, Independence and Economic Vitality for People with Visual Disabilities. DSB serves around 3000 participants a year through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living (IL).
There are three main programs for providing direct services: VR, IL, and the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Within VR are three sub-programs: Pre-ETS (Pre-Employment Transition Services) or Youth Services, Supported Employment (SE), and the Orientation and Training Center (OTC). The OTC is DSB’s adult residential skills center where participants come to learn the adaptive skills of blindness. It provides the same kinds of training as the VR program but in an intensive fashion.
The IL Program has two distinct parts, Independent Living Program for Older Blind (IL-OB) and Independent Living Part B (Younger Blind). IL-OB serves participants 55 and over, while Younger Blind serves those 54 and under who can’t or don’t work. Some Younger Blind realize their ability after receiving IL services and end up applying for VR.
Both VR and IL-OB are authorized through the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA). DSB receives Federal grants which require a State match, for VR every State $1 dollar is matched by $4 Fed dollars, for IL it is $10 Fed to every State $1. However, there is also a penalty that can be levied by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) if DSB does not reach Maintenance of Effort (MOE). This is defined as having at least as much, or more, State dollars to spend as in the previous biennium. DSB is being impacted by having had a project that received extra State money two years ago.
Eligibility for VR services is based on functional limitations, which are considered barriers to employment, and not based solely on vision loss and/or blindness. It is generally someone who requires extensive services to become job-ready. IL services are for anyone blind or with low vision who requires services. BEP requires a participant to be legally blind and a U.S. citizen.
Michael explained that there is a unique culture at DSB, the work is very hands-on providing in-house services to participants, there is good communication and teaming among staff. 60% of services are provided in-house, 40% is purchased which primarily includes adaptive equipment, training, and transportation. Services are customer-driven, DSB provides as much information as participant needs to make a good match in employment.
Employment outcomes at DSB are varied, there is no pattern. Other VR agencies offer a list of jobs that “blind people can do” and don’t expand their participants’ options any further than that.
WIOA increased partnerships with DSB, however, there is still room for improvement, especially with One Stop WorkSource.
DSB initiatives include:
- Stabilizing DSB’s budget and locating revenues is a top priority. VR agencies have to create a wait list when budget projection does not cover all people currently in plan. DSB had to go into Order of Selection (OOS) in 2018, which was a painful process. Keeping OOS in place for now, just in case. Currently all categories are open and there is no wait list.
- Increased IL funding for Older Blind and an aging population.
- Updating DSB policies and internal control procedures.
- More retirements coming in the next several years, and creating succession plans for management roles is critical.
- BEP funding for the program to survive. BEP has been the hardest hit by the pandemic.
- VR service model and how this will need to change post-COVID.
Christopher asked if the MOE definition is the same across the U.S.? Michael said yes. Christopher also asked to clarify if it’s best for funding to stay the same or increase and bad if it decreases, then doesn’t this disincentivize accepting one-time infusions of funds? Michael agreed it does.
Jerry J. added a comment about the WorkSource partnerships putting an unfair burden on the VR agencies.
Jerri C. mentioned a Universal Design article recently shared with PAVE, and wanted to know Michael’s thoughts on the impact on COVID. Michael said that there’s a need to consider conflicting needs, and all voices need to be heard to benefit everyone’s needs.
Universal Design article on PAVE website
In regards to COVID, DSB is a high-touch agency and it’s been a challenge and a shift to continue providing services.
Youth Services (YS) staff has been very creative with virtual workshops. YS no longer has to wait for holidays and weekends to offer them, which has opened up the availability to more students with a disability. Learning independence, handling money, living away from family – all of these are critical in-person services that will return, but not until 2022. There will continue to be a general workplace shift to remote.
The OTC is still teaching remotely, except for O&M cane travel training outside.
VRCs have been finding ways to move things forward for participants. DSB got permission yesterday to offer Assistive Technology (AT), O&M/Rehab Teacher, and BEP full services. The staff in these job classes also now qualify for vaccinations. Vaccinations are not required, but staff can get them if desired. Safety protocols are critical to follow as in-person contact increases.
YS staff and VRCs will be in next group to receive approval. Not sure when the OTC can re-open.
Linda asked if DSB kept the apartments for the OTC students? Michael said yes, they’re being maintained and ready for students. Linda also offered her congratulations on getting the okay to resume some in-person services.
Julie asked, in regards to COVID impacts on the workplace she is assuming that computer skills will be needed more. Is DSB making plans for that change? Michael said yes, it’s in progress to figure that out.
Jacob commented that BEP vendors will need to upgrade to digital technology. There is tech available, but it’s challenging to learn and use if not already tech-savvy. Vendors will need assistance with that.
Kim Conner asked about the choice of vaccination or not, for staff and participants. Can’t ask due to HIPPA. Michael said DSB worked to make it available for staff, but ultimately up to them. Have increased the focus on safety protocols for prevention.
Budget is working its way through the current Legislative session. In the Governor’s budget DSB did not get it’s ask for funds to change the overall BEP program in WA state. There was a small amount left in the budget for investigation into the situation.
The overall fiscal forecast for this quarter indicates it may be better than originally forecast.
There is a lot of support for Senate Bill 5284, which will eliminate sub-minimum wage jobs in WA for any person with a disability.
On the Federal level, still asking for no maintenance of effort penalty, and another year to spend Pre-ETS funds.
DSB is overdue for a Federal audit, it did not happen this year but most likely will next year. Looking at records now to help prepare for it.
DSB has applied for a grant that doesn’t require a match. The money will go towards a non-permanent position to focus on and manage internships. Will know in June if received, would receive funds in October over five years.
Independent Living Report: Kim Canaan
Older Blind (OB) serves about 1,000 clients a year. Average age is mid-80s and suffering vision loss due to aging. Younger Blind (YB) serves 100-150 clients a year. Average ages are 24 – 54, and often suffering a sudden vision loss.
All services are provided by contract, there are no direct staff. IL services provide confidence and tools, and the confidence is so important. Services usually last 4-6 hours over 2-3 appointments, it is not long-term services. A majority of what IL provides are low-tech devices, such as magnifiers and talking watches; they also provide adjustment to blindness counseling.
The pandemic response closed their offices, and stopped all services since they are almost all provided in-person. They relaunched in September 2020. Providing IL services remotely is very challenging, with social distancing it remains difficult, all devices are literally hands-on.
IL providers currently have very large territories, which adds another challenge to providing services. In Eastern WA there are two providers. Looking at how they can increase remote services where appropriate; DSB staff provided training to the IL providers on techniques they’ve used for successful remote learning.
IL has several initiatives in the works, one is to reach clients in more innovative ways. Another is to increase the number of higher tech devices available, such as phones, tablets, and digital magazines. Additionally, will be creating foreign language materials for more outreach.
Kim has a question for the SRC – What does the SRC want to know about IL in the quarterly report? Categories include: number served, under 24, over 100, county, race, ethnicity, homelessness, and most popular device.
Linda commented that she enjoyed reading the IL success story and customer feedback in the current quarterly report.
Kim Conner asked if IL is collecting BIPOC/disability intersection data and Kim Canaan said yes, they are. Mental health data and other disabilities is collected anecdotally, can report on visual only vs other disabilities.
Public Comment
Sheri Richardson said thank you to the presenters and appreciated the reports they gave.
SRC Business: Julie Brannon
Reminder to all council members, let her know if you are unable to attend a meeting.
There was a SRC By-law change in 2019 to allow chairperson and vice-chairperson to serve three one-year terms on the council. The motion had passed but was never added to the official By-laws. Yvonne is going to update the By-laws and will send to all of the council, as well as request it be posted to the DSB website.
Julie went over the SRC Committees. The Executive Committee is formed from the Chair, Vice-Chair, and the Chairs of each of the other committees. Julie read the committee descriptions from the SRC By-laws. These include:
- Membership and Collaboration – currently chaired by Linda, members are Corey and Jerri C.;
- Program and Evaluation – currently chaired by Jerry J., members are Kim and Sheila;
- Policy – currently chaired by Marci, members are Chris and Steve.
New members are asked to email Julie by mid-April with their 1st and 2nd choices for committee. Then committees should plan to meet before June meeting, if possible.
Committee Reports
Membership
All members who were being recruited have joined and there are no current openings!
Program and Evaluation
Jerry J would like to change the name of this committee. Julie advised he can discuss with the Executive Committee and bring a proposal to the council. Jerry thanked Julie for taking the lead on the Executive Committee and scheduling regular meetings. He acknowledged the agency for recently surveying current participants for satisfaction with remote services. He wants this committee to keep working together with the agency to collect this critical feedback from participants. He asked if the survey results can be shared? Yes, they are on the DSB website. COVID Participant Survey Results
Executive
Julie and Linda are chair and vice-chair of the committee. It’s scheduled to meet monthly, and also meets with Michael. This committee plans the quarterly meeting agenda, and is developing a calendar for all SRC-related meetings. They will also review the State Plan for 2022.
Training
Does the SRC need a separate committee in charge of training? Or just have the Executive committee or a member committee plan it? Jerry J suggested keeping it with the Executive committee since only need training one or two times a year. Members agreed to leave it with the Executive committee. Upcoming new member training is on Monday, April 19th, 2-4 PM.
Future Agenda Topics
Linda proposed hearing from Rehab Teachers at the next meeting.
Kim Conner brought up that DSB and WASILC can possibly collaborate on areas of mutual interest. Right now they are hearing feedback on access to vaccines for people with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes. Also, moving people with disabilities up to be eligible sooner.
SRCB 2021 Meeting Schedule
Friday, June 11th; Friday, September 10th; and Friday, December 10th
All meetings scheduled on Zoom from 9:00am – 12:00pm unless otherwise communicated.
Meeting Adjourned
Linda moved to adjourn and Jacob seconded. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM.