By Richard Strong, Director, Communication Center and Senior Services Unit, State Services for the Blind (SSB).

(Editor’s Note:  This presentation was made at the Semiannual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota on April 21, 2007.)

Good morning!! Joyce, I appreciate the opportunity to be here and to share with you comments concerning the future directions, efforts, and aspirations of SSB.

I especially appreciate the chance to share with you SSB’s vision and plans for the future.

I’m reminded of a statement by a great American, an American whose comments I’ll also cite near the end of my presentation.

He’s credited with the following:

"People say I am ruthless. I am not ruthless. And if I find the man who is calling me ruthless, I shall destroy him.”

While SSB is not necessarily ruthless in its focus and drive to the future, it is very much committed to making that future better than today.  We know we can’t do it alone.    

First, I want to state again to you the importance to SSB of consumer organizations of the blind and citizen participation.  Over the years, they’ve had many profound and positive influences on services provided and outcomes realized by blind Minnesotans. And consumer organizations will do so in the future.

SSB recognizes, encourages, welcomes and is stronger because of your participation. Strong consumer groups are vital to a vibrant, responsive, and effective SSB. I am pleased and honored to join you today at this semiannual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota (NFBM).

Today, Federationists work hand in hand with SSB in numerous projects and efforts.

Some are current or former members of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRC-B); such as Jan Bailey, Jennifer Dunnam, Steve Jacobson, Judy Sanders, and Joyce Scanlan.

Federationists are also members of committees of that Council, including RoseAnn Faber, Tom Scanlan, and Andy Virden.

And Federationists, such as Nadine Jacobson and Charlene and Shannon Childrey work in partnership with SSB and other organizations to build a stronger Minnesota.

We thank you all for helping continually improve services to and outcomes realized by our citizens.

I want to echo the comments made about a Federationist last December at the State Rehabilitation Council by Chuk Hamilton, Director of SSB.

The occasion was the last Council meeting of the year and Chuk was thanking outgoing members for their service.

This is what he said about one of those members:

“I want to especially highlight the work of Jennifer Dunnam who now completes her two terms as a member and her second term as its chair.  Jennifer is a leader, she leads by example, she leads through forethought and planning, she leads by conviction.  She has worked with individuals from many backgrounds and different beliefs, has been able to gain their confidence and support.  People want to work with good leaders.  People want to work with Jennifer.  She has set a high standard for timeliness, outcomes, quality and efficiency.

“I will miss her as a member of the Council, but look forward to continue working with her in other capacities.  Jennifer, thank you very much.”

Jennifer, thank you for all you have done and will do for blind Minnesotans.

When Joyce and I spoke about this presentation, the focus was clear: look to tomorrow and where we’re headed—where we’re going.

I will do so and touch on a number of factors that will help shape our future. They are:

1. The Legislature;
2. SSB Goals and Priorities for next year;
3. The 21st Century Plan for the Communication Center, the Office of Legislative Auditors review of that plan and development options for the Communication Center;
4. Senior Services Unit plans for the future; and
5. Update on possible SSB move.

I’ll then, if time permits as it should, answer any questions I can that you may have.

Legislature

I want to thank the NFBM for your support of SSB at the legislature.  Staff and members of both the House and the Senate mention to us your visits to them earlier this year.  Your “Day at the Capitol” was noticed and it makes a difference.  Thanks!!  Here are the three major items we are tracking that may prove to be of significant importance to SSB and its future.

1. Funding Bills: SF 2089 and the House version of SF 2089 have passed their respective bodies and are now ready for conference committee.

Over the last two years, SSB has regularly discussed with you its concerns about income and expenses.  We have long anticipated the need to secure additional funding to ensure sufficient funds to avoid an order of selection in the Vocational Rehabilitation program and to secure funding to ensure the viability of the Communication Center.

Last year Mr. Hamilton noted to you SSB’s intent to bring an initiative through the legislative process transferring Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) dollars from the Communication Center to the VR unit and replacing $900,000 with general fund dollars so no harm would be done to the Communication Center.

This request includes an additional $100,000 for match so that SSB will continue to receive all available federal Vocational Rehabilitation dollars.

This request was included in the Governor’s budget and the bill containing this proposal—along with many, many other budget items—is now ready for conference committee.

(Editor’s Update from Chuk Hamilton:  SF 2089 was vetoed by the Governor. Subsequently, SSB’s (and DEED's) funding bill was resurrected by amending HF 122, which ultimately was signed by the Governor with a few line item vetoes.  SSB's base budget and increase of $1 million in base budget remained intact.)

1. Voting: (HF 1110, which is now part of SF 1997).

SSB was pleased with the results of efforts made by many members of the community, with NFBM being a key player, to ensure all citizens can vote independently and privately.

There is a proposal (HF 1110, which is now part of SF 1997) to move the date for township compliance with the accessible voting requirements out from 2008 to 2010.

I’m sure others will be providing more specific detail later in this meeting on the “why” behind this effort.

(Editor’s Update from Chuk Hamilton:  SF 1997 was vetoed by the Governor.  Funding portions of the bill were resurrected in another bill, but the voting- related issues, including those related to townships and accessible voting machines, did not survive.)

1. Accessible state systems (SF 1997)

The final legislative development we’re watching is the state government finance bill, SF 1997.

It requires there be a “... study of how government data ..., hardware, software, and media can be maintained, exchanged, and preserved by the state to ensure access, competition, and interoperability.”

This section of the bill is important to SSB and blind Minnesotans because we want to make certain any technology systems the state has are accessible to blind users. 

In the Senate version of SF 1997, SSB is named as an entity to be consulted. As of yesterday, there is no explicit reference in the House version to SSB’s involvement.

(Editor’s Update from Chuk Hamilton:  SF 1997 was vetoed by the Governor, but many items, including this provision for a study that included SSB regarding how electronic documents and the mechanisms and processes for accessing and reading electronic data can be created, maintained, exchanges, and preserved by the state in a manner that encourages appropriate governmental control, access, choice and interoperability, survived. This provision was in HF 548.)

Goals and Priorities

As shared at previous meetings of the NFBM, federal law requires that SSB and the SRC-B jointly develop and agree to “Goals and Priorities” along with strategies for achieving the goals and priorities for the Vocational Rehabilitation program.

Agreement on goals and priorities for the forthcoming federal fiscal year (October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008) was reached earlier this month and approved unanimously by the SRC-B at their meeting on April 12.  Taken together these goals and priorities are an explicit and measurable statement of the future direction of SSB’s vocational rehabilitation program.

What follows is a quick summary of those goals and priorities. They are also available in their entirety on the SSB website (www.mnssb.org/rcb/docs/2007_meeting_material.html)

GOAL AND PRIORITY #1:  Employment Outcomes—SSB will meet RSA Indicator 1.1.  This has to do with the number of people getting jobs—real jobs. Sheltered employment does not count.

SSB expects there to be more employment outcomes realized for 2007 + 2008 than for 2006 + 2007.

Strategies for meeting this goal:

• Staff of the Workforce Development Unit (WFD):

1. agree to specific paid closure goals for the following year;
2. ensure customers are provided current, accurate information about employment demands, trends and opportunities;
3. assess individual training needs to improve staff counseling and placement skills.  In-service training planned in FFY08 includes:
   1. Serving the DeafBlind Customer;
   2. Improving Cultural Competencies; and
   3. Low Vision.

• Targeted outreach activities: i.e., presenting information on SSB services at various professional conferences; contacts with community based organizations; mailings to ophthalmologists; etc.  Effectiveness will be measured by comparing referrals from FY07 through FY09.

GOAL AND PRIORITY #2:  Minority Service Rate—by the end of FFY08 at least 100 persons from minority backgrounds will exit services annually and SSB will meet RSA Indicator 2.1, which deals with the number or percentage of persons from minority backgrounds served (ratio of minority to non-minority service rates). 

SSB strategies are:

• Develop and carry out the in-service training plan;
• Use research results to improve staffs’ competency in serving customers from minority backgrounds.
• Conduct outreach activities to community-based organizations, especially those serving African-Americans.
• Develop relationships with English Language Learner programs to co-train blind individuals from minority backgrounds in braille while they are also learning English.

Sharon Monthei, who is here today and works for SSB, has recently begun forging these relationships and we know we can expect great things from her and her efforts.

GOAL AND PRIORITY #3:  DeafBlind Outreach and Service—Enhance services for persons who are DeafBlind.  During FFY08, at least six individuals with a dual sensory loss will secure employment as a result of SSB services. 

Strategies for meeting this goal:

• Continue to assess and provide staff training on understanding and serving customers who are DeafBlind. This includes reviewing and acting on results of customer satisfaction studies.
• Continue to identify and act on opportunities for outreach activities.
• Improve communication between DeafBlind customers and SSB by providing customers fact sheets on the vocational rehabilitation process formatted in a step-by-step manner (eligibility, plan development, services, closure, and appeal process).
• Collaborate with other state agencies, so that specific vocational needs, like the need for supported employment, can be met. 

GOAL AND PRIORITY #4:  Increase customer satisfaction with services provided—by the end of FFY08, the annual overall satisfaction with services provided by SSB will be at or above 85%.  (This is measured by question Q1 on the Customer Satisfaction Survey, “What is your overall satisfaction with the services provided.”)

Strategies for meeting this goal:

• Customer satisfaction surveys will be administered quarterly to approximately 60 SSB customers.
• SSB and the SRC-B Customer Satisfaction & Goals and Priorities Committee will continue to review and analyze the data on a quarterly basis including specific customer comments. 
• Based on the analysis of the customer satisfaction survey results, recommendations for program improvements will be brought to SSB and the SRC-B to assure that services are available that meet customer needs.

GOAL AND PRIORITY #5:  Insure every SSB customer has the information needed to make an informed choice in selecting providers for adjustment-to-blindness (ATB) training. During FFY08, 100% of SSB customers attending ATB half time or more will indicate that they were given the opportunity to choose their provider. During FFY08, the results of the customer satisfaction surveys for customers completing ATB will be posted externally for customer review.

Strategies for meeting this goal:

• During FFY08, SSB counselors will complete the “Choosing ATB Training” form with each customer considering ATB training.  Counselors will ensure that all customers are provided information, in an accessible format, about options for receiving adjustment-to-blindness services, and strongly encourage each customer to tour each community rehabilitation program.
• During FFY08, each SSB customer will be surveyed six months after completion of adjustment-to-blindness training or at time of case file closure (whichever comes first).  Customers will be contacted to complete the telephone survey of eighteen questions.
• When sufficient data is gathered, data will be formatted and posted externally for customer review when selecting a service provider to meet their rehabilitation needs.
• Vendors who train on access and assistive technology will still have to pass a test on programs they teach and pass an adult learning course.

Tom Scanlan, Chair of the Vendor Outcome and Measures committee of the SRC-B, has been tenacious in working to ensure needed information is gathered and the resulting summary data will be formatted so it is useful to persons seeking training.

GOAL AND PRIORITY #6:  All VR staff members new to SSB will receive Introduction to Blindness Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 training on the essential aspects of blindness and visual impairment.

Strategies for meeting this goal:

• Supervisory staff will ensure all new VR staff will complete Introduction to Blindness Phase 1 training within three months of hire.
• Supervisory staff will ensure all new rehabilitation-counseling staff will complete Introduction to Blindness Phase 2 training within three months of hire. 
• Introduction to Blindness Phase 2 training will be discussed with and encouraged for career development for current staff that would otherwise not be required to attend.

That completes the goals and priorities for SSB’s vocational rehabilitation program for 2008.

1. Senior Services

Note that while not covered by the Goals and Priorities (as they apply only to the VR program) Senior Services staff, all new and many veteran, also complete the Phase 2 training.  I know from personal experience it is a valuable and important program for personal and professional development.

The Senior Services unit and its activities, while not included in the Goals and Priorities, are an important source of service to blind Minnesotans.

We know thousands of baby-boomers will need our services in the coming years and access technology will be a major area of need.

We’ll be working with the Senior Service committee of the Council to assess our current technology services to seniors, and to plan for the future.  We appreciate Judy Sanders and her work as Chair of that committee.

1. 21^st Century Plan and Communication Center

And now let’s quickly move to the 21st Century plan and the Communication Center.

The 21st Century Plan consists of three phases: 1.) direct uplink of our signal to satellite; 2.) a new software system for recording and distribution in digital and DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System); and 3.) new radios that receive digital broadcast and are better than our current radios.

Before giving an update on the 21st Century Plan itself, I want to let you know about activity and results with the Office of the Legislative Auditor.  That office had received a complaint about the 21st Century Plan and SSB, when contacted by the Legislative Auditors’ staff, cooperated fully with them in their review. The complaint was fully reviewed by them and their report says, in pertinent part:

“Based on the information we reviewed, we have determined that the department complied with the 1999 appropriation laws and finance-related contract provisions in Minnesota statutes.  It appears the delays with project implementation were due to the unavailability of the desired technology in the marketplace and the challenges of developing that digital technology.  Finally, we felt the relationship between state Services for the Blind and the Saint Paul Foundation, a major nonprofit organization affiliated with the project, was appropriate.”

As to status of project elements and the future:

 

• The satellite uplink was completed several years ago and is functioning well.

• Radios: We are now conducting the final review of a prospective replacement radio.  It has passed our rigorous field tests and now needs just FCC and UL approval.  We expect those approvals later this spring.

We will then request a formal bid.  Once that is accepted it’s estimated it will take about six months for radios to be manufactured, in our hands and ready for rollout.  We are very excited about this!!

• DAISY Recording: We continue to work with our contractor in developing the software needed for our volunteers to record in DAISY.

He has made significant progress and we are targeting his completion date for the end of this July.

Our intent is to be able to record, store and retrieve textbooks and Radio Talking Book (RTB) book recordings in DAISY.

So, things are looking very good indeed.  While I don’t view myself as a techie (and have never been called one) those who are true-blue techies, including David Andrews (involved in the 21st Century Plan since its inception), see things as looking good.

There are some additional developments and future directions in the Communication Center:

• We are, with the Communication Center Committee of the SRC-B, looking at doing a RTB customer satisfaction study. We want to make sure we continually improve the alignment of the programming we offer with the general interests of our listeners.
• We are beginning next week to explore the feasibility of making the RTB digital programming available via Internet or our telephone-based news services. We want to see if we can make programming available on a “on demand” basis rather than having to listen at a particular time for a specific program.
• We’ll be using the National Instructional Materials Access Center—a repository for educational material in an electronic format—that will speed up our ability to provide material—especially braille—to the blind youth of the state.
• We have plans to improve the telephone-based news (NFB-NEWSLINE®, and Dial-in-News) in 2008 by adding one Greater Minnesota newspaper to NFB-NEWSLINE® (Rochester Post-Bulletin) and a Greater Minnesota newspaper (perhaps Brainerd) to Dial-in-News.
• We are working with the Regional Library in Faribault to plan for the migration to flash technology and the retirement of tape and the cassette player.

1. Update on possible SSB move

A final item is the possibility of a move of SSB from its current location.

Our lease at 2200 University Ave. runs out at the end of this year.  Since last year, we have been exploring options for our location, including renewing at our current location.  We have received assistance from the state’s Real Estate Management Division in this effort.

We have offers and counter offers from our current landlord and from management of the Griggs-Midway building (Fairview and University in Saint Paul).

Factors we’re looking at include cost (the dollar amount of the lease) and value (the worth of the location to our customers, our volunteers and our staff).

We expect a decision on this issue very soon, hopefully no later than the end of this month.

(Editor’s Update from Chuk Hamilton:  Several proposals and counter-proposals regarding both Griggs-Midway and the current location occurred.  It would have cost over a half-million dollars over ten years in order to move, and would have resulted in some inconvenience to customers, volunteers and staff.  The only improvement might have been closer proximity to a planned light-rail station in a number of years.  The net result is that SSB is staying where it is currently located.)

In summary, I believe the future of SSB looks promising.  The fulfilling of that promise does not depend on SSB alone.  It depends on numerous factors, players and variables, some we can influence more than others.

Our goal remains clear and is consistent with the conviction and values behind the comments made some time ago by Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Senator from New York, on the 25th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind. He said:

“A Greek philosopher once wrote: `What joy is there in day that follows day, some swift, some slow, with death the only goal?'  What we are interested in—those of you that are here and those of us who are in the Senate of the United States, who feel strongly about this problem—is to make sure that you can live out your lives making a contribution to society, and live your lives in dignity.”

Joyce, thank you for inviting me here today to speak on behalf of SSB.