MCB Rehabilitation Council Meeting

MCB Rehabilitation Council Meeting (09/05/18) Minutes

 Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Rehabilitation Council Minutes

For September 5, 2018

The quarterly Meeting of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Rehabilitation Council was called to order by Chair Bruce Howell at 10:00 a.m.

Attendees

In person:  Bruce Howell; Commissioner David D’Arcangelo; Mary Otiato; Joe Buizon; Darren Black; DeAnn Elliott; Naomi Goldberg;  Karen McCormack;  Richard Curtis (State Street);  Cheryl Scott (10:15); Martha Daigle; Nancy Mader; Jerry Berrier;  Lydia Greene (Tufts) ;  Charles Curti (Harvard University);  Cory Kadlik.

By Phone: Nora Nagle

Guest: Katie Laverriere

Absent: Jill Weinberg, Nancy Trzcinski

Minutes Approval

Chair, Bruce Howell asked if anyone had any changes to the June 6, 2018 RC Minutes.  Minutes were accepted as drafted.

Membership Updates

Vacant RC seat for Business, Industry, & Labor role, Subhashish Acharya is no longer available to serve on the RC, haven’t approached anyone to replace this position -  intend to have someone by the next quarter. 

There is a backlog of pending RC appointments, background checks are holding up appointments. Commissioner’s office will follow up.

Order of Selection Subcommittee Status

Bruce reported on subcommittee activities in anticipation of OOS.  Based on the approved FY 19 budget, MCB is no longer required to implement an OOS.  All agreed the work done to write a policy and prepare for implementation of OOS was a valuable exercise.

Commissioner’s Update: David D’Arcangelo

The new commissioner introduced himself and shared a summary of his professional career as well as his experience as an MCB client.  He acknowledged the high caliber of the executive level staff in place at MCB and the wealth of institutional knowledge.  His goal is to get more people employed and benefit people with blindness.  He identified outreach across the state as value and described himself as bold, not rash, leader who will function within the margins.  His door is always open. The Commissioner’s goal is to leave MCB better than he found it.

The floor was opened for questions.

Bruce Howell asked about the role of One Stop Career Centers.  The Commissioner acknowledged the effort to improve services at One Stops for MCB consumers and Secretary Acosta’s efforts.  John Oliveria shared information about the One Stop Career Centers plan: 1^st year focus on technology, funds to help with 1:1 support for MCB consumers, MCB is recommending that VR counselors meet consumers at these centers to be more visible.

Cheryl Scott, Executive Director of Massachusetts Workforce Development shared that WFD has goals and objectives around furthering relationship with MCB and working with folks who are not in the labor force. Mary Otiato share that she had some ideas about how to work with WFD.

Cheryl will facilitate a meeting with Secretary Acosta as she is “all ears when it comes to ideas”.

Cheryl also shared that the re-branding of career centers has rolled out – they are now all call “MassHire Career Centers”.

Deputy Commissioner’s Update:  John Oliveira

71 interns and 64 partners participated in this year’s MCB Internship Program.  It was a great closing ceremony in August.  This year they are going to send out surveys to participating interns to get feedback. 

It was suggested by RC members that a survey also be sent out to participating employing partners to get feedback on the program from a host site perspective.  John will follow up with the RC on this.

There were great entries for the Reach for the Stars program – winners received a cash prize.

A Perkins Business Partnership meeting is scheduled for October 9^th at Perkins – reboot after feedback from employers to Perkins leadership to make this partnership more outcome focused. Consumers will present themselves to members of PBP and receive feedback about next steps or help facilitating connections for employment.

Project Search was unsustainable – new program with Polus Center, “Envision Works”, serving 4 consumers, MCB is not funding this – they are seeking grants, these type of training models are the new way of doing things.

John was asked if there was a pool of job ready candidates – what does that look like now- he will provide information at the next RC meeting.

Vision Works 8^th Annual Job Fair Update – Karen McCormack, Chuck Curti

The 8^th Annual Job Fair is scheduled for October 17^th, 2018 at Radcliffe. 

The planning committee comprised of representatives from The Carroll Center, Perkins, MCB and Radcliffe is meeting regularly and actively recruiting job seekers and employers.  Interviews will be arranged the day of the fair for job seekers who have applied to positions with recruiters who are willing to conduct interviews.

Richard Curtis and Lydia Greene suggested offering consultation sessions to job seekers so repeat attendees get feedback from recruiters that could help guide their preparation and search efforts.

2018 Consumer Comprehensive Needs Assessment

MCB electronic survey to consumers via google forms has some accessibility difficulties that need to be resolved. In the past this was done over the phone- was an opportunity for interns.  Working to get as many consumers to complete the survey as possible.

Meeting Adjourned

 The RC Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen McCormack, Secretary

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Rehabilitation Council Meeting

600 Washington Street, 2^nd Floor conference room

Boston, MA 02111

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

10 am - 12 pm

Agenda

• Chair Welcome
  • Member introductions
  • Approval of September 5 , 2018 Minutes
  • Vacant RC seat for Business, Industry, & Labor role
  • Review of 2018 RC Annual Report
  • Conflict of Interest Member Training status
• Commissioner Update
• Deputy Commissioner Update
• Review of Vision Works 8^th Annual Job Fair
• Review of White Cane Day
• Perkins Business Partnership Update
• Other Business