Public Meeting Notice  MCB Statutory Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting

SAB Attendees: Brian MacDonald, Blair Wong, Kathy Petkauskos, Kerlyne Pacombe

MCB Staff Attendees: John Oliveira, Justine Muir, Nathan Skrocki

Meeting held via Zoom, recording available to the public on the MCB YouTube channel

Public invited to participate through Q&A at the end of the meeting

Minutes

Blair motioned to approve the minutes of the April meeting. Brian seconded. Motion passed. Kerlyne joined later and confirmed her approval for the record.

Commissioner Update - John Oliveira

• MCB received the full balance of its federal Vocational Rehabilitation grant ($4.7M), including cost-of-living adjustments.
• Also received full funding for the Older Independent Blind (OIB) grant (~$300K).
• The only pending funding is from the Supported Employment grant (approx. $35K). No urgent need for these funds at this time.
• MCB is working to hit its match to preserve full federal funding going into Federal Fiscal Year 2026 (starting October 1).
• The FY26 state budget process continues; Senate Ways and Means budget expected later today. No issues reported so far.
• Earmarks are being handled by legislators and individual organizations; MCB is not directly involved.
• Commissioner Oliveira testified before the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, receiving positive feedback and no reported constituent complaints.
• Ongoing efforts to ensure timely, high-quality service delivery for MCB consumers.

Programs and Services Update - Justine Muir

• Guide Dog Travel Webinar (Harnessing Your Potential): Held April 25 with ~80 attendees. Included guide dog users, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Massachusetts Office on Disability representative discussing legal rights.
• A new MCB guide dog information webpage launched: mass.gov/guidedogs
• White Cane Awareness Day planning underway for October 2025. Awaiting State House reservation system.
• Internship Program: 73 interns currently, with over two dozen confirmed placements.
• Soft Skills Trainings have started in various regions and continue through May.
• Internship Opening Ceremony scheduled for early June featuring past participants.
• MCB is supporting a range of summer programs for youth in collaboration with The Carroll Center for the Blind, Perkins School for the Blind, Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, local YMCAs, and recreation centers.

Dashboard Update – Nathan Skrocki

• SR Services: 888 children and 3,267 adults currently receiving services; 32 SR children and 912 SR adults closed cases.
• VR Services: 214 youth and 772 adults receiving services; 157 successful and 95 unsuccessful closures to date, trending toward ~190 successful closures.
• VR Demographics: Largest group is ages 30–39 (145); other groups include 50–59 (138), 40–49 (125), 60–69 (109), 14–18 (126).
• Other: 64 Certificates of Blindness issued YTD (expecting surge in July); 113 MCB IDs issued; 607 new registrations through April 2025.

Additional Updates

• Glide Mobility Device Demo scheduled for May 9 at MCB Boston office. The device uses cameras and GPS to navigate and avoid obstacles. Public release will be likely in 2026.
• MCB Boston Office Move: Vacating 600 Washington Street by May 30, 2025. Relocating to 40 Broad Street, Boston; move-in expected July 2025.
• Remote operations will continue seamlessly; services to consumers will not be interrupted.
• Certificate of Blindness and ID requests will continue via email and mail. Communications sent via listservs, website banner, phone messages, and email signatures.
• Security staff will inform walk-ins during transition. Support available for unexpected drop-ins.
• Fiscal year-end and FY26 budget setup will occur during the move window.
• New Staff: Housing Specialist hired for Regions 3, 4 & 6; new Rehabilitation Teacher joins Worcester office.

Public Questions

Adam Roberge asked if MassAbility is moving to 40 Broad Street. John confirmed they will have a presence in the new building, mostly administrative staff.

Meeting adjourned.

1. Opening requirements:   
   1. Notification and Confirmation: This meeting is being held via Zoom under a law signed by Governor Baker on July 16^th, 2022 granting authority for virtual meetings. It was extended by Governor Healey through June 30, 2027.
   2. Confirmation that MCB records SAB meetings, allows for local recordings and makes such recordings available to the public.
   3. Welcome to members of the public attending the meeting and instruction about Q&A period.
2. Vote to accept minutes of the SAB meeting: April 1, 2025
3. Commissioner Report :  John Oliveira
4. Deputy Commissioner Update: Justine Muir
5. Program Updates: Nathan Skrocki
   1. Review of Dashboard on Registrations, Process, and Outcomes.
6. SAB Members additional questions or comments.
7. Comments or Questions from the public
8. Public Meeting Adjournment