Public Meeting Notice  MCB Statutory Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting

SAB Attendees: Brian MacDonald, Blair Wong, Nancy Rumbolt-Trzcinski, Kathy Petkauskos, and Kerlyne Pacombe

MCB Staff Attendees: John Oliveira, Justine Muir, Nathan Skrocki, and Lucy Evangelidis

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
A quorum was reached. Motion to approve the October 7, 2025 minutes was made by Blair and seconded by Kathy. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Update – John Oliveira

Commissioner Oliveira discussed ongoing federal uncertainty and the impacts of the government shutdown:

• Approximately 4,000 MCB consumers receive SNAP benefits; some have experienced temporary delays in funding.
• MCB distributed a statewide spreadsheet of community food resources and pantries to regional directors to assist consumers in need.
• Despite the federal situation, MCB remains financially stable and has sufficient state funds to operate through the end of the year.
• The agency continues to manage FY25 and state FY26 funds to meet required grant matches (21.5%).
• Federal RSA operations are currently furloughed, though three to four essential staff remain active to process fiscal filings.
• MCB has submitted all required reports on time, maintaining access to federal funds and avoiding service disruptions.
• Speculation continues regarding whether RSA will move under the Department of Labor or Health and Human Services, but no decision has been made.
• Commissioner Oliveira confirmed that MCB services, staffing, and programs remain unaffected.
• Earmark funding for vendors including the Carroll Center and MABVI has been approved, allowing for continued technology, housing, and service support. Radio reading services will also receive funding in two installments.

Programs & Services Update – Justine Muir

Justine reported that October was an especially active month across programs and services:

• Reverse Virtual Job Fairs:
  • Two sessions were held.
  • Day 1: 29 employers and 18 consumers participated; 4 employers have since connected with 6 consumers, including 1 candidate who completed an interview.
  • Day 2: 30 employers and 16 consumers participated; 9 employers initiated follow-ups with 9 consumers.
  • Even for participants not immediately hired, the fairs provided valuable interview practice and networking opportunities.
• College Information Session:
  • Attendance nearly doubled from last year with 38 participants (students, families, and staff).
  • Featured a student panel of three current college students sharing experiences, challenges, and self-advocacy strategies.
• White Cane Awareness Day Celebration:
  • Held at the Massachusetts State House with over 300 attendees.
  • Event feedback described it as empowering, moving, and unifying.
  • Thanks extended to the Carroll Center for sponsoring refreshments and TIC for broadcasting.
  • WGBH published a feature article; both that and MCB’s own coverage are available online.
• Pre-ETS Programs (ages 14-22):
  • Fall sessions are underway with providers such as LEAP (Vermont), Perkins, and the Polus Center.
  • Carroll Center continues offering high-demand programs such as workplace computing for VR consumers.
• Staffing Updates:
  • A retirement in the OIB program (Regions 4 & 5) has been filled with a new hire bringing extensive experience.
  • Carleen Boyd was promoted to SR Supervisor for Region 4.
  • A Region 3 SR position is now open and moving through the screening phase, with plans to fill by December.

Dashboard Update – Nathan Skrocki

Nate provided current consumer and program statistics:

• Open Cases:
  • SR Children: ~900
  • SR Adults: ~3,300
  • VR Youth: ~200
  • VR Adults: ~750
• Closures (since July 1):
  • SR: 240 total closures, including 92 children.
  • VR: 51 successful and 34 unsuccessful closures.
  • 47 cases are currently in employment status awaiting the 90-day mark for successful closure.
• Registrations and Documents:
  • ~7,300 Certificates of Blindness issued YTD.
  • Nearly 1,000 new MCB IDs issued.
  • 1,531 new registrations this year, expected to reach 1,800 by year’s end.

Discussion Highlights

• College Panel: Question from the public about student panelist experiences and challenges.
  • Justine noted that common college student issues included navigating accommodations, educating professors about accessibility, and balancing independence.
  • Students on the panel emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, connecting with disability services and campus security, and building peer networks.
• Autonomous Vehicles and Advocacy: Question from the public regarding advocacy around autonomous vehicle legislation.
• Commissioner Oliveira and Nate clarified that MCB can inform policymakers but cannot lobby or endorse specific technologies.
• Public also asked about hosting informational sessions with companies like Waymo; leadership agreed this could be considered as a public informational event.
• Regional Advocacy and Funding: Question from the public about whether regional advisory councils can collectively advocate or apply for grants.
• Commissioner Oliveira stated that legal counsel will review whether RACs may formally engage in advocacy or fundraising, noting potential complexities around financial handling and state audit requirements.
• Legislative Awareness: Question from the public about adding a “Legislative Corner” or advocacy resource links on MCB’s website.
• Commissioner Oliveira and others discussed potential collaboration with consumer groups such as the Bay State Council of the Blind and NFB of MA, which already monitor and share legislative updates.

Next Meeting

The next SAB meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2025. 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: October 7, 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