MCB Statutory Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting - Virtual

1. Opening
2. This meeting is being held via Zoom due to pandemic precautions under the Governor’s executive order granting such virtual meetings.
3. Confirmation that MCB record SAB meetings, allow for local recordings and make recordings available to the public and that procedure be agreed upon whereby consumers may obtain a recording of the meeting.
4. Vote to accept the September 11, 2021 & July 30, 2021 Minutes
5. Welcome to any members of the public attending the meeting:
6. Update from CFO on MCB financial results FY22 through August.
7. MCB review of FY22 thorough August “Dashboards” for tracking MCB performance. 
8. Commissioner Update:
   1. Status of $850,000 included in the FY22 Final Budget in account 4110-1000 to maximize the independent living skills of legally blind residents of the commonwealth through rehabilitation and the provision of accessible devices, assistive software and equipment and supportive technology training and services by qualified private providers in community, residential, virtual and facility-based settings:
      1. Are the funds currently available? If not, how will they be made available to MCB?
      2. Results of RFR process
      3. Plan to spend $850,000 for the balance of the Fiscal Year
      4. Description of goods and services to be offered by vendor
      5. Degree of consumer input in structuring programs.
   2. Update on supplementing consumer services, including client meetings, holding and disbursement of inventory and staff space after the shutdown of the Worcester and New Bedford Offices.
   3. Status of the award of reallotment funds and plan to use.
   4. Status of the disbursement of current year Blindness Certificates
   5. Current FY spending against the GAA.
   6. Update on the resolution to the recent clerical error on addresses on informational brochures sent out by  the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind resulting in names of  many consumers being paired in mailings to different addresses
   7. Are all consumers requesting services receiving them?
   8. Progress in addressing issues surrounding difficulty in consumers registering with the commission and reaching counselors by phone
   9. Update on safety protocols for MCB employees going to consumers’ homes
9. Update from July meeting on:
   1. Feasibility Study to Evaluate Establishment of a For-Profit Business Employing the Blind.
   2. Description of measurable outcomes from the “What’s You Vision” Campaign.
10. New Business
11. Questions from the public

Update