FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (FRCB)
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES


Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale
1100 SE 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

Thursday, February 6, 2017

Chairwoman Patricia Lipovsky called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council Members Present:

Patricia Lipovsky, Robert Doyle, Bruce Miles, Paul Kurtz, Louise Peyton, Howard Bell, Nicole Attong, Denise Valkema, Paul Edwards, Mikey Wiseman, Robert Kelly

Council Members via Phone:

Lenora Marten

Council Staff:

Selena Sickler

DBS Staff

Ana Saint Fort, Bridget Giles, Michelle Levy, Carolyn Ellenby

Adoption of Agenda
Mikey Wiseman made a motion to adopt the agenda. Paul Kurtz seconded the motion. Bruce Miles added the committee appointments and the Crossover apt to the FRC. Paul Kurtz stated for the record that the meeting was in Salons D and E, instead of E and F.  The motion passed to adopt the amended agenda.

Election of Officers
Bruce Miles nominated Robert Kelly for Chair of the Council.  Mikey Wiseman seconded the nomination. The vote passed by acclamation.

Paul Edwards nominated Mikey Wiseman for First Vice-Chair. The vote passed by acclamation.

Bruce Miles nominated Paul Edwards for Second Vice-Chair. The voted passed by acclamation.

Committees
Robert Kelly read the responsibilities of the Planning and Evaluation Committees. Council members volunteered for the committees as follows:

Planning Committee
Paul Edwards, Chair, Lenora Marten, Bruce Miles, Robert Kelly, Howard Bell, Paul Kurtz, Denise Valkema

Evaluation Committee
Bruce Miles, Chair, Patricia Lipovsky, Mickey Wiseman, Howard Bell, Paul Edwards,
Nicole Attong, Louise Peyton

Client Satisfaction Survey Report – February 6, 2018
Minna Jia presented a report on the new survey, which covered 2017-2018 Quarters 1-2.  Minna provided two reports: the Survey Results Overview for quarters 1-2 and Open Ended Responses.  She presented an overview of the new survey procedures, program characteristics, outcomes, and the survey instrument.  A copy of the complete report is available upon request.

Minna Jia stated that during the fieldwork, some clients responded to question six by stating they had not received materials in accessible format.  Minna stated that the survey results for question 16 and 16a confirmed the problem with 77% of DBS clients receiving materials in accessible format compared to 80% for 2016. 

Minna Jia stated one of the major changes of the new survey was including questions regarding local service providers in addition to DBS.  Survey respondents included clients who only received services from DBS, clients who received services from DBS and one provider and clients who received both DBS services and more than one local service provider.

Minna stated that a list was received from DBS on the first day of each month for cases closed during the previous month, July-December 2017. The reports were in excel format and included multiple lines of information about one client.  Minna stated her goal was to receive a list with one line for each client. 

The council had a discussion regarding the process of choosing one local service provider to include in the survey. Nicole Attong stated by eliminating service providers from the survey could mean losing important data. Robert Kelly asked to what extent were clients receiving services from multiple vendors. Robert Doyle stated the survey was new and very complex.  He stated one of the reasons of the new survey was to move away from the broader questions and focus on the service provider who primarily contributed toward the closure of a client. 

The council had a discussion regarding the inclusion of the vendor name in the Open Ended Report.  Director Doyle stated that his vision of the new survey was to be able to identify service provider’s performance.  The council agreed to include the vendor name. 

Howard Bell asked if Survey question 6 could be changed to Client Assistance Program instead of Client Advocacy Program. Robert Kelly agreed. Howard asked if the new survey reflected how consumers felt about the Division of Vocational Rehab. Minna stated that was a separate survey. Director Doyle stated we could not pull information on dual clients for this survey, but general information about dual clients could be provided to the council.

Nicole Attong suggested knowing the particular region within the state where the client is receiving services would be important information as it relates to DBS.

The Council had a discussion regarding vendor performance being shared with counselors in order to assist clients in making an informed choice.  Robert Kelly stated he felt the intent was to help DBS and vendors determine strengths and weaknesses.

Paul Edwards stated that he had noticed an overlap of services between Lighthouses. Robert Kelly stated that he thought the survey included contracted vendors.

Mikey asked if a correlation could be determined between a specific answer and overall satisfaction.  Minna stated a variable could be added.

Paul Edwards made a motion to have a subcommittee meeting before the May meeting and include Minna Jia.  Robert Kelly agreed and stated a motion was not needed.

Director Doyle suggested looking at cross data tabulation such as genders and regions when the subcommittee reconvenes.

Bruce Miles stated he would like to have two meetings before May. 

Minna Jia stated that the data she used during her verbal presentation was for 85 completions and the report provided prior to the meeting was for 51 completions.  Minna will update.

The Council had a discussion regarding the low response rate. Mikey asked if there was a way to verify contact information in Aware.  Director Doyle agreed that not having current contact information needed to be addressed. Nicole suggested contacting the service provider for the information. Mikey stated his concern that that process might jeopardize the privacy of the client. Director Doyle suggested looking at an overall solution.

Howard Bell asked about DBS closure procedures.  Michelle Levy stated when a client is contacted; the information in Aware is confirmed.  She stated the process used before closing a case is to contact the client by phone or email.  A last resort if those attempts have not been successful is to write a letter, which includes a stated deadline for the client.

Robert Kelly proposed to defer any further discussion for the committee meeting.

The meeting adjourned for a morning break.

Bruce Miles made a motion to move the FRCB Bylaws to February 7. Mikey seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

VR Report – Bridget Giles
Bridget Giles, Bureau Chief presented an overview of the VR Report SFY 2017-2018 2nd Quarter. A complete copy of the report is available upon request.

Bruce Miles requested to have the quarterly three-year comparison report in sequential order. Bruce requested to provide the Successfully Closed Cases Report quarterly with three-year comparison. 

The council had a discussion regarding the new RSA reporting measures. Director Doyle will provide a report at the July 2018 FRCB meeting.

Employer Recognition
Michelle Levy, District Administrator for District 11 recognized CareAssist Home Care Inc. and Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. for the Employer Recognition Award.

Needs Assessment
Director Doyle presented an overview on the Comprehensive Needs Assessment. Director Doyle stated that DBS and the General Agency were looking at San Diego State University to perform the work. He stated the focus would rely on the primary CSNA questions required by the RSA. He noted that the council would have the opportunity to add an additional research point, as was done during the previous assessment.  

Mikey Wiseman made a motion to support using San Diego State University (CNA) for the DBS Needs Assessment. Howard Bell seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) Roundtable Update
Director Doyle and Howard Bell attended the Orlando Roundtable and reported the event was well attended and allowed for consumer input on the services received.

Meeting adjourned for lunch at a.m. 11:30 a.m.The afternoon session began at 1:00 p.m. with introductions.

Public Comment- None

Chair Robert Kelly recognized Patricia Lipovsky for her service.

Director’s Report
Director Doyle provided an update on the Division of Blind Services.
Director Doyle reported that WINTAC had provided positive feedback on the progress of implementing the new WIOA regulations.  He gave an update on DBS vacancies and announced that Robin Goldstone Garcia will be the new Deputy Director. He stated that DBS has approval from the Commissioner on a framework for DBS reorganization, reclassification, restructuring and strengthening  relationship with outside partners. More details will need to be worked out on the implementation of the framework.

Robert Kelly suggested entertaining a motion to take a formal position with DBS on serving kids with VR services upon turning age 14.

Paul Edwards made a motion that the FRCB reaffirm its belief that youth with disabilities receive transition services at the earliest possible age and ask the chair to share that position with RSA. Paul Kurtz seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Unified State Plan
Bridget Giles, DBS Bureau Chief Client Services asked for feedback on the Unified State Plan, which was emailed to the council. Paul Edwards suggested including the crosspollination of the Florida Independent Living Council (FILC) representative.   Bruce Miles made a motion to write a letter to RSA regarding FRCB input on accelerating the deadline to submit the Unified State Plan.  Mikey Wiseman seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Vocational Evaluation Project
Paul Edwards presented an overview on the Vocational Evaluation Project.  He stated the funding for the first year was to develop a vocation evaluation tool with anticipation of moving forward with testing in the second year and then expanding to a national level.

Meeting Date and Location of February 2019
Paul Edwards made a motion for Daytona.  Denise Valkema seconded the motion.
The council discussed the large number of services and clients in the area and suggested tours, holding the meeting at the Rehab Center, extending the second days meeting to a full day and adding an additional day to the agenda.    Paul Edwards called the question.  The council passed the motion.

The Council had a discussion on meeting dates. The council suggested extending the meeting on the second day to a full day, staying an extra night and traveling home the next day. The Council suggested starting the meeting at 9:30 on the first day to allow for travel.

The council suggested establishing a committee to come up with travel and agenda options and report to the council.  The committee includes Robert Kelly, Mikey and Selena.

Approval of July 2017 Meeting Minutes
Paul Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes. Denise Valkema seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The Council had a discussion regarding the importance of having the action items list sent out no later than 6 weeks after the meeting. Paul Edwards made a motion and Bruce seconded.  The motion passed.

The Council stated they wanted to receive the meeting minutes sooner than 3 months.  The Council suggested having a further discussion regarding protocol for writing the meeting minutes at the next meeting.

Approval of October 2017 Meeting Minutes
Paul Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes. Patricia Lipovsky seconded. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Chair Robert Kelly called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions.

Council Members Present:
Robert Kelly, Patricia Lipovsky, Louise Peyton, Robert Doyle, Mikey Wiseman, Paul Edwards, Denise Valkema, Howard Bell, Bruce Miles, Paul Kurtz, Nicole Attong

Council Members via Phone:
Lenora Marten

Council Staff:
Selena Sickler

DBS Staff:
Bridget Giles, Ana Saint Fort, Monica Moye

Council Business

Bylaws
Bruce Miles read both the old and new versions for each change submitted by the subcommittee. The format will change from paragraph format to outline format.

ARTICLE V SECTION 1 Paragraph I
New
I.  Other expenses necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of membership on this Council in compliance with section 105 of the Act may be approved by the Director of the Division of Blind Services in advance.

Paul Edwards moved to accept the change and Patricia Lipovsky seconded.  The motion passed.

Director Doyle stated that FRCB travel was one of the areas requiring prior approval by RSA.    

ARTICLE IV SECTION 7. REMOVAL/RESIGNATION

Old
Any member wishing to resign from the Council before the expiration of "/her term shall present a letter of resignation to the Governor, with a copy to the Chairperson of the Council.

The council had a discussion. Robert Kelly called the question and took a vote on keeping the original wording.  The motion passed.

ARTICLE IV SECTION 7. REMOVAL/RESIGNATION

New B
B. The Chairperson will notify the Governor in writing of any member failing to attend, in person, two (2) quarterly meetings per calendar year without an excuse acceptable to the Council. The notification may include the request having the member removed from the Council.

Paul Edwards made a motion to accept the proposed change and Howard Bell seconded.  The motion passed.

ARTICLE V. SECTION 2.  PUBLIC FORUMS
New
A.  The Council will conduct at least two (2) public forums per year.

B.  The decision to hold a public forum in conjunction with a quarterly meeting will be made by majority vote of members in attendance when the meeting location has been decided.

C.  The public forum will be advertised as no less than a 1 hour meeting with the date and time decided by the Council during the preceding meeting.

D.  Persons wishing to comment at the public forum will have up to 5 minutes to speak.

Bruce Miles read the original version and the proposed changes. Paul Edwards made a motion to accept the changes as written and Howard Bell seconded. The Council had a discussion.  Robert Kelly called the question and took a vote in favor of the changes as written. The motion carried.

Paul Edwards made a motion to hold a public forum at the meeting in Daytona February 2019. Howard Bell seconded.  The motion passed.

Paul Edwards made a motion to hold a public forum in West Palm Beach May 2018.  Mikey Wiseman seconded.  The motion passed.

Paul Edwards made a motion not have a public forum in Orlando July 2018. Patricia Lipovsky seconded.  The Council had a discussion. Robert Kelly called the question. Robert Kelly took a roll call vote. The motion did not pass.  Council members voted as follows: Nicole Attong voted no, Denise Valkema voted no, Paul Edwards voted yes, Mikey Wiseman abstained, Patricia Lipovsky abstained, Howard Bell voted no, Bruce Miles voted yes, Paul Kurtz voted no, Louise Peyton voted no, Lenora Marten voted no.

Paul Edwards made a motion to have a public forum in Miami October 2018.  Mikey seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Howard Bell raised a question regarding what constitutes a quorum.  Director Doyle read ARTICLE V. Section 4. Bruce Miles made a motion to remove the word acting or active. Patricia Lipovsky seconded. The motion passed.

Patricia Lipovsky requested that a copy of the revised Bylaws be sent out by Selena.

Agenda Items West Palm Beach, May 2018

The Council had a discussion regarding the format of the public forum held on February 6, 2018.  The council suggested there needed to be a separation between the FRCB regular business meeting and the public forum and discussed different format alternatives. Robert Kelly suggested we would look at implementing something at the next forum.

Old Business- none
New Business – none
Open Discussion – none

Bruce made a motion to adjourn and Paul seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

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