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a. 2. The designated State unit's response to the Council’s input and recommendations; and

Current Narrative:

  1. MCRS acknowledges the need for utilizing a variety of methods to ensure valid and reliable Customer Satisfaction data. The Council recommends that BSBP explore innovative, accessible and engaging ways of capturing satisfaction data from their dual customers of businesses and individuals with disabilities. One additional focus is to create a method to capture meaningful responses from transition age students, youth, and young adults.
     
    BSBP Training Center conducts a satisfaction survey for participants and that survey is available upon request.  BSBP Pre-ETS programs incorporate a feedback form for students and parents.  For Vocational Rehabilitation services a consistent method and routine of customer feedback from participants and businesses is not yet developed and BPBP is interested in designing a consumer satisfaction tool with the council’s input that can use to inform customer services.

  2. MCRS acknowledges the need for accurate information about the impact of disability on career development opportunities. The Council recommends that BSBP engage with the Michigan Workforce Development Board by encouraging a combined educational initiative for Board members and partners to learn about pertinent provisions of WIOA and how they impact persons with disabilities seeking education, training and employment. One focus is addressing employer’s perceptions of disability that may limit opportunities for training, employment and career development.
     
    BSBP’s recent transfer to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has allowed for enhanced engagement of  Workforce. The Employment and Training Division which includes BSBP also includes the Workforce Development Agency. BSBP now participates monthly in the Council of Directors of  Michigan Works! Agencies. BSBP is represented on some local Workforce Development Boards. BSBP is dedicated to increasing an awareness of the talents that BSBP’s customers possess and will continue to address employer perceptions of disability that may limit opportunities for training, employment and career development.
  3. MCRS acknowledges the importance of collaborating with other agencies and organizations to achieve positive outcomes for people with disabilities. Some years ago, Michigan disability organizations worked together to create a “Common Disability Agenda”, a written document that guided multiple efforts toward achieving specific outcomes through the coordination of resources and efforts. The Council recommends that BSBP assume a leadership role in creating a collaborative with a new 2020 Agenda to achieve common goals benefitting people with disabilities across Michigan.
     
    Key strategic focus areas of LEO include investing in the closure of equity gaps and removing barriers to employment. BSBP collaborates with MRS, WDA and other agencies currently to achieve shared common goals. Examples include but are not limited to:
    BSBPis represented on the Michigan Interagency Transition Team (MITT). This is a collaborative body comprised of members from public and non-profit agencies with a mission to improve secondary transition services for students with disabilities. In partnership with the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, the MITT will be surveying transition stakeholders on services and supports currently available in the state.
    BSBP also utilizes the partnership with Michigan Low Incidence Outreach, which addresses the specific needs of students who are blind or visually impaired.
    BSBP and MRS work together on many projects to ensure that the needs of persons who are blind and visually impaired and who may have other disabilities are considered. Examples  of BSBP and MRS collaboration include Employment First, Seamless Transition, and Customized Employment. BSBP has been and continues to be highly invested in collaborating in the implementation of Michigan’s Employment First initiative as defined in Executive Order 2015-15 as further detailed in the Michigan Employment First Strategic Plan for Systems Transformation and Improving Competitive, Integrated Employment Outcomes.
  4. MCRS acknowledges the importance of continual outreach to offer vocational rehabilitation services to diverse and underserved groups of Michigan citizens.  When the results of the 2020 CSNA are available in March, the MCRS recommends that BSBP utilize results to implement strategies to address discrepancies in access to VR services among underserved groups across all geographic regions of Michigan.
     
    BSBP will utilize the information provided as a result of the most recent Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) when it is made available. BSBP has provided Michigan’s Project Excellence team all information requested in order to ensure that the best interest of BSBP’s consumers and Michigan’s blind citizens are represented in the CSNA. This will allow BSBP to strategically consider those needs and how to address challenges and celebrate successes. BSBP appreciates the support of the Council in this process.
  5. MCRS acknowledges the importance of Michigan’s Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment. The Council recommends that BSBP partners with MRS, Special Education and others to conduct research similar to the CSNA focusing on the needs, services and outcomes for Michigan’s transition age youth and young adults.
     
    BSBPis represented on the Michigan Interagency Transition Team (MITT). This is a collaborative body comprised of members from public and non-profit agencies with a mission to improve secondary transition services for students with disabilities. In partnership with the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, the MITT will be surveying transition stakeholders on services and supports currently available in the state. The purpose of the survey is to inform services and improve programming.