KCB Special Board meeting – March, 2017
The special called meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, March 6, 2017. President Debbie Deatherage called the meeting to order at 7:37 PM eastern time. Answering the roll call were Debbie Deatherage, Gerry Slusher, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Elaine Weisbard, Bill Wright, Cisco” Slusher and Frank Campbell. Joey Couch, Amanda Selm, Natalie Couch, Josh Gentry, Matt Selm, Bill Roberts, Dennis Runyan, Shirley Stivers, Deb Lewis and David Smith were absent. Guest Adam Ruschival was present. Since there was not a quorum, President Debbie Deatherage delayed the meeting while attempts were made to contact absent members. Deb Lewis and David Smith checked in late and President Deatherage called the meeting back into order at approximately 7:52.
Carla Ruschival reported that, with the recently announced retirement of Allison Flanagan from the Kentucky office for the Blind on April 30, there are concerns that there may be renewed attempts to combine OFB and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. While the two agencies were very much separate in the late 1990s when the last merger was attempted, some functions, such as finance and facilities, are now shared due to funding issues. Carla pointed out that KCB has never opposed the idea of a separate agency but did oppose the original legislation years ago since it would have formed a commission. Carla indicated she and Kathy Jackson from NFB-KY have discussed ways KCB and NFB-KY might work together to preserve as much of the separateness as possible. In the current political environment, there appears to be little chance of demanding anything. Therefore, preservation is important.
Members support keeping agencies separate. If this is not possible we should work to preserve separate counselors, services, training facility, specialized training, Kentucky Business Enterprises, and independent living services.
Carla indicated merger probably would not drastically impact assistance for older persons with visual impairments since there is separate legislation for funding these services. Adam Ruschival indicated that the Statewide Independent Living Council has traditionally considered the Office for the Blind and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation separately as “designated state units” when distributing federal funds. Therefore, merger of the two agencies might result in reduced funding to OFB, particularly if the state rehab councils are combined. The Centers for Independent Living do not offer the level of services available through OFB. Therefore, rehabilitation councils should not be combined. It is believed that combined agencies can elect whether to have joint or separate councils.
While the governor’s intentions are unknown, the executive directors of OFB and Voc. Rehab. will be vacant with Allison’s retirement. This means the governor can combine the positions or appoint anyone he wishes to fill each since they are nonmerit positions.
Some years ago, there was discussion about closing the McDowell Center and sending everyone to the center in Thelma. Since Thelma is in a very rural area, it would be very difficult to teach some skills, especially orientation and mobility.
While KCB supports ways to save money, any savings need to lead to sustained or improved services and not result in reduced funding.
Carla Ruschival reported the idea she discussed with Kathy Jackson would have a steering committee comprised of one representative from KCB, NFB-KY, vendors, Bluegrass Council and SRC. This committee would seek a meeting with Governor Bevin to discuss the importance of maintaining separate services and try to determine his intended course of action. The committee should also represent concerns of KSB alumni. Adam speculated that any merger would probably occur once the legislature is out of town and before Allison’s retirement. Therefore, it is critical that a meeting with the governor occur in the next couple of weeks. We should not expect to hear anything from OFB employees since they cannot discuss the issue.
Rick Boggess made a motion that KCB work to preserve the Office for the Blind as a separate agency. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and unanimously approved.
Rick Boggess made a motion that KCB participate in a combined effort to maintain OFB as a separate agency and that Carla Ruschival represent KCB on any committee formed to support the effort. The motion was seconded by Deb Lewis and unanimously approved.
Rick Boggess made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Carla Ruschival and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM EST.
Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
Download Summary: KCBSpecialBoardMeetingMarch2017
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