Narrative: c. 1.

The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired has continued the use of cooperative planning to expand and enhance the work of blindness rehabilitation for consumers who are blind or have low vision. DBVI works in conjunction with other agencies that are not in the statewide workforce development system.

State Agencies

DBVI, along with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), has a long-standing relationship and works very closely with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DBVI/DVR and DHHS have two memorandums of understanding (MOU).  One MOU is with the Office of Aging and Disability Services, which serves individuals with developmental disabilities and the other is with the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) which serves individuals with mental health issues. The MOU’s address the combined efforts that DBVI/DVR and DHHS have initiated to clarify roles to implement an aligned service delivery system to improve the successful outcomes for these jointly served populations.  It contains information about policies and processes that pertain to maintaining and enhancing the relationship between these entities.  Through these strong partnerships with OADS and SAMHS, DBVI/DVR has been able to maximize federal and state funding to Maine by drawing down its full federal allotment for public rehabilitation services and accessing employment support services through Medicaid waivers. Additionally, DBVI/DVR, OADS and SAMHS have developed and are implementing joint approaches to the workforce development of community rehabilitation providers and business engagement throughout the state. DBVI/DVR, OADS and SAMHS are currently in work sessions to develop one MOU that will develop cost sharing plan to address current WIOA regulations.

DBVI continues to work closely with many other state partners to ensure that Maine’s benefits counseling services remain available to beneficiaries of SSI/SSDI, and specifically, DBVI applicants and eligible clients. DBVI/DVR currently administers a single contract with Maine’s approved WIPA provider, Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services, which includes funding from four sources of state and federal funds, including from DBVI, DVR, SAMHS and OADS.  The contract’s scope of work includes direct service provision of benefits counseling, training of VR counselors and case managers, and service capacity building through quarterly system development network meetings, which include representatives from the Disability Rights Maine’s Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) and the Bureau of Employment Services.

The Division f/t Blind and Visually Impaired, in conjunction with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) have developed a ‘Procedural Directive’ to assist those individuals who are incarcerated and anticipate applying for VR services. Employment has been identified as one of the most important factors in reducing recidivism among individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system. In Maine, there are many individuals who may be eligible for VR services who are currently incarcerated and who could potentially benefit from Vocational Rehabilitation services to obtain and maintain employment upon their release. The Department of Corrections through its prisons and probation systems are committed to working collaboratively with DBVI and DVR to promote appropriate referrals, as well as the exchange of information and needed documentation to support VR eligibility determination. If individuals who are blind or have low vision are identified as having blindness rehabilitation needs, other than for VR services, they will be referred directly to a local DBVI office.

Federal Agencies

DBVI staff has been involved in teaming efforts with the staff at the Veterans Administration (VA) Blindness Rehabilitation Program at the Togus, VA hospital in Maine to collaborate on services for veterans who are blind or visually impaired. 

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Maine Department of Labor – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services was finalized and signed in November 2011.

"The purpose of this MOU is to set forth the commitments of BRS and VA–VR&E to cooperate to meet the needs of veterans with disabilities. Through the efforts outlined in this agreement, BRS and VA–VR & E will strive to minimize duplication of services, improve information sharing and referral, and coordinate activities in accordance with all applicable statutes and regulations."

BRS and VA-VR&E reviewed the MOU and updated language to strengthen communication especially in shared cases to ensure the collaboration on resources and services to be the most effective and cost efficient and to ensure that both entities are working toward the same employment goal with the client.  Both agencies agreed to share any pertinent trainings to keep staff current with information.  The VA-VR&E is going through the approval process of the revised MOU.  Some staffing changes at the VA-VR&E have caused a delay in the signing of the new MOU. 

Other

DBVI continues its collaborative efforts with the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) for the Deaf-Blind, and the Maine Deaf-Blind Project, (a project which is a member of the New England Consortium of Deaf Blind Projects, and provides technical assistance for students until the age of 21 and focuses on transition age youth) to improve services for clients who are deaf-blind or dual sensory impaired from hearing and vision loss. Although the program, "Independence Without Fear”has discontinued, the collaboration has expanded to include the Department of Health and Human Services, Disability Rights Maine, Division of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened, and A Tri-state Collaborative with Vermont and New Hampshire.  Efforts have included discussions to recruit, train and maintain a database of specially trained volunteers who can facilitate communication for people with significant vision and hearing impairments, as well as other services that are available to the dual sensory population.  HKNC and OIB-TAC have provided training to staff on services to this targeted population.