MCB REPORT

April 6, 2007

LABOR COUNCIL FOCUSES ON WORKFORCE INITIATIVES

The Michigan Council of Labor and Economic Growth (CLEG), established by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in 2004, met in Lansing, March 5, to continue its work on the Two-Year Strategic State Workforce Investment Plan. Governor Granholm met with the group to discuss several workforce initiatives, including her new "No Worker Left Behind Program." Keith Cooley, the Governor's newly appointed Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) also met with the group, outlining DLEG's vision for economic growth and its alignment with the Council.

CLEG's Accelerating Re-employment Committee conducted an afternoon symposium on Soft Skills Development, which centered on the critical role the skills play in employment. Soft Skills are a common concern for most employers. The ability to complete the tasks of a job is just part of being a successful employee. The ability to get along with co-workers, be willing to change and accept new and challenging tasks is another part of the skill set that individuals need to possess in order to be successful in the work place.

Symposium participants comprised several employers and rehabilitation specialists from around the state of Michigan who discussed and reviewed the evidence based data regarding the importance of soft skills. The group also discussed the need to collaborate in order to address the soft skill needs that employers have and the deficits that exist. Lisa Kisiel and Pat Cannon from the Michigan Commission for the Blind attended this symposium. It was a very voluble interaction between employers and service providers. It is important to collaborate with individuals who are hiring employees and learn first hand what skills and abilities they are looking for in an employee. The concern is the individuals who apply for positions regardless of disability are not exhibiting the interpersonal skills necessary to work as a team no matter how well educated they may be.

This group will continue to meet in the future and Lisa will be a part of this initiative in anticipation of learning and sharing information that will assist consumers of the Commission for the Blind in becoming more employable. Results of a study where 480 employers were polled revealed that employers are looking for: 1. A strong work ethic, 2. Work skills needed to do the job in question and 3. The ability to be drug free. This is indicative of the challenges that employers face today. This group hopes to put together strategies that can help to produce more work ready individuals and assist employers in working with employees that are struggling with the lack of soft skills.

MICHIGAN BLINDNESS PREVENTION AND SERVICES MONTH

Governor Granholm has proclaimed April 2007 as Michigan Blindness Prevention and Services Month. This was initiated by a partnership of the Michigan Commission for the Blind, the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, and Leader Dogs for the Blind. The purpose is to raise awareness about blindness, the importance of routine eye exams, and the availability of services and training for people who are blind or visually impaired. Information has been sent to television, radio, and print media, including media specializing in disability issues. The complete text of the proclamation is online at www.michigan.gov/gov under Proclamations.

OUTREACH TO THE EYE CARE COMMUNITY

As part of its continuing efforts to reach out to optometrists, ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals, the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) made a presentation to an optometry class at Ferris State University to address a variety of service and blindness issues. Susan Turney and Pat Cannon traveled to Big Rapids, March 22, to meet with students of Dr. Walter Betts, the head of the university's College of Optometry. The presentation included an overview of blindness awareness issues, services offered by the Commission as well as numerous other services available to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The 32 graduate students, who will become practicing optometrists in about 18 months, were highly engaged in the interaction and said the information would be of tremendous help to them in their profession. This is the second year that Dr. Betts had invited Pat Cannon to speak to the class, and he has been invited to return in 2008.

Additional MCB outreach efforts to the eye care community include another presentation on Commission services and blindness awareness issues at the annual meeting of the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MSEPS) in August. The Commission's participation at last year's conference was well received and typical of MCB's efforts to spread the word about blindness awareness and services.

ACCESS BOARD UPDATES ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY ACT

The U. S. Access Board's Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC), which will provide recommendations on updating the Board's accessibility criteria for electronic and information technology and telecommunications products, held its third meeting in Washington, D.C. last month. The Committee is reviewing standards for electronic and information technology procured by Federal agencies issued under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines used to enforce the Telecommunications Act.

Key items on the agenda included discussion of the Committee's goals in reviewing the design requirements and a new framework for the section 508 standards that could facilitate future updating on a regular basis, which is considered necessary due to the ever-changing nature of the technologies covered and the emergence of new technologies and innovations. Consideration was given to a two-part structure for the standards consisting of a set of general access principles that would remain relatively constant and a separate section comprised of detailed technology or product specific criteria that would be revisited and updated periodically by the Board as needed.

There were also briefings on different aspects of accessibility and section 508's implementation. To provide background on how the section 508 standards are used by Federal agencies in the procurement process, representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, the Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service held a panel discussion on strategies for assessing product compliance. For further information, visit the committee's website at http://teitac.org.

BIG RAPIDS MINI-ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM SERVES 30 CONSUMERS

MCB's second Mini-Adjustment Workshop of 2007 was held at the Holiday Inn, in Big Rapids, March 18-23, serving 30 consumers. MCB clients attending the Mini-Adjustment Program workshops are introduced to a variety of skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, managing time and money, adaptive kitchen skills and other skills to enhance independence. MCB will conduct its next, week-long Mini-Adjustment Program in the state's Upper Peninsula at Gladstone's Terrace Bay Inn, located near Escanaba, May 20-25, with plans being finalized for another workshop in Ann Arbor this August.

The MCB Employment Readiness Seminar for all job-ready consumers was held in conjunction with the Mini program. Sixteen MCB participants received information regarding social security benefits and work incentives, as well as information about Americans with Disabilities Act and how it relates to employment of persons with disabilities. This information was shared by guest speakers from the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Office and Social Security Administration.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Over the last two months the Consumer Services Division continued to collaborate with its community partners and intermediate school districts to finalize employment and transitional opportunities for the consumers MCB serves. Through such collaborative efforts, a number of staff are cooperatively working with three groups to develop strategies to mitigate duplications and gaps in service delivery in the areas of marketing, soft skills and communications. The staff along with community partners recognize the value of effective utilization of resources in order to maximize employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.

The existing cash match agreements continue to magnify importance of transition activities for high school students. Gwen McNeal, East Region Manager, met with the transition coordinator at Detroit Public Schools to discuss details regarding a cash match agreement that would provide transition activities for all visually impaired students in the district. The discussions with personnel regarding the need for additional supervision of the program would require a case aide in order to coordinate all services. This transition program will operate throughout the year and will also encompass the summer work experience program. The district is in agreement with the concept. The Consumers Services Director met with some of the ISDs regarding their program effectiveness and received rave reports. The staff will continue to move ahead in this endeavor.

The Consumer Services Director and Beth White, East Region Assistant Manager, met with Sharon Gire and Peggy Brey from the Office of Services to the Aging to discuss collaborative efforts regarding service delivery to individuals that are blind and visually impaired. The meeting provided additional opportunities to discuss MCB services with the directors of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Future meetings have been established to discuss cooperative arrangements for technology training and other services to seniors within their jurisdiction. As the population ages, there will be a greater need for agencies to partner in order to meet the needs of the consumers. MCB is working with AAAs to address these needs and Beth White has met with all AAAs in the Southeast area. Beth and Gwen met with the AAA in Southfield Michigan which covers several counties in the Southeast area. It is anticipated that these senior programs will be instrumental in expanding services to this population; therefore, MCB anticipates developing agreements so that specific and/or specialized services can be provided to persons with blindness and visual impairment that will enable them to maintain their present living arrangements. As a result of these contacts, several future collaborative programs will be developed.

The Consumer Services Director attended the Chapter 2 Program Managers Older Blind Conference in Washington, DC titled "Changing Times, Unchanging Principles." The conference focused on expanding services to the aging population. There was some discussion regarding partnering with other community agencies to meet the demands for services for seniors. The Michigan Commission for the Blind has already developed relationships with various senior agencies to increase services to the blind and visually impaired. A considerable amount of time was devoted to emphasize the importance of performance standards. The Older Blind program will be monitored along with the Vocational Rehabilitation program when Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) staff visit Michigan. The emphasis will be placed on outputs and accountability. These are two areas that MCB has been focusing on for the last year. There will also be a new 7OB reporting form for Fiscal Year 2008. The specifics on the form should be received early enough so that staff can become familiar with it before the reporting period begins December 2007.

The Consumer Services Director also attended the Region V Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) meeting in Columbus, Ohio on March 29-30, 2007. The Region V meeting shared information regarding the spring Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) conferences being held in late April in Bethesda, Maryland. The conferences will include topics on transition and the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. There will also be discussion on the importance of the National Employment Network. The Region V conference also had discussion on monitoring by RSA and information was shared via a teleconference regarding what the monitors will be focusing on when they visit each state. More emphasis will be placed on partnerships, employment outcomes, including wages and benefits, transition and comparative analysis of similar agencies. RSA will monitor Michigan in 2009. RCEP is making arrangements to have a financial conference for Region V and VII in June.

The transition activities for the summer programs are blossoming. There will be more opportunities for students to participate in transition programs this summer. Three additional areas in the State will provide summer programs: Mid-Michigan, Lansing, and Lapeer. Currently, discussion is taking place with the teacher consultants in Flint regarding development of a summer youth employment program. These programs will emphasize the importance of developing pre-employment skills as well as providing opportunities for the consumers to be exposed to a variety of employment opportunities through job shadowing. MCB is also partnering with Capitol Area Center for Independent Living (CACIL) to develop a summer youth transition program that will incorporate the MI Connections Guide Posts. Surveys were mailed to prospective participants to determine the areas of interest in order to ensure that the 8-12 day program will address the needs of the consumers. As staff continues to have meaningful dialogue with Intermediate School Districts (ISD), centers for independent living and community partners, good results are enabling more students to become involved in pre-employment skill enhancement. Consumer Services staff are eagerly meeting the challenge to create opportunities for students to participate in transition programs.

The summer internship program with the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) will provide valuable work experience for students in high school and colleges for eight to ten weeks.

Following is information on programs and activities for youth for which arrangements have been completed. Information on these programs is also available in the MCB Activity List and on the MCB website, www.michigan.gov/mcb, and additional information will be added as arrangements are completed.

Summer in the City, June 18-28, in Grand Rapids - This eight-day training program is for visually impaired youth ages 14 to 21 whose goal includes postsecondary education and/or transitioning to competitive employment. This program is administered through the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids. Programs are taught in a group setting. The focus is on developing job readiness skills and daily living skills including, but not limited to, non-verbal communication skills, personal grooming, and orientation and mobility.

Business Enterprise Program Summer Employment, June 18 through August 10, is an eight-week food service and vending employment experience in MCB's Business Enterprise Program for blind and visually impaired youth ages 15-21. Participants work 20-40 hours per week, wages to be determined. The June 18 through August 10 timeline is flexible.

The Detroit Youth Summer Program, June 25 through August 17, is for blind and visually impaired youth ages 14-21. The program provides youth with vocational skills, personal adjustment skills, work experience, and a one-week computer camp.

College Prep Program, June 28 - August 18 -- The MCB 2007 College Preparatory Program at Western Michigan University is for blind and visually impaired high school juniors and seniors, to give potential college students the opportunity to take a college class for credit and find out what it's like to be a college student. Students will live on the campus of WMU and have other classes and activities planned by MCB. The last day to begin the required college assessment in Kalamazoo is June 18.

Quest for Success Summer Youth Program at Camp Tuhsmeheta, July 22-28 -- This week-long summer camp for blind and visually impaired youth ages 14-18 will focus on independent living and socialization skills, career readiness, assistive technology, and traditional summer camp fun such as water sports, campfire stories, crafts, a dance, hikes, and more. Camp Tuhsmeheta is located near Greenville, Michigan. Quest for Success is sponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB).

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

On March 30, 2007, Peggy Jackson retired from her employment with the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center (MCBTC). For the past 22 years, Peggy has worked in the supportive services department at the MCBTC, spending the last several years as the nursing supervisor. During her tenure, this department's role evolved from one of care-giving, to one of active participation in the life of the Training Center, supporting and reinforcing the skills that are taught to Training Center students during the day. Staff held a farewell celebration for Peggy Jackson on Friday afternoon, giving her a fine send-off.

The loss of Peggy's energy and excellent work ethic will be sorely felt. In particular however, her wonderful open and honest dealings with Training Center students, plain-spoken input, and her steady hand through tranquility and chaos alike, will be greatly missed.

The Center plans to post the position formerly held by Peggy Jackson as a departmental manager 14. The reclassification of the job is presently underway, and it is anticipated that the Center will be able to proceed with hiring here, in spite of the State's hiring freeze. The Supportive Services department remains on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and oversees all that happens inside the Training Center when classes are not in session. As such, the department manager's job is of critical importance to the health and safety of Training Center students.

The Center will be hiring a Support Services Person (SSP) as a reasonable accommodation for one of its employees. MCBTC instructor, Marge Spencer, is a person who is deaf-blind. In order to perform the essential functions of her position, it is necessary for Marge to communicate readily and clearly with students, staff and the public throughout the training day. Her progressive loss of both vision and hearing is making it increasingly difficult for Marge to interact easily with those around her. An SSP will accompany Marge to meetings, and will join her in the classroom when necessary. The SSP will act as an interpreter for Marge, so that she may capture all that is going on around her, responding and interacting as freely as do her colleagues.

It is anticipated that the SSP will spend approximately 50% of their time working with Marge. During the remainder of the time, this employee will perform various duties as support staff at the Training Center, filling another desperate need.

Marge Spencer has successfully completed her training at the Helen Keller National Center in New York. Marge will soon be presenting a program on deaf-blindness and sensitivity to Training Center staff, in order that the entire staff will interact most effectively with her, and with other persons who are deaf-blind. Marge reports that her training was extremely helpful. She will continue to master American Sign Language (ASL) and to sharpen her Braille skills.

Christopher Rasmussen has worked at the MCBTC for the last 37 years. During his long career with the Commission, Christopher has worked as a domestic services aide, assisting in the kitchen, preparing dormitory rooms for in-coming students and generally helping to keep the facility looking spiffy. Christopher has announced his intention to retire from State employment on June 30, 2007. His familiar presence around the Center will be missed indeed.

The Dietary Services area of the Center continues to struggle with a staff shortage. The MCBTC director had determined to hire a part-time cook in order to alleviate this situation, which has been going on for the last three years. Unfortunately, the hiring freeze took effect before this could be accomplished.

MCBTC instructors Dave Greenwald, Bonnie Betz and Mary Zemlick, joined with Sherry Gordon and Shannon McVoy, from the Kalamazoo Field Office, to deliver a presentation on the Center's College Assessment program at the fifth annual spring conference of the Michigan Transition Services Association, which took place on March 5, 6 and 7, in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Dave Greenwald, as the de facto coordinator of the MCBTC's participation in the Transition Conference, handled all arrangements skillfully, enabling the Training Center to have a booth at the conference as well. Working with Communications Coordinator Susan Turney, Dave prepared a comprehensive College Assessment on CD, which was distributed at the booth, along with other information about Center programs.

Later this month, Dave, Bonnie and Mary will repeat their excellent performance at the annual conference of the Michigan Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) in Livonia.

The MCBTC is constantly seeking opportunities for students to become involved in real-life experiences during their training at the Center. Recently, such an opportunity arose when MCBTC receptionist, Mary Carter, took a vacation which kept her away from work for 12 business days. During this time, a great deal of activity was going on throughout the Center, making it unusually difficult for other staff members to cover the reception desk in Mary's absence. The Training Center director asked if any students might be interested in working at the switchboard and welcoming visitors to the Center. Four students volunteered for this challenge. Betty Lujan Roberts developed a crash-course training program, creating Braille layouts of the telephone keyboard, lists of staff names and numbers, etc. Betty and Mary Carter then trained the interested students.

On Thursday, February 22nd, Training Center students, under the able direction of Betty Lujan Roberts, assumed responsibility for managing the reception desk. As the wise reader might imagine, the Center continued to run smoothly, with student workers handling themselves professionally and competently throughout the process. By Friday evening, several more students had expressed an interest in working at the front desk, making Betty's task of scheduling a full day of coverage around class schedules a little easier. Each student enjoyed an opportunity to assume full responsibility for a work station, with no instructor or supervisor standing by to save the day. This was a tremendous confidence builder to those who had not worked since becoming blind or, who had not worked ever in their lives. Equally as important, is the fact that these students fulfilled an immediate and absolute need for help at the MCBTC. This was not an invented exercise, but a real help to the administrative staff, allowing them to continue working as usual, without the major disruption that generally accompanies the absence of this key employee.

The Training Center's building continues to be in need of a back-up generator to ensure the health and safety of students. The lack of any kind of electrical system in the event of a power failure could potentially leave the Training Center without heat for several hours. Because a large percentage of the student census is comprised of older persons, this eventuality poses a grave threat to the health and safety of this often fragile population. Additionally, not a few Training Center students come to training with other disabilities and/or illnesses. For these individuals too, a prolonged loss of heat in winter, and cooling in summer, poses a real danger to their health. The Department of Management and Budget (DMB) has studied the feasibility of installing a generator and estimates that installation of a suitable system will cost approximately $270,000.00. This figure is approximately two-thirds of the annual budget for facility operations for the entire fiscal year, making this crucial need unattainable at present. MCB Director, Pat Cannon, continues to champion the project in the Department of Labor & Economic Growth as both he and Training Center Director, Christine Boone, believe that the lack of a generator at a facility housing persons 24 hours a day, in 2007, is untenable.

Due to increasing activity at the Training Center, the building has exhausted all possible storage space. Consequently, supplies for maintenance and programs must be stored in classrooms and other public spaces. Approximately one year ago, management began to pursue the construction of a simple storage building on-site. In January, 2007, the Request for Proposals had been completed, and a single unacceptable bid was received and rejected. The Center is now leasing a semi trailer, which is actually the rectangular box that rides behind the cab of a semi. It will be placed in front of the building, in the parking lot, as this is the only suitable place to which it is possible to deliver the box.

Technology Specialist Roger Yake continues to purchase various pieces of access technology, which will become part of the Technology Center when it can be established. In the meantime, these tools will be used by Roger to instruct MCB clients.

As Michigan's only public rehabilitation agency for blind people, the MCB has an affirmative obligation to act as a model employer, leading the way in providing reasonable accommodations to its own employees who are blind or disabled. Three staff members at the Training Center have requested reasonable accommodation, in the form of several kinds of access technology. The Center is purchasing a Kurzweil 1,000, a closed circuit TV, screen enlargement software, a Braille computer display, Braille notetaker, and various assistive listening devices. These accommodations will increase the productivity of the staff who have requested them.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

The budget through March 31 is in overall good shape although Vocational Rehabilitation case service expenditures are a little high at this point in time. The total funds expended and encumbered are $9,246,605 which is forty-six percent of the budget fifty percent of the way through the fiscal year.

In the coming months MCB will feel the effects of the Governor's newly issued Executive Directives. Currently, all directives are in effect until the end of the fiscal year. A brief synopsis of the directives that could be the most challenging to MCB are the hiring freeze, the banning of purchase or contracting for supplies, materials, and equipment, an additional moratorium on service contracts and use of temporary employees, and in state travel restrictions. However, these directives should not negatively impact capacity to serve clients and MCB will continue to provide the best services to clients as efficiently as possible.

MCB managers have just completed the Biennial Internal Control Assessment Evaluations. These are comprehensive risk and control assessments required by the State of Michigan. This is the second iteration of this evaluation with the first taking place in FY 05. This document not only provides risk and control information but also gives a snapshot of MBC's goals, appropriations, enabling legislation, FTE authorization and count, federal reporting requirements, audits, agreements, and Information Technology Systems. The completion of these documents required an extensive amount of teamwork to coordinate all of the required information.

MCB was able to complete the process of filling the vacancy of Manager for the Business Enterprise Program and was pleased to announce the promotion of Constance Zanger to this position. Ms. Zanger had been the Assistant Manager of BEP since 1995.

In other staffing news, LeAnne Ford was hired as rehabilitation teacher to fill the vacancy left by Rose Dunlap-Gist in Gaylord. This teacher began her employment through Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center (SVRC) on April 2. Also, a new rehabilitation counselor has been hired in the Detroit Office. Rasheen Clark will start on Monday, April 9. She graduated from Wayne State with an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling in December 2006. She began working for the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) in August 2002. Prior to that, she worked for a couple of different community organizations providing support services to adults with development disabilities and mental illness.

Interviews were held for a new secretary in the Kalamazoo Regional Office but due to the most recent Executive Directives from the Governor's Office, the hiring process for this position has been put on hold.

A request to fill the vacant Promotional Agent position in the BEP has also been put on indefinite hold.

Another Governor's Directive has put a moratorium on all training for state employees for the remainder of this fiscal year unless participation can be done without any cost to the state agency.

Pat Cannon and Bob Robertson participated in a nationwide conference call update on the "National Survey on Post-Employment" being sponsored by RSA. This is a longitudinal study of four sub-groups of former VR consumers: transitional youth, social security beneficiaries, mental illness, and mental retardation.

Filming has begun for the new MCB Training Center video, with the first shoot date on March 12 and the second scheduled for May 15. A number of training center students volunteered to be filmed and to share their comments on their learning success and why they would recommend the center to others who are blind or visually impaired. The 10-minute video is designed to let potential training center students and their families and friends know what to expect, and will include information on classes, dorm rooms, the cafeteria, leisure activities, and the Mini Adjustment seminars.

Once again, MCB was a sponsor of the Job Expo at the Lansing Center, partnering with Capital Area Michigan Works, Lansing Community College, Fox 47 TV, and the Lansing State Journal to help bring jobs and qualified job candidates together at this April 10 event, held each spring and fall. This will be the fourth time that MCB has been a Job Expo sponsor to help make employers aware of services provided by MCB to help employers hire and retain qualified workers who are blind or visually impaired.

MCB's brochure titled Welcome to the Michigan Commission for the Blind has been printed in Spanish and Arabic versions, and copies have been distributed to all MCB offices. These publications will be distributed mainly at events and locations where there are large numbers of people who speak Spanish or Arabic as their first language.

This year's MCB/Lansing Lugnut game is scheduled for Thursday, June 21. All staff, families, friends, and neighbors are welcome. Tickets are $9 each and are behind the home plate screen. Contact Bob Robertson at 517-373-8829 for information.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

As the folk song goes, "The times, they are a'changing." And so it is in the Business Enterprise Program.

On April 2, the current BEP Manager Training, also known as vending stand training, began. It is BEP's goal, as long as there is a minimum of 4 students per class, to hold a regularly scheduled, semi-annual class every April and October. By stepping up the training schedule, it is hoped to avoid the situation which currently exists in BEP where there are 6 vacant facilities and no operators to fill the vacancies. In the new class, there are 8 energetic and highly motivated students beginning their training. They will be ready to commence working in August.

The military dining project at the Alpena Air National Guard Base is moving along. Three operators and potential operators bid on the facility. Based on her prior work experience, Sheila Stelmach, a potential operator living in Traverse City, was selected as the operator for the facility. Ms. Stelmach is working with James Hull, the promotional agent who has done the legwork to bring this project to fruition and who is assigned this facility, to prepare for serving the first deployment at the end of this month. She has developed a standard operations procedure, hired employees and is working the base to be ready to serve troops.

Progress has been made with the agreement for vending services in Michigan's post offices. The draft contract permitting Michigan's BEP to provide vending services in all of Michigan's post offices, or to receive commission from the vending, has been reviewed and approved by DLEG Contracts and Purchasing, the Attorney General, and the Elected Operators Committee. Stephen Leavey, federal liaison in Washington, will shortly be conducting a telephone conference survey with Michigan's postmasters to determine the status of current vending contracts in Michigan. Once that has been ascertained, BEP will proceed with the contractual process. Again, thanks go to James Hull for initiating this project.

On behalf of the program and its operators, David Robinson has been working on a joint venture with the Michigan Apple Growers Committee to promote Michigan apples. A Michigan grower has agreed to routinely deliver fresh apples at a reasonable cost to the Lansing area operators who have agreed to feature Michigan apples in their facilities. With the committee working in tandem with the operators, BEP staff look forward to a successful joint venture. A press conference is scheduled for April 19 at the House of Representatives cafeteria, the State Plate, at noon, with the State Plate operator featuring apple products, particularly on that day. All are cordially invited to attend and celebrate this joint venture.

Two significant BEP events are scheduled to occur the weekend of April 27: on Friday evening, the highway vending conference will take place. It's an opportunity for the licensees operating highway vending facilities to network and exchange information. As a follow-up to their statewide 7-Up beverage contract, they are focusing on developing a statewide contract for sweet and salty snacks. Also that weekend is the annual workshop. The theme of this year's conference is "Taking Care of Business." The banquet speaker will be a representative from the National Association of Blind Merchants providing a national bipartisan perspective and sharing information about new options such as Dunkin Brands deli program, and progress in other states in dealing with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Interstate Oasis Program legislation which has been passed to privatize highway vending. The program is designed to cut the cost of building and maintaining highway rest areas. Efforts are underway to implement the program in Indiana, much to the distress of their operators and their BEP administration. The Indiana elected operators committee and their consumer groups have joined together to demand a voice in the implementation of the program in their state. Director Cannon has initiated contact with Michigan's Department of Transportation (DOT) to request a presence at the table when conversation about this program takes place in Michigan. Assurances have been provided by DOT that MCB representatives will be part of these conversations.