2020 Boards and Commissions

Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

General Information

Formal Name:Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Contact Person:Carlos Servan, Executive Director
Purpose:The Commission Board governs the state agency entitled Nebraska Commissionfor the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI). NCBVI provides vocational rehabilitation andindependent living services to blind persons so that they may be employed and full participantsin society; works to enlarge economic opportunities for blind persons, increase the availableoccupational range and diversity for the blind, and to stimulate other efforts to aid blind personsto stay or to become self-supporting; and to assist senior blind persons to remain independent intheir homes.
How Many Affectable:State-Wide Nebraska; Approximately 30,000
How Many Served:2,853
Year Created:2020
Year Active:2020
Sunset Date:NA

Authorization

Authorization Citation:Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-8601 to 71-8616
Parent Agency:NA

Memberships and Meetings

Number Of Members:5
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes
Qualifications Of Members:The Board shall consist of members having reasonable knowledgeor experience in issues related to blindness. At least three board members shall be blind persons.One member shall be a member or designee of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska;one member shall be a member or designee of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska;and one member may be a member of another consumer organization of the blind.
Per Diem:$70 per day
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:4 years
Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings Required In:

Required FY 17-18:4
Held FY 17-18:5
Required FY 18-19:4
Held FY 18-19:4
Required FY 19-20:4
Held FY 19-20:4

Operations

Support Staff:Yes
Shared or Separate:Separate
FY 17-18 Budget:$5,903,345
FY 18-19 Budget:$5,863,886
FY 19-20 Budget:$6,504,081
Other Funding Sources:Enrichment Foundation Grant (Omaha) and Social Security Reimbursement
Spending Authority:No

Accomplishments

Since July 1, 2016:We moved to the new AWARE system for our client data base this included permissions processes and allowed our counselors to expend more time with clients.We developed several Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with the Department of Education, Center for the Education of Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired and WIOA partners to provide seamless services to blind youth. This year, we got off Order of Selection. This allows us to provide services to blind individuals without a waiting period.We provided morale and some financial support to blind individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, so blind students could finish their academic year successfully; blind adults could continue an uninterrupted independent and productive life.We were awarded a contract to run a large federal cafeteria at USSTRACTCOM, Offutt Air Base, along with 26 break rooms for vending machines; got a contract with the Department of Corrections to install our vending machines in twelve of their buildings across the State; start running again the State Office Building vending machines; run the catering and vending machines at the Department of Transportation; We got contracts with Veterans Affairs to run two facilities for vending machines, one in Omaha and one in Lincoln. All of this increasing the employment and earnings for blind people.Since 2019, we are able to serve more senior blind individuals. This enables them to not end up in nursing homes.NCBVI has assisted 226 clients with finding integrated competitive jobs since 2016.NCBVI has had 1,192 successful closures for clients over the age of 55.NCBVI has received $2,385,596.75 in Social Security reimbursement money since 2016. We receive social security reimbursement when we place blind people in jobs and get them off public assistance. Quarterly Commission Board meetings each year give a forum for consumers and members of the public in general to hear what the agency is doing and to voice their issues and concerns to the Board. At most quarterly meetings, there is a Focus Topic wherein the Commissioners and the public learn more about the services and programs that NCBVI provides.