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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 Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI). NCBVI provides vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to blind persons so that they may be employed and full participants in society; works to enlarge economic opportunities for blind persons, increase the available occupational range and diversity for the blind, and to stimulate other efforts to aid blind persons to stay or to become self-supporting; and to assist senior blind persons to remain independent in their homes.
  • How Many Affectable:
    State-Wide Nebraska; Approximately 30,000
  • How Many Served:
    2249
  • Year Created:
    2024
  • Year Active:
    2024
  • 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 knowledge or 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
  • 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 21-22:
    4
  • Held FY 21-22:
    4
  • Required FY 22-23:
    4
  • Held FY 22-23:
    4
  • Required FY 23-24:
    4
  • Held FY 23-24:
    4
Operations
  • Support Staff:
    Yes
  • Shared or Separate:
    Seperate
  • FY 21-22 Budget:
    $6,666,078
  • FY 22-23 Budget:
    $6,734,455
  • FY 23-24 Budget:
    $7,276,546
  • Other Funding Sources:
    Enrichment Foundation Grant (Omaha) and Social Security Reimbursement
  • Spending Authority:
    No
Accomplishments
  • Since July 1, 2020:
    Services for Adult who are Blindvisually ImpairedThe Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) has extended its services to senior blind individuals, promoting independence and a higher quality of life, while preventing unnecessary placement in nursing homes. Since 2020, NCBVI has successfully closed 1,231 cases for independent living clients over the age of 55.Additionally, NCBVI has assisted 182 clients in securing integrated, competitive jobs since 2020. To further support our mission, NCBVI has received $1,848,836.78 in Social Security reimbursements.LB-527 and Transition Services for Blind StudentsThe passage of LB-527 in 2021 mandates the start of transition services for students with disabilities at age 14, instead of the previous age of 16. Since July 2021, NCBVI has served 246 blind students and continues to maintain multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Department of Education, the Center for the Education of Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired, and WIOA partners. These collaborations help ensure seamless services for blind youth.Support During the PandemicDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, NCBVI supported blind Nebraskans by providing: Technology and Internet Access: Computers and internet connections to enable individuals to stay connected with their communities and loved ones. Financial and Moral Support: Assistance to blind students to help them successfully finish their academic year, and support for blind adults to continue living independent and productive lives.Nebraska Business Enterprises (NBE)The Nebraska Business Enterprises program has seen growth in recent years, with the addition of twenty new locations in state buildings. Additionally: Micro Markets: Five new micro markets were established in different state buildings, along with one micro market at the USSTRATCOM building at Offutt Air Base. Increased Employment Opportunities: These expansions have led to greater employment and higher earnings for blind entrepreneurs.Alliance Enterprises -AWARE Case Management SoftwareSince 2020, the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) has partnered with Alliance Enterprises, the host of our AWARE case management software, to complete various customization projects aimed at enhancing the overall user experience for our staff. These improvements include: Enhanced Search Functionality: Added searching for Nebraska State Accounting numbers (Address Book Numbers) within AWARE to assist our Business Office in quickly finding payments and consumers. Integration with State Accounting Software: Developed an interface between the State Accounting software (Enterprise One) and AWARE to eliminate manual data entry and reduce duplicative work. Authorization Enhancements: Improved the authorization process for quicker data collection of purchases. Randolph-Sheppard Program Software: Upgraded software for our Nebraska Business Enterprise Randolph-Sheppard program to improve Federal reporting accuracy. Streamlined Service Reporting: Enabled the ability to record multiple services in one record, allowing for streamlined reporting of staff-provided services.