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BOARD/COMMISSION:  State Rehabilitation Council For The Blind


Address

2200 University Avenue West, #240
St. Paul, MN
55114

Web Site

Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by State Services for the Blind

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 248.10; Federal Rehabilitation Act
Enabled: 06-16-2015
Revisor of Statutes Link

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
Nyia Vang
(651) 539-2377
CHAIR
Samantha Flax
(917) 657-4592

TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Staff - Contact
Nyia.Vang@state.mn.us
(651) 539-2377
Yes
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Chair
samflax926@gmail.com
(917) 657-4592
Yes
Co-Chair
heharriman@gmail.com
(651) 323-8179
No
Membership
The composition of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind's membership shall be as provided in State and Federal statute. A majority of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind's membership must be blind, visually impaired or DeafBlind. Composition of members must include at least:

  • one representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council;
  • one representative of a parent training and information center;
  • one representative of the client assistance program;
  • one vocational rehabilitation counselor;
  • one representative of community rehabilitation services providers;
  • one representative of the directors of the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects;
  • one representative of the Governor's Workforce Development Council;
  • one representative from the Department of Education;
  • four representatives of business, industry and labor;
  • and current or former applicants for or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.
  • A representative from each of the consumer groups representing persons who are Blind or DeafBlind.
  • The Director of State Services for the Blind shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member.
  • An appointed rehabilitation counselor who is an employee of State Services for the Blind, he/she will abstain from voting, although the member can serve as an officer, committee member or task force member.
Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $55.00
  • Other Compensation: Members of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind shall be offered $55.00 plus expenses for compensation as provided in State Statute.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - no
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - no

Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
  • Review, analyze and advise State Services for the Blind regarding the performance of its responsibilities, particularly relating to:
    • Eligibility, including order of selection;
    • The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and
    • Functions performed by State Services for the Blind that affect, or potentially affect, the ability of persons who are blind, visually impaired or DeafBlind in achieving employment outcomes under this title.
  • In partnership with State Services for the Blind,
    • Develop, agree to and review state goals and priorities in accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration in accordance with federal law;
  • Assist State Services for the Blind in the preparation of the state plan and amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments and evaluations required by this title;
  • To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with:
    • Functions performed by State Services for the Blind;
    • Vocational rehabilitation services provided by State Services for the Blind and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons who are blind, visually impaired, and DeafBlind under this Act; and
    • Employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals receiving services under this title, including the availability of health and other employment benefits in connection with such employment outcomes;
  • Prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the state, and make the report available to the public;
  • Avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the number of individuals served by coordinating activities with other state advisory councils;
  • Provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships between State Services for the Blind and the Statewide Council for Independent Living and Centers for Independent Living within the state;
  • Perform such other functions, consistent with the purpose of this title, as the Council determines to be appropriate and comparable to the other functions performed by the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind; and
  • Prepare a list of qualified impartial hearing officers that must be jointly identified by State Services for the Blind and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind in accordance with 34 CFR 361.57(f)

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The purpose of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind shall be to advise the Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development about programs of State Services for the Blind and to perform other functions as provided in State and Federal statute.

Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: 3
Meeting Frequency: Meetings are held on a bimonthly basis at State Services for the Blind with an occasional topical meeting

Meetings are held at:
State Services for the Blind.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 1500.00
Total Appropriations:
Appropriations Description:
Fiscal Year Expenses: $35,730.00

Expenses Description:


Open Positions (1)
POSITION SEAT AUTHORITY 21-DAY MIN GUARANTEE #SEATS ACTION
Rep Advocacy Org Rep Advocacy Org #1 (Nfb) Governor 11/21/2024 1 APPLY

NAME POSITION APPLICATION DATE
Mr. Steven Sawczyn Rep Advocacy Org 1/24/2025
LUEVA KARACHALIOS Statewide Independent Living Council Representative 2/18/2025
Kelly Lemke Statewide Independent Living Council Representative 2/25/2025
Mr. Robert Hobson Jr. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 10/31/2024
Deborah Gleason Governor's Workforce Development Council Representative 3/26/2025
Paulo Matheus Carvalho Chaves de Castro Member - Client Assistance Program 12/6/2024

No pending appointments found.

POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Director - State Services For The Blind Ex-officio
Minnesota Council on Disability
Filled
08/21/2026

Current Members (19)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Projects
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Deaf-blind Community Representative
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028
Dept of Education Representative
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Governor's Workforce Development Council Representative
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028
Industry Rep #1
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028
Industry Rep #2
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Industry Rep #3
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Industry Rep #4
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Advocate for individuals who are blind with multiple disabilities
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Client Assistance Program
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028
Member #1 -Recipient Of VR Services
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Member #2 - Recipient Of VR Services
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Pacer Representative
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Rep - Community Rehabilitation Program Service Provider
Governor
Filled
01/05/2026
Rep Advocacy Org #1 (Nfb)
Governor
Posted
01/06/2025
Rep Advocacy Org. #2 (Acb)
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Rep Advocacy Org. #3 (United Blind)
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
Statewide Independent Living Council Representative
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Governor
Filled
01/03/2028