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Massachusetts Commission for the Blind reports stable funding, plans move to 40 Broad Street and continued services
Summary
Commission members said the agency received FY25 funds and has not experienced direct federal cuts; staff reported a largely completed relocation to 40 Broad Street with services continuing, and the agency met a target of 190 job placements and will compile placement details for a future report.
Commissioner John said the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind received its FY25 funding and has not, to his knowledge, been affected by federal funding cuts, and that the agency is preparing to move its offices to 40 Broad Street with a tentative July 14 move-in date.
"We received all of the funds for FY25 that we were supposed to get," John said, and added that managers have submitted budget requests that are being processed into the agency fiscal system. He said the governor's signature is required before state funds are actually transferred, but that program services will continue during the transition.
The agency also reported operational continuity during the move. "Our counselors, social works, [and] rehab teachers continue to see and train individuals," John said, and staff will return to the office in phases to prepare the new space.
Justine, who delivered the program update, said staff training has been an active focus during the relocation period. She credited Samantha Linden, the agency's Director of Training and Staff Development, for coordinating sessions on topics including use of Microsoft Teams and preparing staff for a hotelling office model. "Our internship opening ceremony went off without a hitch. We had over 70 participants in attendance," Justine said.
A participant asked whether the internship program could be structured to allow semester-long or part-time internships outside the summer months. Justine and others said the program historically targets college students for summer placements and that high-school recruitment was reduced because it conflicted with other summer programs, but that off-summer internships could be considered and would need management by the employment team.
On outcomes, John reported the agency met an annual placement goal. "We did hit our target of 190 job placements for the year," he said, and staff agreed to compile details on those placements'0'including breakdowns of full- and part-time positions, average wages and job fields'for a future presentation, likely next month or in September.
The meeting did not record any formal votes. Members noted there was not a quorum at the start, agreed to delay approval of minutes until the next meeting (there will be no August meeting), opened the floor for public questions (none were raised), and adjourned; attendees said they would reconvene in September.
Note on attribution: the transcript provided to this report uses first names only for several participants; full names were not specified in the record, and article attributions use the names and roles as they appear in the transcript.
