This picture on left shows Stephanie Winslow monitoring the video work. She is in blue shirt and is associated with Sign Language Specialists. It was taken on January 28, 2009 (today). The website is at https://www.signlanguagespecialists.com. She has been working there before "stealing" the DMH position for deaf. We already told DMH to hire a deaf person - not a hearing person nor an interpreter!!!After several days of researching for video I made the commentary about DMH and Missouri Deaf Community 2009. I have received links and suggestions from the research. I came across a damning evidence that there may be conflict of interest. I am sending this to Chris Koster, the Missouri Attorney General for review at consumer@ago.mo.gov or ag@ago.mo.gov
You can see the list of bills to be paid from the State of Missouri to Sign Language Specialists. The prices are OUTRAGEOUS! This is why hearing people are griping at us when we need interpreters for communications.
This link lists bills paid to them.
C309004011 - SIGN LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS (found on website - https://www.moolb.mo.gov/BidList/biddetail.asp?rtype=agcyo&which=B3Z09004+++&bidExpired=0)
It was awarded to them on December 1, 2008 that the State of Missouri will pay these fees.
The state according to that document will pay:
$105.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc for Level 3 - Non Specialized Interpreter Services between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.
$130.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc for Level 3 - Non Specialized Interpreter Services after 5 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends and state holidays.
$70.00 per EA Emergency Fees (more on website)
$315.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc. for Level 4 - Specialized Interpreter Services between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.
$365.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc. for Level 4 after 5 p.m. weekdays, on weekends and state holidays.
$100.00 per EA (more on website)
$450.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc. for Level 5 Specialized Interpreter Services between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.
$500.00 per hour to Sign Language Specialists Inc. for Level 5 after 5 p.m. weekdays, on weekends and state holidays.
$140.00 per EA (more on website)
also more information on the bidding contract at http://oa.mo.gov/purch/bids/b3z09004.pdf
Given this damning evidence, it is time for her to go! This is too obvious that she might steer funds to that agency. It is clear as day to see the facts found. It is fishy how DMH hired Stephanie. They must have sweetheart deal. It is time to get the ball rolling to terminate Stephanie for this conflict of interest. Is it? You tell me!
Suffice to say that we including the Missouri Taxpayers are being RIPPED OFF!
Updated: January 29, 2009
There is a flyer that shows picture of her and her involvement in summer camp. https://www.signlanguagespecialists.com/_pdf/CampASL2009.pdf
Updated: January 31, 2009
I want to say that I am focused on her job at DMH. I do see her as a human being, but the bottom line - it reeks of audism somewhere. The advisory committee STATED that DMH is to hire a Deaf person for the job. That was our intention and DMH ignored our proposals and suggestions to put the deaf community on the par with the social services. I do not intend that my comments are personal attacks against her. This is the system and the wrong players in the system.
Suffice to say, I would encourage her to vacate the position and allow a deaf person to handle the job.
So tell me -- you hire a man to take care of women issues? you hire white person to handle african-american issues? do you hire straight person to handle gay issues? I could go on and on.
Ok! Capisce? It is all about the program and services that we need to have "deaf" stamp on it!
Thank you!
Updated: February 15, 2009 - I understand that the staff is trying to pacify the situation with numbers and numbers. Something smells fishy. I let the attorney general handle this matter. Someone is not reading between the lines. Someone needs to stand back and let the due process work.
Thank you!
###
