Minutes for August 12, 1999

Location: Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Rand Stenhjem, Lois Johnson, Connie Lee Berg, Cory Heit, Terry Graff, RoseAnn Faber, Cara Ruff, Rosemary Laberge, Marty Bergland, Maureen Pranghofer, Rick Cardenas, Mick Coleman, Kim Rezek, Bill Bauer, Carl Bryngelson, Judy Sanders, Brad Westerlund.

Absent:  Karen Larson, Laurie Weih, Dick Davis, Cliff Miller, Ann Zick.

Guests:  David Hancox.

Call to Order and Introductions

The August 12 meeting of the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions followed with brief biographiesfrom the Council's newly appointed members.

Approval of June Minutes and August Agenda

The June 10, 1999 minutes were approved as written.  There were several additions to the August agenda, which included a 121 update, by-law vote, SILC representative to the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind   (RCB), Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL) retreat report, and September meeting date.  By consensus, the August agenda was approved as amended.

SILC Self-appointment

Rand commented that the SILC appointment process was somewhat out of the ordinary this year.  He stated that he has been unable to contact the Governor's Appointment Secretary to initiate discussions regarding SILC self-appointments.  Discussion followed regarding this year's appointment process statewide.  Bill reported that the four members either appointed or reappointed this year received notices of four year terms, as opposed to the SILC by-law mandated three year terms.  Bill reported that the Governor's office has been advised of this matter.  Lois moved that open dialogue be conducted with the Governor's office on the SILC becoming self-appointing.  Cory seconded, and the motion carried.

Attendance Issues

Rand apologized for not composing a letter to the Governor regarding the removal of two absentee SILC members. Rand stated that he will complete this task prior to the next meeting.

SILC Representative to the RCB

Rand requested a volunteer to serve as the SILC representative on the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (RCB).  Discussion followed.  In that RoseAnn regularly attends RCB meetings, she volunteered to serve as the SILC representative, and the appointment was made by the Chair.

By-law Amendments

With the mandatory review period for by-law amendments having passed, Cory moved that these amendments be approved as written.  Marty seconded, and the motion carried.  (All SILC members are reminded to remove the appropriate pages from their SILC manuals and insert the amended pages, which were included in the last mailing.)

September Meeting

Due to the number of grant applications anticipated in response to the SILC-MDES RFP, Cory moved that the September ninth SILC meeting be moved to the sixteenth.  Marty seconded and discussion followed.  The motion carried.

121 Project Update

Connie reported that she will be traveling to Northern Arizona University.  Region Five Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) will be conducting a Vocational Rehabilitation conference at Mystic Lake in September.   Project Directors from several states plan to attend, and an invitation was extended to IL Section staff.  Connie also reported that she is expecting word on her continuation grant in late August or early September.  She announced that she is optimistic about continuation funding.  The Red Lake Nation's 121 Project will be monitored by RSA on August 19-20.  Representatives from State Services for the Blind (SSB), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and IL will be present for this review process. Connie's project underwent a quarterly Rehabilitation Services Branch (RSB) review last week, which went well.  Connie reported that she was appointed to the RCB, and will serve as the mandated 121 Project Director representative.  Connie stated that her work and collaborations with other Red Lake employment programs continues.  Connie announced that her staff will be holding a retreat, and that she is considering Options CIL as a site.  For the new members in attendance, Connie explained that a "121 Project" is a VR program for American Indian People with disabilities.  She added that Red Lake is the first of such projects in Region V.

State Rehabilitation Council Update

Maureen reported that since March, she has attended two SRC meetings and one public hearing.  She announced that she is serving on the SRC's Evaluation and Assessment Committee, which was initiated  to determine how well the Council is doing.  She reported that the SRC recently received in-services on HIV, as well as the African-American community.  Maureen commented that the April statewide public hearing had a number of service-providers in attendance, but few consumers; thus, the May meeting focused on how to increase consumer participation.  The next SRC meeting will be held on August twenty-fifth.  Connie asked for whom the SRC annual report was prepared, and added that she felt that the report was informative and done well.  (All SILC members should have received a copy of this report.)  Roseann asked if there were other ways for consumers to provide testimony at SRC public hearings, and was advised that comments could be submitted in writing. Discussion followed on the various approaches to public hearings that the SILC has utilized in the past.  Connie asked if there was a 121 Project Director appointed to the SRC, and was advised that there was.

MACIL Retreat

Cara reported that the August 9-10 retreat at Hinkley went well.  She stated that the retreat strengthened and unified MACIL members.  With the goal being statewide IL coverage, she reported that MACIL will be preparing a formal plan.  Cory asked if there was SILC representation at the retreat.  Rand replied that he approached Kim Breznik about this matter, and was informed that MACIL members voted unanimously to exclude both SILC members and DSU staff. Discussion followed. Bill asked for clarification on the formal plan for statewide coverage, since this matter is covered in the current SPIL.  Cara clarified that what MACIL would be submitting was not a plan, but a recommendation.  Rand stated that the Minnesota legislature is not pleased with the equal distribution of new State IL funds, and that this practice is no longer acceptable.  Discussion followed regarding whose responsibility it is to determine how future State IL funding increases will be distributed.  Marty asked how the new MACIL research differs from what has been done in the past.  Cara stated that this research and the resulting recommendations will be more in-depth.  Marty commented that the duplication of efforts was unnecessary, and that she would gladly  assist MACIL with this research.

Rand expressed his displeasure with the recent attitudes and exclusionary practices of MACIL.  Bill commented that some fence-mending was in order.  Cara stated that Bill and Rand would again be invited to MACIL meetings. 

NCIL Conference Report

Bill reminded Council members of the written report on the NCIL Conference submitted by Joan, which was included in this month's packet.  Bill stated that he was impressed with this year's NCIL Conference because for the first time, in his memory, the workshops were not IL 101.  He stated that there were a number of workshops on technology, disability-related laws, SILC-CIL-DSU relationships, and Part C increases. Bill reported on the access incident with John Nelson, the walkout by participants, and the resulting Washington Post article.

Visitors' Comments

There were no comments.

Committee Assignments

Rand announced that he has assigned members for the "attachment 14 task force."  Task force members are Connie Lee Berg, Steve Thovson, David Hancox, Rand Stenhjem and Bill Bauer, who will serve as chair.

With Janet Lee's departure, Rosemary asked to be removed from the Finance Committee and placed on the Education committee.  Rand approved.  Maureen asked to be moved to the Advocacy Committee, which was also approved.  Rand and Lois will work with the new SILC members to get them "up to speed" on the various committees' duties and responsibilities.

State services for the Blind (SSB) Update

Judy reported for Dick Davis who was on vacation.  Judy announced that there was some retrenching of Counselors' responsibilities/caseloads at SSB.  She stated that 137 consumers remain on the SSB waiting list.  She reported that a settlement was reached with U.S. West in the matter of "yellow page" access for people who are blind or visually impaired. Through directory assistance (411), a consumer may now request "yellow page assistance for the blind."  Judy reported that SSB will be showcasing the access technology found in Workforce Centers during the State Fair (August 26 through September 6).

SPIL Goals and Objectives

With two vacancies remaining to be filled and an additional two absentee SILC members, Rand requested recommendations from the Council for completing the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) objectives within the established time periods. A discussion followed regarding objectives in progress and the partial completion of objectives, but there were no recommendations for a solution.  Lois, Chair of the SPIL Committee, will continue to prompt and prod Council members on tasks and deadlines.

Rehabilitation Services Branch (RSB) Update

Mick began by welcoming the two new Council members.  Mick commented on the report that will be submitted by Commissioner Wilson to the legislature on the distribution of new State IL funds.  He clarified that there is no deadline for the completion of this report.  He also stated that all involved in this project would continue to observe the guidelines established   in the current State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).  He said that there would be dialogue and analyses on the matter of State IL fund distribution.  He commented on making this project a collaboration, on Centers becoming more entrepreneurial (Center needs will never be fully met with public funds), and the necessity of considering some creative approaches for the expansion of the Statewide IL network, as well as new approaches to fund distribution (e.g., "match" dollars, utilization of Workforce Centers to facilitate statewide coverage).  He again asserted that these matters would not be unilateral decisions.  Mick reported that he is participating on a "mini cabinet," which is studying, and making recommendations on, the workforce issue.

Committee Reports

Lois, Chair of the SPIL Committee, reported that four Centers will be hosting SILC-sponsored public hearings this September.  These host Centers are in St. Cloud (ILICIL), East Grand Forks (Options CIL), Marshall (SWCIL) and Moorhead (Freedom CIL).  Lois, Cory, Terry and Connie will be serving as the SILC representatives during these hearings. As a follow-up to a memo from Bill to SILC representatives at these public hearings, Lois repeated the SILC's roles and responsibilities.  In brief, these hearings are conducted solely for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the SPIL.  Bill will mail SILC manuals, which include the current SPIL, to the new members.

Cory, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on the RFP process.  Approximately 200 RFP packets were mailed during the last week of June, and an announcement regarding these grants was published in the July 12 edition of the State Register. For the new members, he briefly explained the responsibilities and activities of the Finance Committee.

Brad reported for the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee.  Marty is waiting for MACIL to solidify their recommendations.  Terry and Marty compiled resources for the SILC web site.  Maureen will be submitting technology resources for people who are blind or visually impaired.  Brad will be working with the State technicians on web site design and lay-out.

There was no report from the Education and Information Committee.  Out-state trainings were explained to the new Council members.

Bill reported for the "Attachment Fourteen" task force.  This first meeting focused on discussing those matters on which everyone agrees, as well as those in dispute; e.g., no more equal distribution of State IL funds, rural costs verses urban costs, and the need to consider all proposals/suggestions objectively.  Bill announced that conference calls will be scheduled between regular SILC meetings to ensure that adequate time is afforded to all data, considerations and opinions, and to meet the SPIL objectives and target dates.

Announcements, Issues

Maureen requested that the street address of the Midway Sheraton be included in future SILC mailings.

Rick announced that ACT is participating in the "Walk for Justice," which will be held on September twelfth.

Judy announced that Nightline recently aired a report on the one year anniversary of the Nairobi bombing.  Judy reported that several hundred people were blinded from this act of terrorism, and the report focused on one American's first year of life with blindness.  Judy stated that SSB ordered the videotape, and should have it in four to six weeks.  Rand recommended that this tape be played at the next SILC meeting.

Next Meeting, Adjournment

The next SILC meeting will be held on September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton. The August 12 meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.