Minutes for February 11-12, 2000

Meeting Location:  Best Western Northern, Mankato

Present:  Roseann Faber, Connie Lee Berg, Terry Graff, Lois Johnson, Rosemary Laberge, Karen Larson, Sharon Johnson, Maureen Pranghofer, Rand Stenhjem, Cara Ruff, Ann Zick, Judy Sanders, Bill Bauer, Brad Westerlund, Carl Bryngelson, Kim Rezek.

Absent:  Marty Bergland (excused), Cory Heit (excused), Caryl Wattman (excused), Joan Harris Stephan (excused), Rick Cardenas (excused).

Guests:  Alan Augustin, Joanne Hovey-McBride, Ronnie Barton, William Russ, John Raymer, Jerry Smith, Cliff Poetz, Nancy Balcom, Bret Hesla, Michael Hansen, Jane Spain, Dan Connor, Paul Pranghofer.

February 11, 2000 - Training Session

Call to Order

The out-state training meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 8:40 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions of SILC members and guests followed.

Approval of Training Agenda

The training agenda was approved by consensus.

Advocating for Change Together History of Disability

Jerry Smith, Advocating for Change Together (ACT), provided a history of the disability rights struggle through three different models - moral, medical, and minority.  Jerry provided an outstanding overview of these three models, and offered opportunities for discussions regarding each of these systems.  A videotape was played concerning disability culture.

Blue Earth County Social Services, and Christina Matsky provided a summary of Blue Earth County social services for children and youth

Christina's position with Blue Earth County requires her to direct residents with needs through the maize of social services.  The county's intake system, which was recently redesigned, focuses on "need first."  Blue Earth's programs for children or youth include intervention/prevention services, partners in parenting (birth through the age of three), the "Children's Project" (kindergarten to age six), recreation activities for youth, adolescent chemical dependency services, people with DD services, and public training services.  The latter includes what constitutes child abuse, when reporting is necessary, and when the county can intervene.

Social Security Administration Services for Children

Dan Connor, SSA Manager, provided statistics and an overview concerning SSA services for children.  He noted that forty percent of SSA beneficiaries are not retirees.  Approximately one million children are now receiving SSA benefits and in Minnesota alone, roughly 10,000 children receive SSA  benefits annually in the amount of $260 million.  Benefits for which children are eligible are Supplemental Security Income (SSI),SSA Dependent Benefits and SSA Benefits for Disabled Parents.

Transition Services for Youth

Jane Spain with the Department of Children, Families and Learning explained Minnesota's Transition Team, and school-to-work programs.  Jane discussed how youth are now actively involved in new transition program development, and stressed the importance of team work in transition planning.  Questions and discussions followed.

The Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services CIL

Alan Augustin, SMILES Executive Director, provided a summary of SMILES core and other IL services.  SMILES currently has the main office and two satellite offices.  The CIL operates with nine full-time and five part-time staff.  The Governing Board is elected by membership.  The Center currently receives state general operating and transition funds, ten different United Way allocations, fees for service, and fund-raising revenue.  The Center has both paid peer counselors and volunteer peers.  Consumers may now receive high school credit hours for participating in transition services. Alan also discussed waiver programs available through SMILES.  SMILES offers recreation services, which were initiated with a summer softball program.  Alan discussed the Center's assistive technology program, which started with a STAR grant.  The technology program offers evaluation services, as well as introductory through advanced training.  Other services include community education, support groups, and a ramp project. Alan fielded questions from SILC members, and a tour of SMILES was offered to Council members and guests.

February 12, 2000 - Business Meeting

Welcome and Introductions

The February 12 business meeting of the SILC was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions of Council members and guests followed.

Approval of Minutes

The December 9, 1999 meeting minutes were approved by consensus.

Farewell to Dick Davis

Rand announced that Dick Davis had recently resigned his position as Assistant Commissioner of State Services for the Blind.  It was reported that Bonnie Elsey was appointed acting Assistant Commissioner.  Rand stated that Dick had served the Council well over the years, and requested permission from the SILC to submit a letter of thanks to Dick on behalf of the Council. Connie so moved, and Maureen seconded.  There was no discussion, and the motion carried.

Nominations and Elections of Officers

Rand requested permission from the Council to table elections until notice of SILC appointments and reappointments was received from the Governor's office.  He also requested that Lois and the SPIL Committee members work on nominations for the officer positions.  Lois and the SILC Committee members agreed to assume the responsibility of nominating, and elections were tabled by consensus.

704 Update

Bill reported that the FFY 1999 704 Parts I and II reports were mailed to Region V RSA and the central office on February tenth, which was five days prior to the deadline.  He stated that Minnesota IL had a great year, with 4406 unduplicated consumers receiving Center services and IL case services.  (A copy of the Part I aggregate and narrative is enclosed.) Bill asked SILC members to contact him should anyone desire separate Part II reports.  Lois thanked Bill for an "excellent" job on this year's report.  Rand commented that he would like to have presentations at the upcoming NCIL Conference on some of Minnesota's projects.

Visitors' Comments

One visitor asked how consumers receive notices of upcoming SILC meetings.  It was replied that all Centers for Independent Living receive the annual SILC meeting calendar, and are asked to post it on the Centers' bulletin boards and/or publish it in the Centers' newsletters.

SILC Congress Update

Rand offered some comments regarding the Congress, and Lois added that this year the 723 States were not ridiculed. Rand provided a review of the resolutions, and Minnesota's vote on each of these resolutions.  (A complete copy of the SILC Congress resolutions is enclosed.) In brief, Minnesota initially voted no on resolution seven; the language was revised and Minnesota voted yes.  Minnesota voted no on resolution eight but voted yes on all other resolutions.

IL Section "Ramp Project" Update

Bob Zimmerman provided data regarding the ramp project since its inception.  He provided a summary of grants obtained for this project to date, and the various approaches utilized to "leverage" Part B funds.  Bob then explained how the Part B funds were utilized during FFY 1999.  He reported that Catholic Charities and the Blaine Jaycees together contributed $9000 for the production of a new ramp video, which Bob played for the Council.

Next Meeting, Adjournment

The next meeting will be on April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.  As a result of a snowstorm, Rand tabled the remaining agenda items until April, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.