Meeting Minutes for March 8, 2001

Location:  Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.

Present:  Connie Lee Berg, Lois Johnson, Karen Larson, Cara Ruff, Sharon Johnson, Mary Pennington, Terry Graff, Joe Ascheman, Hulet Sherry, Cory Heit, William Bauer, Bradley Westerlund, Carl Bryngelson, Linda Lingen, Roseann Faber, Janiece Duffy, Phyllis Coppess, Rosemary Laberge, Bryan Jensen, Ann Zick, Rick Cardenas, David Skilbred.

Absent:  Rand Stenhjem (excused).

Guests:  Jean Wood, Mary Hartnett, Alan Parnes, Rubin Latz, Samantha Massaglia, Pam Perri Weaver, David Hancox, Ted Siebert, ASL Interpreters Cathy Mosher, Klaudia Willis.

Call to Order

The March 8 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Connie Lee Berg, Chair.  Introductions of Council members and guests followed.

Approval of March Agenda and January Minutes

Connie requested that a report regarding departmental restructuring follow the appointment of a SILC liaison to the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC).  Terry asked to provide a legal update.  These revisions to the March agenda were approved by consensus.  Sharon requested time for a review of the CILNM forum during the May meeting. Following Connie's request for revisions to the January minutes, the minutes were approved as written.

Visitors' Comments

There were no comments from the guests.

Legal Update

Terry spoke on two bills in Congress that would permit people to sue their HMOs for malpractice.  The republican version has caps on the amounts, while the Democratic bill does not.  Terry reported a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which permits one to directly move from the Social Security Administration's Administrative Law Judge level into Federal Court, which eliminates the SSA's Appeals Council level.  The citation is 120 S. Ct. 2080; decided June 5, 2000.

121 Project Update

Connie reported that the Red Lake Nation is continuing to maintain a close working relationship with White Earth, and this partnership will include a joint training on the medical aspects of disability.  This training will be conducted in Wisconsin.  Connie commented that her involvement with the SILC has assisted her greatly; particularly in her knowledge of resources. Connie discussed the Work Incentives Connection, which has been extremely helpful to both Red Lake and White Earth.  Barbara Smith with the Work Incentives Connection will be developing a proposal for American Indian People to provide these same services to American Indian People at both Red Lake and White Earth.  Sharon added that the program's benefit analysis services can be received either over the telephone or in person.

Connie reported that the Red Lake 121 Project is presently short one staff person, due to the recent passing away of Cecelia Strong, who served as Connie's secretary.  The position is presently posted and, at last count, there were eighty-two applications.  The position will remain open until March sixteenth.  Connie stated that unemployment is a serious issue in Red Lake, and all applicants must be interviewed.  Following the interviews, Connie will present her recommendation to the Tribal Council.

Connie stated that she continues to search for staff training opportunities that do not require extensive travel. She also reported that her office space was undergoing renovations, and that a Red Lake artist was commissioned to create a lawn sign.  Chairman White Feather authorized the purchase of a new computer system for the Red Lake VR Agency, which is now installed.

Connie discussed the issue of keeping Red Lake's and White Earth's sixteen to eighteen year old young adults in school. A loophole in the "emancipation proclamation" system was discovered, which is resulting in a high dropout rate.  Once the money is gone, these individuals are coming to Connie's office for assistance.  Connie is strongly urging these youth to return to school.

Connie reported that the SILC grants to Red Lake and White Earth definitely addressed the gaps in IL services to American Indian People with disabilities.  All of those receiving assistance under these grants were ineligible for services elsewhere.  Connie reported that she worked closely with CompHealth throughout the Red Lake grant's duration, and those with the most significant disabilities were served first.  At the conclusion of the grant period, 119 Red Lake residents were served. Connie expressed her appreciation for this grant, and stated that she would prepare a written report for the Council's review.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update

Roseann reported that there have been three SRCB meetings since the January SILC meeting.  There were two SRCB meetings in February -- one for reviewing legislation regarding the future "placement" of State Services for the Blind (SSB).  The SRCB ultimately decided not to take a position on this issue.

Roseann reported that the committees are up and running.  The Self-sufficiency Unit has been considering new approaches to serving additional customers.

MACIL Update

Cara reported on the activities of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living.  Given the time of the year, MACIL has been working on legislative goals, and the 2001 plan has been completed.  Copies of the plan will be formatted and sent to all SILC members.  In a nutshell, MACIL is requesting an additional $435,666 which would be distributed to the Centers for IL in accordance with the current State Plan for IL (SPIL).  Cara requested SILC support of MACIL's legislative request, and discussion followed on the FFY 2000 704 data and deadlines.  Lois moved, Sharon seconded, that once Bill finalizes the FFY 2000 aggregated 704 data, and the preliminary figures utilized for MACIL's plan are corrected to match the 704 Part I aggregate's data, a letter be submitted in support of the MACIL plan.  Discussion followed, and the motion carried.

SILC Liaison to the SRC

Lois Johnson volunteered to serve as the SILC's representative on the State Rehabilitation Council.  In that there were no additional volunteers, Connie made the appointment.

MDES Restructuring

Bill provided an overview of the SILC's, State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, State Rehabilitation Council, and State Council on Disability roles in providing a recommendation for the "reassignment" of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security's Vocational Rehabilitation, Extended Employment and IL programs.  Basically, all of these councils, or their designees, will work with the SCD in reaching a consensus, and the recommendation or recommendations will be forwarded to the transition committee on or before December 31, 2001.  Discussion followed. It is anticipated that the SILC will begin internal discussion on this matter in July.  A representative from the governor's office will provide additional details on the various Council's roles and responsibilities during the May SILC meeting.  Pam Perry Weaver will contact Bill to confirm her attendance and schedule time on May's agenda.

SILC 2001 Training Needs

Ann commented that a brief training was supposed to occur at each SILC meeting. She requested recommendations for training topics.  Suggested topics were:  ongoing CIL information; the legislative process; SSI/SSDI; unserved/underserved populations; Medicare/MediCaidWork Incentive options; advocacy; housing; transportation; employment of seniors with disabilities, and how this population is served; people with disabilities who are parents; SILC and cross-disability responsibilities; transition services; universal design and funding issues; Section 8 housing; orientation training for new SILC members; outreach to children with disabilities; leadership development for children with disabilities; Ticket to Work, Work Incentive Improvement Act; Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities  Program; grantmanship; assistive technology; MICASSA.

CIL Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Mary Hartnet, Executive Director, of the Minnesota Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provided a brief overview of her program.  She reported that what were formerly known as Regional Service Centers are now called Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centers.  She explained the various committees on the Commission.  One of the greatest concerns of the Commission is the employment of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Alan Parns and Rubin Latz were also present.  Alan stated that there has been a great deal of discussion on how to improve access to the deaf and hard of hearing at the Centers for IL, and that there have been some improvements made, but it was his opinion that there are still access issues.  Alan asked the SILC to form an ad hoc committee to study this matter.  Alan discussed remote (video) interpreting to improve access.  Rubin stated that it was his impression that people who are deaf basically do not know about Centers for IL, and Centers should take steps to better educate the deaf/hard of hearing community about CIL services.  Rubin added that approximately ten percent of the population is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.  Alan stated that cultural issues must also be addressed by the Centers for IL; i.e., sometimes an interpreter is not enough.  Alan would like the ad hoc committee to determine first if there is adequate access to the Centers for IL; next, determine specific needs, and then search for funding resources to improve access.  Mary, Alan and Rubin would work with this ad hoc committee to determine the barriers and needs statewide.  Ann asked who would fund this ad hoc committee, and what options were there other than interpreters?  Video conferencing was emphasized in response.  Cara asked if having more deaf staff members at Centers would eliminate the problem.  Alan replied that there were two barriers -- language and cultural.  Cara asked for more information on why people who are deaf or hard of hearing do not feel that they are welcome in Centers.  Alan replied that this was something that should be discussed in the ad hoc committee.  Discussion followed, which included Karen's concerns about children who are deaf.  Mary commented that children's services have been an ongoing concern of the Commission.

Joe moved that the SILC form an ad hoc committee to study the matter of Center access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Several questions and discussions followed, which included clarification of what is to come out of the ad hoc committee, the SILC having time to give this matter justice with the SPIL and restructuring.  Joe stated that the Centers are focusing on all other service barriers except those confronting the deaf and hard of hearing.  Cory stated that he wanted specifics on what was to come out of the committee's work, and how members of this ad hoc committee will be selected.  Sharon suggested that perhaps some of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centers could take some of the pressure off of the Centers for IL. Joe withdrew his motion.  Joe was then advised to bring additional information regarding this matter to a future meeting.  Cara suggested that Joe e-mail a survey to all of the Centers in the state regarding the deaf/hard of hearing community's  concerns and CIL service barriers.  A discussion then followed on what services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centers provide, which include advocacy, advice and consultations, and the distribution of augmentative communication devices.

Discussion and Approval of FFY 2000 704 Part I Report

Connie explained to the new SILC members what the annual 704 report is.  The 704 is the one Federally-mandated annual report that, in Minnesota, is an aggregate of DSU and CIL service data, as well as a narrative on the activities of the SILC, DSU and Centers.  Connie requested authority from the full Council to sign the final 704 Part I report.  Cory so moved, and Roseann seconded. The Council had no further discussion on the matter, and the motion carried.

Grant Update

Connie asked Bill to provide an update on some new grants that the Health Care Financing Agency would be offering.  Bill stated that each state would be eligible to receive a $50,000 "Real Choice" (part of President Bush's "New Freedom Initiatives") grant, which would be utilized for planning to remove people with disabilities from nursing institutions.  Hulet discussed her own institutionalization after being unable to secure sufficient personal assistance services.  Discussion followed.  Rick moved, Sharon seconded, that the SILC investigate the application process for the "Real Choice" grant.  Discussion followed, and Rick amended his motion to state that Bill would apply for these funds, if MDES were eligible to do so.  Terry seconded.  There was no further discussion, and the motion carried.  It was suggested that Hulet's circumstances could be explained in a letter to Governor Ventura with the hope that the Governor might be motivated to increase funding for higher wages for personal assistants. Cara moved that a letter to the Governor be drafted explaining the dire circumstances of many people with disabilities and the critical shortages of accessible, affordable housing and personal assistants. Karen seconded, and the motion carried with no further discussion.  Cory recommended that copies of this letter be sent to the Department of Human Services and Minnesota Legislators.

Announcements, Correspondence, Issues

Lois questioned no meeting being scheduled for the month of April.  Connie replied that committee chairs can call meetings, or conduct conference calls, for the new SPIL.

Bill reported that the SILC's compensations and reimbursements recently underwent a legislative audit, and that there were no findings.  He then explained the difference between compensation and reimbursement, and stated that he would be sending all SILC members a memo on this matter.

Terry commented on ADAPT's stand; specifically, funds going to support nursing institutions should go to people with disabilities to move back into the community.  Terry also urged SILC members to become more attuned to cultural barriers.

Committee Reports -- SPIL 2002-2004

Lois, in Rand's absence, reported for the SPIL Committee.  Lois reminded everyone that all committees are responsible for planning and writing their three year goals and objectives.  Thenew SPIL's mission statement was discussed.  Lois reported that the SPIL Committee's chair appointed her to work with Bill on the upcoming Center monitorings and on-site reviews.

Ann reported for the Education Committee.  Education and advocacy will be combined under the new SPIL. Orientation packet development, regular thirty minute and out-state trainings will be included under the committee's new goals and objectives, as well as the recruitment of prospective SILC members at all public hearings/consumer forums.  Ann stated that the SILC manual's table of contents will be reviewed and possibly revised.  Terry will serve as co-chair of this committee.

Cory reported that the Finance Committee's goals and objectives would remain largely the same, with some minor additions.  The RFP process will be unchanged.

Next Meeting, Adjournment

The next meeting of the SILC will be on May 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.  The March meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.