Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council"Creating the future of Independent Living through guidance and direction from people with disabilities"
Minnesota Statewide Independent Living CouncilMeeting Location: Four Points Sheraton, Minneapolis
Present: Mark Eggen, Larry Lura, Roberta Cich, Ann Zick, Barbara Chromy, Judy Sanders, Connie Lee Berg, Vicki Dalle Molle, Julia Washenberger, David Sherwood-Gabrielson, Brad Westerlund, Gail Lundeen, Linda Lingen, and Ann Roscoe.
Absent: Hulet Sherry (Excused).
Roberta asked if there were any revisions to the June 2007 minutes. Judy stated that there was not a report of SSB’s new funding under the legislative report. Julia indicated that her name was not listed as present for the June 13 meeting. Judy Sanders moved, Mark Eggen seconded that the minutes be approved as corrected. There was no discussion and the motion carried. The chair next asked for additions to the September 2007 agenda. There were no revisions to the agenda, and the September agenda was accepted by consensus.
On September 12, 2007, RSA met with Roberta Cich and DEED (RS/SSB) representatives via telephone to discuss their recommendations regarding the proposed FFY 2008-2010 SPIL. The SILC then met to discuss these recommendations. The following is a list of the RSA recommendations, as well as the approved DSU/SILC recommendations:
SPIL Goals and Objectives FFY 2008-2010.
Goal A: Improve SILC Advocacy.
Objective A1: Educate SILC members on effective communication with the Legislature.
Strategies
ORIGINAL VERSION:
A1.1: Provide training to SILC members on the legislative process and how to effectively educate legislators on statewide IL needs.
RSA RECOMMENDATION:
A1.1: Provide training to SILC members on the legislative process and how to effectively and legally coordinate the education of legislators on statewide IL needs.
DSU/SILC RECOMMENDATION: (Approved)
A1.1: Provide training to SILC members on the legislative process and how to appropriately and effectively provide information to legislators and policy-makers on statewide IL needs.
ORIGINAL VERSION:
A1.2: Provide information on advocacy and the legislative process in the SILC member handbook.
RSA RECOMMENDATION:
A1.2: Provide information on the SILCs role in advocacy and the legislative process in the SILC member handbook.
DSU/SILC RECOMMENDATION: (Approved)
A1.2: Provide information on the SILCs role in advocacy and the legislative process in the SILC member handbook.
ORIGINAL VERSION:
A1.3: Advocate to secure legislation to expand the statewide network of Centers and CIL services to unserved and underserved areas and populations.
RSA RECOMMENDATION:
A1.3: Coordinate statewide efforts to advocate to secure legislation to expand the statewide network of Centers and CIL services to unserved and underserved areas and populations.
DSU/SILC RECOMMENDATION: (Approved)
A1.3: Provide planning information to legislators and policymakers on unmet IL needs and SILC priorities for achieving statewide IL service delivery through the network of CIL’s in Minnesota.
ORIGINAL VERSION:
A1.4: Continue to promote and/or provide advocacy efforts in the areas of vocational rehabilitation services, equal employment opportunities, education, housing, transportation, Personal Assistance Services/Personal Care Attendant, improvements in Social Security Administration work incentives, health care, and the removal of architectural, attitudinal, programmatic and other barriers confronting persons with disabilities.
RSA RECOMMENDATION:
A1.4: Continue to coordinate advocacy efforts in the areas of vocational rehabilitation services, equal employment opportunities, education, housing, transportation, Personal Assistance Services/Personal Care Attendant, improvements in Social Security Administration work incentives, health care, and the removal of architectural, attitudinal, programmatic and other barriers confronting persons with disabilities.
DSU/SILC RECOMMENDATION: (Approved)
A1.4: Continue to collaborate in efforts to secure vocational rehabilitation services, equal employment opportunities, education, housing, transportation, Personal Assistance Services/Personal Care Attendant, improvements in Social Security Administration work incentives, health care, and the removal of architectural, attitudinal, programmatic and other barriers confronting persons with disabilities
Connie Lee Berg provided an update on important activities with the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. She spoke mainly of her travels to Rochester IL Center regarding a cultural diversity presentation, traveling to the IL Centers of Moorhead/Fargo area and E.G.F., MN on Monitoring/Federal Reviews, and concerns regarding SILC Congress and State Representatives attending the Tribal Council Meeting.
David S-G reported on the status of a planned Rehabilitation Services collaboration with the Minnesota Centers for Independent Living that was part of the 3-22-07 agreement between DEED/RS and MACIL.
A facilitated two day meeting of dialogue and discussion on a new RS-IL collaboration was held in St. Cloud on July 31st and August 1st. Participants included representatives from all CILs plus RS staff including RAMs from many areas of the state. (Notes from this meeting were made available to SILC members in the materials for the September meeting).
DEED/RS wants to build a new RS-IL collaboration to meet the IL and VR needs of mutual consumers. The collaboration would seek to fill service gaps and address unmet needs that impact on the ability of Minnesotans to live and work in the community.
RS wants IL services provided under a collaboration that will increase the employability of consumers. During the meeting, there was an opportunity for participants to meet in regional groups to discuss unmet needs that affect mutual VR and IL consumers.
A wide range of funding needs was discussed during the two day meeting, including: providing IL services in unserved and underserved areas of the state; providing specific services such as school-to-work transition services or case management services; and increasing services to persons in unserved and underserved groups such as individuals with serious mental illness, veterans, and persons with autism spectrum disorders.
Since the meeting, Centers have met with local RAMs and VR staff and developed concept papers to outline the purpose and potential cost of local collaborations. In October, DEED/RS will issue a Request for Proposals for the RS-IL collaboration and plans to have the funding framework approved and in place during the month of November.
The collaboration would be funded from RS Social Security Administration Program Income, and the collaborative funding would be available for three years. During the three years, the Centers and RS, in consultation with the SILC, would need to develop a plan for how these services would be continued after the 3rd year of funding.
SILC members were given a report of expenditures, which showed the budget categories and expenditures to date. Brad advised the SILC that the FY ’06 carryover dollars must be spent by September 30, 2007. Any remaining ’06 dollars will be coded to the 2007 budget year. Brad informed the SILC that they will have carryover dollars in 2007, and that he will let the council know this amount as soon as possible.
All eight of Minnesota CIL’s have received either a monitoring or a Federal On-site review in FFY 2007. Reports are currently being written, and will be submitted to RSA and the SILC. Brad thanked the SILC for their participation in these reviews.
Brad handed out the list of possible meeting dates for 2007-2008. The meeting dates for 2007 and 2008 will be:
Roberta asked for nominations for Chair. Vicki nominated Roberta Cich for Chair. There were no other nominations. Larry Lura moved to close nominations, Judy seconded. Roberta Cich was appointed SILC Chair by acclamation.
Roberta asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Ann Zick nominated Judy Sanders. There were no other nominations for Vice Chair. Mark Eggen moved to close nominations, Barbara seconded. Judy Sanders was appointed SILC Vice Chair by acclamation.
Roberta asked for nominations for Treasurer. Vicki nominated Connie Lee Berg. There were no other nominations for Treasurer. Ann moved to close nominations, Judy seconded. Connie Lee Berg was appointed Treasurer by acclamation.
Roberta asked for nominations for Secretary. Barbara Chromy nominated Ann Zick. Roberta nominated Larry Lura. Vicki nominated Julia Washenberger. Judy moved to close nominations, Mark Eggen seconded. Ballots were handed out to SILC voting members, and were counted by Brad Westerlund. Ann Zick was appointed as Secretary.
Roberta asked for nominations for Member at Large. Judy Sanders nominated Julia Washenberger. Ann Zick nominated Barbara Chromy. Connie Lee Berg nominated Vicki Dalle Molle. Vicki graciously declined. Judy moved to close nominations, Mark seconded. Ballots were handed out to SILC voting members, and were counted by Brad Westerlund. Julia Washenberger was appointed Member at Large.
Brad Westerlund reviewed this year's Section Eight report for 723 States, and the application to maintain Minnesota's 723 status for FFY 2008. Judy Sanders moved, Vicki Dalle Molle seconded, that Roberta Cich sign the FFY 07 report and 08 application. There was no discussion and the motion carried.
There were no visitor comments.
The next meeting of the SILC will be October 11, 2007 from nine a.m. to three p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Minneapolis. Judy moved to adjourn, Vicki seconded. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
For more information on MN SILC, contact Brad Westerlund.
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