January 10, 2008

Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton, Minneapolis

Present: Larry Lura, Roberta Cich, Ann Zick, Hulet Sherry, Judy Sanders, Barbara Chromy, Linda Lingen, David Sherwood-Gabrielson (ex-officio), Brad Westerlund (staff), and Gail Lundeen (staff).

Absent: Vicki Dalle-Molle (Excused), Mark Eggen (Excused), Connie Lee Berg (Excused), Julia Washenberger (Excused).

Guests: Ann Roscoe, David Hancox.

Approval of December Minutes and January Agenda

Roberta asked if there were any revisions to the December 2007 minutes. Ann asked for clarification on page three of the December minutes, under Council updates. It was written that Ann Zick expressed an interest to work with the SRC on a joint public forum. Ann asked that the minutes be amended to reflect that she expressed an interest on behalf of the SILC, to work collaboratively on holding a joint SRC/SILC public hearing. Roberta asked for any additional changes. Ann Zick moved, Larry seconded, to accept the December minutes as revised. All were in favor, and the motion carried.

Roberta asked if there were any additions or changes to the January 2007 agenda. Brad Westerlund asked for time to discuss the Access Press article. Roberta asked for any additional changes. Judy moved, Ann seconded, to accept the January 2007 agenda as revised. All were in favor, and the motion carried.

DEED-RS Update

Brad Westerlund updated SILC members on the progress of the Rehabilitation Services - Independent Living collaboration.

To date, six RS-IL collaborative grants have been awarded:

  1. $134,542 to the Southern Minnesota Independent Living Enterprises and Services (SMILES – Mankato) for a collaboration developed in consultation with Jeanne Witty RAM for the Mankato area. The grant will make IL services available to VR consumers throughout the SMILES service area. Priority services include: case management, employment soft skills training, school to work transition, and assistive technology.
  2. $166,139 to the Center for Independent Living of Northeast Minnesota (CILNM – Hibbing) for a collaboration developed in consultation with northern area RAMs (Roland Root, Jodi Lindsay, and Steve Jacobs). The grant will make IL services available to VR consumers throughout the CILNM service area.
  3. $95,000 to the Southwestern Center for Independent Living (SWCIL – Marshall) for a collaboration developed in consultation with area RS staff (Kris Tone, Mark Mertens, Doreen Hoffman, and Rich Mauer). The grant will provide a wide range of IL services to VR consumers, including expanding IL services for school to work transition in three counties that a currently unserved.
  4. $150,050 to the Southeastern Center for Independent Living (SEMCIL-Rochester) for a collaboration developed in consultation with southern area RAMs (Dick Graff, and Steve James.) Services will focus on transition age youth in the SEMCIL service area.
  5. $165,000 to Independent Lifestyles, Inc. (ILICIL-St. Cloud) for a collaboration developed with area RS staff (Skip Wittrock, Jodi Lindsay, Steven Jacobs, and Kris Tone). This grant will bring together the dynamic effects of IL and VR services to achieve significant and measurable outcomes for people with disabilities in Central Minnesota who are seeking employment.
  6. $549,414 to the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL-St. Paul/Minneapolis) for a collaboration with area RS Staff (Tom Macy, Tom Becker, Dennis Johnson, Chris McVey, Jim Ross, Jan Thompson, Rich Wagner, Obie Kipper, and Ken Lundquist). This grant presents a methodology by which MCIL will propose, in collaboration with the metro area RAMs to provide competent, quality Independent Living services in each of the nine metro area Workforce Centers.

RS is currently reviewing RS-IL proposals from OPTIONS (East Grand Forks), and FREEDOM (Moorhead). These reviews will be completed in January with grants to be awarded effective February 2008.

MACIL Taskforce

Roberta announced that she has asked Judy Sanders, and Connie Lee Berg to sit on the MACIL taskforce. Other members will include: Roberta Cich (SILC Chair), David Hancox (MCIL E.D.), Vicki Dalle Molle (SEMCIL E.D.), Steve Thovson (SWCIL E.D.), David Sherwood-Gabrielson (DEED), and Brad Westerlund (DEED).

The purpose of the taskforce will be to review the existing network plan for CIL's in Minnesota, and discuss possible changes and/or amendments to the current network plan that is in the approved 2008-2010 SPIL. The first meeting of the taskforce will be held on February 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. The group will meet at the Four Points Sheraton Midway, in the restaurant.

SILC Recruitment

The advocacy and outreach subcommittee brought the following recruitment plan language to the full council.

This language was proposed for submission in the Access Press newsletter.

A Position of Influence

The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) influences statewide planning and policies that encourage independence, productivity, access and self-determination for individuals with disabilities within the mainstream of their communities.

The SILC is currently seeking new members. If you embrace the principles of independent living for people with disabilities, the council offers an opportunity to influence statewide policies, improve your advocacy skills, and forge collaborative networks and relationships.

Any Minnesotan is eligible. Appointments are made by the governor based on personal qualifications and the council's need for statewide representation. For more information contact:

Brad Westerlund: Direct: (651)-259-7351, Toll Free: (800) 328-9095, TTY: (800) 657-3973, Email: brad.westerlund@state.mn.us

Judy moved and Ann seconded, to submit the proposed language as written, to the Access Press newsletter. All were in favor, and the motion carried.

The next topic for discussion was the "Recruitment Fact Sheet." The following language has been proposed, and include the approved edits:

The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) invites your application for Membership.

What is the SILC?

The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) provides statewide planning and policies necessary to provide Independent Living Services. Council members embrace the philosophy that services to people with disabilities be provided in a manner that maximizes consumer control, peer support, self determination, and equal access. The Council works to maximize the leadership, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities and envisions a state with the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of their community.

The SILC is an independent entity of State government and is not part of or subordinate to any state agency. Council members are appointed by the governor and administrative support is provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Who can be appointed?

Any Minnesotan is eligible for membership. Appointments are made by the Governor based on considerations that include personal qualifications for service and the Council's need for statewide representation. Representation must include persons with a broad range of disabilities. The Council may also include: representation from Centers for Independent Living; parents and legal guardians of individuals with disabilities; advocates of and for individuals with disabilities; representatives from private businesses; representatives from private organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities; and other appropriate individuals. The Council's membership must also include the director of a section 121 project and at least one director of a Center for Independent Living.

When does the Council meet?

The council meets the second Thursday of the month, usually in the Twin Cities metro area, eight times annually, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Is there reimbursement for costs of attending meetings?

In addition to reimbursement SILC members may be entitled to reimbursement for travel, lodging, meal expense, and a per diem. there is small per diem for those eligible.

What are the benefits of being a member?

Besides the satisfaction of knowing you are advancing the independence of Minnesotans with disabilities, Council participation is an excellent opportunity to improve advocacy skills, network with likeminded other people, and forge collaborative working relationships.

Duties of the Statewide Independent Living Council

The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council is established exclusively to fulfill the applicable provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended.

  1. Jointly develop and sign (in conjunction with the DSU) the State Plan;
  2. Monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the State Plan;
  3. Statewide planning and policies necessary to provide Independent Living services;
  4. Coordinate activities with the State Rehabilitation Council established under Section 105 of the Rehabilitation Act and councils that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues under other Federal law;
  5. Ensure that all regularly scheduled meetings of the SILC are open to the public and sufficient advance notice is provided; and
  6. Submit to the Secretary (United States Department of Education) all periodic reports as the Secretary may reasonably request and keep all records, and afford access to all records, as the Secretary finds necessary to verify the periodic reports.

For more information about the SILC, contact Brad Westerlund.

Minnesota SILC
Rehabilitation Services Branch
Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200
St. Paul, MN 55101

Voice: (651) 259-7351
Toll Free: (800) 328-9095
TTY: (800) 657-3973
Fax: (651) 297-5159
Email:
Website: www.mnsilc.org

Judy Sanders moved to approve the proposed recruitment language as revised. Larry Lura seconded, and the motion carried.

Discussion: Council members suggested that all future correspondence and public information should provide the SILC website address. Hulet suggested that a poster be developed. This suggestion was referred back to the Advocacy and Outreach Committee.

704 Report

Brad read through the draft 704 report. Discussion followed regarding the proposed language for each section. The SILC approved the language and data, section-by-section. It was determined that the SILC's Executive Committee would need to meet to finalize the remaining sections of the report.

Judy Sanders moved, based on the 704 language discussed at the January 10 meeting, and the language that will be discussed and approved by the executive committee, the Council authorizes the SILC Chair to sign the 704 report. Barbara Chromy seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor.

The Executive Committee will meet on January 15th, 2008 to discuss the 704 report.

Visitors' Comments

Ann Roscoe of the Minnesota State Council on Disability reported that Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed that the number of targeted case management days available for nursing home relocation be reduced from 180 days to 60 days if the individual has been in a nursing home for over six months. If the person has been in a nursing home for less than six months, CMS is proposing to fund relocation case management for only fourteen days.

Hulet Sherry moved that the SILC write a letter to CMS and to others, voicing concerns about how reduced case management days will adversely affect the capacity to enforce the Olmstead Decision. Zick seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor.

Next Meeting, Adjournment

The next meeting of the SILC will be February 14, 2008 from nine a.m. to three p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Minneapolis. The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.