February 14, 2008

Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton, Minneapolis

Present: Larry Lura, Roberta Cich, Ann Zick, Judy Sanders, Barbara Chromy, Connie Lee Berg, Vicki Dalle Molle, Mark Eggen, Julia Washenberger, Linda Lingen, David Sherwood-Gabrielson (ex-officio), Brad Westerlund (staff), and Gail Lundeen (staff).

Absent: Hulet Sherry (Excused).

Guests: Ann Roscoe, David Hancox.

Approval of January Minutes and February Agenda

Roberta asked if there were any revisions to the January 2008 minutes. Judy moved to approve the minutes as written, Larry Lura seconded. The motion carried. The February agenda was approved by consensus.

DEED-RS Update

David Sherwood-Gabrielson updated SILC members on the progress of the Rehabilitation Services - Independent Living collaboration.

To date, eight 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.
  7. $25,377 to OPTIONS (East Grand Forks) for a collaboration with area RS Staff (Tom Anderson). This grant will focus on IL services for transition age youth in the Bemidji area.
  8. $64,630 to FREEDOM CIL (Fargo/Moorhead) for a collaboration with areas RS Staff (Steve Jacobs, and Tom Anderson). This grant will target IL services in Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes (Ottertail and Becker Counties).

Judy Sanders asked why the RS/IL collaboration materials were not brailled ahead of time. David apologized for not providing copies prior to the meeting. David told Council members that a better effort will be made to ensure access for everyone, to the materials that are discussed at the meetings.

Discussion followed regarding materials that are distributed to SILC members. Members would like to have materials sent via email and not through the regular mail. Brad asked if there was anyone that wished to have paper copies sent to them. Barb Chromy and Ann Zick asked for paper copies.

SILC Congress Report

Roberta discussed the Rehab Act. The SILC Congress asked for all SILC's to write a letter or to call their legislators to ask for support of the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. Roberta read a draft letter to the SILC, and asked for their input.

Members felt that the letter, as written, was too lengthy. David Hancox asked who the recipient would be. Vicki thought that the recipients would be Congressman at the Federal level. Judy stated that she would not mention the bill, but talk about the issues and impact of IL services in Minnesota. Roberta asked if the SILC would like her to bring back a revised letter to the next meeting. Vicki offered to help rewrite and review the letter.

Vicki moved that the SILC support a letter to be sent to Congress, educating members of Congress about the SILC, outlying the value of the SILC as it relates to the Rehabilitation Act. Mark seconded.

Discussion: Connie voiced her concerns with sending a letter, when there is so much debate over advocacy and lobbying. Connie would be more comfortable if the letter was sent to the SILC, and the full Council would be able to review it first. Vicki asked if it would be helpful to add a friendly amendment to the motion, that the Executive Committee would review the final letter, which will be sent before the next SILC meeting.

All were in favor and the motion carried.

Vicki discussed the ADRC workshop. (Friend or Foe). Vicki said that there is a need for dialogue with aging populations in out state. Connie said that the "friend or foe" title saddens me. Judy asked who funds the ADRC. David advised members that DHS funds the ADRC. Ann said that there is a competition for dollars between the ADRC, and the Board on Aging. David stated that there are also attitudinal issues as well. The ADRC (Aging and Disabilities Resource Center) was identified as a possible topic for a future meeting.

Vicki talked about her experience at the SILC Congress, and said that it was a great experience, and wonderful to be with others that share the same passion and issues.

SPIL Committee Reports

Finance Committee

Discussed the need to spend carry-over funds. SILC will examine trainings and other ways to spend these dollars. Discussion was held related to Web services. Brad will try to check estimates for April's meeting.

Education and Training

Out state meeting was discussed. The tentative agenda includes a visit to the Interpretive Center in Hibbing – Mark will check into this. AccessNorth staff will give presentations on assistive technology and the VR/IL Collaboration. There will also be a tour of the Center. In the afternoon, there will be some sort of training or program. Friday will be a regular SILC meeting.

Advocacy and Outreach Committee

Committee reported that list-serve is done. The article for Access Press is out. There was some discussion about making a program for a cable channel.

Please see the individual Committee Reports.

MACIL Taskforce Update

February 13, 2008

Present: Connie, Vicki, Judy, David, Roberta

Guest/SILC Member: Ann

Staff: Brad

  1. Vicki presented suggested goals for the task force
  2. Advise on the current status of CIL funding levels.
  3. Current target is $500 for each CIL.
  4. Consistent in at least the last two, and the current SPIL.
  5. Two CILs have already reached the cap.

In response to a question from Connie regarding current funding, David provided a very brief explanation that two CILs have met the cap, and that after the final CILs reach the cap the plan is still to add additional CILs rather than increase budgets of current CILs.

Connie also asked what might happen if additional federal dollars become available...for example tribal dollars. Vicki reiterated the objective for this evening, and assured Connie that there will be appropriate time for that inclusion in future conversation.

B. Advise on the current services areas of MN CILs.

2. Vicki presented the map that shows service areas with current funding levels. The second map shows proposed service areas once the $500K level is reached by EACH CIL. It also indicates proposed expanded areas for services for current CILs, and the creation of two new CILS.

Vicki provided a thorough explanation of the two maps. She also mentioned that MACIL is still reviewing data to make a future recommendation on additional funds necessary to achieve complete statewide coverage beyond the $500K level for each current CIL, I.e. Supports necessary to cover expanded areas and support at least two new CILs.

Judy asked how the dollars are distributed. David provided an historical perspective/explanation.

Connie asked about CILs that receive $$$$ from more than one state. Vicki, David and Brad all assured her that dollars don't cross boarders.

Brad asked which is the higher priority for MACIL, reaching the $500 per CIL or opening two new CILs. Vicki and David both agreed that it is likely the directors would desire to have the cap met first, but Vicki agreed to take the question back to MACIL.

Connie expressed frustrations with the pace of expanding services across the state. David and Vicki responded to her comments by agreeing with her frustrations and her concerns about generating new CILs from local initiative. They both provided reassurance that any new CIL would be created through localized grassroots efforts. And they empathized with the frustration per the pace.

Connie suggested that a Chair and Secretary be appointed for this committee. David Hancox offered to serve as Secretary, and Vicki was appointed as Chair.

SRC and SRCB Updates

Ann Zick updated the SILC on the SRC. Kim Peck talked about the RS/IL collaboration. She also talked about a pilot project with RS and Youth. Kim Peck mentioned that Sue Suter will be in Minnesota on February 20th to discuss the TTW program and the status of the regulations.

Judy reported that a national coalition of rehab councils is being formed and Steve Ditschler is chair of its steering committee. At the last SRCB meeting we were asked to consider a resolution supporting this coalition and committing ourselves to join it.

We had some misgivings because we do not know what it will cost and we do not like the idea of it portraying itself as a consumer organization. Judy didn't know whether we will adopt the resolution, but it is being considered at our April meeting.

Issues, Announcements, and Correspondence

There was a discussion regarding paying the expenses of Center Directors who attend SILC meetings. Should the SILC reimburse them for their travel, and lodging? Judy Sanders moved, that the SILC pay expenses (travel, meals, and lodging), for CIL Directors who come to a SILC meeting. Mark seconded. Discussion followed. Connie asked if there were conflict of interest issues with CIL employees represented on the SILC, and should they be part of this discussion. David Hancox stated that this discussion is outside the realm of conflict of interest, as the CIL staff appointed to the SILC are not representing the CIL, but rather were appointed as a private citizen.

The motion carried, with one abstention.

Visitors' Comments

There were no visitors' comments.

Next Meeting, Adjournment

The next meeting of the SILC will be April 10, 2008 from nine a.m. to three p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Minneapolis. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.