Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council"Creating the future of Independent Living through guidance and direction from people with disabilities"
April 10, 2008
Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton, Minneapolis
Present: Larry Lura, Roberta Cich, Ann Zick, Judy Sanders, Connie Lee Berg, Vicki Dalle Molle, Julia Washenberger, Linda Lingen, Hulet Sherry, David Sherwood-Gabrielson (ex-officio), Brad Westerlund (staff), and Gail Lundeen (staff).
Absent: Mark Eggen, Barbara Chromy
Guests: Ann Roscoe, David Hancox, Cara Ruff.
Approval of February Minutes and April Agenda
Roberta asked if there were any revisions to the February 2008 minutes. Linda Lingen said there were a few minor grammatical errors on page one and page four of the minutes. Linda also commented on what was written as $500, and asked for clarification. David Hancox clarified that it should have been written as $500K. Roberta asked if there were any other changes. Judy moved to approve the minutes as revised, Vicki seconded. The motion carried. The April 2008 agenda was approved by consent.
DEED-RS Update
Brad Westerlund talked about the RS/IL collaboration, and updated SILC members on the next steps regarding the collaboration. Brad informed members that DEED is currently working on an evaluation form, and has met with MACIL to discuss this process. Brad explained that the evaluation form was designed around the framework of the RFP, and was very similar to the current reporting format for contracts/grants which DEED requires of grantees.
Vicki asked Brad if DEED knew of any proposed cuts, based on what was in the Governor’s budget. Brad stated that to the best of his knowledge, there has been no mention of cuts to the IL program.
SILC Budget Report
Brad went over the current report of SILC resources. Members were asked to submit their non employee expense reports as soon as possible following meetings.
MSCOD Update
Margo Imdieke Cross presented a power point on disaster preparedness to the SILC (see attached). Imdieke Cross stated that Minnesota State Council on Disability (MnSCOD) would like to conduct another conference on disaster preparedness in 2008 or 2009. They would like to do this in coordination with the Centers for Independent Living and the SILC.
The SILC asked for information on the cost of MnSCOD’s previous disaster preparedness conference. Imdieke Cross will share at another time. The next step would be to develop a planning committee. Lingen serves on the MnSCOD Council and will keep the SILC informed.
SPIL Committee Reports
The SILC committees met to discuss the SPIL goals and objectives. Individual reports were submitted to Brad. Brad will update the committee goal sheets, and submit them prior to the May meeting.
Issues, Announcements, and Correspondence
- A House subcommittee blocked a move to decrease federal Medicaid funds for specific purposes. In March, a similar bill passed out of the Senate.
- The Department of Human Services sent out a bulletin stating that if recipients of public support such as social security, food stamps, or general assistance receive federal economic stimulus dollars, the dollars will be deducted from the public support.
- SILC members should review minutes and contact members of the executive committee to suggest agenda items.
- As part of the Walking Shield project, Berg has received a scholarship for leadership training at Harvard. The web-based curriculum lasts eighteen weeks and will cover thirty seven leadership topics, all focused on infrastructure development.
- Berg will be presenting at this April’s Minnesota Rehabilitation Association conference on 121 projects.
- Sanders will attend the National Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation. (CSAVR) Sanders intends to report to Minnesota State Rehabilitation Council of the Blind (RCB) on the development of a National Rehabilitation Council. The RCB has yet to determine if the will endorse the development of a national rehabilitation council.
- Washenberger will be conducting a full day pre-conference seminar on at the National Spina Bifida Conference. Focus of the conference is on recruiting membership to SILCs.
May Meeting Arrangements and Agenda
The May SILC meeting will be held in Hibbing on May 8th and 9th. Hotel reservations have been made at the Hibbing Park Hotel. The meeting will be held at the AccessNorth Center for Independent Living of NE Minnesota (1101 E. 37th Street, Mesabi Mall, Suite 25, Hibbing).
There was a discussion regarding the agenda, and the topics for the meeting. Vicki talked about possible agenda topics, and discussed having a presenter on "mindfulness." Vicki did not have all of the details, but said that she would have them soon. Discussion followed. Lura moved that Vicki Dalle Molle research potential agenda items and bring the details and costs back to the executive committee for discussion, and approval. Judy seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
The executive committee will meet on April 29th, 2008 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Handouts: Available upon request and in alternate formats
- The Minnesota Employment First Summit: A Consensus Report
- DD Partner in Policymaking www.mngts.org/partnersinpolicymaking.org
Visitors' Comments
There were no visitors' comments.
Next Meeting, Adjournment
The next meeting of the SILC will be May 8, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hibbing Center for Independent Living. The meeting on the 9th will be a regular SILC meeting, and will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
