Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council"Creating the future of Independent Living through guidance and direction from people with disabilities"
October 9th , 2008
Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton Midway
Members Present: Judy Sanders, Ann Zick, Barbara Chromy, Roberta Cich, Connie Lee Berg, Vicki Dalle Molle, Larry Lura, Hulet Sherry, Julia Washenberger, Ann Roscoe (ex-officio), and Jim O'Neill.
Members Absent: Jeffrey Nurick.
Staff Present: David Sherwood-Gabrielson, Brad Westerlund, and Linda Lingen.
Staff Absent: Gail Lundeen.
Guests: David Hancox, and Bob Zimmerman.
Approval of September 2008 Minutes and October 2008 Agenda
Roberta Cich asked if there were any revisions to the September 2008 minutes. Judy Sanders moved to approve the minutes as written. Larry Lura seconded. The motion carried. Roberta asked if there were any changes or additions to the agenda. Linda asked if the Emergency Preparedness discussion could be moved to the morning session. Hulet asked to speak about SILC orientation in the announcements section. Judy moved to accept the October 2008 agenda as revised. Hulet seconded, and the motion carried.
Emergency Preparedness Discussion
- SILC members would come prepared with what they'd like to see in an RFP, then DSU staff would draft the RFP
- Connie – how to handle conflict of interest concern / discussion in moving forward
- Vote / motion by Vicki "that for purposes of discussion of the elements that go into a proposed RFP any member with a perceived conflict of interest, will remove themselves from the discussion."
- Judy, as vice chair, takes over meeting
- Goal for emergency preparedness read (from SPIL)
OBJECTIVE C2: Provide monetary resources for disaster/emergency preparedness planning efforts.
Strategies
C2.1: In consultation with the SILC, the DSU will develop funding criteria and timelines for submission and approval of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Disability/Emergency Preparedness planning for persons with disabilities. The DSU, in consultation with the SILC finance committee, shall be responsible for the monitoring and oversight of the grant.
Target Date: 6/01/2009
- Comments following reading of goal:
Judy - Think about what we want in the proposal to make EP more available to people with disabilities?
Anne – came back with Goal from New Orleans; big federal $$$ out there, but perceived need: Centers coming up with ways to work with their consumers to make sure that they're prepared for the types of emergencies that could occur
Judy – Do people who have responsibilities for EP planning really know about the needs of people with disabilities?
Anne – We had another council raise issue and needs – what do we want as a SILC
Connie – SPIL identified general need; concern that during natural disasters, the needs of people with disabilities are not being taken into consideration; you (the respondent to an RFP) tell us how would you help get this community ready to respond
Brad – suggested criteria
- define statewide needs
- define statewide approach / coverage
- define method of how they would work with Centers
- future plan for sustaining such an effort
Judy – not as concerned about sustaining effort
Connie – information and materials must available in alternative format
Judy – make it as general possible
- Upon completion of the draft RFP, Brad will email a copy to members of the SILC.
International Building Code Conference
Bob Zimmerman was invited to the meeting, to share his reaction to the International Building Code conference that took place on September 14 though September 23. Bob extended a hearth felt thank you to the SILC, Centers and DEED for their support in making their efforts a success.
"There is Good News!" We were successful in our effort to maintain the residential building code language that requires ramps in homes to have a 1 to 12 slope. Council members voted on Sunday 9/20/08 to disapprove the proposal to change the language to 1 to 8. John Tschida from Courage Center, Margo Imdieke from the State Council on Disability, John Schatzlein from Spinal Cord Injury Resources and I along with 5 building officials provided testimony to about 200 members of the voting body. The effectiveness of our testimony was demonstrated by the show of hands vote. I observed one person raise their hand to support the 1 to 8 language and everyone else raise their hand to support keeping the 1 to 12 slope requirement.
Many of the voting members had visited the booth sponsored by SILC, MACIL, SEMCIL, MCIL and Assist of Salt Lake City. I believe the information presented in the video we created, the pictures and written information displayed and the hands on demonstration was very helpful in educating the building officials about proper slope for ramps. Many officials were also made aware of the modular ramp design available from MCIL and they indicated they would be making people in their communities aware of this resource. Most mentioned the volunteer groups in their communities that build ramps and felt it will be very helpful for those groups to have a modular design to build ramps with.
We were able to provide a great deal of education to hundreds of building officials from states in the US, at least three from Canada that visited our booth and one from the Bahamas who told me they are just starting to require access modifications in their building code. We also insured that anyone applying for a building permit for a ramp will be told that the code requires a slope that is safe and easy to use for most people. Everyone involved helped make a difference and has a right to be proud of their contribution.
SILC Executive Committee Nominations
Roberta asked for nominations for Chair. Judy Sanders nominated Roberta Cich. Hulet Sherry nominated Judy Sanders. Judy respectfully declined the nomination.
Linda Lingen asked how much longer Roberta has left in her current term. Roberta indicated that she has submitted an application to the Governor's office, and is awaiting a response.
Roberta asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Vicki nominated Judy Sanders. There were no other nominations for Vice Chair.
Roberta asked for nominations for Treasurer. Judy nominated Connie Lee Berg. Connie respectfully declined the nomination. Judy nominated Julia Washenberger. Julia respectfully declined the nomination. Ann Zick expressed interest in being Treasurer.
Roberta asked for nomination for Secretary. Julia nominated herself for Secretary. There were no other nominations for Secretary.
Roberta asked for nominations for Member-at-Large. Connie nominated James Oneill. Vicki nominated Hulet Sherry. Barb nominated herself.
DEED Update, David Sherwood-Gabrielson
David discussed the status of the RS/IL collaborative grants. He indicated that we are coming to the end of the first year of the collaboration. David then talked about the process for evaluation and the renewal of grants for year two funding.
Elections of Executive Committee Members
Chair position: Roberta was nominated by Judy Sanders. Judy moved that Roberta be accepted as council Chair by acclimation. Ann Zick seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried.
Vice Chair position: Judy Sanders was nominated by Vicki Dalle Molle. Hulet moves that Judy be accepted as council Vice Chair by acclimation. Larry Lura seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried.
Treasurer position: Ann Zick expressed interest in serving as Treasurer. Judy moved that Ann be accepted as Treasurer by acclimation. Larry Lura seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried.
Secretary position: Julia nominated herself. Judy Sanders moved that Julia Washenberger be accepted as Secretary by acclimation. Larry Lura seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried.
Member at Large position: Roberta reminded the council that the nominees for member at large are James O'Neill, Hulet Sherry, and Barbara Chromy. Ballot slips were passed out to the voting council members. The nominee with the most number of votes was James O'Neill.
2008/2009 SILC Executive Committee
Chair: Roberta Cich
Vice Chair: Judy Sanders
Treasurer: Ann Zick
Secretary: Julia Washenberger
Member at Large: James O'Neill
Visitors' Comments
There were no visitor's comments at the October 2008 meeting.
SILC/SRC Public Forum
Roberta mentioned that Ann Zick, Judy Sanders, Vicki Dalle Molle, Gail Lundeen, Brad Westerlund, and David Sherwood-Gabrielson, were all in attendance for the public forum. Discussion followed, and Roberta read from her notes of the meeting.
CIL/VR MORNING PANEL
- Marshall– focus on transition and veterans
- Mankato – Case management, transition
- Technology, soft skills
- $$ for AT, most AT referrals are related to home modification
- St. Paul – place staff in 12 workforce centers
- Fee for service referral process
- Project specific website with resources and links
- St. Cloud – fee for service IL skills
- BRAVO – blended resources achieving vocational outcomes
- Transition classes
- RAMs – include IL partners in staff meetings
COMMENTS
Challenges
- History of competition
Connect with Veteran's Services Officers
- high suicide rate
- case workers have been hired statewide to create collaboration
Navigators do not provide direct service but can be used a resource, where available, to connect with services
Possibility of CIL's becoming EN and accepting ticket
AFTERNOON PANEL
Rochester – transition, case management, peer mentors and classes
Hibbing – Connect with all VR offices – fee for service IL skills
East Grand Forks
- services in 2 county expansion area, fee for service
Fargo – marketing, promotion and networking
- 2 counties
- Brief problem solving
COMMENTS
Outcome measures – how to measure quality of life
Joanne
- has son with autism – lived on his own and was employed
- had high levels of anxiety – solution was respite or group home
- would like resources/does not want group home
Parent – wants to increase individualized living arrangements
- small corporation for each person – MA money passes through
- board of directors of at least 3
- similar to CDCS only get full budget
- licensing has hard time understanding, can also receive VR money
- October 25 meeting from 2-4 at southeast library, there will be video conference trainings around the state
- Also information on DD council website under MN supported living link – self directed services cooperation's
DLL was mentioned as a resource
Conversation about accessible voting
Conversations about making public forums available by phone – have phone in hours
Connie Lee Berg talked about the services or lack of services on the Red Lake reservation, and asked if the SILC would at some point be able to address the concern regarding tribal lands and future funding. Discussion followed.
*For a complete transcript of the SILC/SRC public forum, please email Brad Westerlund for a copy. His email address is brad.westerlund@state.mn.us
Issues, Announcements, and Correspondence
Connie Lee Berg will be traveling to Phoenix in November to attend the Annual CANAR Conference Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation. Connie has been nominated for the Secretary position. If elected as the Secretary, Connie will no longer be Chair of the Professional Development and Standards Committee. Also, Connie is continuing her education at Harvard, participating in a Tribal Management & Leadership course and hopes to maintain the highest academic honors for this educational endeavor. Connie also discussed the need for Independent Living Services for American Indian people with disabilities. Connie continues to work with the National Council for Independent Living and Red Lakes' position paper is complete.
Hulet Sherry discussed the need for a stronger orientation process for new council members, and asked that the SILC work on a plan for future efforts. Brad acknowledged the fact that the process is weak, and needs to be looked at further. The SILC will need to address this in the future months, and may want to put together a committee, to look at the orientation process for new members.
Judy attended a rally in Rochester, MN that was organized by the NFB. The rally was in protest to the movie "Blindness," which depicts blind people in a derogatory fashion.
Committee Meetings
The annual report and conference committee met to discuss future planning that needs to be completed. The reports from these meetings will be shared at the November meeting.
Adjournment
The October 9, 2008 meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. Committee groups continued to meet after the meeting was adjourned.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the SILC, will be held on November 13, 2008.
