November 13th, 2008

Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton Midway

Members Present: Ann Zick, Connie Lee Berg, Roberta Cich, Judy Sanders, Jeffrey Nurick, Larry Lura, and Vicki Dalle Molle

Members Absent: Hulet Sherry, Barbara Chromy, and Jim Oneill.

Staff Present: David Sherwood-Gabrielson, Brad Westerlund, Gail Lundeen, and Linda Lingen.

Guests: Cara Ruff, Anita Kavitz (Photographer), and Wendy Keller.

Approval of October 2008 Minutes and November 2008 Agenda

Roberta Cich asked if there were any revisions to the October 9, 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 November agenda. Vicki Dalle Molle asked if the visitor's comments could be moved up in the agenda. Cara Ruff would like to give an update after the morning break. Roberta asked if there were any other changes. Judy moved to accept the revised agenda. Larry seconded, and the motion carried.

Ethical Standards Letter

Council members received a letter from the Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty, which provided basic information on ethical issues, the Open meeting law, and the Data Practices Act (See attached). Roberta asked members if they had all received a copy. Roberta then asked members if they would like further training regarding any of the areas mentioned in the letter. Discussion followed. The Council requested that Gail Lundeen email a Grants Conflict of Interest form to all members. Members will review the form, and discuss if they would like further training on conflict of interest.

2009 SILC Congress

The 2009 SILC Congress will be held January 3-6, 2009 in Las Vegas. Roberta asked members if they would be interested in attending the conference. Judy asked about the SILC finances. Brad Westerlund provided a brief financial update. Brad informed the Council that they will have carryover dollars from FFY 2008. The amount is yet to be determined, but there should be roughly $6,000 left over. These dollars could be used to pay for the cost of sending members to the Congress. Also, the new fiscal year began on October 1, 2008, and there is $10,000 in the training budget.

Judy Sanders suggested that the council send the Chair, and two new members, and decide any others after that. Discussion followed. Ann decided to remove herself from the list of attendees. Judy Sanders moved that Roberta Cich (Chair), Jeffrey Nurick, James Oneill, and Connie Lee Berg attend the 2009 SILC Congress. Larry Lura seconded. Connie Lee Berg and Jeffrey Nurick abstained. The motion carried.

Visitors' Comments

Cara Ruff, ILICIL Executive Director, stated that MACIL is concerned about the upcoming legislative session and the state deficit. MACIL will not request an increase in funding, but is preparing a packet of information that will inform policy makers on the importance of Independent Living Centers and their cost effectiveness. Recognizing that the SILC cannot lobby, Ruff requested that individuals on the SILC speak with their legislators. Ruff will supply the Council with the MACIL information packet.

Cara asked the Council, if they would consider moving the visitor's comments section to the morning agenda. This would allow for visitor's to provide comments, and let the council finish business related activities in the afternoon. Discussion followed. Brad suggested that the SILC may want to formally invite CIL Directors to the meetings. This would allow each director to provide ongoing updates about their programs/services.

Connie Lee Berg commented on CIL services. Everybody knows how I feel about my Grandchildren. My Grandchild Jayson started school and he did not adjust well and we tried two different teachers but he could not adjust - he was screened, at first we thought he was hearing impaired but the testing indicates autism - he's on this autism spectrum - and it appears that it is Ausberger's Syndrome. My Grandson is 5 and I deal with adults, and did not have a lot of information on Autism - there's a lot of internet-able resources but I did not know what was accurate and what was not. I didn't know what to do and I knew little about autism. I phoned FREEDOM and asked if I could talk to their staff person there that knew the MOST about autism. I was connected with Cyndi Collins and I told her that I had raised my grandson because his mother had a military career and although she's now back home, he still stays at my home. I told her about the difficulties he had in starting school and he's scheduled to see a specialist in Fargo in Mid-December. I wanted to talk about this during the SILC Meeting, because the lady at Freedom went above and beyond her call of duty when I told her that I needed as much information as I could get on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The lady that I talked with has a nephew with autism and knew the challenges - she also sent via e-mail several links that I've reviewed and they are quite informational. She provided me with contact information outside of her work just in case I needed additional support. I was so impressed with her work that I e-mailed Nate Aalgaard to inform him what a great job she is doing.

DEED Update, David Sherwood-Gabrielson

David informed the SILC that there was an RFP to replace the EE provider for The Achievement Center (TAC) in Worthington; the due date for the Worthington TAC RFP was 10/31/08 and the review of that RFP was underway.

There is also an RFP for EEBASIC for new and expanded programs that prioritizes areas of the state where there are no Supported Employment services available. $190,000 is available for new and expanded programs under this RFP. The deadline for this RFP is 12/05/08.

David mentioned that Bob Zimmerman will be out having surgery. John White, currently a graduate students at St. Mary's University and formerly a crew supervisor for Tree Trust, Inc., is completing an internship with Bob Zimmerman. The part time internships began on 11/03/08 and will run through 02/27/09.

Committee Reports from 10/09/08 Meeting:

SILC IL Conference Committee: October 2008 Notes

Members: Ann Z., Julia, Hulet, Ann R., Connie, Barb, Jim, & David S.G.

2008 704 Report Information and Discussion

Council members read through the 704 report instructions and report. Brad advised members that the report is due to RSA by January 31, 2009. Brad recommended that the SILC use the December meeting to work on the report. Discussion followed regarding the upcoming meeting dates of the SILC. The SILC discussed adding a two-day meeting in January. The dates would be January 22nd and 223rd. The SILC would cancel the February meeting. The SILC would add a meeting in March, the date would be March 12th. Judy moved, Vicki seconded, that the SILC add a meeting on January 22nd and 23rd, cancel the February meeting, and add a meeting on March 12th. All were in favor, and the motion carried. (See attached: revised meeting schedule)

Brad will send out the 704 report instruction and instrument to members, prior to the December meeting.

Issues, Announcements, and Correspondence

Roberta informed the SILC that Nate Aalgaard had sent the SILC a letter, discussing the $1,625.00 technology grant. In the letter, Nate explained that Freedom had planned on using the money to install a power door opener in the Fergus Falls office. Unfortunately, Freedom was not able to spend the money by the September 30, 2008 deadline. Nate went on to explain the factors involved, and why they were not able to spend the money. Nate asked the SILC if it would be possible to receive a new contract in this fiscal year, as they would still like to be able to utilize this resource. Discussion followed. Judy moved that the SILC award $1,625.00 to Freedom Resource CIL, to be used for purchasing a power door opener in the Fergus Falls office. Connie seconded, and the motion carried. The 2008 carryover dollars will be utilized for this grant.

David Sherwood-Gabrielson informed the SILC that Bob Zimmerman will be having hip replacement surgery this month. He will be having another surgery in a couple of months, to replace his other hip. In the interim, John White, who works for Treetrust Company, will be doing an internship with DEED to cover some of Bob's responsibilities. Bob will be able to do some light work from home, as he recovers from his surgeries.

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 December meeting.

Adjournment

The November 13, 2008 meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Committee groups continued to meet after the meeting was adjourned.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the SILC, will be held on December 11, 2008.