August 13th, 2009

Members Present: Roberta Cich, Ann Zick, Judy Sanders, Hulet Sherry, Michael Fosnot, Barbara Chromy, Connie Lee Berg, Ann Roscoe, Jeffrey Nurick, Vicki Dalle Molle, David Sherwood-Gabrielson, Gail Lundeen, Linda Lingen, Pat Wright and Brad Westerlund.

Members Absent: None

Guests: David Hancox

Agenda

Motion to approve the August 2009 agenda as presented made by Judy, seconded by Ann. No discussion, motion carried.

Minutes

Motion to approve the July 2009 minutes as presented made by Judy, seconded by Jeffrey. No discussion, motion carried.

DEED Update: David Sherwood-Gabrielson

ARRA funding to State VR agencies

DEED: 6.3 million available, process of getting input and ideas, several Request for Proposals (RFPs), in process.

See attachment for additional information.

VR/IL Collaboration Site Visits and Monitoring

Six (6) out of eight (8) Centers have been visited by the VRS team. Last two Center visits scheduled for the end of August 2009.

Power Point Presentation on Independent Living Home Accessibility Needs Assessment Proposal: David Sherwood-Gabrielson

David presented on the need for and structure and outcomes of the Accessibility Needs Assessment. He then fielded questions from SILC members on different aspects of the proposal. (SILC members received a copy of the power point.).

A motion to fund the Independent living Home Accessibility Needs Assessment Proposal in the amount of $97,407 was made by Vicki Dalle Molle, seconded by Hulet Sherry.

Members voting in favor of the motion: Vicki Dalle Molle, Judy Sanders, Jeffrey Nurick, Hulet Sherry.

Members voting against the motion: Barbara Chromy, Connie Lee Berg, Ann Zick

Members Abstaining: Michael Fosnot

SILC/MACIL Task Force Update: David Hancox and Roberta Cich

Conference call on July 16, 2009 took place before the agreement from RSA on the ARRA. Part of the agenda was discussion on what the Task Force could do to help the SILC/DSU in articulating to RSA the SPIL regarding the CIL Network and CIL funding guidelines.

Long Term plan in the SPIL: Discussion of current CIL service areas, which are different than what is shown in the current SPIL. How the location(s) of new CILs once all Centers get to $500,000 base funding level.

New SPIL will show a different configuration of counties served; a comparison map will illustrate what was (as shown in the current SPIL), vs. what the served, underserved and unserved counties are now (in 2009). In addition, a graphic illustrating what the CIL service areas would look like after each Center gets to $500,000. Currently, several Centers are serving counties that were not identified as served in the current SPIL. Therefore, the maps will be redrawn to reflect the new reality.

Judy Sanders was not notified of the SILC Task Force Conference Call, as the Chair, Vicki Dalle Molle, forgot to include her. Vicki will be sure to include Judy from here on out and is sorry for the oversight.

SILC Annual Report: Vicki, Brad, Roberta

An annual report will be developed for each SPIL, meaning every three years. Question on budget for the report: Brad reported that no funding was specifically designated for the report in the category on education and outreach. The SILC will report the activity to date on the annual report in the next SPIL.

Emergency RFP: Brad

It’s complete; being reviewed internal to DEED. Posting date will be September 1 with an October or November 1st start date.

Conference Committee: Ann Zick, Gail Lundeen

Keynote Speaker: Judy Siegle, Fargo-Moorehead area, outstanding athlete. Topic: How to reach out and empower consumers.

May 13th is the date of the conference.

RFP for hotels yielded five (5) hotels to visit.

Other speakers: message to Kim Peck about speaking at the conference. Conference planner will send out messages to community members and audience about other speakers.

Announcements

Chuck Hamilton retired from the SSB and is now Coordinator of the Stimulus Funding and the legislative liaison for SSB

Richard Strong is the SSB Acting Director. The posting a permanent director will happen within the next few weeks, along with a national search.

Judy circulated the new Braille coin.

Freedom Resource Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary!

Discussion on SPIL outcomes and goals: Roberta tabled until September SILC meeting.

SILC officers will be elected at the September SILC meeting.

Adjournment

Vicki made motion to adjourn meeting, Jeffrey seconded. No discussion, Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m.