Minutes for December 9, 1999

Meeting Location:  Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Rand Stenhjem, Lois Johnson, Karen Larson, Cory Heit, Marty Bergland, Connie Lee Berg, Rosemary Laberge, Sharon Johnson, Cara Ruff, Ann Zick, Caryl Wattman, Kim Rezek, Bill Bauer, Carl Bryngelson, Brad Westerlund, Judy Sanders.

Absent:  Terry Graff (excused), Roseann Faber (excused), Maureen Pranghofer, Rick Cardenas.

Guests:  Melanie Fry, David Hancox.

Call to Order:   The December 9, 1999 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions followed, which included a brief biography from the Council's newest member, Caryl Wattman.

Approval of Minutes and Agenda:  Following a brief discussion, the October and November minutes were approved as written.  One item was added to the December agenda, which was the Council's authorization for Rand to sign, prior to the February 2000 meeting, the FFY 1999 704 report.  The December agenda was approved as revised.

121 Project Update:  Connie reported that there was a great deal of activity at the tribal level.  She added that she would seek Chairman Whitefeather's signature on a letter of support for the, "Building Cultural Connections" curriculum.  She reported that the IL case services contract was signed by Chairman Whitefeather, and that she submitted the contract to Bill this morning.  The funds will be utilized to purchase medical equipment, which will be loaned or leased to Red Lake residents with disabilities.  Connie stated that Barb Smith provided a presentation on the Work Incentives Project at a Red Lake public forum.  Connie said that several issues concerning the Social Security Administration that are consistently confronting American Indian People were identified during this forum, which included transportation to and from the SSA office in Bemidji, and the lack of telephone service in many Red Lake homes.  As a result, SSA services will be offered through Connie's 121 Project offices.  Connie reported that she has been conducting a great deal of advocacy for Red Lake residents who have been denied SSA benefits, because American Indian People often do not challenge those in positions of authority; that is, American Indian People frequently do not appeal their cases when denied SSA benefits. 

Connie stated that she will be providing a presentation on 121 Project VR services at a January 26-27 conference to be conducted at the St. Cloud Civic Center.  This program is sponsored by the State Council on Disability, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children, Families and Learning, and the PACER Center. 

Connie reported that she was unable to attend the December SRCB meeting due to a serious issue in Red Lake.  Specifically, she was battling the proposed introduction of alcohol in the Red Lake casino.  Ultimately, the matter was voted down by Red Lake residents. 

Connie reported that she is continuing to provide technical support to the White Earth 121 Project.  Bill Stech and his staff are progressing wonderfully.  She reported that she is continuing to work with the Rehabilitation Services Branch, and is presently working on a five year cooperative agreement with VR.  As to RSA, her 121 Project received only two recommendations from the recent monitoring; one of these RSA findings was that Connie is collecting too much consumer data. 

Connie stated that she has been providing testimony to state legislative committees; one of which was finance.  She received the "Outstanding Achievement" award from the Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation.  She attended both Freedom's and Option's annual meetings.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update:  Judy reported in Roseann's absence.  The SRCB met on December fourth.  Numerous committee reports were provided on various projects; e.g., the employment committee's development of the new children's services committee, which will focus on SSB's provision of services to children from birth to transition age.  The SRCB discussed the conflict between public schools, the State School for the Blind, and SSB on who does what with students who are blind.  Judy reported that there was a lengthy discussion on Dick Davis' move to the administrative office building. 

State Rehabilitation Council Update:  Due to Maureen's absence, there was no SRC report.

704 Report Sign-off Authorization:  Rand discussed the 704 report deadline, which will conflict with the February SILC meeting date.  Cara moved, Lois seconded, that Rand be authorized to sign the FFY 1999 704 report on behalf of the full Council.  There was no discussion, and the motion carried.

Announcements, Issues, Correspondence:  Cara discussed the need for regular CIL reports at SILC meetings.  Cara felt that these reports may assist the SILC to be more active in Center issues.  Discussion followed.  This matter was passed to the Education Committee. 

Y2K Grants:  Bill reported that all eight Centers had completed their Y2K grants, and final reports had been received. 

Cultural Diversity Curriculum:  Rand stated that he would entertain a motion to draft a letter of support for the "Building Cultural Connections" curriculum.  Cory so moved, and Connie seconded.  Discussion followed, which was initiated by Connie stating that she was highly impressed with this curriculum.  Other matters discussed included the exclusion of people who are obese; the "tourist" vs. the "antibias" approaches; how the curriculum would be evaluated; and the utilization of positive language.  Karen commented that she would like the support letter to state that this curriculum should become mandatory reading for child care professionals.  The motion carried. 

Visitors' Comments:  There were no comments from the visitors this month.

SILC Out-state Training:  Reservations have been made at the Best Western Hotel, Mankato, for February 11-12.  Please advise Brad at (651) 297-2705 or 800 328-9095 no later than February 1, 2000 if you cannot attend.

Joint SILC - SCD Meeting: It was suggested that the SILC and the State Council on Disability conduct a joint meeting.  Bill reminded the Council that the SCD has not had a member present at the SILC meetings for quite sometime, and the SCD should name a representative to regularly attend SILC meetings.  Discussion followed.  It was noted that the SCD and the SILC have meetings on the same dates in March and June.  This matter was routed to the Education Committee. 

FFY 1999 704 Report Update:  Bill reported that work is progressing on the FFY 704 narrative attachments.  To date, one CIL has submitted the Part II preprints and attachments.  Bill is recommending that Centers maintain the December 31, 1999 deadline to facilitate the timely completion of the aggregate. 

Committee Reports:  Lois, SPIL Committee Chair, reported that the hearing minutes have been summarized and submitted to Bill.  The summary will be in the next SILC packet.  According to Minnesotans, the greatest issues are housing, employment, transportation and transition.  Lois stated that she and Bill will be working jointly on the SPIL goals and objectives for the 704 report. 

Ann reported for the Education Committee.  She will be submitting confirmation letters to all speakers around the first of January.  The agenda is completed, and Ann will be working with Brad to ensure that the agenda is completed in time for the next SILC mailing.  Ann will remind all speakers that print materials to be discussed during the training sessions must be formatted.  Ann will also work with MACIL to schedule, for the April meeting, a CIL Director to lead a discussion regarding what services Centers provide outside of the core IL services, and issues of which the Council should be aware.  As to the SILC and SCD joint meeting, the Education Committee determined that Rand, or his appointee, will provide a thirty minute presentation at the June SCD meeting, and an SCD member will provide a similar thirty minute presentation during the SILC's June meeting.  Ann reported that the August SILC meeting will have a speaker on legislative issues. 

Cory, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported that the SILC will have a balance of five to fifteen thousand dollars, and a final figure will be available prior to the February meeting.  The two new contracts from the RFP process have not yet been mailed.  The quarterly reports and SILC operating expenses have been arriving as designated in the SPIL. 

Cory also reported on the December 8 task force meeting.  There are now several areas of agreement, and a proposed distribution plan is nearing completion.  Cory will have a draft of the December task force meeting decisions in mid January.  The next task force meeting will be held on February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Best Western, Mankato. 

Marty, Chair of Advocacy, reported that Caryl will be joining this committee.  Marty discussed her meeting with the Center Directors regarding the questionnaire.  A summary of these findings has been prepared, which will be mailed in the next packet.  Marty will also be meeting with Connie to discuss American Indian People's IL issues.  She will also bee meeting with SSB and representatives of the deaf community.  Brad will continue with the design of the SILC web site.  Marty reported that she will be unable to attend the February meeting.

Other: Rand announced that he would speak with the Education Committee members, and assign a Chair. 

Lois reminded the Council that she and rand would need authorization from the Council to vote on behalf of the Minnesota SILC at the January 3-6, 2000 SILC Congress.  Cara moved, Ann seconded, that Rand and Lois vote on behalf of the Minnesota SILC.  During discussion, Rand noted that the Minnesota SILC would have one vote on any matter, and that he and Lois would abstain on some issues.  The motion carried. 

Ann stated that she would like the minutes, from this point on, to reflect whether absentee members were excused; i.e., that these members had contacted Bill to advise him of their inability to attend a meeting.  Cory so moved, and Rosemary seconded.  Karen read Section 1.2 of the by-laws, and commented that absenteeism has been an ongoing concern.

In that the Midway Sheraton is unable to accommodate the Council for the April 2000 meeting, Rand asked if the SILC wanted to change hotels or the meeting date.  Cory moved, Karen seconded, that the April 2000 SILC meeting be moved to the sixth.  The motion carried. 

Lois and Karen announced that they've enjoyed serving on the Council for the past six years.  Rand, on behalf of the entire Council, thanked Lois and Karen for their hard work and dedication throughout all six years. 

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next meeting of the SILC will be February 11-12, 2000 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the eleventh at the Best Western, Mankato.  The twelfth will be from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  The December meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.