Meeting Minutes for February 18, 1999

Meeting Location: Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Rand Stenhjem, Karen Larson, Lois Johnson, Joan Harris Stephan, Maureen Pranghofer, Rosemary Laberge, Barbara Knowlen, Cory Heit, Marty Bergland, Judy Sanders, Linda Lingen (for Richard Davis), Carl Bryngelson, Bradley Westerlund, William Bauer, Kim Rezek

Absent:  Scott Anderson, Connie Lee Berg, Terry Graff, Janet Lee, Dale Polton, Susan Shogren Smith, Steve Thovson, Laurie Weih, Mick Coleman, Dick Davis, Cliff Miller

Guests: David Hancox, ASL interpreters Nancy Evelyn and Gail Nygren

Call to Order:  The February 18, 1999 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, SILC Chair.  Following introductions, Rand commented on the number of absent Council members for this month's meeting.

Approval of Minutes and Agenda:  The January 14, 1999 minutes were approved as written by consensus.  There were no additions to the February 18, 1999 meeting agenda.

Old Business:  Lois reminded the Council of the recent appointments of standing committee vice chairs.  Connie will serve as Vice Chair of the SPIL Committee, Cory Finance, and  Joan for Education and Information.  She also reminded the Council that there is a task force, in accordance with the SPIL, involved in researching and reporting on disability demographics statewide.  Lois again asked all Council members to frequently review the new SPIL and make certain that all Committee activities are proceeding in accordance with the Plan's target dates. A brief discussion followed regarding attendance.  Bill reported that he had received notice from Terry, Janet, Cliff, Mick, Scott, Dale and Connie of their inability to attend the February meeting.  Bill recommended that those members notifying him should be identified in the minutes as being excused, which would be helpful in recognizing those members who have taken the time to advise the DSU staff of their absences. 

The Olmstead Case:  Rand provided an overview of the Olmstead case, which will be argued before the Supreme Court in May.  Rand stated that those from Minnesota attending the SILC Congress signed, as individuals and not as SILC representatives, a letter opposing the National Governors Association's (NGA)  amicus letter, which  supports the State of Georgia's stand in the Olmstead case.  Rand then read the SILC Congress' opposition letter to the NGA's amicus letter.  Discussion followed.  Rand stated that he also had a video on the "Helen L." Supreme Court decision, which could be played at the next SILC meeting.

Rand then discussed the numerous issues and recommendations from the SILC Congress, which included SILC relationships with state agencies, SILC as system advocates, 704 recommendations, and SILC autonomy.

Karen recommended that the SILC draft a position paper on the Olmstead matter.  Discussion followed.  Maureen stated that the matter of whose responsibility it was to draft SILC letters and other documents such as these would be discussed and resolved by the Education and Information Committee at the next meeting.  Rand volunteered to draft the letter regarding the Olmstead matter. Karen moved, Barbara seconded, that a letter commending Governor Ventura for his withdrawal of Minnesota's support of the NGA amicus letter.  The motion carried.

Issues, Announcements, Correspondence: At the January 1999 meeting, it was approved that Rand draft a letter to the Councils in surrounding states regarding each Council sending a representative/s to other surrounding states' Council meetings.  Rand reported that he had not yet completed that task. 

A discussion followed on proposed legislation that would severely limit "special needs trusts."  Specifically, this proposed legislation would severely limit or prohibit individuals from placing income into a needs-based trust, and would further allow states to seize funds in such trusts upon the death of the individual for whom the trust was established.  Rand reported that the Consumer Consortium on Disability (CCD) is supporting this proposed legislation.  Rand suggested that Council members read HR 631 for more information on this proposed legislation.

Rand announced the "Evan Kemp Award," which is America's highest honor for excellence in re-employing people with disabilities.  He also announced the Ela Foundation Scholarship, the Nike Scholarship, and the Nordstrom Foundation Scholarship, which provide financial assistance to female graduate students who are studying, researching, and/or writing on disability policy.  Please contact Rand for additional information on these awards.

Rand discussed the proposal for an additional $75 million for Centers.  Most of these additional funds would go to the states with the highest populations, such as California.  California's SILC Executive Director, Michael Collins, is recommending that a portion of these additional dollars be awarded for support of SILC's nationwide. 

Finance Committee Report:  Cory provided an overview of future grant options.  He reminded Council members that a process has been finalized for the award of grants in FFY 2000.  One option is the "Request for Proposals" process, which would begin this June, with proposals reviewed in August and September, and recommendations provided to the full Council during the October 1999 meeting.  Final work on the RFP process will be done during the April meeting.  Bill will provide Cory a copy of the RFP materials utilized by the SILC and the MDES three years ago. 

Education Committee Report:  Maureen announced that a format for position papers will be completed in the near future.  She reminded Council members that the April meeting will be an out-state training meeting, in accordance with the new SPIL.  April's two day training will focus on people with mental disabilities, as well as cross-disability housing issues.  Trainers scheduled to date include Diane Sprague (housing issues and resources), and staff from the State Council on Mental Illness. Please note that this training was originally scheduled for April 2-3, but was rescheduled for April 9-10 (Friday and Saturday), at the Radisson Hotel, 404 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud.  Council members are reminded to contact Bill for hotel reservations.  This change in the training dates to April 9-10 resulted from a motion by Cory, which was seconded by Rosemary.  The motion carried.  There was discussion regarding the scheduling of all training for April ninth from 9:00 a.m. to five p.m., and conducting all regular SILC business from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, which would accommodate the hotel's check-out time and permit those with greater distances to travel to be on the road after lunch.  

Work Incentive Grant Update: Kim reported that Barbara Smith is the program's Director, and Anita Boucher the Assistant Director.  Both of these individuals have been on the job for several weeks, and the Trainer positions have been posted.  It is anticipated that a permanent location for the program will not be definite until July; meanwhile, the program remains at 390 N. Robert. 

In review, this program will train VR Counselors, county financial workers, consumers and others on SSI/SSDI work incentives, waivers, Medicaid earned-income disregard, data collection for SSA policy-making, and return-to-work benefits/risks.  The trainers will be responsible for conducting consumer analyses, as well as for information and referral.  This is an SSA five year grant. Kim noted that there is some overlap with the ICI grant, which focuses solely on youth.  Kim reported that the program's first site-visit was conducted recently, and went well.  Plans are for the program to go non profit before the end of the five year grant period.  The annual budget for this program is currently $500,000.  (A one page overview of this program is enclosed.)

State Services for the Blind Update: Linda Lingen reported that Richard Davis and Mick Coleman were reappointed as Assistant Commissioners for State Services for the Blind and the Rehabilitation Services Branch, respectively, by the Minnesota Department of Economic Security's new Commissioner, Earl Wilson.  Linda reported that SSB had $800,000 added to the agency's base-funding level in Governor Ventura's budget.  In addition, the Governor's budget includes a one-time appropriation of $1.4 million for Communication Center improvements, and an additional $370,000 in emergency funding for this year.  Linda encouraged Council members to contact their legislators in support of these additional funds for SSB. 

Rand asked if the Governor's budget included any additional dollars for the Rehabilitation Services Branch.  Kim reported that RSB had nothing new in the Governor's budget.  Judy then explained the biennial budget review process. 

SILC Self-appointment Update: Rand reported that he and the Governor's Appointment Secretary have not yet contacted each other, and that he may try drafting her a letter.  A discussion followed regarding self-appointments, per diems and potential conflicts of interest. 

SRC Appointment:  With Barb's upcoming move to New York State, Maureen volunteered to serve as the SILC's representative to the State Rehabilitation Council.  Rand appointed Maureen to serve as the SILC's representative to the SRC, with Cory serving as a back-up representative.   

Personal Assistant Shortage: Maureen brought to the Council's attention the current problem of insufficient numbers of personal assistants.  She stated that more and more people with disabilities are being temporarily placed in hospitals or nursing institutions due to this critical shortage of personnel.  Discussion followed regarding consumer-controlled PAS, and pay increases for personal assistants.  A personal assistant pay increase is currently before the legislature.  Lois reminded Council members that PAS concerns were one of the major issues heard during last year's SILC-sponsored public hearings. 

Goodbye and Best Wishes: Rand thanked Barbara Knowlen for all the years of service she has provided to the Minnesota SILC, as well as to people with disabilities statewide and nationally.  Barbara received a round of applause  from Council members, DSU staff, and guests for her efforts.  Minnesota's loss is most assuredly New York State's gain, and we all wish you the best, Barb!  Barbara's new e-mail address is:  oneoftwo@borg.com 

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the SILC will be April 9-10, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the ninth and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the tenth at the Radisson Hotel, St. Cloud.

Adjournment: The February 18, 1999 meeting of the SILC adjourned at 2:00 p.m.