Meeting Minutes for June 10, 1999

Location:  Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Lois Johnson, Connie Lee Berg, Karen Larson, Cory Heit, Marty Bergland, Rosemary Laberge, Janet Lee, Terry Graff, Steve Thovson, Bill Bauer, Judy Sanders, Carl Bryngelson, Brad Westerlund, Dick Davis, Kim Rezek, Mick Coleman.

Absent:  Rand Stenhjem, Laurie Weih, Maureen Pranghofer.

Guests:  David Schwartzkopf, David Hancox.

Call to Order:  The June 10, 1999 meting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Lois Johnson, Vice Chair.  Introductions of members and guest followed.

Approval of April Minutes and June Agenda:  The April 9-10, 1999 meeting minutes were approved as written by consensus.  Revisions to the June agenda included the addition of a SILC appointments update, a MACIL report, and a discussion regarding two absentee matters.  The agenda was approved by consensus as revised.

Absentee Members:  Janet moved, Karen seconded, that Rand send a letter to Laurie W. regarding her absenteeism and that she either begin attending regular meetings, or submit a letter of resignation; in addition, Rand will draft a letter to Governor Ventura requesting that Jerry H. be removed from the Council.  The motion carried. 

SILC Appointments:  Bill reported that nothing had been heard regarding 1999 SILC appointments.  He reported that apparently notice was not published until June for Barb's and Dale's replacements, and this notice will remain open for thirty days.  No word has been received regarding Connie's, Rand's, and Janet's reappointments.  In that Scott did not submit an application for 1999 a new member will be appointed.  Both Barb's and Dale's terms were not completed on the dates of their resignations; thus, the two members appointed for these positions will complete Barb's and Dale's terms, then submit new applications for three year terms.  Bill also advised Council members that a citizens committee was selected by Governor Ventura to make recommendations for SILC appointments. 

MACIL Report:  Steve announced that Kim Breznik and he met with Mick on June ninth to discuss the language attached to this year's appropriation and the  distribution of new state IL funds.  He also reported that the three of them agreed that the task-force's June deadline established in the current SPIL should be extended to November.  Steve also reported that the new lobbyist provided a report to the directors during the June ninth MACIL meeting. 

By-law Amendments:  Lois asked all Council members to review the proposed amendments to The by-laws which were included in the last mailing, for a vote would be taken during the August 12 SILC meeting.  Connie stated that another amendment was needed regarding Section 1.1 of the by-laws; specifically, the Rehabilitation Act now requires that the Director of a 121 Project must be appointed to serve as a voting member of the Council.  Discussion followed regarding whether or not this revision required the change to be placed in writing and considered by the full Council before a vote was taken.  Janet stated that this amendment appeared to be more of a "housekeeping" matter, and should simply be added to Section 1.1.  It was agreed by all that this amendment to Section 1.1 occur without delay and a vote.  This amendment is enclosed.  Please remove and destroy the current page and add the revised page to your SILC manual. 

Issues:  Terry stated that he had some concerns regarding one Center's gender-specific program; irrespective of the program's funding source.  It was recommended that Terry contact the Center's Executive Director to discuss his concerns. 

Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update:  Janet reported on the May first meeting of the RCB.  She stated that the RCB is also awaiting word on appointments and added that the RCB is also mandated to have a 121 Project appointee.  She reported that the RCB has three work groups establishing revisions to and goals for the state plan.  She reported that the next meeting of the RCB will be on June twelfth, as opposed to the customary first Saturday of the month. 

SILC Congress Update:  Lois asked all Council members to review the SILC Congress recommendations prior to voting on these issues.  Discussion followed, and it appeared that the Council agreed with some of the recommendations and disagreed with others.  Cory moved, Terry seconded, that the SILC  neither accept nor endorse the recommendations contained within the 1999  SILC Congress issues document.  The motion carried.

Steve commented that RSA recently conducted an on-site review of the Indiana SILC.  He added that such an unprecedented action makes one appreciate Minnesota's positive working relationship between the SILC, DSU's and Centers.

121 Project Update:  Connie reported that the Red Lake Nation's five year 121 Project proposal was recently submitted to RSA.  She thanked RSB and SSB for their letters of support.  In preparing this proposal, she acquired health and disability-related data from the tribal health unit, which indicated that Red Lake Nation residents have significantly high numbers of individuals with diabetes, asthma, and personal injuries with a violence connection.  She expects a decision on this proposal in late August.  Connie commented that she frequently advises RSA of the excellent working relationship established between the Sioux and the Centers.  She reported that there is a two day meeting with Suzanne Tillman, RSA, on August 18-19.  Connie reported that she will also be meeting with Region V RCEP.  Connie reported that she participated in May's on-site compliance review of Freedom CIL, and the monitoring of Options CIL.  She also attended Bob Michael's Workforce Investment Act (WIA) presentation, which was conducted at Options.  Connie also provided testimony to the State Rehabilitation Council.

Janet asked what the Red Lake Nation's population was, in relation to the disability-related data Connie provided in her 121 Project proposal.  Connie stated that the population was between six and seven-thousand. 

Visitor's Comments:  There were no comments from the guests.

Committee Issues:  Lois launched a discussion regarding the vacancies on the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee.  Lois then asked for volunteers, and she reviewed the duties of this standing committee, as contained in the SPIL.  It was recommended that the SILC web page be incorporated onto the Centers' site, but this was rejected by the Council because the establishment of a freestanding SILC web site is included in Attachment Nine of the SPIL.  Lois commented that the development of this web site needed to get started, for it would become both a state and a national resource for people with disabilities.  Marty volunteered to serve as chair of the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee.  Both Terry and Brad will serve on the committee, which will collaborate with Janet's Education Committee. 

Video Presentation:  The videotape A Few Simple Words was played for the Council.  In 1997, the state legislature appropriated $200,000 for placing headstones at the graves of those who had passed away at the states Regional Treatment Centers.  Forced labor, sterilizations, lobotomies and burials in unmarked graves were common practices at these institutions. For many years, doctors and social workers believed that institutionalization was best for people with Developmental Disabilities.  During the 1999 legislative session, the DD community and advocates were asking for an apology from the state.  Legislators and advocates debated philosophical differences, the signing away of parental authority, and the potential for future litigation.  No apology was received during the last legislative session.

"Remembering with Dignity" will be conducting a special memorial event on June 19 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Faribault RTC East Cemetery.  Council members are invited to attend.  The ceremony site is accessible.

Rehabilitation Services Branch Update:  Mick reported that the legislative appropriation for Advocating for Change Together (ACT) was line-item vetoed by Governor Ventura.  He reported that the Centers' state base-funding was increased by $100,000 and that language was attached to this appropriation, as follows:  "The Commissioner shall review the allocation of this appropriation among the Centers for Independent Living and consider whether unequal allocation might be appropriate in subsequent years."  It was pointed out that the current SPIL requires equal distribution of new state funds; however, this approach must now be reviewed.  Given the current SPIL, the new funding will be distributed equally among the eight Centers.  Mick stated that he would like some dialogue, and strategies developed, for Centers to become more entrepreneurial and less dependent on soft funding.  He stated that during the upcoming year, no new funding requests will be considered by the state legislature, with the exception of emergency funding requests. 

Mick stated that the Workforce Investment Act does not directly impact IL, but it is symbolic for the Rehabilitation Act to be attached to a labor act.  WIA requires that all the various programs contained in the Act work closely together and submit a unified and complimentary plan.  A transitional plan will be submitted by September 30with full implementation by July 1, 2000. 

Mick discussed the current MDES project which is investigating RSB and SSB employee services to determine if there are areas of common ground, and whether or not cost-savings can be realized by assigning these common duties to one of the branches. 

Mick reported that the Governor has 1200 council appointments to make before the end of June.  A citizens committee was formed by the Governor to provide recommendations for appointments to state councils, including the SILC.  It is expected that announcements regarding council appointments will be made soon.

Mick briefly discussed the Governor's line-item veto of the Advocating for Change Together (ACT) appropriation.  ACT's services are viewed as being duplicative by the Governor, and Mick stated that he feels that there is some overlap between ACT's "Common Vision" program and CIL core-services. 

Mick reported that the Governor is calling the next few weeks and months the "summer of reform."  Mick stated that MDES, and all state government departments, will be addressing structure.  He also reported that a mini cabinet meeting will be held to investigate the state's labor shortage. 

Lois asked Mick about his June ninth meeting with Steve Thovson and Kim Breznik, and their decision to extend the task force's (SPIL Attachment Fourteen) deadline to November first.  Mick replied that resources per population has been a topic of discussion with the legislature.  Discussion followed, with Janet expressing her concern over three individuals determining a deadline extension date without consulting the other members of the task force.  Janet added that the real problem here is that the task force has not yet met, and this first meeting needs to happen soon.  Additional discussion followed regarding whether Cara or Steve would serve on this task force, since Steve will no longer serve as the Center Director representing all Centers on the SILC.  Janet stated that the deadline date has to remain open until the task force has met and a decision is reached regarding who will serve as chair of the task force.  Mick assured the Council that any determination regarding the distribution of IL state resources would not be a unilateral decision, but that responsibility for providing recommendations on this issue was not delegated to the  task force.

Judy asked Mick to clarify what was meant by a single or "unified" state plan.  Mick replied that an example would be a single plan with separate chapters for SSB and RSB.  Judy then asked why both agencies could not simply prepare separate plans, which could then be jointly submitted under this unified plan mandate.  Mick replied that the Department is currently under the second year of a three year plan, and the WIA requires a five year unified plan.  He added that this plan will be completed respecting differences but utilizing areas of common ground.  Janet stated that this is not the first time that the blind community has been forced to deal with this concern.  She added that the blind community fought long and hard to acquire a separate agency for the blind, and that the blind community will be monitoring this process very carefully.  Mick stated that there is no intention to jeopardize this separateness; rather, the concern is to conserve resources.

SSB Update:  Dick reported that Mick is serving on several of the committees that are working  on the state plan.  Dick commented that the WIA somewhat complicated the state plan development process because several programs are contained under this Act; e.g., JTPA, youth programs, adult education, Jobs Service, VR, and IL.  Title V of WIA deals with uniform planning.  Dick suggested that all Council members read the WIA.  Dick explained that under Title IV, all of the entities may submit separate plans on the same date, or a unified plan that attempts to coordinate all activities under WIA statewide; however, the Feds have not yet provided any guidance on precisely what constitutes a unified plan.  Dick reported on several significant changes to the Workforce Investment Board, and that both the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and the State Rehabilitation Council have to have representatives from the Governor's Workforce Council.  In addition, PIC's will now be known as local Workforce Councils.  Dick stated that it will be important for all people with disabilities to follow the development of the new unified plan. 

Dick reported that irrespective of some snags, SSB ultimately received from the legislature the state funds needed to serve the blind community.  The NFB and local advocates made legislative contacts and conducted a rally at the Capitol.  Following a one month suspension of IL services, the $370,000 required for the continued provision of  IL was appropriated, as well as an $800,000 increase in base-funding and a$1.4 million for the Communications Center.  An additional $1.4 million will be matched by the Minnesota and St. Paul Foundations for the Communications Center project.  It is planned that in July of this year the digitalization of satellite links and the SSB talking book collection will begin.  Ultimately through these digital upgrades, SSB's talking books will be available to consumers via the net.   In addition, there will be improvements to the Radio Reading Service program.  Dick reported that there was a study on SSB's shortfall, and that the agency was still on order of selection.  Thirty-five people have been moved off the waiting list, and 125 are awaiting services.  Dick briefly discussed what led to an order of selection, the decision to move older blind individuals to the SSB IL Program, and how this move will free-up funds for SSB's VR services in the future.  Dick reported that the process is working, and that soon everyone will be removed from the waiting list.  Judy added that everyone on order of selection is waiting for VR services -- none of whom is an  older blind individual.  Dick commented that when someone applies for services, he/she is not left out in the cold; rather, every effort is made to find alternative resources.  He encouraged anyone who has been waiting to apply for SSB services because of the order of selection process to immediately submit his/her application.

Announcements, Correspondence:  Lois read notes from Rand on his meeting with Mick and Dick.  The three discussed the distribution of future Federal (as much as $1.25 million) and State CIL funds.

Committee Reports:  Marty reported for the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee.  She provided an overview of the actions steps designated to her Committee under the SPIL.  The Committee's greatest responsibility is to increase access to disability-related information, and work will begin with the planning and development of a SILC web site.  Janet will assist with this project by getting information and data regarding SSB, including web sites and links.  Brad will work on the set-up of the SILC site, and will utilize the expertise of individuals within MDES, or elsewhere.  Terry will develop legal web sites and links.  Marty will be responsible for research.  Connie asked how a SILC web site addresses unserved/underserved consumers.  Discussion followed.  Marty stated that her research would include discovering how unserved and underserved consumers statewide get disability-related information, and whether or not the net is an acceptable resource.

Janet, Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee, reported that statistics indicate that less than one-third of the people in this country have computers.  Both she and Connie felt that technology and the SILC web site would be providing disability-related information to people who were already in "the loop."  Marty stated that she understood this concern, but the development of a SILC web site was part of a SPIL that was planned and approved last year.  Karen mentioned that many public libraries provide computers and Internet access, as do all the Centers.  Marty concluded that technology is but one resource that will be studied. 

Cory, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported that no changes were recommended for the draft RFP.  Janet moved, Karen seconded, that the RFP be approved as written; that the   RFP be mailed around the first of July, with responses postmarked no later than August fifteenth; and that the Finance Committee provide recommendations for grant awards to the full Council at the September 9, 1999 SILC meeting.  A brief discussion followed with Janet stating that she felt insufficient information was provided on the RFP in relation to what outreach services were.  It was explained that information in the RFP was in accordance with Attachments Ten and Fourteen of the SPIL.  The motion carried with Janet and Cory abstaining.  It was recommended that this RFP also be posted in the state register. 

Cory next discussed a proposal from MCIL for the provision of Hmong outreach services in the metro area.  Cory reported that the finance committee recommended a one year, non renewable grant for $25,000.  Karen moved, Connie seconded, that a one year grant for $25,000 be awarded to the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living to conduct outreach activities in the Hmong disability community.  There was no discussion, and the motion carried with Cory abstaining. 

Lois, Chair of the SPIL Committee, reported that the committee members further discussed the four public hearings to be conducted at four sites during the week of September 6-11, 1999.  The four sites are SWCIL, Options CIL, IL-CIL, and Freedom CIL.  Terry will be the SILC representative at IL-CIL, Connie at Options CIL, Cory at Freedom CIL, and Lois at SWCIL.  Bill will bring information packets to the August meeting, will contact the Centers to schedule hearing dates, and will notify SILC members of these dates. 

Announcements:  Lois commented on the monitoring and on-site reviews conducted during the month of May; specifically, Freedom CIL, Options CIL and SMILES.  To date, the documents and materials gathered during these reviews are under review, and will be utilized in preparing the final reports.

Janet announced that the RCB's June meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.  She also announced that the NFB national conference will run from June thirtieth through July seventh in Atlanta. 

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next meeting will be held on August twelfth, from 9:000 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton.  The June SILC meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.