Minutes for June 8, 2000

Meeting Location:  Radisson Hotel, St. Paul

Present:  Connie Lee Berg, Rick Cardenas, Roseann Faber, Judy Sanders, Rosemary Laberge, Ann Zick, Sharon Johnson, Rand Stenhjem, Maureen Pranghofer, William Bauer, Bradley Westerlund, Carl Bryngelson, Joe Ascheman, Kim Rezek, Terry Graff, Cara Ruff, Hulet Sherry, Bonnie Elsey.

Absent:  Marty Bergland (excused), Cory Heit (excused), Howard Glad (excused), Cliff Miller, Phyllis Coppess.

Guests: Candy Robertson, Chloe Baxter, Jay Johnson, David Hancox, ASL Interpreters Shari Estep and Ryan Thiel.

Call to Order:  The June 8 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Connie Lee Berg, Chair. Introductions of members and guests followed.

Approval of Minutes and Agenda:  It was requested that the ASL Interpreters be identified as such on the April minutes. The agenda was revised to reflect that Connie would be presenting the 121 Project report. The minutes and agenda were approved by consensus as revised.

121 Project Update:   Connie commented that Meagan, who was scheduled to provide the report, volunteered to remain in Red Lake to handle office business while Connie attended the SILC meeting. Connie reported that it was business as usual, including networking, establishing and/or expanding both IL and employment services. Connie announced that the Project experienced some positive data for the year, and that this information will be provided to the Council at a later date. Connie reported her intent to expand tribal VR services in Minnesota, and that she will be providing support and technical assistance to Leach Lake’s 121 Project proposal. Sharon commented that there were some VR services offered to the Leach Lake band, but there was only one counselor provided to cover a vast distance. Sharon felt that it was critical for Leech Lake to be awarded 121 funds. Connie reported that she continues to work with Options, and will be assisting with a needs assessment to be conducted by the White Earth 121 Project.

State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) Update:  In that Maureen was absent from the April SILC meeting, she began by reporting on the March SRC meeting. At that meeting, there was a discussion of outcomes of the public hearings. During the April meeting, there was a discussion regarding the mini-cabinet report. It was recommended that IL be taken out of SSB and/or combined with the IL program currently in the Rehabilitation Services Branch, or placing IL in the Department of Human Services. During the May meeting, the problem of VR having more requests for services than funds was discussed. Strategies for next year were discussed, which included a dollar limit per consumer, and/or raising the bar from one to three functional limitations for eligibility. It was also recommended that VR Counselors should utilize “Plans for Achieving Self-support” more frequently. The next SRC meeting will be held on June 20. The August meeting will be held out-state.

Connie asked Maureen if the SRC presently had a 121 Project representative, with Bill Stech’s recent resignation as Director of the White Earth 121 Project. Maureen replied that the matter has not been raised at either of the past two meetings.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) Update:  Roseann reported that the SRCB has met twice since the last SILC meeting. There was a special meeting on May 8, as a result of SSB being awarded a grant from the St. Paul Foundation to conduct a review of SSB’s services. Consultants were hired to conduct this study/review. Focus groups have been formed to assist in the review process. On June 3, the regular SRCB meeting was conducted, and members submitted written responses to the consultant’s survey. Numerous focus groups will be meeting throughout the review process. The information gathered from this process will be utilized by Commissioner Wilson, et al. In response to a question, Roseann stated that this review is not the needs assessment that was mentioned during a SILC meeting several months ago; rather, it is a study to determine future directions for the agency.

During the June 3 SRCB meeting, Commissioner Wilson and Deputy Commissioner Al St. Martin were present to field questions from the Council. Maureen commented that there is always a concern in the blind community that the two rehabilitation agencies will be merged, but at the April SRC meeting members were assured that such a merger would not occur. Judy commented that Commissioner Wilson plans to meet with all of the councils at some point.

Rehabilitation Services Branch (RSB) Update:  Kim reported in Howard’s absence. She stated that this year’s VR funds are in good shape, but there will be a budget crunch in the future. Kim stated that $16 million will be spent this year on case services. The VR program will be submitting a state biennial budget request in August. Kim said that a public hearing would be required for any changes in VR policies such as consumer financial participation, the limitation of dollar amounts, and/or raising the bar to three functional limitations. A rule hearing would also be required prior to any policy change. Sharon commented that there has been a significant increase in the number of VR applications, as well as a sharp increase in the number of plans developed -- all of which are signs of strong growth in the VR program. As a result of this growth, VR is stretched for dollars. Discussion followed. It was mentioned that Minnesota is not presently a “ticket to work” state. SSA is determining who the first ten TWWIIA states will be. Connie commented on the fine work being done by the work incentives staff.

State Services for the Blind (SSB) Update:  In that Bonnie Elsey had not yet arrived, Judy reported in her absence. Judy announced that the SSB staff members have been actively involved in working with the twenty-nine focus groups. These focus groups include consumers from VR, IL, Workforce Centers, employers, and the deaf-blind community. Judy reported that the SSB staff had a brown-bag lunch meeting with Commissioner Wilson early in the month.

Judy reported that the “Twenty-First Century” plan is three-quarters of the way there in SSB’s efforts to meet the required private match. Judy stated that “order of selection” is still in place at SSB.

Bonnie Elsey arrived, and added to Judy’s reports concerning the Twenty-first Century Project and the high-level strategic planning that is occurring at SSB. The Twenty-first Century project has a $1.4 million budget, which must be matched by private funds. The firm, “Public Strategies,” was hired for the review process.

SILC-MDES Administrative Agreement:  Jay Johnson expressed his opinions regarding the SILC’s grant process and budget, which included the SILC’s Requests for proposals verses unsolicited proposals review procedures, “ill-will” between the CIL Directors, financial reports, and Bill’s out-of-state travel on SILC-related business. A lively discussion ensued, with numerous points and counter-points being raised. Caryl moved, Rick seconded, that a task force be formed to examine the SILC’s funding sources and processes for distributing discretionary dollars. Discussion followed, with Terry asserting that the SILC is autonomous, has authority over roughly $125,000 of Part B funds annually, and should not be locked into any process for the Council’s disbursement of these dollars. Connie tabled the matter.

Funding Distribution Plan:  Connie asked Bill to open the discussion on the proposed CIL funding distribution plan, which was jointly developed by the SILC task force, MDES staff, and various CIL Executive Directors. Bill provided an overview of the plan, and discussion followed. Cara and Jay Johnson offered their support of the plan, as written. A debate on conflict of interest ensued. (Please refer to the enclosed memo from Bill regarding the Federal definition of conflict of interest.) Sharon moved, Caryl seconded, that the plan be approved as submitted. Discussion followed with Joe expressing several concerns regarding the access to, and utilization of, CIL Services by people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Joe further stated that he provided some IL services statewide to deaf/hard of hearing consumers, and that he had been told that his program could be eliminated from MCIL if additional funding was not secured. (Note to New Members: Centers must provide all services on a cross-disability basis, which includes the deaf/hard of hearing communities, with or without specific or “additional” funding. B. Bauer) Cara and Jay stated that they annually serve a significant number of individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing, with Jay adding that he too provided some statewide assistance to the deaf/hard of hearing communities. The motion was approved, with Cara, Joe and Hulet abstaining.

Committee Reports: Rand reported for the SPIL Committee. Public hearing information and consumer satisfaction survey summaries for the 704 report were matters discussed. Bill advised the Council that he completes such summaries jointly with the Chair of the SPIL Committee for inclusion in the annual 704 report. Rand will participate in the June monitoring of MCIL, and Terry will serve as the SILC representative at the SWCIL monitoring.

Ann Zick reported for the Education Committee. She stated that there was a great deal of information presented during the prior evening’s orientation training for new SILC members. Ann discussed SILC profiles, which will be an internal document utilized to determine who has expertise in what areas. Sharon moved, Hulet seconded, that such profiles be developed for the purpose stated. The motion carried. Ann advised Council members that the ACT video is now available for purchase. Connie stated that the video matter would be placed on the August agenda. Ann reported that the August training will be on recent legislative (State and Federal) disability-related legislation, and will be provided by David Hancox. She reported that the next out-state meeting will focus on “invisible” disabilities.

Caryl reported on the activities of the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee. She stated that the committee’s duties are current, with the exception of the senior survey, and that she will be contacting the Centers for input. The SILC web-site is planned to be up by the end of the month. She reported that work on the SILC-MDES administrative agreement will be largely completed via e-mail, with Terry and Bill taking the lead.

Grant Update:  Bill reported that the Parts B and C grants were largely progressing as planned, with some exceptions. Funds from the White Earth IL case service grant have not yet been utilized. Red Lake has been quite successful in receiving donations of used equipment, with approximately $400 being spent. The MCIL Hmong Outreach grant utilized slightly more than $4000 during a twelve month period.. The Hmong Outreach contract terminated on May 31. These were FFY 1999 Part B dollars, and the requested contract extension could not be approved. The balance of these funds will remain in the SILC account. The two SMILES grants are progressing as planned, with the technology grant funds all but depleted. Bill advised Council members that a $1000 purchase order for the ADA Tenth Anniversary Celebration was submitted to the Courage Center, but he is still awaiting an invoice. The documentation was also completed and submitted for the $1005.50 approved by the Council for national ramp certification.

Correspondence, Issues, Announcements:  The “Disability Culture Rap” video will premier at the History Center at 7:00 p.m. on June 14. Rick also reported that a “Remembering with Dignity” ceremony will occur on June 15 at the Wilmar cemetery. Joe reported that on June 24-25 there will be a “Gay Pride” GLBT group meeting. Rand reported that five states, including Minnesota, have approved the Medicaid buy-in. There will be an RFP process beginning at the end of June. Comments are being sought re the distribution of $150 million over the next five years. Rand asked interested members to see him for additional information. Brad circulated an updated SILC list, and asked members to contact him prior to any regular meeting with address, telephone, and/or e-mail address changes.

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next regular meeting will be August 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton, St. Paul. The June 8 meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.