Minutes for June 9, 2005

Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton Midway

Present:  Lois Johnson, Karen Larson, Bryan Jensen, Roseann Faber, Ann Zick, Roberta Cich, Mary Pennington, Mark Eggen, Larry Lura, David Hancox, Kimberly Peck, William Bauer, Bradley Westerlund, Gloria Lafriniere, Phyllis Coppess, Don Westergard.

Absent:  Barbara Chromy (excused), Sharon Johnson (excused), Linda Lingen (excused).

Guest: Jim Wordiman, Lori Zuehlke, Heidi Gellan.

Call to Order: The June 9, 2005 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Lois Johnson, chairperson. Introductions of council members and guests followed.

Lois Johnson welcomed Kimberly Peck, who is the newly-appointed director of DEED's Rehabilitation Services Branch. Ms. Peck commented that there is much work to be done between IL and VR, and that she recognizes the importance of the two programs working together. She stated, "I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and make it happen."

Lois Johnson thanked everyone for the cards, flowers and e-mail messages sent to her following the death of her grandson.

Approval of May Minutes and June Agenda: There were no requests for revisions to the May 2005 minutes. David Hancox moved, Karen Larson seconded, that the May minutes stand as written. The motion carried.

The June agenda was approved, as written, by consensus.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Report: Roseann Faber reported that the SRCB will be meeting tonight. Since her last report, she announced that there were some minor changes to proposed by-law revisions, and some changes to statements guiding individual committees.

At tonight's SRCB meeting, council members will be hearing about legislation. Funding for the NFB Newsline passed. There will be a report on a recent training in Chicago regarding Federal law and the SRCB, and what council members are supposed to be doing.

Developmental Disabilities Council Report: Ann Zick reported that the council is working on the history of Developmental Disabilities and education. The interactive educational internet training should be up and running by this fall.

CIL Update: David Hancox reported that the CMS grant is now in its third year; one of the major objectives of the grant was last December's conference. Conferees indicated that they'd like to maintain the networking on nursing home relocation. As a result, from May through July, a series of regional forums were conducted, generally by Centers, in which local players shared information on relocation matters such as resources, networks, contacts, and barriers such as adequate housing and transportation. To assist in tackling the barriers, the forums will continue.

All of the Centers are engaged in planning specific classes for the MOU, which include job readiness skills, ongoing education, and interactive activities. Hancox stated that his meetings with Twin Cities' rehabilitation area managers have been "very positive." Introductory workshops have been conducted in all of the metro WFC's.

MCIL was awarded a contract from the Department of Education to provide transition services, which include how to prepare for life after high school, how to participate in and IEP, etc. An advocacy/self-advocacy curriculum was developed, and has been used by other MN Centers. The grant also provides funding to conduct focus groups with students statewide. A survey asking students about their experiences with transition services gathered data from 300 youth statewide. The data revealed that twenty-six percent of students surveyed did not know what their disability was, or did not recognize themselves as having a disability; nine percent do not participate in their IEPs until their senior year. All data will be placed on-line. Discussion followed.

Hancox announced that Victoria Dalle-Molle will be submitting her application to serve as the CIL representative on the SILC.

MACIL conducted elections during the May 2005 meeting. Cara Ruff was again elected president, and Victoria Dalle-Molle treasurer. Elections for vice chair and secretary will be held next year.

Questions and answers followed.

State Rehabilitation Council Update: Lois Johnson reported that the SRC's draft vision and mission statements will be revised. It was mentioned that the SRC had limited input in the original draft of the strategic direction document. The SRC by-laws are also being reviewed and revised. Johnson remains concerned about formatting. The council's new appointments and reappointments have not yet been made by Governor Pawlenty. Discussion followed.

State Council on Disability Update: Don Westergard reported that MNSCOD appointments are running approximately two years behind. The council will be conducting an emergency preparedness training tomorrow. There will be an ADA fifteen year celebration in July at the Earl Brown Center. Call MNSCOD for additional information on these activities.

Westegard provided a brief legislative update.

121 Project Update: Gloria Lafriniere began her update by commenting that 121 Projects have a bit more flexibility than VR.

Housing, transportation, and employment opportunities continue to be barriers to White Earth residents in general. Accessible housing for American Indian people with disabilities is another issue in itself. White Earth is working on the transportation barrier and presently has one van that runs during business hours. There are also issues surrounding day-care, poverty and all that goes with it. These concerns generally must be tackled prior to beginning work on the VR concerns. Employment remains a barrier requiring a great deal of advocacy and support. The 121 Project frequently collaborates with Options CIL. The 121 Project is too frequently viewed as an "emergency assistance program," and project staff often must advise prospective consumers that the services are for people with disabilities.

Lafriniere related an issue pertaining to a deaf consumer's "run in" with area police. No Miranda warning, and no paper was offered for communications. The deaf person was chained and shackled for an extended period of time. Lafriniere was able to intervene.

Housing Survey Report: Lori Zuehlke, Southwest Marketing Advisory Center , provided an overview of this recent SWCIL/MACIL/Southwestern State University housing study, which was conducted to determine the availability of accessible housing in six Minnesota counties. The study's methodology was explained. Please refer to the data report included in last month's mailing for additional information.

Committee Reports: Karen Larson, finance committee chair, reminded council members that non employee expense reports must be submitted within five business days after each meeting or SILC activity in which council members are requesting payments. She announced that the nursing home relocation grants for FFY 2006 will be awarded to SWCIL and CILNM. The council's general operating expenses to date are in excess of $26,500; this figure does not include the two-day May meeting expenses.

Roberta Cich reported for the advocacy and education committee. The committee is considering two future training topics: how to work with legislators, and Medicare prescription drug coverage -- something that few appear to understand. In connection with other SPIL objectives, the committee is planning a survey of the MN Centers to gather data on outreach efforts. These data may then be used to conduct the SPIL's "brainstorming sessions" with the Centers' directors, managers and staff. As to the SILC's web-site and fact sheets, it was noted that the Centers have links to numerous fact sheets, and the SILC's web-site should include verbiage referring people to the Centers' fact sheets.

Lois Johnson reported that the SPIL committee's annual consumer forums will be held at SEMCIL's Redwing satellite, at SMILES' New Ulm satellite, at CILNM's Duluth satellite, and at Freedom's main office. Dates for these forums have not yet been finalized. New SILC appointments are still being processed, and Johnson reminded council members to circulate applications to youth and diverse populations.

August 2005 Meeting: Lois Johnson announced that she would entertain a motion to conduct a SILC meeting on August eleventh. Ann Zick so moved, and Mark Eggen seconded. There was no discussion and the motion carried.

Visitor Comments: The SILC's visitor commented that he found this meeting interesting and that he learned a great deal.

Issues, Announcement, Correspondence: David Hancox discussed why he did not choose to serve as the SILC's CIL representative. In brief, he felt that the review process was too invasive.

Bryan Jensen reported that the letter to the NGA re the request for support of MiCASSA was completed. David Hancox read this letter to the full council, and the draft was approved by consensus. The letter will be submitted electronically to Bauer for printing on SILC letterhead. Bauer will obtain the chair's signature.

Phyllis Coppess, Lois Johnson and Larry Lura need new SILC manuals. These will be brought to the next meeting.

Karen Larson announced that two students residing in Rice County were denied DT and H services because these services are not "mandated services." DT and H services were included in both of these students' IEPs. Ann Henry, Disability Law Center, advises that DT and H services, for those requiring such services, must be specifically identified as necessary in a student's IEP; i.e., advocates must make certain that the IEP indicates precisely what the person needs. Discussion followed.

Ann Zick announced that the American Indian Mental Health Conference will be conducted on June 15-17 at Black Bear Casino. Zick commented that she would be attending this conference, but not as a representative of the SILC.

Mary Pennington reported on the recent ACT Conference, which she attended as a SILC representative.

Bryan Jensen discussed having a SILC booth at the State Fair. William Bauer will contact MNSCOD to request having the SILC's brochures at MNSCOD's State Fair booth. If required, Bryan Jensen, Mark Eggen and/or Ann Zick will staff the booth.

There was a discussion regarding the SPIL's "brainstorming" objective. It was determined that such discussion would be added to the agenda following this fiscal year's consumer forums.

Next Meeting, Adjournment: The next SILC meeting will be held on August 11, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Midway. The June meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.