Minutes for May 10, 2001

Location:  Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.

Present:  Connie Lee Berg, Rand Stenhjem, Cory Heit, Roseann Faber, Joe Ascheman, Lois Johnson, Karen Larson, Sharon Johnson, Linda Lingin, Bill Bauer, Kim Rezek, Brad Westerlund, Brian Jenson, Janeice Duffy, Ann Zick, Cara Ruff, Hulet Sherry, Mary Pennington. 

Absent:  Terry Graff (excused), Rosemary Leberge (excused), Phyllis Coppess (excused), Rick Cardenis (excused).

Guests:  Candi, Claudia (ASL Interpreters), Candi PCA, Ted Seybert, Steve Thovson, Jay Johnson, Dave Hancox. 

Call to Order:  The may 10, 2001 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Connie Lee Berg, Chair.  Introductions of members and guests followed.

Approval of May Agenda and March Minutes: Barbara Yates on the restructuring, discussion on the SPIL public hearing, Sharon Johnson on comments from Duluth consumers, and the nomination of a Minnesota advocate were added to the agenda.  The revised agenda was approved by consensus.

A discussion on the letter of support for MACIL’s legislative plan followed.  Connie expressed her apologies, and Cara offered her assistance in drafting this letter.  It was recommended that the SILC needs to be advised in the future if time is of the essence for letters of support and other matters.  It was further recommended that the Council designate an individual/s to draft such letters in the future. 

A discussion followed on the nursing home letter.  Connie and Hulett will meet on this matter prior to Connie drafting this correspondence.  Hulet reported that she is now in her own apartment. 

It was moved and seconded that the March minutes be approved as written.  The motion carried. 

Visitors’ Comments:  There were no comments. 

121 Project Update:  Connie reported that she has been collaborating with Ann Zick for the SILC’s outstate training in June. 

Development Associates recently completed an evaluation of the Red Lake 121 Project.  The reviewers were particularly interested in Red Lake’s networking activities with various state agencies.  The evaluation report was favorable.

Connie reported that she attended one Center’s strategic planning session, and another Center’s open house. 

 The Red Lake tribal Council developed a task force to study the gaps between VR and IL services.  Connie will be providing additional training for the task force members, in addition to the training provided by the Work Incentives Connection. Sharon volunteered to serve on the Red Lake task force.  Connie  expressed her appreciation and accepted Sharon’s offer. 

Memorial Service:  The public is invited to a memorial service for Charlie Smith, who recently lost his battle with cancer.  Charlie was editor and publisher of the Access Press.  The service will be conducted at the Phalen Park Pavilion, St. Paul, on June 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

SRCB Update:  Roseann reported on the April 7 meeting of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.  A telephone poll of SSB staff had been conducted on the matter of the Department’s restructuring.  Barb Yates attended the April 7 meeting.  The SRCB members, with Yates’ assistance, will be considering the pros and cons of other state departments.  Roseann reported that the SRCB conducted elections for the Chair and Vice Chair positions.  The next SRCB meeting will be held on June 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at State Services for the Blind. 

MACIL Update:  Cara reported on the activities of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living.  Cara reported that MACIL’s request for an additional $436,000 was presently $50,000 in both the house and senate.  In that this was an unpredictable year, Cara stated that the directors were pleased with what they could get.  In accordance with the SPIL, any new state funds will be distributed equally between SMILES and Freedom CILs.  

An intern from Ireland will be working this summer at SEMCIL, SWCIL and MCIL.  This individual will be arriving in June, and returning home in September. 

Reminder:  In that a brochure was distributed that had not been formatted, all present were reminded that no print materials may be distributed and discussed at SILC meetings without first being formatted for simultaneous reading by SILC members who are blind.  This policy is clearly stated in the Council’s by-laws, and shall be strictly enforced. 

Restructuring:  Barbara Yates; Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Children, Families and Learning; reported on behalf of the Governor’s transition team for the merger of the Department of Trade and Economic Development and the Department of Economic Security. Barbara stated that she will be meeting with all of the “advisory councils” for their input on where the RSB and SSB disability-related programs (Vocational Rehabilitation,Independent Living, Extended Employment) should be placed.  There are presently two restructuring bills -  a house and a senate version.  Barbara stated that since she’s had prior experience in creating a new department, she’s aware of the issues.  A discussion of the two bills followed.  The house version creates the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Employment Training, while the senate version creates the Department of Employment and Workforce Development.  Of note between these two bills, the Senate version places all of the disability programs under one assistant commissioner, while the House version has separate assistant commissioners for RSB and SSB.  Barbara stated that finding consensus on this matter is going to be a problem.  Barbara felt that Senator Johnson’s bill, which would create a new department consisting of all of the disability programs, is still a possibility and comments from the various councils supporting this approach would be positive.  Barbara added that there was no aversion to the creation of such a department, but would require the disability community and service-providers to show some “strong reasons” for creating a separate department. 

Rand asked for an explanation of how the various councils would voice their opinions.  Barbara replied that this was still being devised.

Barbara is scheduled to again speak with the SILC during the August meeting.   

SPIL Updates:  Bill recommended that the mandatory public hearing for the FFY 2002-2004 SPIL be held on June 18, 2001 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the MDES annex.  Bill advised SILC members that interested parties could both phone and e-mail their comments to him prior to the June 18 hearing.  Cory moved, Rand seconded, that the SPIL public hearing be held on June 18 from one to three p.m. in the annex.  There was no further discussion, and the motion carried. 

SPIL Reports:  Rand asked SILC members if everyone had read the draft SPIL, and for comments.  Cara commented on the language on number six of page twenty-four.  It was discussed that the wording would be revised to state that no CIL would exceed the $500,000 base-funding level until all Centers had reached the base-funding level.  This language will be repeated on number three on page twenty-five.  Rand commented that after all Centers had reached base-funding, any new funds would be utilized to start a new Center, or satellite.  A discussion followed on the distinction between a “branch” and a “satellite.”  Bill will research this matter, and apply the appropriate term to the SPIL. 

Rand asked Finance Committee members if they were comfortable with the figures reported in the proposed SPIL.  Cory stated that he was comfortable with them, and that they were correct to the best of his knowledge.  Rand asked Connie if all committee chairs could validate their objectives, after which the full Council could vote on approving the draft SPIL.  Discussion followed, and it was suggested that the Executive Committee be given the authority to amend the SPIL after the public hearing. 

Rand then commented on the SILC 2001 Resolutions.  There were seventeen approved resolutions ranging from Center and SILC support to transportation, housing, and advocacy.  Connie asked if all of these resolutions were covered in the draft SPIL, and Rand replied that they were.  Karen requested a copy of these resolutions, and Bill agreed to e-mail her a copy. 

Announcements, Correspondence, Issues:  Sharon discussed the IL issues in Duluth on behalf of Valerie LaPorte.  The lack of affordable, accessible housing is an issue in Duluth; more specifically, there is no enforcement of existing rules.  In addition, older individuals and people with disabilities living in the same high-rise buildings appears to be problematic.  The second issue is Transportation.  Duluth Transit Authority has done some positive things; e.g., as busses are replaced, the new vehicles are lift-equipped.  The final issue is personal assistance services; specifically, attendants are underpaid and insufficient numbers of people are seeking this type of employment.  There are also some instances of abuse, inappropriate billing practices and procedures, and customers having to take whomever they can get.  Finally, some people with disabilities in the Duluth area feel that their issues and concerns are not being heard, and that emphasis is placed on the concerns of people with disabilities residing in the Twin Cities. 

Connie announced that she and Bill participated in a Region V telephone conference in April concerning the 2002 SILC Congress. Connie requested that the minutes reflect her appreciation of Bill’s “outstanding” handle on the issues and his comments and recommendations for next year’s SILC Congress. 

Brian requested the SILC’s approval to participate in the upcoming “self-determination” workshop to be held in Duluth.  Cory moved, Rand seconded, that the SILC reimburse the travel expenses of those SILC members participating in these workshops.  There was no discussion, and the motion carried. 

Karen announced that ACT (Advocating for Change Together) is conducting a “common vision” workshop this month at Treasure Island Casino.  Rick asked Karen to request that the SILC sponsor a SILC member to participate. No motion was made for this training. 

Karen also announced that she has been providing training at a Minnesota college on Developmental Disabilities to special ed majors.  Karen commented that most people still do not understand what people with disabilities are all about, because initially these students are fearful of her son.  Karen reported that her training teaches these students that they, as teachers, can integrate people with Developmental Disabilities.  Karen asked for any points surrounding disability that Council members would like her to make during these trainings. 

Rand moved, karen seconded, that at the Chair’s discretion, SILC members can check-out and utilize, for SILC business, the Council’s lap top.  The motion carried, with one abstention.  The only discussion point was that SILC members must make arrangements directly through Bill. 

“Minnesota Advocate” Nomination:  Bill outline the need for an individual, who will be trained at the expense of the Health Care Finance Agency (HCFA), to serve as the state’s advocate on Olmstead matters.  Karen moved, Hulet seconded, that the SILC provide a recommendation for Melanie Fry’s application.  The motion carried without further discussion.  Bill will provide the full Council copies of the completed application. 

Bill reported on his follow-up on the “Real Choice” grants that will be awarded to each state.  He reported that he contacted the granting authority, and was advised that the SILC must first be designated by the Governor as the recipient.  The Governor had named the Department of Human Services as grantee for Minnesota. 

SRC Update:  Lois reported on the activities of the State Rehabilitation Council.  There have been two meetings since the March SILC meeting.  The first SRC meeting discussed the Department’s restructuring, and how the SRC would approach this matter.  It was determined that the SRC would conduct three sessions with a facilitator.  The second meeting focused on the strengths of the SRC, and what outcome the Council would like.  Lois reported that the SRC requested information on all of the departments into which VR could be placed. 

SILC Approach to Restructuring:  Rand moved, Karen seconded, that the SILC form a task-force to explore the various options, to determine if a facilitator or some other approach is necessary, and to gather and disseminate information for reaching the SILC’s position on the MDES restructuring.  The motion carried.  Connie next requested task-force volunteers.  Cory, Lois, Karen, Rand, Sharon, Brian, Bill and Connie volunteered.  Connie will determine which of these volunteers will serve on the task-force.   

Committee Reports:  Ann reported for the Education Committee.  Members of this committee were basically satisfied with the draft SPIL objectives.  In objective two, letter “E,” drop the word “each” and change the target date to quarterly.  In objective two, letter “G,” add the word “annual” between the words “one” and “statewide.”  Create an action step “H,” by adding, “advocate and support all efforts to move funding from nursing institutions to home and community care options.” 

Ann also provided an update on the two day out-state training on June fourteenth and fifteenth.  The Thursday session will include the Red Lake Workforce Center, Vr services for people with severe or persistent mental illness, the Red Lake transportation system, presentations on the “invisible” disabilities of diabetes, epilepsy and fibromyalgia.  The second day will be a business meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn and concluding at noon. 

Ann also reported that the Centers for IL will begin providing individualized reports to the SILC in August. 

Cory reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the SPIL objectives.  An RFP will be developed for FFY 2002 to conduct a statewide “universal housing” conference for architects, contractors, other housing professionals, and consumers.  A second RFP for FFY 2002 will be developed for proposals concerning PAS outreach and advocacy.  The universal housing grant will be for $25,000, and the PAS grant for $40,000. 

Rand reported for the SPIL Committee.  It was agreed by the committee and RSB IL section staff that the language in objective five (definition of the grant review process) would be described in detail in a revised “MDES-SILC Administrative Agreement.”  The language in objective five will be amended to reflect this change in the review process. 

SPIL Approval:  Sharon moved, Rand seconded, that the SILC approve the SPIL as written, with the understanding that the Executive Committee is granted the authority to revise the SPIL based on Executive Committee and DSU-approved recommendations from the public hearings and the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living.  There was no further discussion, and the motion carried. 

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next SILC meeting will be on June 14-15.  The June fourteenth session will be held at Red Lake, and the June fifteenth business meeting will be conducted at the Bemidji Holiday Inn.  The May tenth meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.