Minutes for May 12/13, 2005

Meeting Location: Best Western Townhouse, Grand Forks

Present: Lois Johnson, Larry Lura, Barbara Chromy, Mary Pennington, Roberta Cich, Sharon Johnson, Bradley Westerlund, William Bauer, Bryan Jensen, Ann Zick, Linda Lingen, RoseAnn Faber, Gloria Lafriniere.

Absent: David Hancox (excused), Karen Larson (excused), Phyllis Coppess (excused), Mark Eggen (excused).

Guest: Randy Sorensen, Diane Mutchler, John Johnson, Miguel Cantu, Leticia Sanchez, Marvin "Moss" Tibbetts, Nathan Aalgaard.

TRAINING MEETING.

Call to Order, Introductions: The out-state meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Lois Johnson, SILC chair. Introductions of council members and guests followed.

Latino Cultural Awareness: Miguel Cantu, Workforce Development Coordinator, with Motivation, Education and Training, Inc., provided training on Latino /Hispanic culture. (Please refer to the attached documents to review Mr. Cantu's training session.) The training concluded with questions and answers.

Latino Families and Domestic Violence:  Leticia Sanchez, Coordinator and Supervisor, Hispanic Battered Women's and Children's Program provided the training for this session. (Please refer to the attached documents to review this training session.) Ms. Sanchez fielded questions at the conclusion of her training.

Visitors' Comments: Nathan Aalgaard; executive director, Freedom CIL; commented that his Center is committed to advocacy and consumer control; as is Options CIL. Mr. Aalgaard invited the SILC to conduct next year's out-state training in Moorhead.

Randy Sorensen; executive director, Options CIL; welcomed SILC members to the Grand Forks - East Grand forks area. He commented that the population was larger in this area in the early 1930's than it is at present. This drop in population is due to various changes in agricultural crops, mechanization, etc. The East Grand Forks - Grand Forks area's population is sparse, and spread cross a large geographical area. Mr. Sorensen is reviewing the addition of Bemidji to Option's service-area. As it stands, it takes roughly six hours to drive from one corner of Option's service-area to the other; Options' staff must spend a great deal of "windshield time" in the provision of IL services. Due to distance and the number of people employed by Options, much of what is provide is crisis intervention Sorensen noted.

Randy Sorensen commented on how written plans quickly be subjected to revision. All of Options' staff members must promote IL services and ensure that diverse populations are being served in addition to "Job One," which is IL service-delivery.

Nathan Aalgaard discussed the AT Conference, which was recently conducted in Fargo. Freedom CIL was one of the conference's sponsors, and the conference may become an annual event.

Moss Tibbetts announced that the White Earth 121 Project has served approximately 600 people. The project's counselors and staff are encountering many consumers with health and/or health care issues -- among which are addictions to prescription drugs because many American Indian people haven't the financial resources to get the surgeries or other procedures required to cure their illnesses. Tibbetts commented on the assistance Options CIL has provided to White Earth.

The ADA and Workplace Accommodations: Diane Mutchler, Rehabilitation Specialist with DEED's VR program, provided this training. Please refer to the attached training materials to review this training session. Ms. Mutchler concluded with questions and answers.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Call to Order: May's business meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Lois Johnson.

Approval of April 7, 2005 Minutes: Lois Johnson called for revisions to the April minutes. Ann Zick moved, Roberta Cich seconded, that the minutes be approved as written. There was no discussion and the motion carried.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Report: RoseAnn Faber reported that the last meeting of the SRCB was on April 7, 2005 . The council is in the process of revising the orientation manual. Committee structure is also being reviewed. The Senior Services Unit report was discussed. The proposed closure of RSA's regional offices, and WIA reauthorization were discussed. The next RSCB meeting will be held on June 9, 2005.

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.

State Rehabilitation Council Report: Lois Johnson reported that the SRC's by-laws committee is reviewing matters pertaining to alternative formats for SRC meetings. Johnson stated that she was opposed to the revisions currently on the table. She stated that there have also been issues surrounding visitor comments. Four SRCB members will be sent to an RSA conference in Chicago.

Issues, Announcement, Correspondence: Lois Johnson reminded SILC members that they cannot, under the auspices of the SILC, contact other organizations/agencies, or individuals without first obtaining authorization from the full council. This includes letters, telephone calls, facsimiles, e-mails, and visits. She warned that disciplinary action would be taken on those members failing to observe this rule.

Bryan Jensen announced his support of NCIL's "no stand" on WIA Plus. A heated discussion ensued. He also asked the chair to place on the agenda during an upcoming meeting the council's submittal of a 501 C (3) application. A lively discussion followed. The consensus appeared to be one of not supporting this change.

Linda Lingen announced that she met with Connie Lee Berg last evening, and that Connie sends her apologies for being unable to attend this out-state SILC meeting.

Next Meeting, Adjournment: The next SILC meeting will be held on June 9, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Midway, St. Paul . Ann Zick moved, Larry Lura seconded, that the meeting adjourn. The motion carried.