Meeting Minutes for November 18, 1999

Location:  Radisson Hotel, St. Paul

Present:  Roseann Faber, Judy Sanders, Rosemary Laberge, Rick Cardenas, Terry Graff, Bradley Westerlund, Bill Bauer, Carl Bryngelson, Rand Stenhjem, Cory Heit, Karen Larson, Lois Johnson, Ann Zick, Maureen Pranghofer, Sharon Johnson, Kim Rezek, Dick Davis, Mick Coleman.

Absent:  Joan Harris Stephan, Connie Lee Berg, Marty Bergland, Caryl Wattman, Cara Ruff, Laurie Weih, Cliff Miller.

Guests:  Pam Nachtigal, Melanie Fry,  Ted Siebert.

Call to Order:  The November 18, 1999 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions followed, and  Sharon Johnson, the newest member of the SILC, provided a brief biography.

Approval of October Minutes and November Agenda:  Lois stated that the call for a revision to the September 1999 minutes; as reported in the October minutes; was in error.  (This revision involved which individuals were designated by the Council to attend the SILC Congress, and the order of selection for the  alternates.  Discussion followed, with the approval of the October minutes being tabled.  As to agenda revisions for November, Mick's RSB Update had been moved to 9:00 a.m., but he was not yet present at 9:20.  Rand stated that Mick's report would be fit into the agenda upon his arrival. 

Announcements, Correspondence, Issues: Terry stated that his e-mail address was not correct in the current SILC address  list.  Terry's address is:  grafflaw@uswest.net  

Rand announced that MCIL was hosting a legislative committee meeting this morning.  David Hancox will be representing urban Centers, and Steve Thovson rural.  Rand asked if any SILC member would be interested in attending this meeting as the SILC representative.  Lois moved, Karen seconded, that Rand attend.  The motion carried.  Lois was appointed to serve  as Chair during Rand's absence.

State Rehabilitation Council Update:  Maureen began by sending her apologies to the SILC for missing the September and October meetings.  She reported that the October SRC meeting included a tour of the Hennepin County Workforce Center.  She expressed her concerns regarding the lack of accessibility to the WFC's computer technology  for people who are blind.  She reported that other arrangements could be made for people who are blind; e.g., readers; but such an accommodation requires that  an appointment be made.  The SRC discussed welfare-to-work issues; for example, many individuals participating in welfare-to-work programs have low math and reading skills, and/or  are people with depression, or have chemical dependencies.  As a result, many of these individuals with disabilities are being referred to VR.  Discussion followed regarding computer access at the Hennepin County WFC. 

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update:  Roseann reported that the SRCB has not met since the October SILC meeting.  The next SRCB meeting will be held on December fourth. 

Governor's Meeting with State Councils:  Rand reported that he was unable to attend the Governor's meeting, which was held on November fifteenth.  Judy attended as the SILC representative, and reported that Governor Ventura was present for a brief greeting.  The purpose of this meeting was to gather representatives from all of the councils in the state to discuss how the various councils could work toward attaining the goals established in "The Big Plan;" specifically, the Big Plan's goal of self-sufficiency.  A representative from each of the councils provided an overview of his/her council's duties/responsibilities, and how s/he envisioned her/his council working on self-sufficiency.  Commissioners from the Departments of Health and Human Services served as facilitators. 

FFY 1999 704 Report:  Bill reminded the Council that the state's annual report on IL was due in D.C. on January 15.  (Please Note:  Since the November 18 SILC meeting, RSA extended the 704 deadline to January 31, 2000, with 723 state aggregate reports due on February 15.)  Bill advised the Council that he was working on the report's narrative, and the gathering data.  Lois stated that she would be preparing a report on the SPIL's Attachment Nine goals and objectives. 

A discussion followed regarding the lack of affordable housing for people with disabilities.  Ann, Lois, Terry and Karen led this discussion.

Rehabilitation Services Branch Update:  Mick briefly discussed the reorganization of MDES.  Mick has been promoted to the newly-created Assistant Deputy Commissioner position. The various WFC partners (Rehabilitation Services, SSB, Job Service, etc.) will still have assistant commissioners, and  Howard Glad will be the new RSB Assistant Commissioner.  Mick stated that IL would remain in the Rehabilitation Services Branch.  Mick briefly commented on the lay-offs in Jobs Service and Unemployment Insurance - 128 people received notices.  Federal unemployment tax dollars fund JS/UI with only forty-seven cents on the dollar being returned to Minnesota for these employment programs.  Irrespective of the record low unemployment in the state, there are presently 114,000 UI claims, which is only one percent less than claims filed at the height of the last recession.  Mick stated that as a result of the JS/UI lay-offs, there may be some "bumping," but that this would effect only Rehab Service's  support staff.  He added that most of the lay-offs will be at 390.

Cory asked Mick about the access issue at Workforce Centers for people who are blind.  Dick Davis replied that the problem initially encountered involved the Department of Labor's software, which  was not accessible to speech.  A task force was established to study this problem, and "Zoom Text Extra" was installed at the WFC's, since "Jaws for Windows" would not work with the DOL's software.  Dick discussed "Job Line" which provides telephone access to the job bank.  ADA and state laws violations were discussed, and Dick stated that it was time to once again look at this access issue.  A discussion followed on the matter of Job Line usage - the low number of users would doubtless be reversed due to changes in the system.  Terry asked about Internet access at WFC's and discussion followed.  It was also discussed that the strong job market has not resulted in more people with disabilities becoming employed, due to attitudinal barriers. 

State Services for the Blind Update:  Dick reported that as of November first, an additional 100 consumers were removed from "order of selection."  Dick explained that order of selection is the only method of controlling Rehab expenditures.  Dick briefly described the order of selection categories, then stated that those in the second category may come off of OOS on January first, and those in the third category may come off on March first.  Dick reported that some new software allows for better projections on consumers and expenditures.  Dick reported that the Feds are considering a fifteen million dollar budget for the Older Blind program,  which is a small amount in relation to the number of people requiring services. 

Cory asked about the consumer needs survey, and Dick stated that, to date, nothing has happened with this project.  Cory will follow-up via e-mail.  Dick's e-mail address is: ddavis@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us

Cultural Diversification Project:  Rand introduced Melanie Fry, a marketing consultant and writer who is presently contracting with the Department of Children, Families and Learning to develop a  curriculum, as mandated by the state legislature,  regarding diversity.  One of the areas on which this curriculum will focus is child care providers.  This is a particularly critical area in that children have developed their self-esteem and  perceptions of difference by the age of six; thus, child care providers have a venue to discuss "difference."  Disability concepts, culture, and disability awareness/sensitivity are woven throughout this curriculum.  The curriculum, to date, has received strong support in the disability community, and Melanie would like a letter of support from the SILC.  Discussion followed and Melanie fielded numerous questions.  Cory moved, Maureen seconded, that the provision of a SILC support letter be tabled until the December meeting, in order for all Council members to have the opportunity to review the curriculum.  The motion carried. 

Minnesota Work Incentives Project:  Anita Boucher and Kris Koukari  provided an overview of the project, and progress to date.  Minnesota  received one of the twelve SSA grants for assisting people with disabilities to work through the maize of rules, as well as the potential gains or losses in returning to work.  This project provides a central information source.  The project is presently involved in a great deal of information and referral assistance, as well as problem-solving and research.  In addition, training sessions are offered on work incentives.  Risk-analyses with consumers is forthcoming.  This is a statewide project that is working with all disability groups, which makes this project unique from the other grantees.  A presentation on amendments to the Medical Assistance program was also  provided.  Kris and Anita fielded numerous questions from the Council.

Committee Reports:  Cory, Chair of Finance, reported that the two new grant contracts  awarded to SMILES and MCIL have not yet been mailed due to the Congressional budget battle.  Cory reported that the Finance Committee reviewed and recommended the award of the following grants:  A $5000 MACIL travel grant; second, a letter will be submitted to the President of MACIL to determine which of the four Centers (SMILES, Options, Freedom and SEMCIL) who have not yet received a $15,000 ramp project contract would be willing to receive the next award; and two $15,000 awards for the provision of IL case services to the states two 121 Projects - Red Lake and White Earth.  Lois moved, Sharon seconded, that Red Lake and White Earth each receive $15,000 for the provision of IL case services.  Discussion followed, and the motion carried.  Cory moved, Rosemary seconded, that a grant of $5000 be awarded to MACIL for travel expenditures.  The motion carried. Bill will send a notice to Kim Breznik regarding MACIL's determination of the next ramp project site.

Rosemary reported for the Education Committee.  As to the two day out-state training to be conducted in February, an SSA representative has been scheduled to report on birth to age fifteen services; a SMILES staff member will provide a presentation on the services available at the Center; representatives from Children, Families and Learning as well as the Department of Human Services are being sought for presentations; and ACT will provide a slide show on the history of people with disabilities over the past 250 years.  The dates of this training are  February eleventh and twelfth.  No speaker will be scheduled for the December SILC meeting.

Maureen, Terry and Brad reported for the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee.  Web site links are continuing to be compiled.  Brad will be meeting with the design tech on the first of December.  It was reported that Marty met with the CIL Directors on November seventeenth to complete the questionnaire. Maureen and Brad will be checking the accessibility of the links gathered to date. 

Lois, Chair of the SPIL Committee, reported that the final compilation of the hearing minutes may not be completed by the next meeting.  Findings to date indicate that transportation and housing continue to be the greatest issues among Minnesotans with disabilities. 

Cory provided a task force update.  Members are coming to some conclusions on some of the issues.  For the new members, Cory gave an overview of the task force's assignment.  MACIL will be submitting a written proposal regarding funding distribution that focuses on geography, population, outcomes, and fund development.  The date of the next task force meeting will be December 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton.

Announcements:  Karen, Rice County ARC President, reported that two ARC chapters nationally were dropped from the ARC registry for not supporting the Olmstead matter.  In fact, these two chapters; one in Chicago and one in Sacramento; signed the National Governor's Association amicus brief.  Karen also reported that the Faribault RTCC cemetery now has 180 stones in place.  This triumph received front page coverage in the Star Tribune, the Faribault Daily News, and Access Press. 

Cory discussed hunting licenses for people with disabilities.  The Department of Natural Resources is considering  the relaxation of eligibility   criteria. 

Next Meting, Adjournment:  The next meeting of the SILC will be on December 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.  The November 18 meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.