Minutes for October 14, 1999

Location:  Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Rand Stenhjem, Lois Johnson, Karen Larson, Marty Bergland, Cara Ruff, Rosemary Laberge, RoseAnn Faber, Rick Cardenas, Ann Zick, Cory Heit, Judy Sanders, Bill Bauer, Carl Bryngelson, Kim Rezek, Dick Davis, Mick Coleman.

Absent:  Maureen Pranghofer, Connie Lee Berg, Terry Graff, Joan Harris Stephan, Sharon Johnson, Caryl Wattman, Cliff Miller.

Guests:  David Hancox, Ted Siebert, Jay Johnson.

Call to Order:  The October 14 meeting of the SILC was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Rand Stenhjem, Chair.  Introductions followed, including a welcome to Ann Zick who is the new ex officio member representing the Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Council.  Rand announced that the SILC had an additional two new members - Sharon Johnson and Caryl Wattman, who are replacing Barbara Knowlen and Dale Polton.  Both of these new members received their appointment letters one week prior to the October meeting and were unable to adjust their schedules to attend today's meeting. 

Approval of September Minutes and October Agenda:  Cory commented that the September minutes should designate Cara as the first alternate followed by Lois and Karen, for the January 2000 SILC Congress.  It was also mentioned that the words "she will be" should be dropped from the 121 Project Update.  The minutes were approved as revised. Mick's RSB report was moved, and the October agenda was approved as revised. 

State Rehabilitation Council Update:  There was no SRC update due to Maureen's absence.

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update:  RoseAnn reported that the October SRCB meeting included a planning exercise to review and/or revise committee responsibilities.  A consultant was provided to facilitate these exercises.  The various annual reports submitted by SSB were also discussed.  SRCB's technology committee will be conducting a survey to prepare a registry of tech providers.

SILC Manual - New Edition:  Rand reported that he met with Bill and Brad to review existing manual documents / materials.  There will be a number of revisions, and the new manual should be distributed to all SILC members soon. 

SILC Committee Goals/Objectives:  Rand announced that he reviewed SPIL Attachment Nine and found several matters that needed to be tackled by the various standing committees.  He reported that Education, Finance and Advocacy have some work to complete.  He provided an updated committee member roster, which included:  Cory, Karen, Rick, and Connie for the Finance Committee; Cara will be serving on both the Advocacy and Collaboration Committees and the Attachment Fourteen Task Force; Ann will be serving on the Education Committee.  Rand stated that he would meet with RoseAnn to discuss her committee options.  Rand provided a summary of the various committees' "action steps" (objectives) for Ann and RoseAnn. 

Proclamation:  October is employment of people with disabilities awareness month, and Governor Ventura signed a proclamation to that effect.  Copies of the proclamation were provided to all Council members, and discussion followed.

State Services for the Blind Update:  Dick reported that the SSB budget for year 2000 is nearing completion.  He announced that SSB will be going completely off of "order of selection" by March first.  Dick thanked all of those who assisted SSB through the temporary budget crisis. 

Dick reported that he and four other SSB staff members will soon be relocating their offices to 390 N. Robert.  Dick said this move will provide opportunities to more closely work with Workforce Center partners.  In response to a question, Dick said that he would work very hard to maintain contact with staff who are providing services.  Dick and his staff will temporarily have office space on the third floor of 390 prior to being permanently located on the fifth floor. 

Dick estimated that SSB's closures for this year would be 141, which is slightly higher than last year's.  He stated that the number of closures may drop in the next few years due to a reduction in applications for services during order of selection. 

Dick reported that one of the SRCB's objectives for the year was to consider the need for a statewide survey/assessment of people who are blind or visually impaired.  He commented that this is a major undertaking, which could cost approximately $250,000 or more.  As a result, discussions began concerning a joint survey including SSB, RSB, SRC, SILC and other organizations providing services to people with disabilities.  Meetings will be scheduled with prospective partners to determine their interest in participating, and what data/information they would want from such a survey.  A task force will be formed consisting of the partners in this survey.  A "straw proposal" would then be drafted to search for funding resources.  Dick stated that he felt that this kind of a survey was long overdue.  In response to a question, Dick stated that one of his staff has been reviewing survey instruments from other states to avoid "reinventing the wheel."  Rand commented that the current SPIL discusses the need for such a survey. 

Discussion followed on order of selection, which Dick explained for the benefit of new Council members.  He commented that order of selection is the only way the Feds permit his organization to control expenditures. 

Cory asked how many people are receiving VR services from SSB, and Dick stated the number was approximately 2200.  IL consumers number approximately 3000.  Dick added that SSB also has a self-care program, and a child rehabilitation program. 

Dick asked if the SILC would like to send a representative to the survey task force.  Discussion followed, which included the legislature's concerns surrounding the lack of disability data, and one legislator stating that he would support one-time funding for such a study.  Rand asked for a volunteer to serve on the survey task force.  Cory volunteered.  Marty asked for a time line on this study, and Dick replied that an optimistic completion date would be sometime this summer; but that's with a number of presumptions, such as funding.  He added that if it became necessary to approach the legislature, nine months would need to be added to the target date.  Discussion followed.  Dick commented that some powerful data could be obtained from this survey; e.g., how many people would benefit from IL services in relation to the number of people Centers are presently able to serve. 

Committee Reports:  Marty, Chair of the Advocacy and Collaboration Committee, reported that the SPIL's web site objective is moving forward.  Brad will be meeting with a design specialist next week.  Terry has gathered legal sites, Marty has gathered numerous other disability-related sites.  She stated that she is awaiting information from the eight Centers, and she has asked Bill to contact MACIL .  A mini questionnaire has been drafted for the Centers' Directors.

Marty provided a progress report on the SPIL's action steps designated for her committee.  Progress on American Indian outreach is underway through Marty's research.  Accessibility-related action steps are either completed or underway.  SILC and MACIL collaborations are ongoing.  Outreach and support for older individuals is one action step requiring additional work.  Support of legislation is ongoing. 

Rosemary reported for the Education Committee.  She stated that the committee is looking at the Social Security Administration as a prospective funding resource for a childrens' (ages birth to fourteen) services training seminar.  The committee is still seeking a person to provide training to the SILC on hidden disabilities. Rosemary stated that a date and place for the annual two day SILC training has not yet been established.  Mankato was recommended as a site for the next out-state meeting. It was also recommended that one hour trainings be provided at each regular SILC meeting.  It was reported that changes in the Medical Assistance program was under consideration as a training topic. 

Cory, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported that the 1998 carry-over was approximately $15,800.  The 1999 carry-over will not be available until the November meeting, presuming that all financial status reports are received in a timely manner.

Regarding SPIL action steps, Cory reported that objective 2 has been accomplished through the current travel grant and the task force.  Objective 6, action step A is a bit behind schedule, but it is anticipated that a concrete figure will be available next month.  Action Step B has been compiled.  Action Step C is completed.  No decision has been reached to date for a FFY 2000 MACIL travel grant. 

Lois, Chair of the SPIL Committee, stated that Terry's public hearing report was received, and Connie's was submitted today.  Cory's public hearing minutes are expected to arrive on October 18.  Lois' public hearing minutes were also completed. 

Visitors' Comments:  Jay Johnson provided his opinions on the SILC's non renewable (one year) Part B grants.  Feeling that single year grants for minority outreach through the provision of IL core-services is not good, he requested the SILC to consider offering grants for something other than the provision of direct services.  He further expressed his dissatisfaction with the Finance Committee's practice of reviewing proposals and making recommendations to the full Council without all Council members first having an opportunity to read each application's abstract.  Jay commented on the SILC's participation on the needs survey task force.  It was his opinion that the SILC should provide funding to the Centers for such a survey.  According to Jay, as little as $500 per Center; to provide Center staff training; would be required to conduct these statewide surveys.  Furthermore, if the Centers conducted their own survey, data consistency would be ensured.  Rand recommended that Jay read the SPIL to better understand the Finance Committee's roles and responsibilities in the Part B grants process.  Karen advised Jay of the time commitment required of the reviewers for the RFP process.  She also informed Jay that the same criteria, which were taken from the RFP, were utilized in the scoring of all applications.  Karen added that she would have liked to have made fifteen grant awards, as opposed to only two.  Lois added that the intent was to provide start-up funds only, and that there were numerous other organizations requiring funds to initiate new programs. 

David Hancox provided the SILC with an update on the Hmong outreach grant.  A new staff member was recruited and hired five weeks ago to provide these outreach services.  This staff member is currently building networks, handling public relations, and building disability pride, which is a wholly foreign concept to the Hmong culture.  Dave reported that the grant is progressing at a pace acceptable to him. 

As to the Latino/Chicano outreach grant, Dave stated that an advertisement was run to recruit personnel, and that the interview process will begin on October fifteenth. 

Dave reported that, in mid November, the House Economic/Finance Committee will be conducting its regular meeting at MCIL. 

Rand asked Dave if he felt there would be sufficient interest in the Hmong community to continue MCIL's outreach project.  Dave replied that he would be seeking continuation funding from the Hmong community, among other potential resources.

Rehabilitation Services Branch Update:  Mick provided an overview of the Governor's "Big Plan" components released to date.  He stated that the governor's concerns surrounding self-sufficiency and a healthy, viable workforce had a great deal in common with IL, which will provide windows of opportunity for the centers to work together with the Governor.  The "Big Plan" can be found on the Governor's web-site.

He then commented on meetings pertaining to funding distribution.  Matters under consideration include what are Minnesota's Centers doing?, how do Minnesota's Centers compare with other states?, how do the various Centers in Minnesota measure performance? 

Mick was asked if he had heard, that all state services for people with disabilities would be moved to the Department of Human Services.  Mick stated that he had not heard anything to that effect.

Cory asked Mick about monthly operating budget reports for the SILC.  Mick stated that he would see to it that such reports were provided to the SILC.

Task Force Update:  Cory commented that there were a great number of opinions aired during last evening's meeting, but that he felt that a consensus would soon be reached.  He briefly explained the task force's responsibilities to Ann.  He stated that the next meeting will be on November seventeenth, from six to nine p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul.  It was recommended that the number of participants, and opportunities to comment, be limited. 

Out-State Meeting Date:  Numerous dates were discussed and rejected.  The meeting will be conducted in Mankato on February eleventh and twelfth. 

Announcements, Correspondence, Issues:  Karen announced that she attended the ARC State Convention, which started on October first in Bemidji.  Karen provided an overview of the workshops offered, and stated that she was highly impressed with several of the presentations.  She also summarized the awards and award winners who included Charlie Smith (Access Press) and ARC of Rice County .  Karen expressed her pleasure in the high number of young adults in attendance, and read a poem regarding dreams. 

ACT (Advocating for Change Together) will be conducting a conference titled, "Moving Advocacy to the Next Generation."  The conference will be held on October 22-23 at the Holiday Inn Select, Bloomington.  Contact Rick for additional information.

Karen reported that "Remembering with Dignity" will be placing the first stones at the Faribault West Cemetery on October twenty-ninth. No specific time for this ceremony was available on the date of this SILC meeting. 

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next meeting of the SILC will be November 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul.  The October meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.