Minutes for October 17, 2002

Meeting Location:  Four Points Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:   Connie lee Berg, Cory Heit, Ann Zick, Mary Pennington, Brad Westerlund, Bill Bauer, Clarence Jones, Lois Johnson, Janiece Duffy, Roseann Faber, Bryan Jensen, David Hancox.

Absent:  Karen Larson (excused), Mark Eggen (excused), Phyllis Coppess (excused), Sharon Johnson (excused).

Guests:  Ted Seibert.

Call to Order:  The October 17, 2002 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Connie Lee Berg, SILC Chair.  Introductions followed. 

Approval of September Minutes and October Agenda:  There were no revisions to the September minutes, and they were approved as written by consensus.  Additions to the October agenda included announcements on issues by the Chair, and a report on the 2002 704 Part I report by Bill.  The revised October agenda was approved by consensus. 

Announcements from the SILC Chair:  Connie announced that a council member raised a question concerning a review of the SILC-MDES administrative agreement.  Connie stated that this agreement remains in effect, and will soon be reviewed by she, Cory, Lois, Karen, Bill and Linda will review the current agreement, and if there are revisions, the proposed changes will be brought before the full council. 

A question was also raised regarding the nomination and election of SILC officers.  Discussion followed, and the matter was tabled until the December meeting. 

State Rehabilitation Council Update:  Lois reported that the SRC would be meeting in White Earth on October twenty-third. 

Lois commented on VR’s move to “order of selection.”  All SILC members received a copy of Howard Glad’s memo on this matter.  Connie reported that the Red Lake 121 Project is not on order of selection. 

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Update:  Roseann reported the SRCB met on October fifth, during which Bonnie Elsey provided an overview of the past fiscal year.  State Services for the Blind had roughly 180 placements during FFY 2002, with an average wage of thirteen dollars.  There was a discussion on alternative funding sources for the Communications Center to save consumer service dollars.  There will be a number of public hearings on this topic.  Roseann reported that both stores are now open; one store is located at 2200 University Avenue – two doors down from SSB – the other store is located at 1956 University Avenue.  The next SRCB meeting will be on December seventh.

Developmental Disabilities Council Update:  Ann announced that the DD Council has compiled several leadership stories, and this publication can be obtained after January 1, 2003 by phoning (877) 348-0505, or can be ordered after January 1 on-line at: www.mnddc.org

Components of the “Partners in Policy-making” courses can soon be taken on-line.  “Making Your Case” is now offered via e-learning.  In the future, all Partners classes will be offered on-line. 

Minnesota health care was an agenda item at the last DD Council meeting, and speakers discussed several areas on this topic; e.g., North Dakota pays eighty-eight cents on the dollar for dental care, while Minnesota pays fifty-six cents.  The Minnesota rules now require dentists taking Minnesota State employees as patients must also accept those on Medical Assistance.  Other health care topics discussed included consumer directed community support, and exceptions for working parents. 

There were discussions on the upcoming legislative session and the state’s deficit, which is estimated to be somewhere between two and four billion dollars.  State agencies are being asked to submit budgets with cuts of ten to fifteen percent.  There are numerous other programs/services that may be significantly reduced or eliminated altogether.  Ann reminded SILC members to talk with their representatives and determine their positions on the deficit issue.  Questions, answers and discussions followed.

MACIL Update:  David reported that the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living would be waiting until after the November elections to conduct MACIL’s annual planning retreat.  There will be numerous new legislators next year, and there will be a need for a great deal of “educating.”  MACIL’s strategy is to be visible, but to keep their heads down.  The retreat will occur sometime in November or December. 

Dave reported that the CMS $400,000 grant is now in place.  An overview of this grant’s goals has been provided during past SILC meetings. 

Options CIL will be serving as the fiscal agent for the “211” SYSTEM GRANT.  All eight Minnesota centers will be the initial contact for all disability-related information and referral.  Grant dollars have been budgeted for additional staff and telephone system upgrades.  This is a two year grant that started on October 1, 2002.  Plans are for the “211” system to be up and running by January first.  The grant also provides funds for the Centers to purchase software that will permit CIL staff to access the state’s One Stop Operating System (OSOS).  Connie asked Dave if tribal information will be part of the “211” system.  David stated that he would check on this and get back to her. 

IL Needs Survey Update:  Steve summarized what was decided during the September SILC meeting regarding the IL needs survey.  The survey is now in the planning stages, and the first step was to work with a "brainstorming group" to identify statewide IL needs.  The “brainstorming” group consisted of Center directors and other disability service-providers.  During the first session with the group, over 100 needs were identified.  Prior to the second and final meeting of the group, the needs were divided into twelve categories.  Sub categories for the group for the second meeting identified these needs.  On the average, we will have eight minutes for each survey.  During the second meeting of the group, it was noticed that there were trends in all the identified categories in the areas of information, access, and consumer control.  The categories were then streamlined to include housing, transportation, health care, assistive technology, employment, education and training, and recreation.  Demographic questions such as age, disability, city, gender, education, employed/unemployed, whether the consumer is receiving SSDI/SSI benefits, and living status will be asked at the conclusion of each survey.  The survey will also attempt to determine the importance of each of the seven categories to the consumer, and does the consumer utilize the resources available in each category; i.e., theoretical and practical.  At most in the time allowed for each survey, there will be eight demographic and forty-two survey questions.  In response to a question, Steve stated that the approach in developing the survey questions would be to get input/recommendations from as many people as possible.  Once this is accomplished, the University’s survey team will provide their input on the survey questions.  The questions will then be “pilot tested.” 

Questions and answers followed.  The SILC was advised that utilizing a “similar response” system for the questions so that surveyors will not have to continually repeat response options.  This approach will save time.  Steve reiterated that receiving input from numerous consumers, service-providers and stakeholders is essential to a successful survey.  It is projected that the survey will be conducted in March 2003. 

SILC Web-site:  Brad announced that there have been several additions to the SILC web-site, which include SILC minutes, by-laws, the current SPIL, 704 Part 1 reports, and numerous links.  Brad asked all council members to go to the site at mnsilc.org.  The names only of SILC members are on the site; i.e., no addresses or phone numbers.

Visitor Comments:  There were no comments. 

SILC Congress 2003:  Bill provided a summary of the 2003 SILC Congress agenda.  He reminded council members that the Governor’s Executive Order pertaining to out-of-state travel would still be in effect on the dates of tie 2003 congress.  Cory reported that he has been in contact with other states that are not sending representatives in 2003.  Discussion followed.  Bryan raised the issue of the council being an independent entity that is not subject to an executive order.  Cory reminded Bryan that this will be a difficult year for IL given the state’s deficit, and there are matters surrounding perception and willfully disobeying a gubernatorial directive; either of those two could have repercussions on IL programs, services and consumers.  Cory moved, Lois seconded, that a letter be drafted sending our regrets to the SILC Congress that Minnesota will not be present due to financial concerns.  Discussion followed.  There was a call for a vote, and the motion carried.

FFY 2002 704 Reports:  Bill stated that SILC members should have received either a print or –copy of the 2002 704 Part 1 report.  He explained this annual reporting responsibility and processes to new council members.  Bill reported that the Centers have been given a deadline of December 20, 2002 to submit their Part 2 reports to him.  Center and State IL Services data will be aggregated under the Part 1 report, and submitted to RSA by January 31, 2003.

Committee Reports:  Lois reported that the SPIL Committee is considering the SPIL for 2005-2007.  The committee is considering new goals and objectives.  Connie commented on the extensive work that went into the FFY 2002-2004 SPIL, and that there have been several significant accomplishments in the plan’s goals and objectives.  Bill explained the numerous mandatory statements within the SPIL, adding that creativity and innovation are primarily in the SILC’s goals and objectives.  Conducting a “dream session” is under consideration prior to the planning portion of the next SPIL’s development. 

Ann reported on the activities of the Advocacy and Education Committee.  The committee continued to develop plans for out-state meeting to be held in St. Cloud in June 2003.  E-learning is one of the topics under consideration.  The SILC’s education agenda is in place for December.  The committee has several months to continue planning for the June out-state training.  Ann again asked for recommendations on training topics from the full council. 

Ann again asked how many council members receive all eight Centers’ newsletters and, which members do not want them.  No one stated that s/he did not wish to be added to the Centers’ mailing lists.  Brad will contact the Centers on this matter.  

An orientation session is required for the council’s two newest members.  The committee wants to continue to utilize the peer leadership approach in this training.

Cory reported that the Finance Committee considered prospective reviewers of this year’s grant proposals.  There will be one person from finance, one person from the council, and the SILC chair.  Cory will score the proposals, but these scores will be used only if there is a tie.  Cory asked for volunteer reviewers.  Lois agreed to be the reviewer from the council.  Cory will soon designate the Finance Committee reviewer. 

Cory reported that there was a request to extend the RFP deadline.  This request was denied. 

The ramp project contract is completed, but Bill is waiting for Option’s budget, budget narrative, goals and objectives. 

2002 Consumer Forums:  Lois announced that she attended the Windom consumer forum.  A discussion ensued on advertising these forums.  Bill stated that Centers announce these forums through their newsletters and/or mailings and/or PSA’s and/or newspaper public notices.  Housing and discrimination were among the issues discussed at the forum.

Dave and Bryan attended the St. Cloud forum.  Roughly twenty-five people attended, and issues discussed were transportation; including the limited days and hours of service, accessibility; the lack of affordable, accessible housing, elections, candidates’ perceptions of people with disabilities, mental health issues in context with employer/employee relations, health care issues, and the status of Olmstead in Minnesota.

SILC members and consumers statewide are reminded that they can telephone or e-mail their IL comments and issues at any time.  Telephone Bill at (800) 328-9095 (voice), or (651) 296-5085 (voice), or TTY (800) 657-3973 or TTY (651) 296-3900.  Written comments can be mailed to William Bauer, IL Director, MN Department of Economic Security, 390 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN  55101, or e-mail comments to william.bauer@state.mn.us.

Connie reported that she attended the Thief River Falls forum hosted by Options.  The topics discussed included VR, special education, medical therapy needs, funding for assistive technology, the lack of mental health professionals, waivers, and foster care for children with multiple disabilities.  The issue of three schools’ out of ten in the area prohibition of power wheelchairs was brought to the attention of those attending the forum.  It appears that these schools consider power chairs a “danger” to non disabled students.  As a result, these students must use manual chairs and be pushed from place to place by staff members.  Options CIL is taking the school district to task on this prohibition.

Cory attended the forum in Detroit Lakes, which was hosted by Freedom CIL.  Cory reported that those in attendance asked many questions about IL.  The issues discussed were housing, transportation, and medical care. 

There were discussions by the full council concerning alternative formatting and reasonable accommodations for these forums.  Council members were advised that the SILC reimburses the host Centers for these costs. 

Announcements, Issues, Correspondence:  Connie announced that the “Friends of Rydell" board dedicated a gazebo to Jay Johnson for his active involvement with Rydell and his advocacy in making recreational facilities and parks accessible to people with disabilities. 

A question was raised regarding the inability to count those council members with disabilities who are employed by Centers or state agencies in the annual 704 Part 1 report.

Bill explained that this was the regulation.  Discussion followed.

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next council meeting will be December 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Four Points Midway Sheraton, St. Paul.  The October 17 meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.