Minutes for September 11, 2003

Meeting Location:  Four Points Midway Sheraton, St. Paul

Present:  Karen Larson, Mark Eggen, Janiece Duffy, Sharon Johnson, Mary Pennington, Bryan Jensen, Ann Zick, RoseAnn Faber, Linda Lingen, William Bauer, Bradley Westerlund, David Hancox.

Absent:  Lois Johnson (excused), Cory Heit (excused), Phyllis Coppess, Clarence Jones.

Guests:  Greta Peters, Senior AIDES Program.

Call to Order:  The September 11, 2003 meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:07 a.m. by Karen Larson, SILC secretary. Introductions of members and guests followed.

Approval of August Minutes and September Agenda:  Janiece Duffy asked that her announcement regarding her probable resignation in December 2003 as SILC treasurer be added to the August minutes. The August minutes were approved by consensus as revised. Bryan Jensen requested that a discussion concerning the U.S. Census and disability be added to the September agenda. Karen Larson suggested that this topic could be discussed during the "announcements" portion of the agenda. The August agenda was approved by consensus.

FFY 2003 On-site Reviews and Monitorings:   William Bauer reported that, to date, three on-site reviews and two monitorings have been conducted. The Centers undergoing the on-site reviews this year were ILICIL, CILNM and SEMCIL. One on-site report has been completed and submitted to RSA. Three Centers will undergo monitorings in September.

SRCB Update:  RoseAnn Faber reported that there has not been a meeting of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind since the last SILC meeting. There have, however, been several committee meetings. In response to a question, Ms. Faber stated that the SRCB usually meets on Saturdays during the fall and winter months, and on weekday evenings during the spring and summer months. The next regular meeting of the SRCB will be Saturday, October 4.

Developmental Disabilities Council Update:  Ann Zick reported that the DD Council has not met since the last SILC meeting.

Ms. Zick announced that a Citizens' Forum on Healthcare has been formed. Senator Durenberger does want citizen input, but the forum members have not had a meeting yet; thus, Ms. Zick was unable to report how Senator Durenberger wants to proceed. Interested individuals can go to the web-site and begin providing input. The address is:

www.mncitizensforum.org

The DD Council submitted a federal grant proposal for a Family Support
Grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The grant is for $100,000 and the results of the competition should be known by September 30, 2003.

MACIL Update:  David Hancox reported that the directors of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living met on September 10, 2003 in St. Cloud. All eight Center directors submitted applications for the SILC's FFY 2004 RFP. Mr. Hancox conveyed the directors' thanks for these SILC grants. In response to a question from the MACIL directors, William Bauer reported that the plan is for these grants to be in place on October 1; however, it presently appears as if the Federal funds supporting these grants will be in continuing resolutions for a period of time, which may delay the October 1 target date.

MACIL held its election of officers during the September 10 meeting. Cara Ruff, E.D. of ILICIL, is now president; Alan Augustin, E.D. of SMILES, is vice president; and David Hancox, E.D. of MCIL, is secretary-treasurer.

MACIL's annual retreat will be held in November during which the organization's legislative agenda will be established.

Senior AIDES Program:  Greta Peters, director of the Senior AIDES (Alert, Industrious, Dedicated, Energetic Service) program, was the presenter for September's SILC training. This is an employment training program for people fifty-five years of age and older. Ms. Peters reported that the average age of participants presently is seventy-five. This program is sponsored by Senior Services of America. Participants are paid by the Senior AIDES program for up to twenty hours of work per week in non profit or government agencies. Resume writing training, job search, and job counseling are provided as required. The program presently has 133 participants. Participants must be low income, and the wages earned by these senior does not affect other assistance they may be receiving such as food stamps and subsidized housing. Ms. Peters reported that approximately forty-five percent of the individuals enrolled in the program are people with disabilities.

Upon intake, what skills a participant has are determined, as well as what skills the consumer would like to develop. An individualized plan for employment is then developed. Sponsor agencies may not use Senior AIDES to replace paid employees. There are presently forty people on the program's waiting list. The Senior AIDES program was established under Title V of the Older Americans Act.

One is eligible up to 150% of the Federal poverty guidelines. Senior AIDES are paid $5.15 an hour by the program. Most Senior AIDES work for social service agencies. Ms. Peters reported that the program not only assists participants financially, but make them feel productive again. Senior AIDES may remain in the program for up to two years. The program does not provide transportation to and from worksites, which is often a barrier. It was noted that a participant can pursue his/her GED through the program.

SILC FFY 2004 Meeting Schedule:  Meetings for FFY 04 (October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004) areas follows: October 9, 2003; December 11, 2003; January 8-9, 2004 two day for SPIL planning and writing; April 8-9, 2004 continue SPIL work; May 13-14, 2004, two day out-state training and business meeting; June 10, 2004 includes signing of new SPIL; and September 9, 2004.

SPIL 2005-2007 New Plan, New Priorities:  William Bauer discussed timelines for the FFY 2005-2007 SPIL, which must be completed, signed and submitted to RSA by June 30, 2004. He questioned whether the new SPIL forms and instructions were due for OMB review this year, which may determine when these materials are released. Ordinarily, the instructions and forms are available in November or December; nonetheless, Mr. Bauer commented that much of the work could begin this fall including the SILC's goals and objectives. He concluded that it was time to consider new priorities such as advocacy and visibility, new approaches to ongoing issues, and new directions for the 05-07 SPIL. Discussions followed.

In terms of visibility, it was recommended that IL issues be the focal point of such endeavors. Utilizing a PR firm was one option discussed. It was questioned whether Ed Robert's basics in IL philosophy were still relevant. Could the MN SILC conduct a study and develop a publication that could be distributed nationwide on this topic?

As to advocacy, it was noted that advocacy permeates all that Centers do. It was discussed that an advocacy plan could be developed in the SPIL that could communicate IL issues to the legislature and others.

Sharon Johnson questioned the wisdom in continuing to combine education and advocacy under one committee. Once separated, the plan would also need to determine what relationships the newly-establish Advocacy Committee members would develop.

Discussion followed on the absolute need for the new council appointments to be made by Governor Pawlenty prior to the planning phases of the SPIL. RoseAnn Faber questioned whether there would be any merit in several statewide disability-related councils submitting a jointly-signed letter requesting the governor's action on appointments. There were also discussions on who makes committee appointments for new members; it was determined that the by-laws authorize the chair to make all committee appointments; and the need for people with disabilities to have a greater voice in public policy-making, as well as being more visible and vocal in their own communities.

A discussion followed on the need to hire a facilitator for one day of the two day January meeting. Bryan Jensen moved, Mark Eggen seconded, that William Bauer research facilitators, be given a budget of up to $2000 and select three for the SILC to consider. Discussion followed and was concluded with Sharon Johnson calling the question. The motion carried.

Committee Reports: Janiece Duffy reported for the finance committee. August financial reports were e-mailed to William Bauer's office the day before this meeting, and there was no time for formatting. There will be a full report in October; however, the final report for FFY 03 will not be prepared by that date. It is expected that the SILC will have exhausted all FFY 2003 dollars by September 30.

Sharon Johnson reported for the education and advocacy committee. Tom Brick will be contacted to provide a presentation on waiver programs for the October meeting. Linda Lingen will contact Mr. Brick to determine if he is available for that meeting.

There was also a discussion on what disability issues the committee wants to address in the new SPIL. A general training manual for new members and orientation training is under consideration. A revised SILC brochure was also discussed. A third talking point is to remove all advocacy objectives from the committee's portion of the plan. A record of the speakers providing SILC trainings is planned; rather than having to continually refer to the minutes. A list of education themes for the new SPIL is also planned, and recommendations from council members are encouraged. Planning will soon begin for the May 2004 out-state training meeting.

William Bauer reported for the SPIL committee. There were discussions on advocacy approaches for the new SPIL. Differing approaches for heightening the SILC's and the eight Centers' visibility were also discussed.

Visitors' Comments:  There were no comments.

Committee Reports: The SPIL Committee had no report.

Announcements, Issues, Correspondence:  Bryan Jensen discussed the U.S. Census Bureau's inclusion of disability questions for the next census. William Bauer advised him that there was a long form that included such questions during the 2000 census; Bauer believed that this form was sent to one in fifty households. Bryan Jensen will contact the bureau to determine if he can get a copy of the long form. Discussion followed on the Wilder Foundation and their upcoming survey of the homeless. Linda Lingen commented that Tom Brick completed a thorough study of the 2000 census data and disability. She will attempt to get a copy of this study.

Ann Zick stated that she recently received her quarterly newsletter from Options CIL, and that the Center is now requesting subscriptions from Minnesota residents should they wish to continue to receive the publication. This is the result of Center cuts in funding.

Karen Larson announced that ARC's state convention will be held on September 19-20 in Morton, MN at Jackpot Junction. New laws on guardianships and conservatorships will be the hot topic, and a potential training area for the SILC. Ms. Larson will bring materials from this conference for SILC members' review.

Next Meeting, Adjournment:  The next meeting of the SILC is October 9, 2003 at the Four Points Sheraton Midway, St. Paul from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The September 11, 2003 meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.