Meetings and Minutes

Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council
July 14, 2005

Details:
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
July 14, 2005
Endependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV)
Arlington Virginia

Membership Present: Susan Prokop, David Benjamin, George Hubbs, Philip Sieck, Tim Edwards, Jenny McKenzie, Celestine Walker, Jeff Pittman, Bill Ward, Marcia DuBois, Stephen Joseph

Ex-Officio Membership Present: Theresa Preda - Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) , Janet Dorsey - SILC Past Chair, Jane Ward Solomon - Department of Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)

Conference Call Participant: Lewis Atkins

Membership Absent: Rob Hazelton, Alan Schlank,

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Scheduled Guests:
Eleanor Williams - DRS Program Director
Mary Margaret Cash - DRS Assistant Commissioner
Doug Usiak and John Moffat - Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Independent Living Management (RRTCILM)
Maureen Hollowell - Community Action Specialist (CAS) Coordinator
Michael Cooper - ECNV Executive Director, ECNV Staff

Chairpersons Comments Chair Susan Prokop opened the meeting at 2:05 p.m.

• Welcome to everyone
• Thank you to ECNV for hosting the SILC meeting by providing meeting space, lunch, and refreshments.
• Appreciation expressed to the DRS for providing access to their office for copying and preparation of the SILC meeting packets.
• Requested all members to complete the Identification of SILC members' state representatives form and submit to Lisa Grubb or herself prior to leaving the meeting.
• Final comments on behalf of the SILC to the VBPD Bi-annual Report was distributed and discussed. The comment period was extended until the end of July 2005.
• Letter previously submitted to DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock was distributed and discussed. The letter requested support for the budget request made by the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) . Additional requests incorporated in the memo included asking DRS to host and provide staff support for the SILC website, and provide financial assistance to the SILC as they begin strategic planning.
• Commended DRS and their staff, the SILC and its staff, and all other involved in the planning of the celebration event of the Virginian's with Disabilities (VDA) 20th Anniversary. The event was a great collaboration of agencies providing services for people with disabilities. The breakouts produced an outcome of recommendations, which are currently being compiled.
• Doris Ray, ECNV Staff and Community Action Specialist was commended for winning the Region III Advocacy Award at NCIL. The SILC is very proud of your advocacy efforts and the work you do with the CAS program.

Public Comment Chair Susan Prokop opened the floor for public comment.

Michael Cooper, ECNV Executive Director took the floor for public comment. Cooper commended the SILC for its commitment to meet throughout the state. Cooper also commended the SILC for planning and looking ahead at the future of the SILC. He encouraged the SILC to think out of the box and think ahead for every state agency and what they should be doing. The SILC by way of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) has the opportunity to take a message more broadly and encourage every state agency to promote equal access for people with disabilities.

There be no additional public comment, Prokop closed the floor.

SILC Business Meeting Chair Susan Prokop delayed opening the floor for the business meeting to allow the presentation by the New York Independent Living Project to aide in their timeliness in traveling.

Special Presentation, Western New York Independent Living Project
John Moffat and Doug Usiak presented the product created for SILC's as a strategic planning tool. The SILC 'Snapshot' is a process that was developed at the request of a SILC to provide direction. The objective is to assist SILCs as an organization to define what you want to do. The suggested process involves the SILC staff and Executive Committee completing an outline based upon a questionnaire. Upon completion, the outline would be given to the entire Council to review. The next step would begin the visioning process to define where the SILC wants to go as an organization. You would review and/or develop your mission statement. You would revisit the snapshot and define goals in the nine management areas. The final step would be discussing the organizations five-year plan; where you are, how you want to get there. The snapshot would provide direction year to year. The 5-year plan would give guidance across two SPILs. The timeframe to complete varies depending on the Council's delegation of duties and who is involvement in the initial process of completing the outline.

DRS' Assistant Commissioner's Report Mary Margaret Cash shared the following Rehabilitation updates:

SILC Chairperson Susan Prokop was commended for prompting DRS to embrace the idea of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the VDA.

• The VDA event served as a wonderful opportunity to bring advocates together. There were approximately 150 attendees. A survey was sent initially requesting agencies to list the top three accomplishments and challenges over the past 20 years. There will be a VDA PowerPoint on the DRS website under the 'What's New' tab.
• The Stambaugh Foundations was recognized for their fiscal involvement in the VDA Reception.
• DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock gave a report at the Disability Commission meeting on the VDA event.
• Jane Lively, VDA Project Coordinator for DRS is compiling a summary that will be supplied to Lisa Grubb for distribution to the Council.

SILC Business Meeting Chair Susan Prokop opening the floor for the business meeting.

Executive Report
Council Chairperson Susan Prokop shared the Executive Report.

Deferred the budget discussion to the Treasurer's Report

DRS has agreed to host and maintain the SILC's website. Lisa Grubb will work with DRS and the Consumer Education Committee. DRS will host. The SILC will provide all content.

SILC members participated in Congressional visits during the NCIL conference. Most congressional staff were receptive to the discussions. Senator Allen's aide met with several constituents to include SILC members and ECNV staff. Following the discussion with the Legislative Aide, Senator Allen was approached in the hall and requested to consult with his Aide. Chairperson Susan Prokop encouraged all SILC members to attend their local town meetings and continue advocating for disability legislation.

The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) - The Voice of Independent Living in Rural America - is holding their annual conference October 8th - October 10th, 2005 at Waikiki Beach Marriott

• APRIL's Mission and Purpose: The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) is a national network of rural centers for independent living ((CIL's)) and other organizations and individuals concerned with the unique aspects of rural independent living. APRIL is organized to promote independence and strive for full rights and benefits for individuals with disabilities living in rural environments.
• Lisa Grubb was requested to re