Meetings and Minutes

Membership Present:Susan Prokop, Marcia DuBois, Lewis Atkins, Philip Sieck, Jeff Pittman, Jenny McKenzie, Sheila Cox-Combs, David Benjamin, George Hubbs, Celestine Walker

Ex-Officio Membership Present:Theresa Preda, Jane Ward Solomon

Conference Call Participants:Bill Ward

Membership Absent:Rob Hazelton, Alan Schlank, Janet Dorsey, Tim Edwards

Staff:Lisa Grubb

Scheduled Guests: DRS3 Program Director Eleanor Williams, VHDA Representative Bill Fuller, DRS Assistant Commissioner Mary Margaret Cash

Guest Attendee: Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)4 Representative Teri Barker-Morgan

Chairpersons Comments

• Chair Susan Prokop opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking VHDA for hosting the SILC meeting by providing meeting space, lunch, and refreshments.
• Chair Susan Prokop expressed commendations to Staff Lisa Grubb for the meeting packets prepared. Council members expressed their appreciation for the content and timeliness of the packet.

Public Comment

• Chair Susan Prokop opened the floor for public comment.
• Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) Representative Teri Barker-

Morgan shared that the Board has completed their biennial report.5

SILC Business Meeting

• Chair Susan Prokop opened the floor for the business meeting.
• Prokop shared the Executive Report.
• Prokop directed members to the documents behind tab 4 (four) in their meeting packet. Tab 4 (four) included follow-up documents to SILC actions over the past few months

• The SILC expressed opposition to Medicaid cuts. The United States Senate did not agree to the cuts. The topic will be coming up before conference. It is still an issue. Everyone is encouraged to continue advocating.
• The ADAPT6 newsletter was shared for Council review.
• A summary of budget issues adopted by the Virginia General Assembly7 was reviewed. Prokop commended Community Action Specialist (CAS)8 Coordinator Maureen Hollowell for compiling the document. Prokop challenged the Council to continue to advocate for critical services for people with disabilities
  • The SILC supported transitioning in the amount of $1.5 million. Unfortunately, that budget award was put into the homelessness line item.
  • Medicaid Waiver transition services awarded an additional $150,000 for services by Centers for Independent Living (CILs)9 in addition to the original $150,000 in the Governor’s budget.
• Virginia is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Virginians with Disabilities

Act (VDA)10 20th at a Forum scheduled for Anniversary Forum is Tuesday, June 28. Mary Margaret Cash will speak more on the event later in the agenda. Organizations are asked to identify what they feel are the top 3 (three) successes and ongoing challenges over the past 20 years. DRS requested the SILC to put forth money for the VDA event. The Executive Committee recommended contributing $500 to the celebration. George Hubbs moved that the Council contribute $500 to the 20th Anniversary VDA Celebration/Forum. Jeff Pittman moved to 2nd the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

• DRS Ex-Officio Member Theresa Preda approached the Executive Committee on behalf of the Olmstead Advisory Council11 to pursue if the SILC would like to split the cost and use of a microphone system. The Council had discussed this need following the January meeting based upon a suggestion by a Council member. The Executive Committee felt that all members would benefit from a microphone system. The proposal is for the system to be housed at the DRS office. The Executive Committee recommended that the Council commit up to $2,000 toward the purchase. Lewis Atkins moved to accept the Executive Committee’s recommendation. David Benjamin moved to 2nd the motion. The floor was opened for discussion. DuBois questioned if the system would be compatible with a loop system. The Council was ensured that the unit would be accessible. Council Member Jenny McKenzie questioned where the unit would be used. The unit would be used at SILC meetings. McKenzie shared that the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has a system that can be borrowed if requested. They also have a loop system but it does not function as a microphone system. The suggestion is that there will be a microphone for every 2-3 members to share when speaking. The system will be portable. Council Member Philip Sieck spoke in favor of the motion and requested that the SILC also approach the State Rehabilitation Council to share in this purchase and partnership. Staff Lisa Grubb & DRS Ex-Officio Member Theresa Preda will participate in the research and purchase of the system to ensure that it will meet our needs. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
• Fiscal Operations were discussed at the SILC Congress12. An example of fiscal operations included SILCs partnering with existing non-profits. A brochure of the Warren Stambaugh Foundation was distributed and discussed. Stambaugh was the lead author for the Virginian’s with Disability Act. The Warren G. Stambaugh Foundation is named after a former delegate to the General Assembly. Stambaugh represented the 49th District in the House of Delegates until his death in 1991. The foundation's focus is improving accessibility for those with disabilities. The Foundation is currently being used as a conduit for the Virginian’s with Disability Act evening celebration. The partnership opens doors to the possibility of raising money. If the SILC pursues a partnership with the Foundation, a memorandum of understanding would need to be completed. Council Member Philip Sieck shared his support for the idea and encouraged the Council to have a procedure in place upon initiation of the agreement. Chair Prokop shared that the resources raised for SILC projects would be kept separate from the Stambaugh funds. An Ad hoc committee was developed to advise the Council. The Committee will be comprised of Jenny McKenzie and Jeff Pittman.

VHDA Sponsor

Dr. Bill Fuller shared the following new developments at VHDA for the CILs and for people with disabilities.

• The State Housing Finance Agency is being funded by bond sales. The profit will go to programs for low income.
• Housing Initiative Team focuses on Revitalization and Homeless. Over the past 5 (five) years the team has been successful and is now a separate department of VHDA. They are adding new staff to handle zoning and land use. The new office is in Northern Virginia. There will be a new position created to work with non-profits to build in communities.
• Creation of the Reach Program for $150 million in funding. There will be $35 million available for low interest loans with flexible terms.
• Tax credits are available for selling accessible modifications.
• A new program for home ownership begins July 1. The CILs will be involved in the progra