Meetings and Minutes

Members Present: Janet Dorsey, Jenny McKenzie, Lewis Atkins, David Harris, Susan Prokop, George Hubbs, Celestine Walker, Rob Hazelton, Jeff Pittman, Marcia DuBois, David Benjamin, Sheila Cox Combs, Bill Ward, Hazel Moran

Ex-Officio: Jane Ward Solomon, Theresa Preda

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Guests: Sandra Wagener, Eleanor Williams, Fritz Knapp, Barbara Salisbury

Members Absent: Sally Michael, Billy Perkins, Doug Nunnally

Call to Order:
Council Chairperson Janet Dorsey opened the meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) at 12:40pm by welcoming everyone and thanking the disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc. (dRC) for hosting the meeting.Dorsey introduced Debe Fultz of dRC.

Hosting CIL Presentation:
Debe Fults provided a summary of the programs that dRC offers for the consumers in the Fredericksburg area. Some of those programs include the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach Program, Autism Program, Medicaid Waiver Training, Architectural Barrier Removal Program, Accessibility Study, the Community Action Specialist (CAS), Independent Skills Training, Peer Counseling, Advocacy, Information and Referral, and more.[1]

Public Comment:
Chairperson Dorsey opened the floor for public comment.There being none, the floor was closed for public comment.

CAS Report:
Fritz Knapp, CAS Coordinator reported on the CAS Project.Knapp reviewed the CAS Report that was distributed to council members prior to the meeting. The highlight of this quarter's activity was the recent success in securing funding for the Lynchburg Public Transportation System. Guest Barbara Salisbury and Council Member Celestine Walker shared their gratitude for the recent funding award.Additionally, great strides have been made in pursuing a Transportation Alliance in collaboration with the SILC.The floor was opened for questions or comments. The CAS Spotlight was on Dr. Rob Jarvis of Lynchburg for his energy, organizational skills, and effective communication of the independent living philosophy to a host of media outlets.[2]

Council Member Susan Prokop provided the New Freedom Initiative Report. The New Freedom Initiative U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was provided to the council prior to the meeting for review. President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, a comprehensive plan for the full integration of persons with disabilities into all aspects of American life, emphasizes the need to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.To bring this initiative to the states, EEOC is seeking the cooperation and assistance of states in a new project to promote the hiring of people with disabilities in state government jobs.The EEOC will act in a consultative role by providing outreach and voluntary technical assistance.[3] Susan Prokop moved that the council write a letter of support for this initiative.Lewis Atkins moved to second the motion.There being no further discussion, the motion carried.

Nursing Home Data:
Prokop further discussed a letter from Steve Gold in reference to nursing home data that is available on people within nursing homes that desire to live independently.The letter was provided to the council prior to the meeting for review. Gold will provide the following MDS data for your State's nursing home population as of 12/31/03.This data will include the percentage of those surveyed in the nursing homes and the number of people in the MDS categories below: [4]

1. Residents who prefer to reside in the community;
2. Ethnic breakdown;
3. Gender breakdown; and
4. Age breakdown.

George Hubbs moved that Prokop request this information on behalf of the SILC. David Benjamin moved to second the motion. Discussion: Theresa Preda will share the information with the Olmstead group.The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes:
Chairperson Dorsey opened up the floor for the approval of the Secretary's Report submitted previously to everyone for review.

Discussion:
Lewis Atkins requested the following corrections:

• Approval of Minutes -- The section header 'Approval of Minutes' should read 'Approval of Treasurer's Report'. The header 'Approval of Minutes' should precede the Secretary's Report
• Bylaws Committee Report - Change 'It is estimated that it will July before the recommendations are complete' to read 'It is estimated that it will be July before the recommendations are complete.

Jane Ward Solomon requested the following correction:

• DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock addressed the council - Replace each '10%' to read '$10,000.

Lewis Atkins moved to accept the Secretary's Report upon correction of the recommended changes.Susan Prokop moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion the motion carried unanimously.[5]

Staff Lisa Grubb and DRS Staff Eleanor Williams gave the Treasurer's Report due to the absence of Treasurer Ben Johnson.Grubb reported that the Administration budget (006) is estimated to be at a deficit of approximately $1,400 at the end of the fiscal year.The council approved at the last meeting to take any deficit from the Part B budget.The monies that were moved into the Administrative line item are approximately $4,800. DRS Staff Eleanor Williams added that there would be approximately $300 remaining from the previous CAS training that can be added to this amount. The overall award for Part B was reduced $2,080 due to federal reduction and reduction in state match.Upon removing the administrative deficit, it is estimated that there will be $3,400 remaining for the council to utilize or carry-over to the next year. The Administrative Budget (006) cannot be carried over but the Part B budget can be carried over for up to 12 months. Jane Ward Solomon moved to accept the Treasurer's Report. George Hubbs moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion the motion carried unanimously.

Committee Reports:[6]

Bylaws Committee Chair Lewis Atkins reported that the committee was unable to meet due to the priority of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).The committee has been working on changes and plans to present them in July.

Housing Committee Chair Billy Perkins is unable to be with us due to personal and family health problems.He will be submitting his letter of resignation to the council.He shared with Staff Grubb that he supports the work of the council and hopes that one day he will be able to join us again.Council Member Susan Prokop will assume the role as Chairperson of this committee.

Transportation Committee Chair David Benjamin shared with the council that he will not be applying for reappointment to the council due to conflicts with his job and transportation issues.George Hubbs will be taking over as Chair of this committee.Benjamin will continue to stay active as a member of the Transportation Committee. George Hubbs gave a report on the current status of the Transportation Alliance.Invited guest Barbara Salisbury discussed the draft of transportation alliance proposal previously emailed to all council members. She shared that based upon recommendations from th