Meetings and Minutes

Members present: Dave Harris, Dave Benjamin (conference), Hazel Moran, Karen Michalski-Karney, Janet Dorsey, Bill Ward, George Hubbs, Bonita Reid, Jenny McKenzie, Rob Hazelton, and Alan Schlank

Members absent: Sally Michaels, Ben Johnson, Lewis Atkins, Doug Nunnally, Heather Harris, and Billy Perkins

Ex officio:Theresa Preda and Jane Ward-Solomon

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Guests: Eleanor Williams, Brenda Harris, Marcia Guardino, Doris Ray, Marian Dolliver, Fritz Knapp, and Philip Sieck

Chair Janet Dorsey opened the meeting at 12:10 pm by welcoming all council members and thanking Central Virginia Independent Living Center (CVILC) for hosting us.

Chair Dorsey again thanked our hosting Center for Independent Living (CIL) and welcomed Marcia Guardino, CVILC Staff, to present a scheduled introduction to the CIL. Guardino thanked the council for the opportunity to host the SILC meeting and shared information about the programs CVILC has to offer and invited everyone to a tour of the facility following the meeting. 1

Chair Dorsey opened the floor for public comment.
Marian Dolliver, Senior Medicare Patrol, shared information about her program and thanked the council for allowing her to send information and introduce her program.2

There being no further public comment, Chair Dorsey recognized outgoing board members by presenting them with a certificate and thanking them for their work with the SILC. The outgoing members were as follows: Karen Michalski Karney, Bonita Reid and Heather Harris. Bill Ward's term was also ending, however, he has been recommended for reappointment and therefore was not recognized as an outgoing member at this time.

Chair Dorsey welcomed Fritz Knapp, Community Action Specialist (CAS) Coordinator. Fritz updated the council on CAS happenings throughout the state by distributing highlights of the CAS project.3

Chair Dorsey welcomed Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Commissioner Jim Rothrock to address the council. Commissioner Rothrock welcomed the council and addressed the following topics.
Commended CAS Project
Workforce Development Grant
Help America Vote Act
The SILC was invited to present a budget plan for consideration to increase CIL funding

Chair Dorsey thanked Commissioner Rothrock for the updates.

SILC Staff Lisa Grubb presented the Secretary's report on behalf of Secretary Bonita Reid and Jenny McKenzie.4 There being no corrections, Council Member Michalski-Karney moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Council member Bill Ward seconded the motion. There being no discussion the motion carried.

Staff Grubb and DRS Staff Eleanor Williams presented the Treasurer's report on behalf of Treasurer Ben Johnson.5 The 006 budget year has ended. The Part B budget reflects that all CIL reports are up to date. Lisa, Ben, and Eleanor will meet to discuss grant renewal and budget proposals.

The Consumer Education Committee/Transportation Committee report was given. 6 Some of the issues the committee is working on include:
National Conference for Transportation for the Disabled
Rural Transportation
Transportation Survey
Guest and CAS Staff, Doris Ray, encouraged transportation support from this committee for the Olmstead

Chair Jenny McKenzie gave the 501c3 Committee report. The committee is working on drafting and completing a survey of SILCs that have completed this action and SILCs that have pursued this action and did not make the change.7

SPIL Chair and CIL Representative Michalski Karney gave the SPIL Committee report stating that she was pleased to report that the SPIL is ongoing and completed. The committee encouraged a thorough look at Goal 4 in planning the next state plan. Chair Dorsey commended the committee, Staff Grubb, and DRS Staff Theresa Preda for their efforts in monitoring the SPIL and encouraged all committee chairs to submit their SPIL report to Staff Grubb in a timely manner.

Chair Dorsey discussed the planning process for the upcoming SPIL and opened the floor to discuss the creation of a SPIL Development Committee. This committee will be charged with the major task of the SILC. The committee was formed with the following members: Chair Rob Hazelton, Karen Michalski-Karney, Alan Schlank, Jane Ward-Solomon, and Eleanor Williams. Staff Grubb and Chair Dorsey will assist as needed. This committee will facilitate the October quarterly council meeting.

Chair Dorsey referenced a new item on the agenda. All SILC members that serve on other councils, task force, etc. will be given an opportunity to share with the council an update of the happenings within that group.
Staff Grubb reported on the Assess the Needs of Virginians with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Advisory Board on behalf of Billy Perkins. This task force will be studying the demographics of people with disabilities. Grubb will send information to council members. Perkins will be representing the council on the task force.
Olmstead Task Force report was given by Michalski-Karney. Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) prepared a detailed summary of recommended changes to the Olmstead Final Draft.8 VACIL requested the SILC's support. All support will be conveyed as public comment. It was recommended to put the recommendations on the website with a comment option and support letter option. George Hubbs moved to accept the document as submitted and give the Executive Committee the authority to draft a support letter. Rob Hazelton seconded the motion. Comments received encouraged everyone to review the document. Motion carried
Each individual was challenged to write a letter and to reach out to your community.
Dave Benjamin reported on the CAS Training he attended by reiterating CAS Staff Knapp's report. He commended the advocacy effort of all people with disabilities speaking as one voice. Michalski-Karney will represent the SILC at the next training.

Chair Dorsey opened the floor for Old Business.
The meeting site for the October meeting was discussed. The CIL Director that previously offered to host the SILC is no longer at that CIL. Discussion occurred and the decision was made to have the October meeting in Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Independent Living Council offered to host the meeting. Due to having the meeting out of the Central Virginia area, it was decided to conduct the new member training in January. Current plans are to consider meeting in Southwest Virginia in Spring 2004.

Chair Dorsey opened the floor for New Business.
Michalski-Karney brought to the SILC's attention an advocacy issue with the Department of Medical Assistant Services (DMAS) incorrectly charging consumers co-pay. The issue is being addressed through the proper channels at the moment. Alan Schlank moved to give the Executive Committee the authority to draft a letter in support of addressing the problem if VACIL and the Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) feel the issue needs addressed further. George Hubbs seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the motion carried.
Dorsey addressed the item on the agenda of creating a nominating committee. Staff Grubb had polled the members previously to consider serving. Dorsey recommends that if you are interested in serving, you may not want to serve on the committee. The committee was created as follows: Chair Lewis Adkins, Jane Ward-Solomon, Jenny McKenzie, Karen Michalski-Karney, and Bill Ward. This committee is charged with presenting a slate of officers to the council at the October meeting.

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