Meetings and Minutes

Members present: Lewis Atkins, Dave Benjamin, Janet Dorsey, Ben Johnson, Jenny McKenzie, Karen Michalski-Karney, Bill Ward, Heather Harris, Bonita Reid, Alan Schlank

Ex officio: Billy Perkins, Theresa Preda, Jane Ward-Solomon

Members absent: Robert Cushmac, Berry Cuffee, Doug Nunnally, David Harris

Staff: Lisa Grubb

Guests: Mary Margaret Cash, Steve Johnson, Sandra Wagener, Eleanor Williams, Phil Sieck, Gary Conover, Gwen Gillenwater, Betty Bevins, Kim Schick, Seville Allen, Dana Martin Johnson

Introductions: Chair Dorsey welcomed all recognizing Seville Allen, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Deputy Commissioner; Dana Martin Johnson, Attorney General's Office; and Mary Margaret Cash, Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Deputy Commissioner.

Mary Margaret Cash introduced herself to the council and asked the council to continue efforts for appointments on various committees.

The meeting began with scheduled guest presentations:

Steve Johnson on behalf of Maureen Hollowell, Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, reported to the council the outcomes of the recent study "Making Community Living a Reality". Handouts were distributed with specific data. The study was an effort of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, Statewide Independent Living Council, Endependence Center, and disability advocates throughout Virginia to provide training and information to people with disabilities and their families about Virginia Medicaid Waivers for community living. The study began in February, 2000 and concluded on March, 2002.

Gary Conover, Managing Attorney for the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA), previously Department for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities (DRVD), introduced himself and shared with the council his agency's recent name change and the advantages of the change. Conover encouraged partnership between the SILC and VOPA in any matters that need legal research and support.

Sandra Wagener, Central Virginia Independent Living Center Executive Director, provided the council with an update on the Community Action Specialist (CAS) project. Wagener shared that the Coordinator position is currently vacant and she is recruiting for this position at present. In the interim, she is working very closely with the project. A handout was distributed that detailed the activity with each Center for Independent Living throughout Virginia. The most prominent issues recognized statewide are 1. Transportation, 2. Housing, and 3. Medicaid Waivers. The next statewide training for the Community Action Specialists will be held on August 22-23. A recommendation was made that a representative from Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) and the SILC attend the upcoming training. It was recommended that the Coordinator of the CAS project contact Brian Parsons with the Disability Commission to request permission to do a presentation about the project. Wagener received questions from the floor.

Lisa Grubb, SILC staff, distributed the membership handbooks updates and discussed the contents. Grubb shared the recent updates with the Freedom of Information Act and how it will impact the council.

Chair Janet Dorsey called the meeting into Executive Session at 12:55pm citing Virginia Code sections 2.2--3711 A1 and A7. Invited guests included Mary Margaret Cash, Sandra Wagener, Eleanor Williams, and Dana Martin Johnson.

Chair Janet Dorsey opened the general meeting at 1:20pm and requested that the minutes reflect that the items discussed in Executive Session where covered under FOIA for which the Executive Session was convened. So certified by each council member present.

The general meeting was opened with the Chairpersons comments. Chair Dorsey shared information on Justin Dart's memorial service. A handout was shared with the council.

Chair Dorsey welcomed the attendees at the public meeting and opened the floor for public comment. There being none Dorsey turned the meeting over to Secretary Heather Harris for the Secretary's report.

Secretary Harris asked the council if they had reviewed the minutes dated April 16, 2002 for the previous meeting held in Williamsburg. Bill Ward moved to approve the minutes as submitted, Billy Perkins 2nd the motion, there being no discussion the council voted to approve the minutes as submitted.

Eleanor Williams, DRS Staff, submitted the financial report on behalf of Treasurer Bill Ward. All monies have been encumbered for the previous fiscal year. The new grant award begins October 1, 2002 and we can anticipate level funding with no increase anticipated.

Chairperson Dorsey opened the floor to discuss committee commitments. In consideration of council membership being low some committees do not have the attendance desired at committee meetings. In addition each committee must consider FOIA guidelines and their ability to meet those guidelines. Council members will evaluate their own commitment. Committee members do not have to be council members.

Committee Reports were shared with the council.

Billy Perkins provided the council with the Housing Committee Report. Perkins shared that the committee is reviewing previous tasks. They will be making information available to the Community Action Specialists. The committee is presenting identifying laws that impact housing. Denise Goode (DRS) and Ben Johnson will be attending a housing conference training. Funds for this training was discussed. The executive committee will review the budget and determine if funds are available. Denise Goode serves on the Housing Study Commission and Billy Perkins will attend the next meeting of the Housing Study Commission.

David Benjamin provided no report for the Transportation Committee due to lack of attendance on this committee at this meeting. Chair Benjamin shared that he will be attending a meeting with Bonita Reid on Thursday in Norfolk to discuss transportation.

Karen Michalski-Karney provided the council with the SPIL Monitoring Committee report. This committee is developing a framework for monitoring the SPIL's Goals, Missions, and Objectives. Today's meeting included reviewing Goals 1 and 2. Issues that need to be addressed include: 1. Web site - this will be the top priority of staff and this committee, 2. SILC Newsletter - The CIL directors were challenged to make submissions to the newsletter. Volunteers were requested to serve on the newsletter review panel. The panel, to include volunteers includes: Janet Dorsey, Heather Harris, Lisa Grubb, Jane Ward-Solomon, and Bill Ward.

Bonita Reid on behalf of Bill Ward provided the council with the Consumer Education Committee report. This committee is working closely with Karen Michalski-Karney on the SILC newsletter. They have requested that each newsletter support a theme such as ADA Month in June and Disability Awareness Month in October. Bill will work to get Karen articles to support this goal.

Chair Janet Dorsey opened the floor for old business.

Chair Dorsey polled the council to determine if Tuesday was the best day for everyone to attend the SILC meetings. Lisa Grubb will complete a survey and submit to council members to determine the best day and best week to meet for the majority of the membership.

Chair Janet Dorsey opened the floor for new business.

Chair Dorsey asked for volunteers to attend the CAS trainings on behalf of the SILC. Bonita Reid, Bill Ward, and Dave Benjamin will represent the SILC at upcoming<