Meetings and Minutes

Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
February 9, 2007
Richmond, Virginia

Membership Present:
Tim Edwards, Marcia DuBois, Lewis Atkins, Jeff Pittman, Susan Prokop, Jenny McKenzie, Celestine Walker, Sarah Liddle, Jack Brandt, Doug Small, Stan Feuerberg, Philip Sieck

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

Membership Absent: Alan Schlank, David Barrett

Staff Present: Lisa Grubb, Stacey McKenna

Scheduled Guests: Jim Rothrock, DRS Commissioner; Gwen Gillenwater, Consultant; Jessica Rouse, DRS; Mary-Margaret Cash, DRS

Other Guests: Catherine Lawson, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities; Sandra Wagener, Resources for Independent Living, Inc. Director

Chairpersons Comments
Chair Tim Edwards opened the meeting at 9:15 a.m. by welcoming everyone to the business meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Introduction of New Members
Chair Edwards welcomed new appointees to the Council. Jack Brandt and Sarah Liddle introduced themselves and discussed their interest in Independent Living. New appointee David Barrett was unable to attend due to his late notification of appointment.

Designated State Unit(s) Address the Council
DRS Commissioner, Jim Rothrock shared the following:

• Congress is still operating under a continuing resolution. DRS is hoping that federal funds will be released next week. DRS will consider pursuing a state treasury loan on behalf of the SILC if needed.
• The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) public forums have been a success. In developing the SPIL, he encouraged the SILC to look at what the needs are, to look at other agencies for duplication, and to strategically work to make an impact.
• The General Assembly has been meeting. Commissioner Rothrock highlighted some of the positive outcomes of these sessions. He also indicated that the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) put together a good agenda for Independent Living Day.
• Durable Medical Equipment Recycling – Efforts around the state are making an impact.

Chair Edwards thanked Commissioner Rothrock for his support for the upcoming SPIL. He also thanked him for his support in providing funding for our Consultant, Gwen Gillenwater and for the help of Mary-Margaret Cash, Theresa Preda and Jessica Rouse in evaluating the SILC budget. Susan Prokop asked Commissioner Rothrock who from the DSU would be responsible for signing off on the upcoming SPIL. Rothrock indicated that Theresa Preda would have this responsibility. Marcia DuBois addressed Rothrock about the opportunity to receive Innovative & Expansion (I&E) funds from DRS. Rothrock indicated that these funds could be available if something specific in the upcoming SPIL impacts the entire agency and precipitates the need for such funds.

At this time, the members of the Council and Schedule Guests took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the new Council members.

Public Comment
Chair Tim Edwards opened the floor for public comment. Catherine Lawson from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities spoke to the Council about Virginia’s Systems Transformation Grant. This grant was awarded to Virginia in September 2006 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of its “Real Choice Systems Change” initiative. The grant amount is $2.7 million. Funding is intended to assist in “transforming” the infrastructure of the current long-term support to improve services to the elderly and disabled who live in the community. Under this Grant they have brought together all of the “Real Choice Systems Change” initiatives taking place in Virginia in an attempt to understand everything that is going on and how they can complement those activities. She encouraged the Council to think about the big picture in developing the SPIL. Responding to a question from Susan Prokop, Lawson discussed the process of applying for these grants.

There being no further public comment, Edwards closed the floor.

Secretary’s Report
Secretary Lewis Atkins opened the floor to discuss draft minutes from July 2006 and November 2006 Council meeting. The following discussion occurred.

The Council discussed some minor clerical corrections that were needed in the November 2-3 Snapshot Session minutes.

Lewis Atkins moved to accept the Snapshot minutes as corrected. Marcia DuBois moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

The Council also discussed some minor clerical corrections that were needed in the November 5, 2006 Council minutes.

Lewis Atkins moved to accept the November 5, 2006 Council minutes as corrected. Jeff Pittman moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Additionally, the July 20, 2006 Council minutes were presented in the meeting packet. Jane Ward Solomon indicated that some corrections were needed to the section on the DBVI Rehabilitation Council.

Lewis Atkins moved to amend the July 20, 2006 SILC minutes to reflect these. Stan Feuerberg moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Jeff Pittman deferred to Lisa Grubb for the presentation of SILC Expenditures and Projections (budget report). Grubb explained that the SILC is currently awaiting a disbursement of funds. While Congress is operating under a “continuing resolution” the SILC’s budget is consistent with the prior year. There is uncertainty as to when federal funds will be disbursed. Currently, the SILC has funds available to cover administration costs and the cost of quarterly Council Meetings, as mandated. However, the SILC does not have funds available to meet its obligations to the Community Action Specialist (CAS) project. Grubb set forth a recommendation that was presented to the CAS Review Team that would attempt to pay down the $149,600 currently due to the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), as funds become available. Under this recommendation, the SILC would release $20,000 ($1,250 per CIL) toward the fiscal year (FY) 2007 1st quarter disbursement. The SILC also discussed the possibility of allowing the CILs to decide amongst themselves whether this $20,000 should be allocated evenly or more given to certain CILs and less to others. Once the SILC receives additional funding, the remainder of the CAS project obligation would be disbursed to the 16 CILs with an additional award to VACIL in payment for directives completed. The SILC anticipates having funding available to fulfill CAS contracts through FY 2007. Grubb indicated that this would be the first year that the SILC anticipated having no carryover. The floor was opened for questions. Susan Prokop asked to clarify that the Council can continue to have quarterly meetings. This was confirmed. Additionally, there was some discussion regarding state loan options. It was decided that the Council should wait to see what the next disbursement looks like before considering these options.

A motion was made by Susan Prokop to approve the recommendation that was presented to the CAS Review Team for paying of the SILC’s obligation related to the CAS project. Jenny McKenzie moved to second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Jack Brandt moved