Meetings and Minutes

Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
April 12, 2007
Lynchburg, Virginia


Membership Present:
Tim Edwards, Marcia DuBois, Lewis Atkins, Jeff Pittman, Susan Prokop, Celestine Walker, Sarah Liddle, Jack Brandt, Doug Small, Stan Feuerberg (via telephone)

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, Jenny McKenzie, Philip Sieck

Staff Present: Lisa Grubb, Stacey McKenna

Scheduled Guests: Lindsey Edwards, Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living (LACIL); Jessica Rouse, DRS

Chairpersons Comments
Chair Tim Edwards opened the meeting at 9:07 a.m. by welcoming everyone to the business meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council. He expressed the Council’s thanks to the Wingate Inn for accommodating the SILC. Edwards welcomed Sheila Cox-Combs back to the Council.

Executive Report
Chair Edwards highlighted the following in his report from the Executive Committee:

• The Council has been very busy working on the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). A draft is expected to be approved during this meeting which will be put out for public comment from April 23, 2007 through June 4, 2007. The draft SPIL will be posted on the SILC website.
• The Council discussed issues regarding meeting absenteeism. In accordance with the SILC by-laws, a letter will be drafted stating that after two unexcused absences, the SILC may request that a member be removed from the Council.
• Edwards reviewed the role of the SILC and use of Part B funds in state plans. He emphasized that SPIL goals should be specific and measurable.
• The 704 Report is completed and posted on the SILC website.
• Chair Edwards provided a brief financial summary.
  • Federal funding was $2,089 more than anticipated. Theresa Preda confirmed that this will be matched by DRS.
  • Part B carryover for 2006 was confirmed to be $20,047.52 compared to the previously budgeted amount of $14,711 (difference of $5,336.52).
  • Statewide Independent Living Fund (SILF) received $6,250 from the Stambaugh Foundation. Edwards expressed the SILC’s gratitude to the Stambaugh Foundation and thanked Susan Prokop for her role in obtaining this gift.
  • Second quarter expenditures were $199,188.01. Year-to-date (YTD) expenditures are $274,597.53. (YTD expenditures per DRS report is $275,610. Lisa Grubb is working with DRS to resolve this discrepancy.)
  • March balance forward = $183,049.49
  • Anticipated year end balance = $2,625.26
• Edwards announced that the Community Action Specialist (CAS) Review Team Meeting previously scheduled for July 13, 2007 has been rescheduled for Monday, July 9, 2007 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The location has not yet been determined.
• The Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy has asked for a recommendation from the SILC to serve on their Board. They have requested a nominee with ethnic diversity, geographic diversity, comfort with financial oversight duties and physical disability. Jack Brandt and Doug Small expressed an interest in this position. The SILC agreed to recommend both.
• The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) will be hosting the 2007 Annual Conference on Independent Living in Washington, D.C. on July 9-12, 2007. The SILC will be sending Lisa Grubb and Celestine Walker. Tim Edwards and Susan Prokop will also be attending, but their expenses will not be paid by the SILC. The SILC has budgeted for one additional attendee.
• Susan Prokop discussed the SILC’s interest in partnering with the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL) to conduct a legislative survey regarding independent living (IL) issues.
  
  Susan Prokop made a motion for the SILC to contribute $500 to VACIL to assist with the survey process. Jack Brandt seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment
Chair Tim Edwards opened the floor for public comment.

Stephen Johnson, Executive Director for the Endependence Center, Inc. of Norfolk Virginia addressed the Council on behalf of VACIL. He shared VACIL’s suggestions regarding the first draft of the SPIL, which included the following:

• VACIL supports the SILC’s decision to discontinue the CAS positions.
• The SILC could contract with VACIL to equally distribute Part B funds to the 16 Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
• Johnson emphasized the importance that the SPIL be developed and implemented to ensure that the momentum and accomplishments of the past 15 years between the SILC and CILs working together not be diminished.
• The SILC could contract with the 16 CILs to ensure that the activities of the SPIL are implemented. He indicated that the items listed in the draft SPIL do not need to be managed through Requests for Proposal (RFPs), but could instead be accomplished by the CILs with deliverables tied to Part B funding.
• Regarding SPIL Goal 1: Facilitate Support for New and Existing CILs, Johnson indicated that VACIL looks forward to working with the SILC on this process. He also expressed appreciation of the SILC’s efforts in educating legislators.
• Regarding SPIL Goal 2, which focuses on compliance with Olmstead, Johnson indicated that a Money Follows the Person (MFP) proposal has been submitted.
• Regarding SPIL Goal 3, which focuses on education and compliance with disability laws, he encouraged the SILC to leverage funds through DRS rather than using Part B funds for convening an IL conference.

Johnson recommended that the SILC modify the SPIL based on VACIL’s recommendations and work closely with VACIL throughout the process. He expressed appreciation for the SILC’s hard work on the SPIL.

David Broder from the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants (VAPCA) also addressed the Council. He gave a brief report about VAPCA’s activites, which focus on advocating for expanding services and improving wages. He informed the Council that they are working on offering discounted health care to members. He thanked the SILC for continued support.

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

At this time, Chair Edwards took the opportunity to provide the Council with an update regarding House Bill 2707 and Senate Bill 840 which deal with electronic voting machines. He informed the Council that a letter was sent to Governor Kaine from the SILC supporting voting access for people with disabilities. The Bill has been postponed for now. A copy of the SILC’s letter and the Governor’s response will be posted to the SILC website. If you would like a copy, please contact Lisa Grubb at VA.SILC.Lisa@comcast.net.

Designated State Unit(s) Address the Council
Theresa Preda, Ex-Officio Member, brought greetings from Jim Rothrock, DRS Commissioner, and Mary-Margaret Cash, Assistant Commissioner. She informed the Council that DRS Commissioner Jim Rothrock has awarded the SILC $1,000 for members who would like to participate in an online training course offered on the Independent Living Utilization Resource (ILRU) website. At this point, Preda introduced Margaret<