Meetings and Minutes

Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council
JANUARY 2010 Goal I Committee Meeting Minutes

Details:
Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council

Goal I Meeting Minutes

Date: January 21, 2010
Location: Resources for Independent Living
Richmond, Virginia


Members present:
Jack Brandt
Ellen Shackelford, Chair
Alexandra Dixon
Carmela Greer
Mary Mathena
Shawn Utt
Theresa Preda, Ex-Officio (non-voting)
Jane Ward-Solomon, Ex-Officio (non-voting)

Members Absent:
Steve Johnson (excused)

Other Members Present:
Eddie Wimbish
Karen Michalski-Karney
Catherine Joseph
Whitney Stone
David Barrett

Members of the Public/Guests:
Mary-Margaret Cash, Department of Rehabilitative Services
Eleanor Williams, Department of Rehabilitative Services
Shelia Williams, Department of Rehabilitative Services

Interpreters:
Nicole Thorn
Liz Leitch

Staff:
Rhonda Jeter, SILC Administrator


Chair Shackelford called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.


Old Business:
Item 1 - Approval of the minutes: The minutes of the October meeting were not read, as each member had received a copy prior to this meeting. MOTION: to approve the October minutes (Dixon/Mathena). Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Item 2 – Approval of Community Forums Report: A final copy of the community forums report was submitted by Janet Hill, Consultant, on October 30, 2009. The report is entitled, The 2009 Statewide Independent Living Council Community Forums: Outreach to Unserved and Underserved Populations and Geographically Remote Areas within the Commonwealth. The forums were held in Planning District Commissions 9, 13 and 14. Committee members discussed how to disseminate the report. MOTION: to send the report with a cover letter to the Stambaugh Foundation and VACIL, and an overview of the report to be placed on the VASILC website (Brandt/Greer). Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Item 3 – VACIL letter: The second issue related to the forums is the SILC’s role in assisting these grassroots groups to organize and plan for a CIL in their communities. A letter was sent to VACIL from Jack Brandt, asking for technical assistance to the groups in these areas. VACIL sent a response in a letter dated December 3, 2009. VACIL’s position is that this type of endeavor may result in giving false hopes to the individuals there about the possibly for starting a satellite or a CIL in the near future and technical assistance at this point is premature, given the current economic climate. Four satellite CIL’s are currently waiting for funding. A continuation of the parenting model was recommended by VACIL as the right method at this time to continue expansion. Discussion centered on how to nurture groups in unserved areas while not raising expectations due to a lack of new funding Preda suggested changing the strategy by having SILC contact the participants directly via letter thanking them for their participation in the Forums and directing them to their nearest CIL for questions related to services and advocacy.

MOTION: Jeter will develop a letter on behalf of the SILC and send to the participants of the forums, thanking them for their participation, explain that no funding is currently available, and refer them to the closest CIL, and send copy of same letter to the respective CIL’s (Brandt/Utt). Passed unanimously by voice vote.

New Business:

Item 4 – SPIL development updates: Sarah Liddle led the discussion. The Committee discussed Goal I that will be on the 2011-2013 SPIL draft. The goal was approved at the October meeting by the full Council. The goal and proposed objectives were discussed and revised by the Committee, to state as follows:
GOAL I
To support efforts to obtain state and federal funding to sustain and expand the existing network of CILs, and to continue to nurture the consumer groups in areas that are unserved and underserved in Virginia.
The Council has identified objectives to accomplish Goal I.
Objective 1.1 Identify needed state and federal funds to support the Network of Centers for Independent Living in Virginia and advocate with appropriate policymakers to provide those resources.
Objective 1.2 Educate constituency groups about the state IL system and the SILC.

Objective 1.3 Identify prospective candidates for appointment to the SILC and work with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to obtain their appointment

Objective 1.4 Compile 704 data reflecting the extent of funding given by local governments to support CILs in their communities and use that information to advocate for additional local support of CILs.


MOTION: to approve the 4 objectives under Goal I as presented (Dixon/Mathena). Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Item 5 – 704 Reports: Rhonda again reminded the Committee members that a summary of outcomes is needed for the annual 704 report to the RSA.


Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:23 AM (Utt/Brandt). Passed unanimously by voice vote.