WASHINGTON State Independent Living Council

Transcription

1 WASHINGTON State Independent Living Council P.O. Box Olympia, WA Washington SILC Quarterly Meeting Minutes January 13, 2012 Viewpoint/Tugboat Annie s Olympia, WA The meeting was called to order at 10:40 AM by Romel Mackelprang, SILC Chair. Members Present: Romel Mackelprang, Cheney; Jana Finkbonner, Bellingham; Devin Beach, Ellensburg; Al Neely, Yakima; Gilbert Garza, Toppenish; Trina Forest, Lakewood; Linda McClain, Spokane; Andres Aguirre, Olympia; Debbie Cook, Seattle Members excused absent: Charity Drummond, Seattle; Sandi Carr, Spokane Valley Staff: Rob Honan, Olympia; Barbara Hathaway, Lacey Guests: Lucille Walls, Seattle; Joelle Brouner, Lacey Service Providers: Darlene Pickard, CART provider; Verna Siegel, ASL Interpreter; Karen Rosenthal, SSP; Mike Kosanovich, ASL Interpreter; Dwight McClain, PA Motion: Jana Finkbonner moved to approve the October 13 th SeaTac Meeting Minutes. Linda McClain seconded with a correction to change the wording under the ACIL-WA Report from SDRC-IL and replace it with ADRC-IL training. ACIL WA provided the ADRC trainings. The motion carried. Review of Agenda: Jana Finkbonner suggested that Joelle Brouner s presentation on WSRC be moved earlier on the schedule. The members approved the agenda. Announcement from Rob Honan Robert Honan announced his resignation as Executive Director of the SILC effective the end of February The members expressed appreciation for Rob s excellent service during his nearly six years of employment with the SILC. Robert gave his resignation letter to Andres Aguirre, DVR Director, and will send a copy to Romel, SILC Chair. Robert said he would make sure all transition is in place before he departs.

2 Andres Aguirre will submit a request for Exception to Hire which will take up to three weeks for approval. The SILC will develop a job description and announcements will be posted. Members asked Andres if DVR staff would be available to assist the SILC with administrative functions in the absence of the Executive Director. Andres said that due to staff shortages in the State Office, this would not be possible. Debbie offered that she was available up to 40% due to cutbacks at UW and would be delighted to work for the SILC as Interim Director if this would be helpful. Trina proposed that Debbie Cook be appointed as Interim Director until the position is permanently filled. The members felt that Debbie could contribute to the Council especially during this legislative session and asked Andres to look into this option further. Romel Mackelprang: Chair s Report/Comment Romel expressed concern that the Council will go through significant turnover since terms of Romel Mackelprang, Gilbert Garza, Al Neely, Sandra Carr, and Linda McClain complete September 30, Gilbert talked about finding a person to replace him with a strong understanding of Independent Living. The members agree that recruiting people who have disabilities along with geographic and other factors is important. The Council agreed to make an appointment with the Governor s office to discuss plans for recruitment and to recommend possible extension of some terms for one year to allow for recruitment and hiring the new Executive Director. Lucille Walls explained that Charity Drummond, SILC member, has been in the hospital for some time and her availability to return is uncertain. Presentation from Joelle Brouner Executive Director, Washington State Rehabilitation Council (WSRC). Joelle was invited to speak about the findings from a recent survey conducted with VR clients by the SRC. Joelle began by explaining the difference between the purpose of the SRC and the SILC. She said that the SILC is focused on the independent living needs of individuals outside of the work place while the State Rehabilitation Council is focused specifically on work for people with disabilities who are eligible for DVR services. The WSRC survey provides a customer forum for individuals to share their experience and success with DVR services and to rate their satisfaction with the services. Joelle provided copies of survey questions and graphs showing response rates. The WSRC wanted to know how the customers felt about the whole VR process, including things like whether they felt respected by their counselor, and whether there were any barriers in gaining employment. The survey was conducted with customers whose cases were closed, including customers who achieved employment and customers who were closed without employment. A total of 404 of 455customers (88.4%) completed the survey. The WSRC will use this data to think about how VR services can be improved and to encourage things that are going well. Robert Honan asked Joelle for her perspective on employment. Joelle will get with Robert to help him work on the Employment position paper. Jana Finkbonner Washington State Rehabilitation Council.

3 Jana Finkbonner has been filling in for Charity on WSRC until she returns. Romel thanked Jana. The report was submitted by to the Council. Jana attended the CSAVR Conference in Chandler, Arizona recently. Andres Aguirre DVR Director Andres distributed a 2012 calendar with successful employment stories printed on each month. Proposed State Budget is under consideration in WA s State House and Senate. The Governor is proposing a 10% cut across the board. The SILC should educate legislators about the importance of services. Andres emphasized that DVR fits into the Governor s priorities related to jobs, and education. Andres will give Rob Honan legislative contacts who Council members can communicate with directly. Romel emphasized that members should focus on educating when speaking with legislators. Right now the DVR State Office is down seven staff. RSA Commissioner, Lynnae Ruttledge resigned as of January Lynnae was the DVR Director in Washington State before taking the job as RSA Commissioner in Washington DC. Susan Dreyfus has also resigned as Secretary of DSHS. She is replaced by Robin Williams who was Secretary before Susan. Linda McClain Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. There is a shift in the IL Part B program because of the 10% proposed budget cut which will now focus on kids age 14 and under. DSB now has a 91% overall customer satisfaction rate. More information can be found online at The Rehabilitation Council toured the DSB Orientation and Training Center where they visited their assistive technology, Home Ec, and other classes provided to train customers in daily living skills. The Rehabilitation Council also visited Othello Station where DSB maintains six apartments for students receiving services. Robert Honan SILC Executive Director Report Budget: We have spent 22% of the budget for The budget is $171,500. We ve spent $37, The budget includes: salary, rent, communications, meetings, and other operational expenses. Rob continued participation in the same groups he has been involved with for the last few years such as Washington State Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP), Youth Transition, Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), and Washington Access Fund (WAF). Rob also worked with CIL directors in support of the SPIL. He gave presentations about Independent Living, the SILC, and our partnership around the State.

4 The ACIL-WA and Liz Prince from AGD had a very good meeting to discuss how they could improve the process in the future. In December, Eric Raff from ODHH sent an inviting IL Center Directors to discuss any potential collaboration with the regional deaf service centers. SILC members met on November 28, 2011 to review the position papers at the State Office in Lacey. Trina and Rob along with several others attended the Rally at the Capitol on November 28, SILC s 704 report is up on our website. Rob provided information about the SILC to people at DVR and DSB. Rob plans to recommend people to take his place on the Washington Access Fund Board and other Advisory Boards before he leaves. Rob will provide the information to Romel Mackelprang and will encourage the members to participate. Linda questioned this decision and expressed dissatisfaction with this plan. Linda McClain ACIL-WA ACIL-WA is wrapping up the ADRC trainings. Trainings in Bellingham, Spokane, Yakima, and Seattle went well. ACIL-WA invited Mark Leaper, Executive Director of Disability Action Center in Lewistown ID, to become a member. His center serves people who live in Whitman and Asotin Counties. ACIL-WA elected officers: o President - Linda McClain o Vice President - Lucille Walls o Secretary - Von Elison o Treasurer - Trina Forest At the next meeting, ACIL-WA will appoint a new SILC Representative to replace Linda McClain whose term is up on September 30, ACIL-WA s priorities include more aggressive collaboration for grant writing or to seek a grant writer for a collaborative statewide grant that will fund centers in the entire State. ACIL-WA wrote a grant to NCOAA that was not awarded. ACIL-WA is also trying to figure out how to utilize social media and related technology. The members of ACIL-WA committed to help with opening the new Center in Bellingham on February 1 st. Linda and Trina were appreciative of their commitment. Trina Forest Director of Center for Independent (CFI) The Center For Independence North Sound in Bellingham will open February 1, Intensive training has been provided to three staff since December. The center is located on the corner of Champion and Magnolia in the old Bon Marche building on the first floor. The CIL and HSDC are across the hall from each other. The CIL is not funded for

5 the Youth Program yet but the goal is to get this program running by October 1, The Open House may be in June in conjunction with a SILC meeting if possible. Center for Independence (CFI) moved to a new location. They had a successful Open House in October at the new Lakewood Center. Meeting discussion Romel Mackelprang asked Barbara Hathaway if it s possible to change locations in order to have a meeting in Bellingham during July and go to WSU on October 4 th and 5 th, Romel wants to continue with plans for Vancouver in April because he receives correspondence from people in Vancouver who are still upset because the SILC did not review records and personnel policies. Romel explained that SILC does not have legal rights to conduct that kind of investigation. The Council must stick with the State Plan to establish centers in Bellingham, Tri-Cities, and on the Peninsula. No funds were included to open another center in So, we are taking feedback now to incorporate into our next State Plan. Jana Finkbonner pointed out that the center does not have to be located in Vancouver. It could be in Chehalis or Centralia. Linda McClain suggest that Rob Honan should let RSA know that we will be having our Public Forum and Council meeting in Vancouver to give them a heads up. Lucille Walls proposed to set up ground rules at the Public Forum in Vancouver before we meet with the people. Lucille suggested that people in Vancouver could start as a grassroots organization and apply for grants from city and county governments to build up funds before requesting grants from RSA. Old Business: Trina and Jana inquired regarding why RSA did not talk to any of the Centers before sending out the RFP. It was determined to check with RSA to see what the process is for CILs to be notified before an RFP goes out to the public. Rob Honan was directed to see if SILC could get ARRA money back resulting from closure of the centers in Everett and Vancouver in order to open new centers in the State of Washington. Romel reviewed an open letter SILC had previously written regarding mental health issues people experienced following the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords. Romel recommended that the year be added after January 8 to clarify the event. The SILC agreed. Linda recommended that the letter be translated into Spanish and Russian. Linda McClain requested that the presentation on IL history to be given by her and Trina be postponed due to lack of time. Romel agreed to move this presentation to the next meeting. Position papers on Voting and Elections, Maintaining Human Rights and Dignity, Appropriate Language, and the revised letter regarding the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords will be placed on the website. Members are requested to feedback to Rob

6 within the next ten days regarding the Emergency Preparedness and Employment papers. The final papers can be presented at the next SILC meeting. Trina Forest moved to accept the position papers: Maintaining Human Rights and Dignity and Preserving the Lives of People with Disabilities in Washington State. Jana seconded. The motion carried. Jana Finkbonner moved to approve the revised position paper: Voting and Elections with edits to the July 2008 version. Linda McClain seconded. The motion is carried. Jana Finkbonner moved to approve revisions to the position paper, Appropriate Language. Linda McClain seconded. The motion is carried. New Business: No items were raised. Public Announcements: CORD in Spokane announced a new project, Smart Justice, in collaboration with Spokane County and the Spokane Progressive movement. The goal is to give feedback and options to the County Commissioners and other authorities regarding resources for people that are inappropriately incarcerated. Dwight McClain, member of the Governor s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, announced that a new Council called the Behavioral Health Advisory Council has been established and is recruiting for an opening until the 20 th of this month. The meeting was adjourned at 3:20pm by Romel Mackelprang, Chair. Respectfully submitted by Barbara Hathaway, SILC Executive Assistant, and Robert Honan, SILC Executive Director, February 20, (With edits from Debbie Cook.)