Statewide Independent Living Council meeting
Thursday November 15, 2007
Faith Called the meeting to order at 9:20 AM
Introductions done by all SILC members and guests Review of Sept minutes Motion to approve made by Kristie Amy seconded the motion
Discussion related to September minutes: Linda- Noted that on page 7 the reference to Judy should be Jurita Martinez Faith- noted that on Page 2 the reference to CIL certification on the Western slope should not read “certified” but should only indicate that Judy has visited the Western Slope Centers for the certification process- and certification still pending.
With those changes all were in favor of approving the September minutes and there were none opposed.
It was discussed that the New PA system was in place but we are missing some parts. However, it should still be able to be used and the microphone can be used if needed
Debbie is recording the Meeting for the purpose of preparing the minutes
Judy reported that Sue is unable to present but Judy will be able to present for her
Faith had some additions to the agenda:
Committee reports 1. Executive committee
Old business 1. SILC congress 2. Update on low cost internet access project
New format for the minutes was discussed and it was reported that the EC committee approved the new format SILC has active members who are participating in committees But we are a small group and have a lot of work to do-
Faith explained that it is everyone’s responsibility to recruit based on the targeted recruitment efforts
Faith expressed Appreciation for all of the work and time everyone is committing
Progress on data collection and report for SILC review- Presented by Judy Hand outs
Judy Questioned the origins of a tabloid news letter- Independence Today- Terrance reported that it is free of charge so we do not need to use SILC funds for a subscription. Judy will continue to accept this publication and will bring it to the meeting for everyone
Judy provided an ADAPT calendar for all SILC members- this calendar was not purchased with SILC funds
Judy presented the1st quarter report for the centers- it included counties and the new consumers served by count on the back. The report only includes (CILCS) Colorado independent living core services- 3 core services are reflected on the billing 1) advocacy, 2) peer support and 3) independent living skills training. The report only reflects these core services because monthly reports from center to center varies.
Each center chooses 2 other services to provide based on their community need.
Centers got an additional allocation this year of $100,000 from the state general funds and some additional money from part B funds.
The report also includes information about counties in Colorado and the new consumers they are reached during the period represented by the report. Judy indicated that she included this information in the report as it is important to know and see that centers are servicing new people. The Hope is to see every county serviced
We have a number of counties in Colorado with population <1000. With needs assessment we hope to find ways to serve all of these counties, even those that are sparsely populated.
Judy gets individual reports each month from centers- Urban centers serve more consumers but not as much space Rural centers may not serve as many consumers but serve more area
This quarterly report is not the same as the 704 report, which reflects all services provided by the centers
Judy requested list from ACCIL that identifies which counties each center has agreed to take on
Data collection system for centers is an ongoing discussion- State considers Data collection is a part of doing business- but state will only pay for the system if all centers agree to purchase the same system and there was no guarantee that the state would pay. Judy had presented this information to the ACCIL Per Linda centers may not have understood that and the centers only purchased the system they could afford- It is too late to have centers get the state to pay for the systems they have already purchased
Nancy Smith from DVR- Over the Last year DVR has been working on expanding DVR. Moving into Greenwood Village in Dec so coverage is greatly expanded. 37 offices ranging from 1 person- 50 people offices Share some areas with workforce centers- relationship is very strong and positive with DVR and workforce centers. Stronger in Colorado than many other states.
Two sets of people who will be instrumental in developing jobs for people with disabilities Disability program navigators- In July DVR took on 9 state positions and 11 front range workforce center- this group does community outreach working with employers and consumers in workforce centers who may benefit from DVR 9 outreach services- outreach to businesses and employers and community working with DPNs to make it possible to offer more job opportunities to consumers
Legislative front:- nothing big with this session now- DVR is “overmatched” which means they don’t have as much Federal match as can use based on state and local money- probably no major effect on budget- but no new initiatives at this time, as DVR will be watching the budget carefully.
A couple of months ago, on the national level, Senate staffers started working on pulling the Rehab act out of (WIA) Workforce Investment Act. It will not be done before the end of this session. But is worth watching. DVR started an Employee council started this year- members cannot supervise anyone else to be on council. This council helps Nancy to know what the needs are for employees to make sure DVR is meeting needs of consumers- DVR culture, employee retention- retention is very important because rehab councilors are hard to come by- Fed require MS degree- all states have same problem- so need to keep good people.
DVR is also Looking at quality of services and training DVR provides. New Travel Reimbursement Process Presented by Deb Robinson Changes to state fiscal rules Receipts for meals no longer a requirement- goal for reimbursement to be made more timely Receipts will be needed for anything over $25.00
exceptions to state rules- for SILC members Child care expenses- allowable for board members or different commissions- but not allowed to pay a family member so must have a receipt There is no max listed- will not allow anything outside of reasonable costs Georgeanna asked if costs for care of an 18y.o with a disability that may be over usual child care costs would be covered- Deb indicated that it should be covered but may be reviewed more closely
Deb reports that all of the forms for reimbursement have been updated: Sept 2007 or later forms are acceptable
Per diem rates have not changed- $3 for incidentals is allowed for each overnight stay i.e. tips, phone calls etc Snacks are not a reimbursable item.
Eligibility for per diem- Per diem times were designated for travel in a single day Leave before 5am entitled to breakfast Leave before 10 am entitled to lunch If leave before 4p or return after 8 p you are entitled to dinner any time during your stay Per diem only related to overnight stay
Per diem for Denver - breakfast $9 Lunch $13 Dinner $24 Plus $3 for Incidentals= total of $49 forms required to be turned in within 60 days after completion of travel per IRS rules- applies to boards and commission members Prefer that we get forms in prior to end of fiscal year if possible
Mileage vs airline travel- depends on situation and is up to the state liaison how to handle Call Joyce if we need to get airline tickets vs driving- Joyce has to get SILC chair approval and state approval before airline tickets are purchased. Faith reports that the SILC has routinely approved flights Most of SILC members are working people so in order to avoid extra day airfare has been approved Faith suggested that the only time airfare would not be approved is if it is significantly higher than driving and the weather is good.
Amy asked about the mileage rate Deb reported that it is $.39 now and will go up in January 85-90% of Federal rate.
Year to Date Expenses Report- handed out to SILC members Kristie reports that we have spent just over $8000 YTD. Expenses that have cleared through end of September. The only expenses that may not be reflected are expenses from Durango. Joyce Questioned balance thought it should be $37,300 but that my be through the end of October-
Patricia requested a more clear budget- showing expenditures- including how much of the annual budget we have spent vs where we are in fiscal year Need expenditures compared to budget Patricia felt that a more clear format is necessary as we will be having expenditures come through in the very near future.
Kristie stated that our budget needs to match state object codes. Need to rearrange budgeted items so they fit object codes
Kristie asked What is the SILCs expectation of budget report- Would like it to be most recent information as of the SILC meeting
Motion to accept report as presented by Kristie which reflects expenditures through the end of September Georgeanne made a motion to accepted the report and Bill and Terrance seconded the motion There was no discussion All were in favor of accepting the report there were none opposed.
Patricia congratulated the SILC as this is the First financial report that has been approved in 1 year.
Committee Reports Patricia handed out minutes from the last meeting 11/13/07 Patricia reported for Larry- Will meet quarterly and review goals and objectives and giving SILC guidance on what needs to happen
Regular meetings are scheduled Middle month of each quarter on 2nd Tuesday at 10 AM by teleconference
We have made progress on first year’s goals Will review later in the meeting
Will get reports from this committee on an ongoing basis – which will allow accountability for state plan Primary goals are bylaws revision- sub committee- Kristie and Evelyn to look at the bylaws Plan to have a Vote on changes in the bylaws at the January meeting Bylaws will be sent to SILC members in December so that everyone has 30 days to review.
Primary areas for change: • SILC membership, • expectations for travel, • travel reimbursement guidelines, • electronic vote, • attendance by phone
Kristie will be summarizing areas in bylaws so SILC can make comments bylaws will be separate from operating policies and procedures-
Patricia reports that the SILC coordinator will also work on that Mike reported that committee is working on the fact that the quality of SILC members is important, there is a focus on what part of state to recruit from, and we must also fulfill requirements for disability representation All SILC members will have to help with requirements and expectations
SILC has Committed members but spread thin
No meeting The SILC members received the executive committee meeting minutes from November.
Patricia reported that the committee meets the first Thursday of Month- some items recently discussed include: • SILC contract, • review bid for technical assistance, • web side proposal, • review all work coordinator is doing • Review SILC agenda for meetings • Where are we going as a SILC October did not have a quorum but gave direction for Patricia and Judy November meeting- things were voted on
Do need to get public policy committee up and running- Patricia to take lead on this committee
Patricia will be the coordinator through 12/31 and then will apply for SILC membership. Old Business The contract was awarded to Connections- but the person who was to take the coordinator position could not start immediately. Patricia remained as the SILC coordinator until December 31,2007 and then Don Colorosso will start as the SILC coordinator
If for some reason Don is not ready to start the position January 1 Patricia might stay on as coordinator or Beth with connections could appoint someone else to fill the position.
There was some discussion that a coordinator who also works for the IL center may have a conflict in prioritizing duties- but Beth with Connections felt that the time requirements could be worked out. Patricia handed out to the SILC members the document outlining the Goal and objectives, success measures and outcomes, and budget narratives for the 2008-2010 Colorado SPIL Patricia reviewed the goals and objectives, success measures and outcomes, budget 2008-1010 Colorado SPIL We have already started meeting some of the goals and objectives
At SILC congress Judy and Faith will attend a work shop to answer some of the questions regarding our relationship with DVR, and having a memorandum of understanding.
We have a Goal to have on our website a legislative link so it will be clear what we are working on We also need to know how Nancy would like us to communicate with public policy makers
Georgeanna asked if we should be involved in the Democratic convention in any way
There was a questions if we have membership in NCIL and APRIL- Joyce thinks we do have membership- Joyce was given permission to pay membership dues as they come due- with the plan to put Terrance, Faith and Larry on the membership list.
Also we need to make sure that any NCIL and APRIL information is sent to the SILC members and centers
We need to put out the bid late spring to early summer in 2008 for the needs assessment so we will be ready for the assessment to start in October 2008
Training for SILC should include electronic media for accomplishing our goals Patricia reports that there were two bids for our website design- A synopsis of the bids was passed out to the SILC
The bids were discussed and reviewed
Amy made the motion that we accept the bid from CPWD due to the fact that the bid cost is lower than the one from Design Kiln and CPWD has similar goals to the SILC in providing an accessible website. Kristie seconded the motion
Linda abstained from the vote as she has a business relationship with DesignKiln
The remainder of the SILC members voted to accept CPWD’s bid for the website there where none who opposed.
The proposed membership grid was reviewed and approved
We need to focus on 3 more members with disabilities primarily disabilities in the following areas Deaf/hearing impaired Blind or low vision Mental Health
We also need representation from the southern, northern, eastern plains parts of Colorado
We also need representation for the youth
A potential recruitment letter was reviewed
New Business SILC members will review the 704 report via e-mail and it can be voted on electronically
Patricia needs recommendations related to training In addition to what is already included Linda recommended that training include electronic media
Judy explained that funds for training are dealt with in the aggregate and are doled out to ILRU or national organizations that provide training Debbie presented 23 logo entries from the students The committee will review the logo entries and indicate a preference Patricia reviewed the plan to provide funds to the Centers for training and technical assistance.
A vote was held to approve the Training and Technical Assistance Program. Kristie made the motion to accept the program. Amy seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. Public comments The floor is open to anyone who wishes to address the SILC about IL issues whether they are on the agenda or not. Sign Language interpreter is available There have been no requests for public comment- The meeting was continued with the plan to stop if someone arrives for public comment Judy, and Faith will be attending the SILC congress in January- Georgeanna expressed an interest in attending the SILC congress- Amy also expressed an interest in attending as she feels it is her responsibility to participate if possible- however she is not a new member of the SILC
The SILC members agreed that Georgeanna would be the SILC member who will be sent to SILC congress
Judy’s expenses are being covered by DVR And we have in the SILC budget funds for the chairperson to attend Patricia reported that this project is still being worked on- Speakers/Education Will defer this presentation until a future meeting Education provided by AT partners The committee visited DCIL after the meeting