Colorado SILC

"A Leading Authority on Independent Living in Colorado"

COLORADO STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Marriott Hotel Fort Collins, CO

 

 

8:30    Full breakfast buffet

9:00    Meeting called to order by Debbie Petersen

                       

• Introductions:
• Members present: Billy Allen, Amy Allred, Julia Beems, Mark Cloer, Pat Going, Faith Gross, Carol Hunter, Hope Krause and attendant, Linda Lapointe, Debbie Petersen, Linda Taylor, Jan Ward, Larry Williams, Judy Neal, Patricia Yeager; Kristie Braaten via teleconference
• Guests: Beth Danielson (Connections for Independent Living in Greeley); Nancy Smith (Disabled Resource Center, Fort Collins) Sign language interpreters Deanna and Jenny; note taker Cindy Powell

 

• Debbie’s remarks:
• Judy, Debbie, Nancy Smith conference call:
• Discussed mission statement

• Intern assisting with housing challenges

 

• Meeting minutes from September’s meeting were unanimously approved:
• Corrections:
• Spelling: Thomas Kelley
• Under Carol Hunter’s report: PAW

 

• Judy Neal’s DVR supervisor Diana Pratt-Wilson was introduced:
• Diana’s first SILC meeting
• New Provider Relations Unit Manager
• Finance and contracts procurement background
• Has been with DVR for two months
• Has resided in CO for 22 years
• E-mail: diana.prattwilson.state.co.us
• Phone: (303)866-4738

 

• DVR report: Judy Neal
• DVR “order of selection”/budgetary issues:
• DVR not accepting new consumers; however, do not discourage people from applying!
• Weak economy, level funding, increased costs
• More people applying for services
• State on order of selection which means most severely disabled are served first.
• Contact local DVR office with questions.

• Judy asked members to complete/return evaluation form by end of lunch;

Form asks for feedback on:

• Hotel
• Meeting Room and agenda

• New State travel rules:
• New Travel Reimbursement Information form:
• Front/back
• Sign on back and submit to Judy during lunch.
• Must use new form to be reimbursed
• Accounting will not reimburse after 60 days.
• Meals: flat rate; too timely to verify receipts
• Rental cars: must be preapproved in writing
• Air fare: preapproved 30 days in advance
• State makes arrangements to obtain state rates from approved travel agents
• Weather emergency causing a need to fly to a meeting is decided on a case by case basis
• Joyce Edwards resigned:
• Final day 12/01/08
• Plans to pursue ministry
• State hiring freeze will affect position being filled
• Hoping FTE Program Assistant Rebecca Johnson can assume Joyce’s SILC duties:
• Already works closely with Judy Neal and the State Rehabilitation Council
• Possesses knowledge and skills around travel, procurement and reimbursements under state rules
• Enthusiastic, outgoing
• Submit all reimbursement forms or other communications to Judy: judy.neal@state.co.us

 

• Finance report: Billy Allen

• Many thanks to Billy for giving the Finance committee report.

• Reviewed June 2008 financial report
• 108% spent
• DVR paid for overspending: thank you note to be sent to Nancy Smith.
• September 2008 revised financial report e-mailed to members prior to meeting
• Reviewed October 2008 financial report
• 29% of fiscal year budget spent thus far (1/3 of year, not including this meeting)
• Craig meeting was very expensive:
• Interpreter cost high: to/from Colorado Springs

• Next two meetings will be less costly.
• Cost of upcoming needs assessment survey unknown
• Budget flexible: can move funds between line items to balance budget

• PROMPTLY SUBMIT RECEIPTS: Cannot determine expenditures until all receipts submitted for reimbursement!

 

• SILC Coordinator report: Patricia Yeager
• Final meeting as Coordinator
• Mark Cloer training with Patricia during December to

replace Patricia 01/01/09

• Patricia expressed an interest to become a “regular” member of the SILC upon completion of her tenure as “SILC Coordinator”. This will also help to insure a smooth transition to Mark.
• Mark’s resume shared with members prior to meeting:
• Former (6 years) State legislator
• Served on State health committee all six years
• Mark’s passion: public policy: can assist SILC with legislative issues
• After winning reelection November 2006, resigned as State Rep December 2006 due to family issue:
• Resides 45 mi. east of Pueblo: Sugar City (eastern Crowley County)
• Looks forward to working with SILC
• Available 20 hours/week
• E-mail (checks every morning): markcloer@netzero.com
• Cell phone (best way to contact): (719)271-9923

• Emphasizes that SILC cannot lobby!
• Larry Williams invites Mark to visit Center for Disabilities in Pueblo!

 

• Unexcused absences bylaws accepted:
• Members subject to removal if 50% of meetings missed without excused absence during fiscal year
• Amy Allred excused from last meeting

 

• ACCIL report: Linda Taylor
• Tim Thornton, Executive Director of Atlantis Community, is compiling advocacy report from May 2008 training
• CESSI Ticket to Work training last week:
• Program goal: provide more employment choices for people with disabilities (PWD) receiving SSI/SSDI:
• Stimulates job placement competition
• Presently, DVR cannot serve new people with Tickets due to order of selection.
• Currently, four EN’s in CO: all on Front Range and none a national vendor
• No cost for ILC’s to become Employment Networks (EN’s).
• Federal Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) approval required.
• Cumbersome process: 60 page packet of information must be completed
• Prior challenges:
• EN: lengthy wait for reimbursement
• PWD required to remain employed for one year
• PWD not using Ticket: barriers and two year time limitation

• Changes:
• EN’s will receive incremental reimbursements based upon services provided
• $21,000. per job placement
• PWD provided with incentives:
• $20. for bringing in pay stub
• EN reimbursed (proof PWD placed)
• Linda Taylor will pursue Ticket to Work training for Grand Junction ILC.
• For updated Ticket to Work information, contact Jeff Peterson or Jennifer Pfau jennpfau@thelegalcenter.org at The Legal Center for PWD and Older People.
• SILC Web site:
• Can publicize which ILC’s are EN’s
• Webmaster: Tim from The Center for People with Disabilities in Boulder

 

• State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) report: Larry Williams
• Like SILC, SRC mandated:
• Different State plan
• Employment SRC’s major focus

• SRC Role:
• Partner in developing State plan
• Input into DVR policies and procedures
• The Legal Center Jeff Peterson: former SRC Chairperson.
• Larry Williams is the SILC representative for SRC and SRC representative for SILC

• Most recent meeting: retreat to plan for next year
• 8-10 goals identified; must focus on 4-5:
• Billy asked if Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf attend SRC; yes

 

MORNING BREAK

 

• Committee reports:
• Membership committee: Pat Going
• SILC brochure:
• Thanks to Judy and Patricia!

• Correct erroneous meeting locations:
• Pueblo 3/18/09
• Greeley 5/20/09
• Website address should be added to brochure.
• Above two changes completed 11/24/08

• Pat will send brochure to members electronically:
• Members can print brochure on color printer
• Can be used to recruit potential members
• Word version prints better than .pdf version
• Pat will mail ten hard copies to each ILC.

• Pat can make large print copies.
• Membership:
• Faith, Larry and Pat’s terms expire 9/30/09.
• Maximum of 22 members permitted
• 16-17 members ideal: quality rather than quantity
• Targeted members:
• Racial diversity
• Varied geographical representation
• Potential members:
• Refer to website.
• Provide brochure.
• Invite to next meeting.
• Travel reimbursement is available for potential new SILC members to attend a SILC meeting if membership committee has recommended approval.

• State plan committee: Linda Lapointe, Chair
• Hope will join committee.
• Teleconference meeting: 10 am 12/9

 

                         Executive Committee

• Accepted Mark Cloer as new SILC Chair
• Noted that the bylaws change on absences was approved

 

                        Public Policy Committee

• Had a telephone meeting in October rather than face to face due to weather
• Worked on Emergency Prep issue brief with Richard Solosky

 

• Old business:
• Secretary position:   
• Person recording minutes cannot participate in meeting.
• Cindy Powell will record minutes next couple of meetings.
• Secretary role: review recorded minutes
• SILC member on CFI Board: transcriber who listens to meeting tapes available to transcribe minutes for $28. /hour.
• Could Program Assistant Rebecca Johnson attend SILC meetings and record minutes?
• DVR 10/28/08 response to Debbie Petersen’s’s 9/29/08 letter to Nancy Smith:
• SILC requested administrative assistant
• Concerns re: effectively preparing for/coordinating SILC meetings

• Two SILC members did not have hotel room in Craig.

• Following Joyce Edwards’ resignation, it is unlikely she will be replaced due to statewide hiring freeze.
• SILC Executive Committee proposing primary consideration for ½ to 1 FTE when hiring freeze over:

• Develop job description to justify FTE.
• Joyce was half time.
• If FTE provided, another position within DVR might have to decrease by the same amount.

• PowerPoint projector:
• Purchased approximately seven years ago
• Worked very well
• Was used for SILC presentations and public hearings
• Whereabouts unknown:

• Last seen at Denver Radisson meeting 1 year ago

• NCIL conference:
• Amy Allred attended.
• Can helpful materials Amy received be scanned to website without violating copyright laws?

• Permission from originating sources
• Request electronic copies.

 

• New business:
• SILC policies and procedures: Debbie Petersen
• Written by Judy and Patricia in August
• Has not been proofread yet
• Will be helpful to new members
• Available in case Judy and Patricia not available
• Members to review ethics for potential conflicts of interest
• Will be placed on website and changed as needed

• Mark recommended members have user names and passwords to access information not available to public.

• Members reviewed policies and recommended revisions:

• Insufficient time to review them all
• Members to independently review and recommend updates

• Conference travel for remainder of fiscal year
• 1/3 – 1/6/08 SILC Congress in Las Vegas:

• Travel will be less expensive than last year (New Orleans).
• Debbie and Mark will go in 2009.

• June 2009 NCIL in Washington DC:

• Not as important as SILC Congress
• Will not send anyone to NCIL

• Should we set up a full SILC teleconference meeting prior to March 2009 meeting?
• Mark: five upcoming legislative dates that may influence when to meet

• 2 due first week of December
• 3 by end of December
• Committees will vote approximately mid-January.
• Other bills will be introduced January through February 1.

 

                        How shall we monitor bills?

• Colorado General Assembly Home page:
• http://www.leg.state.co.us/
• Not user friendly
• SILC Executive Committee to select most important bills.
•  Julia Beems: CO Governor’s Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities maintains list of disability bills.
• Faith:
• Julie Reiskin of Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition monitors disability bills and does direct lobbying.
• The Legal Center subscribes to State bill information.
• Received e-mail from woman in NY last February: CO interested in passing Disability History Week legislation?

Faith would like to see the SILC work to get a resolution passed to create a Disablity History Month in Colorado.  This is part of a national project.  Check out http://disabilityhistoryweek.org/  for more information

• Proclamation from Governor?
• Partner with CO Advisory Council, DVR, DD councils?
• GOAL: broad representation/support from disability organizations; involve PWD
• Mark: easier to start joint resolution in Senate
• Can work with Legislative staff re: specified date (e.g.: first Monday every October)
• Motion: Faith: Promote Disability History Week through joint resolution
• Second: Carol
• In favor: unanimous

 

• Public hearing on issues affecting people with disabilities:
• Executive Director Nancy Jackson
• Economy affecting ILC’s:
• Housing:
• Renter application fees escalating
• Cannot recoup fees if denied housing

based upon poor credit report

• Must pay fees again when applying for other housing
• Higher (sometimes double) deposits required

• PWD tend to be lower income.
• Higher utilities costs, particularly in rural areas
• PWD coming to ILC when utilities disconnect notices received
• Too often people are so many months in arrears that the ILC can’t afford to provide assistance.
• Emergency preparedness:

• No statewide planning or coordination
• Case Manager Dave Mc Danal
• Loveland satellite office
• Outreach to rural Jackson County
• 10 years experience
• Economy concerns:
• More PWD (middle class) requesting housing and employment assistance
• Lost employment results in eviction, foreclosure and/or bankruptcy.
• Relationships breaking up because of poor economy.
• Recession leading to depression
• Concern economy will get worse
• Housing Specialist Alison Dawson
• SSI/SSDI applications and appeals
• Economy concerns:
• Increase in homeless PWD
• Huge need for transitional housing
• State AND:
• No health care
• Surgical needs unmet
• Conditions worsen
• Lengthy wait for SSI/Medicaid

 

• Presenter Richard Solosky: CO emergency preparedness for people with disabilities
• Patricia sincerely thanks Richard for all he has done for SILC!
• SILC intern; researcher; volunteer
• Pursuing nonprofit management graduate degree
• Prepared brief, new logo and letterhead
• Would be happy to share copies of today’s PowerPoint slides

• Contacted Richard Devylder: http://www.dor.ca.gov/rd_video.htm
• CO: no coordinated statewide emergency planning and preparing effort for PWD in independent living:

• Notification
• Evacuation
• Sheltering
• Planning

• CO home rule state: local jurisdictions make decisions
• Most local agencies have no plan for PWD!
• PWD should know which agency responsible in their city/county
• PWD should be involved in emergency preparedness planning.
• ILC’s involved in planning (know where resources are)
• Emergency service personnel:
• Needs to know where PWD are
• Involve paratransit in plan
• Should be trained
• Should be prepared
• Multiple agencies with jurisdiction and no coordinated effort:
• CO Division of Emergency Management: 9 regions
• Has done most for PWD
• Special needs steering committee
• Will meet 12/1/08
• Developing registry
• Minutes online
• CO Department of Public Health and Environment
• Governor’s Office of Homeland Security

• $20 million available for emergency preparedness planning in Colorado.
• Richard has approached Josh Blue to make a humorous commercial on emergency preparedness:

• Alternate host: Eric Weinmeyer

• National uniform standards preferred
• National Organization on Disability:
• Emergency Preparedness Initiative
• http://www.nod.org/
• READY Colorado Plan for Special Needs may be a place where we can put material specific to persons with disabilities:
• http://www.readycolorado.com/pdf/specialneeds.pdf
• SILC prefers term “functional limitations”, rather than “special needs” on all materials.

• Limitations are reason plan needs to be developed

• SILC supports governor’s office creating position: emergency preparedness contact person for PWD
• Invite to next meeting: leaders of:

• CO Division of Emergency Management
• CO Department of Public Health and Environment
• Governor’s Office of Homeland Security

• Mark: Statewide organization: County Sheriffs of Colorado
• Education = Changes

• Motion: Linda Taylor  Public policy committee to issue brief

• Share with full SILC electronically prior to next meeting

• People First language
• Including senior population important!
• Approve content
• Corrections

• Low cost, high impact tangible project for SILC
• Targeted audience: people making policy and decisions

• Second: Jan Ward
• In favor: Unanimous

 

3:00    Meeting adjourned

 

Disabled Resource Services, 424 Pine; #101, Fort Collins, CO 80524; (970) 482-2700

• Presentation by Ginny De Herdt
• DVD viewed
• History of Ginny’s long time involvement and fund raising
• Tour and explanation of equipment loan library by Nancy Jackson

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Cindy Powell

cpowell@mtc-inc.com

(800)949-4232 ext. 112

11/26/08

 

info@coloradosilc.org