Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) meeting minutes
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Marriott Hotel Pueblo, CO
Members:
Billy Allen, Interim Finance Committee Chair
Amy Allred
Julia Beems
Mark Cloer, SILC Coordinator
Pat Going, Membership Committee Chair
Carol Hunter
Hope Krause and attendant
Linda Lapointe, State Plan Committee Chair, Ad Hoc Chair
Judy Neal, ILC Program Coordinator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Debbie Petersen, Executive Chairperson
(involved with all aspects of SILC; appoints Committee chairs)
Linda Taylor, Public Policy Committee Chair
Jan Ward
Larry Williams
Patricia Yeager, Secretary and Finance Committee member
Excused absence:
Faith Gross
Guests:
Prospective member Andy O'Riley
Prospective member Cindy Powell (note taker)
Prospective member James Tucker
Sign language interpreters
Aden Panilla and Karen Warwick
For emergency preparation issue brief:
Detective Pat Heine (Pueblo Police Department Crime Prevention Specialist)
Gloria Valdez (Senior Resource Development Agency-HCBS programs)
Attendees enjoyed a breakfast buffet prior to meeting, which began slightly after 9 am.
Executive Chairperson Debbie Peterson called meeting to order. Introductions completed. November
2008 minutes approved with one addition: Nancy Jackson was guest at last meeting.
Some members leaving SILC when terms end 10/1/09
Notify Pat Going of plans to reapply (if eligible) or resign; Faith Gross only member
ineligible to reapply.
Members should submit applications for timely reinstatement.
Anticipated SILC composition will influence recruitment efforts.
DVR report: Judy Neal
Order of Selection status:
Though DVR not serving new clients, intakes continue; refer people to apply for waiting list
State budgetary issues/hiring freeze: how they impact DVR/services:
30.5 FTE (15: counselor positions) vacant
119 counselors; average counselor case load: 100; maximum 233
DVR report: Judy Neal (continued)
Current condition of DVR:
Awaiting $7.3 million stimulus money; uncertain whether there will be stipulations
or requirements on how funds can be spent
2670 successful closures: average $3683.29 per client; total $9,834,389.29
1557 unsuccessful closures (clients dropped out prior to obtaining employment):
Average $2993.48 per client; total $4,567,434.32
38 DVR locations: three one person offices co-located with CCB’s
Above figures (early March 2009) available to anyone who inquires
Figures continually change.
Federal law states SILC must be autonomous from State; insignificant: members approved by Governor
Will take personal time in April; submit reimbursement requests by 3/26/09!
Finance report: Billy Allen/Patricia Yeager:
$48,500. budget: 43% spent first half of year
$689. spent in January 2009
SILC billed $2932. in February 2009
Gap between November 2008 and March 2009 meetings:
$578 conference calls less costly than meeting cost
Balance: $24,690.
Will present 2010 budget at May meeting
One more Finance Committee member desired!
Meet one time per month (20 minutes to one hour) as needed (after DVR report received)
Role: monitor SILC budget
SILC Coordinator report: Mark Cloer:
Cell phone number: (719)271-9923
Members to notify Mark if not receiving his e-mails
Mark has spent past two months monitoring Committee activities.
SILC Executive Director position open in (Boise) Idaho; recruitment closes 3/23
Andrew from NIDRR National Statistics Center working with Patricia and State Plan Commitee:
Submitted 3 page list of questions from CO SILC:
Check mark: able to provide answer
Tildes: possible answer
X: not able to provide answer
Andrew: Will attend/present at May SILC meeting
Compiling CO statistics at no cost; CO SILC is first state to request
CO SILC will cover Andrew's travel, lodging and meal expenses.
Statistics will assist State Plan Committee as a part of the state IL needs assessment prior to developing the next 3 year state plan.
SILC Coordinator report: Mark Cloer (continued)
Online course "Smooth as SILC: An Introduction to SILC's"
Must register by 3/23
Course 4/6-4/24
Fee $100. per participant: SILC can cover members' fees; funds available in budget
ACCIL report: Linda Taylor:
Provided ACCIL brochure and CO Certified CIL's summary
10 centers serve all 64 CO counties
Some CIL’s city/county based
Rural CIL’s: underserved areas
Some CIL’s serve vast geographic areas
Four CIL directors or staff on State Plan Committee
State Rehabilitation report: Larry Williams:
E-mail report so information can be included in minutes not yet received (distribute addendum)?
1707 on DVR waiting list: 2/3 rated most significant disability
Hiring freeze; 12 FTE lost
TBI Trust Fund Program:
CO Transportation Finance Advisory Committee:
Senate Bill: State employment more welcoming to PWD
Senate Bill 08-163: creation of Colorado Autism Commission: passed:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2008A/commsumm.nsf/IndSumm/176B97EDCB534B7C872573FD00824512?OpenDocument
Employee Disability Awareness Toolkit:
1 hour abbreviated (from 8 hr) training
Employers to understand impact of hiring PWD
DVR Supervisor Diana Pratt-Wilson accepted another position.
Goals:
Five new members by end of year (4 applications received last month)
Co-chairs
Update website
15 min. face to face meeting with Governor each year
Membership Committee report: Pat Going:
Introduced visitor Andy O'Riley (has completed SILC application)
Introduced visitor James Tucker (also considering applying)
Pat Going does not plan to reapply when term ends; recommends that Cindy Powell apply/represent
DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center on SILC (has completed SILC application)
Former SILC Coordinator Patricia Yeager now SILC member
Membership now more geographically represented
Membership Committee report: Pat Going (continued)
Website updates wonderful; submit updates to Mark Cloer
Members only login: silcmember; password: empowerment
Julia Beems and Judy Neal on Membership Committee
Julia Beems to invite agencies to apply
Debbie Petersen will submit name of interested inquirer.
Public Policy Committee report: Linda Taylor:
Distributed emergency preparedness brief to SILC and ILC's
SILC to promote "white papers": 1-3 page synopses on topics affecting PWD
Preferred terminology: "people with functional limitations, rather than "special needs " or "vulnerable populations."
Executive Committee met 3/5:
Topic: funds to pay for publication and distribution of emergency preparedness brief
$250. earmarked for each brief
Executive Committee approval if exceeds $250.
Printing already in budget
Different targeted audience for each brief
Future briefs to include distribution plan
Briefs on Legislators' chamber desks so they can read during issues they are not involved in
Issue brief: will be issued to media, other groups shortly
2nd issue brief: Picture of demographics of Coloradoans with disabilities across the state and within the 10 catchment areas. This should occur after the May presentation of the statistics by Andrew Houghen, Director of the National Disability Stats Center. It will be distributed to the disability service provider community, press, legislators, other public policy maker and the disability community via email and print where needed. The goal is to help all of these groups better understand our population of persons with disabilities.
3rd Issue brief: Not enough accessible housing? Experts to be consulted for overview
Limited access to Medicare/Medicaid providers?
ER being used for primary care; higher cost to taxpayers
Attempt to convince legislators to increase reimbursement rate?
Attempt to convince each physician to accept two new patients?
James Tucker: recent CCDC (Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition) meeting in
Colorado Springs; discussed:
Physicians denying Medicare/Medicaid patients:
Losing money when serving Medicare/Medicaid patients
Paperwork time consuming, cumbersome
Mesa County Workforce Center: low birth weight babies pilot project:
Little/no prenatal care
Community volunteers to assist completing paperwork?
SILC to assist encouraging physicians to accept
Medicare/Medicaid patients?
Debbie Petersen: Current legislation: nurse practitioners’ limited ability to provide primary care
Result: some, particularly rural, receiving no medical care
Public Policy Committee report: Linda Taylor: (continued)
Patricia Yeager: SILC/ILCs cannot be everything to everybody!
Most impact: Issue briefs rather than direct involvement
Independent living services: skills training, peer support, information and referral, advocacy,
building community
Linda Lapointe: SILC: Rather than providing solutions, advocate for community to provide solutions Overlap between senior and developmental disabilities services
Billy Allen: Community Choice Act (Harkin)
People with disabilities (PWD):
Equal employment opportunities
Full involvement in community activities
Choice of receiving community services and supports, rather than institution
Mark Cloer: SILC, as group, can advocate, not lobby! Individual members (as private citizens) can lobby.
State Capitol: (800)811-7647
State Plan Committee report: Linda Lapointe
2008-2010 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) developed two years ago; one year remaining
http://coloradosilc.org/resources/orientation/spil08.pdf
Former Chair Patricia Yeager found Andrew (NIDRR Disability Statistics Center in Washington DC)
to complete needs assessment.
Mark Cloer solicited questions from ILC’s; presented questions to Andrew
Andrew to compile CO Disability Statistics (will identify needs and assist in development of next
State Plan)
$3900 budget:
Andrew’s expenses to present report to SILC in May
Colorado Disability Resources Directory:
Identify CO disability agencies, groups and organizations
Larry Williams would like to be involved with compiling list.
Will post on SILC website
Larry Williams: disability report to Governor
Old Business:
Membership Committee nomination of Patricia Yeager as Colorado SILC Secretary:
Motion: Pat Going; Second: Julia Beems
Formal Council vote: unanimous
SILC Congress report: Debbie Petersen:
Met Region 8 representatives:
MT Legislator
Couple from WY SILC
ND SILC member (happy to be in warm Las Vegas, NV)
Sessions attended:
Accessible information (flash drive presentation provided to attendees)
Attendees with visual impairments offended by print materials
SILC 101
Ticket to Work (NCIL will become EN: employment network)
Veterans Administration: Service connected disabled veterans
Benefits to children with spina bifida and ALS
NCIL (National Council on Independent Living) recommendations: will be in official report; Debbie feels CO SILC already implementing:
Reauthorization of Rehab Act vs. new IL Act: SILC Congress subcommittee
Resolve RSA (Rehabilitation Services Administration) inconsistencies approved
by SPIL (State Plan for Independent Living):
Direct lobbying
Inappropriate fund raising
What SILC's should be doing:
1) Collaborate with ILC’s
2) Implement, monitor and review SPIL
3) Advocacy
4) Advise and assist DSU (Designated State Unit): Rehab Act
5) Coordinate and improve DSU’s
6) Meetings open to public
7) Periodic review to RSA
8) Resource development
9) Policies
Fun: Mark Cloer won cheese basket containing cheese head.
Debbie Petersen won Hawaiian basket.
Next SILC Congress: 1/2/10 in Las Vegas, NV: Recommend that the SILC see if there is an agenda before attending again. This year’s meeting was not very educational or productive due to attendees’ frustration with RSA. Agenda was sketchy.
1/1 (New Year’s Day) travel required:
Hotel rooms and meeting areas already booked
Accessibility:
Individual restrooms extremely large and accessible
Front door not wheelchair accessible
Otherwise very accommodating
New Business:
Colorado SILC bylaw background/changes: Debbie Petersen:
Ad Hoc Committee bylaw changes: Linda Lapointe
Committee: Billy Allen, Debbie Petersen, Judy Neal, Mark Cloer, Linda Lapointe (Chairperson):
Met to review bylaws: CO SILC Finance Committee Chairperson not attending meetings
Bylaws: Section H (Principal Officers):
1) Chairperson/elected officer should submit letter of resignation if unable to fill duties; however if that does not happen
2) SILC Chairperson to appoint interim replacement, to be approved by Executive Committee
without this action, Quorum difficult: 2 of 4 Offices (Finance and Secretary) were vacant
3) Permanent replacement then elected at regularly scheduled election
However, no response to e-mails, phone messages, certified letter
Therefore, Interim Chairperson appointed
Mark Cloer: perhaps health issues account for absences
Patricia Yeager: negative impact on SILC business; upcoming budget
Formal Council vote:
Bylaws: removal as Officer (not SILC member) by 2/3 majority group of entire Council
Council cannot vote on bylaws change for 30 days after presented to SILC
Council to vote electronically:
Reply All: Meeting votes public anyway
E-mail ideas and comments to Linda Lapointe by 4/4: sospueblo@yahoo.com
Working Lunch:
Priorities for spending remaining fiscal year's unspent monies ($7000): Patricia Yeager
Not much spent on training this fiscal year
Next year budget: Larry Williams to Region 8 training in Albuquerque
Possibilities:
First priority: Executive Committee retreat: $2000. (June 2009)
Second priority: Emergency planning training camp for Non SILC members/PWD
in Denver metro area: $2000(before June 30)
Emergency preparedness for PWD residing independently
Plans already exist for PWD residing in facilities
Pat Going: National Organization on Disability (NOD): disability specific emergency
preparedness brochures:
Mobility
Sensory
Cognitive
Service animal owners
http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Feature.showFeature&FeatureID=1539
Brochures also available at DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center
Priorities for spending remaining fiscal year's unspent monies ($7000): Patricia Yeager (continued)
North Central Planning Committee for Special Needs to change name
One day training, initially in metro area, then in other locations around state
Monday afternoons once per month
PWD need to be involved!
If funds remain: Ad creation and public service announcements: disability issues
Mark Cloer: SILC goals: educate public and advocate for PWD
Cannot rely on free press
Direct advertising: assures word gets out
Weekly/monthly print publications: longer shelf life
Select demographic by publication/station.
Radio: 30 and 60 second ads same price (select 60 seconds)
Create ads this year; ads ready if need to spend money by deadline
If no funds remaining, use ads next year
Think about theme; use SILC members; rehearse
Time slots according to demographic
New external hard drive: $200-300
Funds already available in budget
SILC banner: $1000
Pat Going willing to initiate bids
To display at meetings, conferences, job fairs
Funds already available in budget
Pat Going willing to initiate bids
Other ideas:
Projector: $900.
Public comment period:
Orlando: Center for Disabilities (CFD) assisted when applied/denied housing
CFD accompanied to meeting; determined unfairly denied; was placed back on list
Alice Boy: CFD Director 1986-1991; Grant Writer 2003-2004 prior to liver disease
Barrier to employment while awaiting transplant: fatigue; absent several days each month
2003: applied Section 8 housing; was paying over 50% of SSDI and limited employment income
to slum landlords; found landlords willing to accept Section 8 vouchers; affordable rent; living
independently “with pride” across street from CFD
Joe Maestas: CFD assisted in purchasing home (2003); attends CFD group activities
CFD volunteer Alicia Tekla: no comments
CFD employee Ernie Tapia: no comments
Larry Williams: CFD Housing Coordinator Anthony assisted five new homeowners with disabilities
last year.
Linda Taylor: SILC to put advertisements on website?
Funds from advertisements to assist PWD with owning/operating small businesses?
Linda Lapointe: SILC not 503c; State agencies don’t want SILC to fund raise
Emergency preparation issue brief: Patricia Yeager and SILC volunteer/intern Richard Solosky:
Richard phoned in to join meeting.
Richard conducted research and wrote emergency preparedness issue brief.
Issue brief downloadable from website; SILC to distribute brief in their communities!
SILC position:
Statewide Coordinator: current state of economy and budgetary cuts:
unlikely State would add position
Local plans: PWD, disability organizations, emergency preparation agencies
collaboration in development:
Alerts
Evacuation
Sheltering
Cooperation and support from first responders and agencies
Agencies to PLAN AHEAD; haven't thought about what to do for PWD living in the community
Ambulance company transported person without power chair; person left without
mobility for several days during the Southern CA wildfires.
Agencies: contract with someone who can transport PWD with mobility aids?
SILC to publish article(s) to raise public awareness of emergency management for PWD?
Concern: Dry winter and possibility of forest fires this summer
SILC member(s) to attend meetings: information, training, coordination and collaboration:
9 Emergency Managers in Denver metro area
READY Colorado (Homeland Security): community awareness program
Denver Office of Disability Rights: Commission for PWD:
meets first Tuesday each month; 5 pm
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council
Colorado Commission for the Blind
Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Colorado Commission on Mental Health
Patricia: will send SILC members functional limitations survey used in LA
Emergency preparation issue brief: Patricia Yeager and Richard Solosky (continued):
Josh Blue project: verbally agreed to dothree short humorous videos:
PWD personal emergency preparedness plans
Hire script writer so when funds available, proceed with production?
$65,000. proposal:
Contributors:
$45, 000: (Office of Homeland Security) North Central Planning Committee
for Special Needs
$10,000: Colorado Department of Local Affairs (needs matching donation)
Possible matching donation: Denver Foundation
Fiscal agent: Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross
(will be credited at end of video)
READY Colorado: website accessible: SILC members encouraged to test website
and provide comments
Politics 101/Understanding and Creating Your Political Voice: Mark Cloer:
How bill becomes law:
1) Idea
2) Idea submitted to Legislator (Aug. through Dec: presented following year)
Legislator prioritizes: 5 bill limit; present idea to more than one Legislator
so more likely to be sponsored
3) Legislator presents bill to attorneys
4) Attorneys draft bill
5) First reading: Legislator introduces bill
6) Speaker decides which committee(s) hear(s) bill; sometimes assigned committee(s) illogical
7) Committee submits to Finance if money involved (70% go no further: lack of funds)
8) If proceeds, Appropriations committee
9) Second reading: bill heard on floor
10) Third reading (hopefully, next day)
11) Vote
Legislators:
Overwhelmed with information/requests
Hate to be threatened
Love press first 2-3 years; supportive if opportunity for positive press
Will probably listen if you explain how or why
60%: part time job; not as available to constituents
Politics 101/Understanding and Creating Your Political Voice: Mark Cloer (continued):
Tips:
E-mail not good way to get information to Legislators
Best in person
When Legislature not in session
When you don't have a request
Meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm. Interested members and guests toured Center for Disabilities,
1304 Berkley Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004; (719)546-1271.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Cindy Powell, DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center
April 2, 2009