NYSILC Full Council Meeting

June 16, 2000

Attendees: Joe Bravo, Chair; Fran Pizzola, Vice-Chair; Marianna Brown, Treasurer; Terra House, Secretary; Sally Johnston, Member-at-Large; Maria Dibble, Gisela Distel, Mary Ewing, Pat Figueroa, Marguerite Haring, Doug Hovey, Amy LaShomb, Steve Lovi, Paul Molloy, Bob Shepherd, Sharon Flom, Bob Gumson, Anne Marie Vadney, Brad Williams, Stephanie Lawton.

Absent: Calvin Alderman, Bill Bird-Forteza, Georg Fleischer, Michele Greene, Steve Holmes, Harvey Rosenthal, Frieda Zames, Ron Bassman, Greg Jones.

Guests: Pat Doyle, GFILC; Teena Willard, SCOIL; Lenny Liquori, Olean; Paul Mountain, Kingston; Travis Cochen, interpreter student intern.

Joe Bravo welcomed attendees.

Motion by Maria Dibble, second by Pat Figueroa, to accept the minutes of March 17, 2000. Motion carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report: Brad Williams reporting.

• In February, NYSILC decided to collaborate with NCIL (National Council on Independent Living) to market its PSA product nationally. NYSILC will receive $50 per kit that is sold.
• Laura Kaplan of Citizen Action of New York presented 3 seminars downstate on Managed Care Bill of Rights.
• Disability Action Agenda published one day before the statewide IL Legislative Day. NYSILC, AILCNY and COIL collaborated on this item.
• Attendees at the Legislative Day also attended a Federal hearing on polling place accessibility. Judge ruled that counties are responsible to ensure polling place accessibility.
• Champion’s Tour was started. This recognizes the NYS Congressional delegation for their effort in passing the TWWIIA (Ticket to Work-Work Incentives Improvement Act). Each member will receive a medal.
• In March, a great deal of time was put into system advocacy work. Areas covered included Medicaid Buy-In, challenge to Title II of the ADA, and the Drive for 75.
• In April, a continuation of many of the same system advocacy issues and follow-thru.

Treasurer’s Report: Marianna Brown reporting. February, March and April financial reports were presented. Comment made regarding the $25,000 increase in NYSILC’s line of credit to $50,000.

Motion by Doug Hovey, second by Terra House, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

Executive Committee Report: Fran Pizzola reporting. From the May 19, 2000 Executive Committee meeting, options for the Federal Part C funding increase were presented. The NCIL "Drive for 75" is asking for $25 million for each of the next three years. Resulting in NYS receiving approximately a $400,000 increase. Several options were presented and discussed. The Executive Committee’s recommendation is for Option 1: A 5% COLA to the existing Federal network of CILS; a 5% addition increase for the existing Federal network; and funding for new Federal center/satellite, including a current State-only funded center or satellite wishing to receive Federal funds.

Discussion: Funding for the new Federal center/satellite would be approximately $135,000. Method of awarding these funds were questioned, i.e., RFP, self-identification, etc. It was understood at the Executive Committee meeting that this would not be enough funds to start a new center. It would most likely be a satellite of an existing center. Bob Gumson pointed out that VESID, CBVH and NYSILC must be in agreement on any recommendation to RSA on the disbursement of these funds. Bob Shepherd suggested that no increase be given to the existing network and all new Part C funds go for new Federal centers/satellites. Maria Dibble disagreed with this suggestion. It was stated that there are no minimums or ceilings for funding. Comment was made that a "set criteria" needs to be identified for the future, particularly in light of our going into development of the next three-year State Plan for Independent Living, consider a neutral third-party geographical assessment of unserved/underserved areas of New York State.

Motion by Terra House, second by Pat Figueroa, to support Option 1. 11 in favor, 2 oppositions, 2 abstentions. [15 voting members present, 23 positions on Council, 1 vacancy.]

SPIL - Terra House reporting. Additional members are encouraged to join this committee. Terra reviewed the procedures that have been outlined thus far to formulate the next three-year State Plan for Independent Living. Terra House and Joe Bravo will be attending and reporting back on an August seminar focusing on "How to Build the Best State Plan Ever." This seminar is sponsored by NCIL and ILRU. Council members need to make every effort to be part of this process, in particular in their home areas. The timeline was reviewed. SPIL committee meetings will be a variety of "in-Albany meetings" and conference calls.

Motion by Doug Hovey, second by Bob Shepherd, to accept this Executive Committee report. Motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

Public Policy - Fran Pizzola reporting. Priorities have been reviewed and revised as needed. Focus at this time has been given to the Medicaid Buy-In/Work and Wellness Act 2000. As of this date, the bill has passed the Assembly, however, as of Wednesday it did not pass in the Senate. It is expected to be a priority for the fall session. DOH/Most Integrated Setting - This issue has been tabled. TWWIIA - Congressman Walsh was the first to receive the "Champion’s Medal." Community representatives from several organizations were present (Employment Connection, ARISE, VESID-Syracuse, etc.). Drive for 75 - NYS has produced the most number of letters so far. President’s recommendation at this time is for $10 million. House and Senate full Appropriation Committees have approved this $10 million, more maybe added later. Title II Challenge - NYS Assembly passed a resolution supporting Title II of the ADA. The Senate passed an ADA resolution covering all titles of the ADA. Next will be a push on the Attorney General to sign-on in support of Title II of the ADA on the 14^th Amendment side.

Housing Committee - Frieda Zames, Chair. Committee’s June 15, 2000 report was read. The committee has decided on two issues to focus on for the coming year. They are: Visitability and the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) for people with disabilities who fall within the income guidelines and are under the age of 62.

Transportation Committee - Calvin Alderman, Chair. No report at this time.

CDPAS - Sally Johnston reporting. A State ruling stated that any person receiving Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services could not access nurses for any specific task. Through major efforts, this has been changed and DOH has put this in writing.

Transition Committee - Bob Shepherd, Chair. The committee’s mission is (a) to empower students with disabilities to move from high school to life with success within their own self-determined goals through school and ILC partnership; (b) to document and publicize successful school/ILC partnerships; (c) gather and distribute information about funding and other resources available to support and encourage school/ILC partnerships; (d) advocate that VESID/SED allocate specific resources and ensure that every ILC is available to assist students with disabilities in partnership with their school and that every school establish a partnership with their local ILC; (e) encourage partnership between ILCs and other stakeholders in the transition process. Specific issues will be brought to the Public Policy Committee as they are identified. Two joint council meetings have been held between the SILC, Commissioner’s Advisory Panel on Special Education, CAP, and SRAC. These meetings focus on 4 transition situations identified. The result of this will be recommendations from each of the 4 sub-groups to the Commissioners of New York about (a) what are the problems, and (b) what are the some solutions that can be put into place that will streamline this process for youth in the State.

Monitor and Evaluation Committee - Chair needed.

Motion by Marianna Brown, second by Terra House, to table this committee at this time. Motion passed unanimously.

VESID Report - Bob Gumson reporting. VESID has a commitment for a third year of funding for the Transition Projects currently underway as well as for the $300,000 IDEA funding for new projects once the current projects have ended (June 30, 2001). Consider inviting a representative from each the 3 current projects to come speak to NYSILC about their successes. The 3 current projects will be developing a guide for other projects to use in the future. VESID is attempting to pull together a statewide model for benefits counseling to assist people on SSI and SSDI to work their way in use of incentives and their benefits to look at employment options and see if maximizing the use of incentives can lead to people on SSI and SSDI roles to consider employment and productivity. VESID’s taskforce/workforce on the Customer Satisfaction Survey met in follow-up on the beta testing. The "product" is ready for rollout. The three-stage answer system was decided upon. The timeline was reviewed.

CBVH Report - Sharon Flom reporting. The Assembly and the Senate have signed the Braille Literacy bill. The Governor is due to sign it any day now. CBVH is planning for its VOC Rehab State Plan and has scheduled town meetings. Meetings this year will be in Rochester, Utica and New York City. CBVH is preparing for the 4^th year of the ILC grants that it has. The 4^th year will be from 9/30/00 and end 9/29/01. This was originally a 3-year process that was extended for a 4^th year. CBVH is currently in the planning process for another RFP and would like input from the CILs, AILCNY and COIL to present at a meeting and have CILs give their input.

New Business:

Progress Report - Rochester - RCIL has hired Todd Eggert as Executive Director. Syracuse - Staff has been participating in NYSILC’s Public Policy calls and a staff representative attended the medal ceremony for Rep. Walsh.

ILC Financial Concerns/Technical Assistance - Pat Figueroa asked that this issue be further discussed in detail at a future meeting or perhaps by NYSILC’s Executive Committee. There is no mechanism in place to identify "early on" indicators of problems. Consider possible failure of submitting reports timely.

ILC/Mental Health Clinics - Sally Johnston asked for clarification on the regulations regarding an ILC running a mental health clinic. This is being investigated and analyzed at this time.

New Member Recruitment - NYSILC will have approximately 7 vacancies to fill this fall. Candidates from AARP, BIA, someone of Asian decent, etc. VESID SRC and CBVH SRAC replacements are needed as well. A letter will be sent to the ILCs.

Statewide System Advocacy Network - Doug Hovey introduced the concept for people to begin discussion on this issue. Consider 7-8 regional coordinators. Part B funds are available to do this. This proposal could potentially be included in the next 3-year SPIL. Pat Yeager will be coming to Albany on Tuesday, September 19 for training on this issue. Materials will be sent to each CIL Executive Director in advance of this meeting. NYSILC is looking into having Pennsylvania and Kansas in attendance at this training as well.

Stipend to ILCs for SPIL Public Forums - Motion by Marianna Brown, second by Pat Figueroa, to have NYSILC identify funds to be extended in a stipend to each Federal CIL that agrees to host a public forum. Dollar amount to be determined at a later date.

Motion passed with 1 opposition.

Open Forum:

Fran Pizzola announced that Assembly and Senate sponsorship of a bill to name Cortland as a site for IL services has been successful after 14 years of grassroots efforts. Additional advocacy efforts will be made to continuing the funding for the future.

Motion by Terra House, second by Bob Shepherd, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.