NYSILC Full Council Meeting

March 31, 2006

Present: Doug Usiak, Pratik Patel, Edith Prentiss, Lauren LeFebre, Mike Godino, Sharon Shapiro, Bob Gumson, Mel Tanzman, Chris Zachmeyer, Michael Orzel, Randy Black-Schantz, Rain Ripple, Bruce Darling, Sharon Flom, Greg Jones, Gene Hughes, Christina Curry. Brad Williams, Joe Adler, Susan Cohen, Patty Black.

Mel Tanzman introduced and recognized the newly appointed council members.

Minutes: In the review and approval of the full council meeting minutes for March 31, 2006, Pratik Patel noted that his name was misspelled and asked for the correction. A motion was made by Mike Godino to approve the minutes with the correction requested by Pratik. Pratik Patel seconded the motion. All approved.

Executive Director’s Report: Brad Williams reporting.
In the executive director's report, the following items were mentioned:

• Chapter in newly released civil rights book.
• Richard Male Associates working with NYSILC. They are preparing a proposal to seek funding for a publication that chronicles the voting rights struggle in New York from 1999-2006.
• IL Training Academy. Financial resource guide near completion. Looking to schedule three rollout sessions.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer's Reports-expenditure report New report format with Quick Books - from October, November and December 2005

Committee Reports:

• Finance committee brought approval to bring NYSILC forward Payments needed to be made on revolving charges Expenditure based contracts were discussed
• Open Forum - opportunity to bring up events, issues - open floor Randy Black spoke regarding considering teleconference calls and having committees meet instead - motion was made for 1 hour meeting once per month and motion approved - Committees will meet 1 hour every month now Edith Prentiss spoke regarding lawsuit against EPIC involving the inclusion of younger beneficiaries - only $15 million in state budget for this - suit would pertain to issues of equality and expectation that one group (younger group of disabled citizens) should not be impoverished when older groups with equal or higher incomes entitled to benefits - seeking plaintiff's for this lawsuit who don't have medical benefits who would like to speak out Joe Bravo - encouraged all centers to participate to have volunteers on SPIL committee

Executive Committee - Quills instrument went over to NYAIL - hoping to have results regarding instrument at May full council meeting. NYSILC installed new accounting system called Quick Books - works very well. Richard Male and Associates- the strategic fund developers - working on statewide youth leadership conference. SILC conferences are worthwhile learning experiences

Pratik Patel - spoke regarding legal policy involving NYSILC in litigation - activating new committee, transitioning into varied areas. A by-laws committee will be convened. Brad Williams will update an electronic version of council member key documents.

HAVA

Citizen's Committee on voting machines - News update includes Amended Election Law adding $5 million onto budget to barrier reduction at voting sites; this bill passed legislature and they are expecting governor to sign it.

Regarding lawsuit against NYS by federal government - the Department of Justice needs HAVA plan from NYS by April 10 DEADLINE-hoping state presents HAVA plan that meets federal law - there has been a long, intense, frustrating struggle with HAVA plan on NYSILC'S part - Title II monies were discussed (the amount is now $1.9 million and legislature had not appropriated money)- plans to survey all polling places - need for people with disabilities to vote privately and independently- BOTTOM LINE-Need fully accessible voting machines and polling places. Hoping state will move forward with HAVA.

Robert Davies - Housing Institute discussion - housing biggest problem for people with disabilities. 40% of people in group homes don't need to be there-they need affordable housing. Huge housing crisis for folks - Priced Out in 2004. 811 program not being utilized in NYS Housing forums needed to bring everyone in community to talk about housing strategy. On the legislative side several current bills for housing are very important - these are senate bills #7867 and #74933 - senate is not "disability friendly." Mandatory registry for accessible housing in not available in NYS-only voluntary registry is available-important to establish MANDATORY one. Important focus is to establish a HOUSING TRUST FUND for disabled- currently trying to get housing and disability communities together. In order to get a housing trust fund passed, we need this dedicated source of money (from housing trust fund). Without this money there will always be housing crisis in NYS. A Housing Trust Fund bill is being introduced. ILC's systems advocates released $10 million in access to home funds last year because of recent advocating and pressure. IL was invited to have housing trust fund meeting - advocates for housing needs do not want housing to be available in only distressed neighborhoods - currently looking at training for housing specialist jobs - putting pressure on senate to change current legislation-maybe bringing out class action lawsuit from disability community - also looking at Flexible Trust Fund to serve any type of housing need-this would provide varied services under housing trust fund.

Subcommittee business and reports.

State Plan for Independent Living - SPIL subcommittee. They develop a 3 year plan for independent living. This is a primary purpose of NYSILC. It is a very detailed process. We will be looking to create the new SPIL for 2008-2010.

Those who volunteered for SPIL committee:

• Pratik Patel
• Bruce Darling to be Chair of SPIL committee
• Christina Zachmeyer
• Doug Usiak

By-Laws committee - vital need for this - by-laws need to be updated as well as discussion of what issues need to be tightened up - old by-laws still in place for this 13 year entity-need to get people involved in functioning of the council

Those who volunteered for By-Laws Committee:

• Mel Tanzman
• Alexander Wood
• Sharon Shapiro
• Christine Zachmeyer-Vice-Chair
• Bob Gumson
• Sharon Flom

Dennis Boyd, attorney to be approached for this committee First meeting of by-laws committee to be April 26, 2006 at 10:00 AM

Sub-Committee Reports

• Statewide needs assessment - recommendation needed, especially future planning and recommendation for youth. Chair and members still needed - Pratik Patel volunteered as member.
• Disability vote and education vote committee - Mike Godino to chair. Need to build database for this. Brad pointed to need to convince NYS pollsters to add a disability question to their poll. Bob Gaffney, Christina Curry and Chris Zachmeyer volunteered.
• Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee - Edith Prentiss will chair. People with disabilities needed to be included in planning at the local level. Rain Rippel, Christina Curry, Ralph Shields (non-member) volunteered.

Other Sub-Committees

Conference and Caucus. 3 day conference at Desmond Hotel to be held October 30 - November 1st. Bobby Silverstein to be keynote and lead workshop. Taking Action for Independence - 15-20 workshops are planned-publicity planned also. 5 groups to meet on policy agendas. "Meet the Candidate's" reception. Questionnaire planned on candidate positions. Plan is to bring in other organizations beyond ILC network.

VESID report.

Mike Peluso - New head of VESID'S Interagency Family and Interagency Communication Unit. Bob Gumson Presented the VESID report. VESID beginning discussion on new transition model. It will be school based. Their intention is to involve ILC's. VESID moving into implementation part of study in how to get successful rehabilitations. Proposal to have alumni unit wherein successful clients will be used as mentor. VESID funding-hope to avoid decrease this year and to request increase next year. DDPC and other committees to do 5 demonstration projects with 2 more planned on core rehabilitation. RFP out for core system training to build capacity to work on nursing home transition. SILCS have applied for funding. VESID entering final year of 5 year contract with ILC's. Program totals about $70 million and only $10 million in state dollars. It is proposed that some schools will partner with ILC.

Sharon Flom- CBVH report - Brian Daniels appointed head of CBVH

Open Forum - How do we want to encourage youth leadership within the disability community?

Bob Gaffney stated that we need to meet with youth and find out what they think their role should be. Edith Prentiss asked what age qualifies as youth. She suggests that high school years might be time to start. Bob Gumson noted that VESID already has 11 projects with ILC - perhaps some of the involved youths would be polled and to invite youths to October-November ILC conference. Randy Black - tap the disability services offices on campus. Pratik Patel - high school and college youth have different issues - a joint meeting between them might be useful. Mel Tanzman proposes workshops for ages 14-25. We need contacts and to poll members to find youth organization council should make the connections - group of 25-30 needed.

How we would get the money to sponsor a conference for 25-30 youths?

Mike Godino suggested to find the youth leaders and fund them. Rain Rippel - AmeriCorps now goes into schools - "Experience in the Best Teacher" program. Bob Gumson - teenagers and other senior high school students should be the target groups - older students have different interests. Utilize Families Together as resource. Joe Bravo sees issue as one of leadership we need to develop the next generation of ILC leaders- suggests working on local level by centers. Sue Cohen-ran training program to train board of directors-this was successful - teach people with disabilities to run for local office. Sharon Flom-stated we need to address the technology gap for youth with disabilities-this must be integrated into any plan. Randy Black offered to be motivational speaker. Bob Gumson stated we need to talk to Page Pierce of Families Together. Christina Curry-deaf youth would need interpreters-even with interpreters they would not feel part of group-they do not see themselves as disabled. Edith Prentiss stated deaf youth more "not into it." Sue Cohen mentioned statewide youth discussion board. Chris Zachmeyer moved to develop a task force focus group to look into this issue.

Members of Task Force:

• Bob Gumson
• Randy Black-Schantz
• Mike Godino
• Sue Cohen
• Michael Smith
• Page Pierce