NYSILC Full Council Meeting

November 13, 2000

Attendees: Joe Bravo, Chair; Fran Pizzola, Vice-Chair; Pat Figueroa, Treasurer; Terra House, Secretary; Sally Johnston, Member-at-Large; Bob Shepherd, Mary Ewing, Frieda Zames, Steve Lovi, Amy LaShomb, Marguerite Haring, Harvey Rosenthal, Sharon Flom; Bob Gumson; Greg Jones, Ann Marie Vadney, Brad Williams, Stephanie Lawton.

Guests: Beth Redman, Christine Tag, Marsha Sweet, Laura Hagen, Deanna Savayga-SED/HE, Caroline Forseburg-SUNY, Julie Cenci-SED.

Absent: Georg Fleischer; Michele Greene, Gisela Distel, Doug Hovey.

Joe Bravo welcomed members of the Council and guests.

Open Forum: The Task Force on Post-Secondary Education and Disabilities presented on the importance of increasing access and opportunities for students with disabilities. Additional information may be found on the website which can be accessed through the State Education website, look for the TFPD link or at http://www.sysadm.suny.edu/tfpsed/.

Pat Figueroa announced that James Billy has been selected to head to the RSA Unit on Independent Living and will be relocating to Washington, DC.

Joe Bravo attended the signing of a bill by Governor Pataki in Rockland County at Helen Hayes Hospital (HHH). The bill had two parts; one being a purchase part allowing HHH to doing their own purchasing directly. The second part of the bill was a signing to create a 60-bed unit of permanent housing for people with physical disabilities, not a transitional set up. HHH is the largest state run rehab hospital in the country. It is the only remaining cross-disability rehab hospital in NYS. DOH runs this facility. DOH thinks this is a wonderful idea. The disability community needs to look at the issue of segregated housing and what people with disabilities are saying about this issue. Joe has spoken with the Executive Director of HHH about having this establishment be a temporary placement prior to moving residents into the community.

Frieda Zames mentioned that the Governor has not signed the SCRIE bill amendment that would benefit disabled people.

Bob Gumson recommended the Council issue a position paper or written notice to the Governor’s office and/or the DOH about the above referenced bill be passed. Copies to go to all legislators.

Ann Marie Vadney suggested that a network be developed so that before legislation of the nature referenced above in connection with HHH is passed that ILCs are aware of it prior to attending a signing.

Amy LaShomb of parental rights regarding children with disabilities and the most integrated setting.

Pat Figueroa suggested adding additional ex officio from CQC-PA Program, CAP, DOH, etc.

Motion by Pat Figueroa, second by Amy LaShomb, to accept the minutes of September 18, 2000 with addition of Todd Eggert listed a guest. Motion carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report: Brad Williams reporting.

• Brad, Bob Gumson and Fred Demay met to review NYSILC’s appointees for the upcoming year. The individuals presented were Judith Avner-BIANYS, Regina Estella-EPVA, and Mel Tanzman-WDOM. A representative from AARP still eludes the council.
• NYSILC hosted a workshop on the development of a Statewide Systems Advocacy Network in Albany. 52 attendees from 27 centers. Draft document was produced for use in continuing work to establish such a network in NYS.
• Brad spoke at the Auburn CILs annual luncheon, Binghamton’s annual luncheon and participated on a panel discussion on Statewide Systems Advocacy at the NYAPRS annual conference.
• Brad participated in the March for Justice in Washington, DC, to heighten awareness about the Garrett case before the US Supreme Court. We are awaiting a decision that is expected in the spring of 2001.
• Brad participated in the filming of the Points of View show dedicated to the Medicaid Buy-In.
• On 10/12/00 NYSILC participated a Medicaid Buy-In rally in Albany. 150 people attended and significant press and media coverage was obtained.
• Attended and participated in the Disability Action Agenda 2001 forum at the Marriott.
• Brad and Stephanie participated in a candidate forum hosted by CDCI. This event was well attended by political representatives. Forums were held in NYC, mid-Hudson, and Rochester.
• Brad and Bob Gumson worked hard to connect centers with the TWWIIA moneys under SSA for the regional projects. Over $1 million dollars were awarded and CILs are going to be involved and participate in these projects.

Treasurer’s Report: Pat Figueroa reporting. August and September reports presented.

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

Executive Committee Report: Fran Pizzola reporting. August 18, 2000 minutes presented.

Committee Reports:

• Public Policy Committee - Fran Pizzola reporting. Department of Health/Most Integrated Setting - Still awaiting a decision from DOH on the Most Integrated Setting issue and what are they doing to implement the Olmstead decision. Mel Tanzman and Aileen Geiling are working on a paragraph to include in the Disability Action Agenda. Bruce Darling is working on a meeting with DOH as well. The Stringer bill/Medicaid Waiver Bill for people with physical disabilities. Need to join with the ADA committee on this as well. Networking with other groups will continue.
• Medicaid Buy-In - This issue will be brought back and made a priority for the next session. The next step is a letter to the Governor asking him to include this is his State of the State address. Negotiators have been identified to work with the Governor, Assembly and Senate. Banners, buttons and posters have been developed for future activities.
• Constitutionality of the ADA - Frieda Zames attended the march in Washington. Three (3) hours of speakers was too much. Many civil rights constituencies were in attendance to show their support with us. Approximately 5,000 attendees.

• Housing Committee - Frieda Zames chairs this committee. Two key issues at this time are: (1) downstate - postcards are being sent to Silver’s and Bruno’s offices asking them to support SCRIE as presented, and (2) upstate - Visitability is the issue and a recommendation has been made for the housing committee to join with national organizations that are working on this issue.

• Transportation Committee - Calvin Alderman not in attendance to present. The Governor has announced that $5.4 million will be used for buses for senior and disabled programs.

• Transition Committee - Bob Shepherd reporting. SED is putting forth an effort to make sure that the Quality Assurance process is being followed and that transition be part of the process. Doris Jameson presented to SETRC trainers to make them aware that there is a Transition Coordination Network that will be going for 3-4 years and the for future leadership to take over, ILCs can have a roll there. On the VESID website there is a document on the coordination of the IEP and the IPE that are to be written collaboratively and support each other in the last 2 years students are in school, so that when doing advocacy that fact can be used to the benefit of students.

• State Plan Committee - Brad Williams reporting. Minutes from 9/14/00 were presented. We are currently on track. Materials have been developed in accordance with the timeline, pulled together documents, regional public hearings were held, Federal centers held focus group discussions, SPIL materials are on the NYSILC website; 11/15 is the deadline for submitting comments. Need to set dates for getting together to write the draft.

• VESID Report - Bob Gumson reporting. ILC School Partnership annual update for the second year of grants. Input was gathered to direct the 3 new projects. Goal is to replicate each of the existing. RFP is expected out in March or April with a 6 week turn around time. Projects will be $100,000 each. A guide is being developed to help replicate the models. More assurances are needed from the schools regarding matching dollars and in-kind elements. VESID is receiving the end of the year reports for the CILs. The Customer Satisfaction Surveys - 1,380 received to date, two CILs sent them out late and one CIL still has not sent them out yet. Executive Directors will receive the comments submitted about their center for review. Lifelong Services Network has been reinvented following staffing and funding issues. James Billy has left the Harlem ILC. Richard Zachmeyer from the Catskill ILC has passed away. ARISE update was given. RSA will review ARISE in Spring 2001.

• CBVH Report - Sharon Flom reporting. Todd Eggert was recommended has the NYSILC representative on the CBVH SRC. CBVH held three town meetings on its State Plan. All town meetings were well attended. CBVH has had internal meetings regarding systems advocacy and feels positively about using some of the Title VII Part B money towards that initiative. CBVH’s 270 Broadway office in NYC is moving to 20 Exchange Street and will be combined with the Harlem State Office Building staff at the new site.

New Business: Brad Williams reporting. Funding Priorities - Identifying unserved and underserved areas for next year’s RSA RFP. Sample questions/informational request included in the packets. Questionnaires/Informational Requests will be sent to all ILCs and County governments.

Open Forum: Laura Hagen announced that Bryan McLane was inducted into the National Hall Fame for Persons with Disabilities which is in the Ohio State University’s School of Rehab.

Laura Hagen also encouraged council members to let their voices be heard regarding the voting situation and the accessibility issues of polling places and voting machines, etc.

Fran Pizzola announced that VESID did put Cortland in the budget. She also thanked the council members who have supported Cortland’s efforts.

Motion by Terra House, second by Fran Pizzola, to adjourn until February 9, 2001. Motion passed unanimously.