North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council Quarterly Meeting Minutes November 16, 2018 Courtyard Marriott, Burlington NC Members Present: Joshua Denton, Jean Dominique (tardy), Tylor Freeman, Sandra Hicks, Robert Hooe, Pat McGinnis, Kevin Mahoney (phone), Timothy Miles, Ricky Scott, Mark Steele, Barry Washington (tardy), Melea Williams, Benita Williams (phone) Members Absent: Deja Barber, Sheila Winborne Ex-Officio Present: Crystal Jackson-Cheek (phone), Virginia Knowlton-Marcus, Melissa Swartz for Chris Egan Ex-Officio Absent: Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, (NCDVR), John Marens, (NCDVR, CAP), Jan Withers, (NCDVR, DHH) Public: Ken Wease, (CPA, Director of Finance NCSILC) Dave Wickstrom, Vicki Smith, Sierra Royster, APRIL, Lacy Cavard, Rene Cummins, Fred Johnson, Marty Musser, Gloria Garton, Julia Sain, Dawn Grandt, Kayla McMillan, Eva Reynolds, Vern Martel, President of Safe Living Solutions, LLC, Welcome/Mission/Minutes Mark Steele, Chair welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. NCSILC Mission, SILC Accessibility Reminders, Conflict of Interest Statement Mark Steele read the mission, accessibility statement, and conflict of interest statement. Public Comment: Pat McGinnis thanked Mark Steele for his service as the Chair of the NCSILC this past year. Approval of the Agenda MOTION: Accept the agenda for today’s meeting as submitted. Made by Pat McGinnis. Seconded by Melea Williams. Carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes pending updates Election of Officers Chair of Governance Committee submitted the list of nominations for the NCSILC Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer for the 1year term effective from 11/2018 until 11/2019. The list of officers presented were: Chair – Joshua Denton, Vice-Chair Pat McGinnis, Sandy Hicks, and Melea Williams, Treasurer – Melea Williams, Members at Large – Barry Washington, Sandra Hicks, and Deja Barber. At the present time no one has volunteered for Secretary position of NCSILC. Elections of Officers took place with a quorum of members present. The election of Chair as Joshua Denton, Vice Chair as Pat McGinnis, Treasurer as Melea Williams and Members at Large are Deja Barber and Sandra Hicks, Secretary is vacant. Cindy Arrington took the minutes in the absence of a Secretary. Executive Director’s Report Cindy Arrington provided a report on her activities during the past quarter. (SPIL Development updates) See below under Action Committee APRIL Conference updates Tylor Freeman, Sandy Hicks and Cindy Arrington attended the APRIL conference and provided reports about the conference. It was evident that North Carolina was present at the APRIL conference because we had a strong presence! Overall the APRIL conference was a great experience for everyone who attended with many great lasting memories. Independent Living Summit The current SPIL includes having an Independent Living Summit in the spring of every other year. The next NCSILC Independent Living Summit will be held during the spring of 2019. MOTION: To have the Advocacy Committee work with Virginia Knowlton-Marcus and collaborate with Disability Rights North Carolina to plan the IL Summit in the spring of 2019. Made by: Joshua Denton. Seconded by Tylor Freeman. Carried unanimously. Standing Committee Updates Executive Committee Updates provided above. Finance Committee Report Ken Wease, CPA, Director of Finance 1. Office Relocation – NCSILC must vacate the current office space of 1,300 square feet by end of December due to complete renovation of building for new tenant who will occupy entire building. Plan is to move all furniture and equipment into a secure storage facility and for staff to work out of their homes. 2. Bank Balance Update – As of October 31, bank balance was $36,794. The 2018-19 advance to cover estimated expenditures for October and November was received on October 31 in the amount of $34,478. Governance Committee Report Sandy Hicks, Chair of Governance Committee provided an update of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee has decided that new candidates who submit applications to the NCSILC, will be asked to submit a resume. Advocacy Committee Report The Advocacy Committee did not have any updates to report. Action Committee Updates (SPIL Development updates) Julia Sain, Executive Director of Disability Rights and Resources and Gloria Garton, Executive Director of disAbility Resource Center provided current updates to include the history of the CIL’s which were started in 1978. ILRU provided a conference call for SILC Speaks that Julia Sain, Gloria Garton, Cindy Arrington, and Mark Steele participated in regarding the current dilemma ACL has due to not having completed the SPIL template instrument for the development of the new SPIL. The template is still in the process of being developed for all CIL’s and SILC’s to complete for their new SPIL’s. As a result, ACL is providing all states with the opportunity to make a decision from 2 options: 1. Maintain the current SPIL for another year and continue the same goals and funding. 2. Do a SPIL Amendment by writing new one year SPIL using current template. A unanimous vote was made to extend the current SPIL for one year. ACL hopes to have the new SPIL template completed and ready by October 1, 2020. State Plan Goal Committee Updates SPIL Goal 1 – 8 CILs of NC provide quality services as needed by people with disabilities. All activities were met. SPIL Goal 2 – Youth with disabilities in NC have increased leadership and empowerment. There was lively discussion regarding a Youth Leadership Forum. Current SPIL has designated $20,000 for a YLF. Actual cost for a YLF is much greater. Recommendations include: RFA needs to have more input from the CILs and SILC; previous RFA did not match the SPIL language including requiring applicant to be a 501-C (3), and have an indirect cost rate. SPIL Goal 3 – Independent Living Services in North Carolina are improved. Total to be attended: 8 # attended to date: 0 # remaining as per contract: 8 None to report during this reporting period Activity 3.1.b Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council maintains Title VII Part B funding levels for Part B and Part C Centers. Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B funds: the 2016 – 2019 SPIL allocates a total of $486,000 to Part B and C CILs in North Carolina through contracts administered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, with the remaining $20,000 allocated for provision of a Youth Leadership Forum. The SILC Resource Plan is funded by I&E funds. Activity 3.1.d. Annually, the Statewide Independent Living Council coordinates Mental Health training for Centers for Independent Living staff and Statewide Independent Living Council members with key partners from mental health organizations. None to report during this reporting period Objective 3.2 People with disabilities have greater access to transportation in their communities. Activity 3.2.a. In year 1, the Statewide Independent Living Council forms a committee of not fewer than five members to meet at least once with a representative of disability compliance with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to discuss opportunities for Statewide Independent Living Council, Centers for Independent Living and North Carolina Department of Transportation to advocate for greater access for people with disabilities. None to report during this reporting period Activity 3.2.b. In years 2 and 3, the Statewide Independent Living Council uses findings from year 1, in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Transportation, to implement at least one annual activity to further transportation access for people with disabilities. Activities may include at least one training in accessible transportation to local transit boards. None to report during this reporting period Activity 3.2.c. Annually the Statewide Independent Living Council, in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Transportation, coordinates training on accessible transportation for Centers for Independent Living staff and Statewide Independent Living Council members. None to report during this reporting period SPIL Goal 4 – People with disabilities in NC have increased leadership and empowerment. Activity 4.1.a. Annually, the Centers for Independent Living assist a minimum of 16 transitions or diversions from institutions with potential partners including but not limited to, Money Follows the Person, NC Housing Finance Agency, Local Council on Governments, Housing Authorities and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Independent Living Rehabilitation Program, etc. Total to be attended: 16 # attended to date: 85 # remaining as per contract: 0 Activity 4.1.b Annually, the Centers for Independent Living refer a minimum of 16 people with disabilities for affordable and/or accessible housing through the Key Program Targeted Housing. Total to be attended: 16 # attended to date: 57 # remaining as per contract: 0 SPIL Goal 5 – I & E Funds – The NCSILC office operates NCSILC disseminates information from all eight CILs and continuously updates the blog on the website with events activities happening around the state of NC. Activity 5.1.c. The NC SILC coordinates and implements a bi-annual Independent Living Summit None to report during this reporting period Activity 5.1.d. For NC SILC succession planning, the membership committee identifies and recommends on a continuous basis at least three potential SILC nominees who meet the qualifications mandated in the Rehabilitation Act. The Governance Committee met and reviewed submitted applications. 10 candidates were presented and voted on at the August SILC meeting. 9 candidates were approved by the full council and those candidates were forwarded to the Governor’s Boards and Commissions office. Activity 5.1.d. The NC SILC membership committee provides orientation and mentorship for all new members None to report during this reporting period. SPIL Goal 6 – DSB and VRIL NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) Goal 6 Report Objective 6.2: DSB & DVR will provide Assistive Technology supports that will enable People with Disabilities to increase independence in their home and community Activities: • At a minimum, DSB will provide two (2) technology group trainings to consumers per year. DSB Independent Living Rehabilitation (ILR) and Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program staff provided 35 technology group training sessions during Mini Center trainings which cover a wide range of topics • At a minimum, DSB & DVR will provide assistive technology training to a minimum of 100 participants in the community. DSB ILR and ILOB programs staff provided AT group training sessions on various AT devices during this reporting period. A total of 384 DSB ILR and ILOB consumers received assistive technology services either in the home and/or in group trainings. Objective 6.3: DSB & DVR will enable Veterans with disabilities to receive seamless supports and services that allow them to live independently. Activities: • At a minimum, DSB & DVR will take part in five (5) events per year to increase communication and collaboration with the Veterans Administration and other programs serving veterans. DSB staff took part in 143 outreach events to increase communication and collaborative efforts with Veterans. Thirteen of these events collaborated with the VA or other programs serving veterans. Safe Living Solutions Presentation Vern Martel, President of Safe Living Solutions provided the group with a PowerPoint presentation and update on his company Safe Living Solutions who provide home modifications, rental of stair lifts, vertical platform lifts, ramps, grab bars and home remodeling & modifications. Ex-Officio Reports DHHS Division of VR/IL No report provided. N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities No report provided. Disability Rights North Carolina – Virginia Knowlton Marcus, introduced herself to the Council as the new Executive Director of Disability Rights North Carolina. She introduced Chris Hodges, attorney for Disability Rights North Carolina. Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing No report provided. Client Assistance Program No report provided. Division of Services of Blind See report above under SPIL Goal 6. Pat McGinnis – World Federation Trauma Conference Pat informed everyone that she will be going to the World Federation Trauma Conference . Kay McMillan – Youth Presentation Kay McMillan provided a Power Point presentation of previous YLF and the positive impacts she experienced. She and others are very passionate about YLF and would very much like to see North Carolina plan for another YLF in the future. Funds for 2019 are already allocated; therefore, a YLF would need to be planned for 2020. NCSILC Office location update The North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council office building located at 505 Oberlin Road, Suite 206 Raleigh lease will end on 12-31-18 as a result of Wake Medical will be renovating the building to become medical offices. In order to provide time for making arrangements for the move and the time to move is coming closer, the NCSILC office contents will be moved and put into storage and Cindy Arrington, Executive Director and Ken Wease, CPA Director of Finance will be working from their homes in order to save on monthly rental expenses. Unspent Part B Funds Contract Amendment CIL’s that have not spent their Part B funding would like to roll over the Part B funds to the current year. MOTION: To allow CILs with Part B funding from last year to roll over to the current year contract. Made by: Joshua Denton. Seconded by Ricky Scott. Carried unanimously. Upcoming quarterly NCSILC meetings will be on February 14th & 15th, May 16th & 17th, August 15th & 16th, and November 14th & 15th. Meeting was adjourned by Mark Steele, Chair at 4:00 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Cindy Arrington, Executive Director NCSILC