March 5, 2014 VBPD Board Meeting Minutes

March 5, 2014 VBPD Board Meeting Minutes

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

Board Meeting Minutes

June4, 2014

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities held its regular quarterly meeting on Wednesday, June4, 2014 at the Four Points by Sheraton, 4700 S. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.

Board Members Present:NancyBriggs, Linda G.Broady-Myers, George RandolphBurak, BrianClukey, HeatherNorton (serving as agency designee for Connie Cochran), MargaretDisney, JohnEisenberg, DennisFindley, Ethel ParrisGainer, DonnaGilles, StephenJoseph, JohnKelly, RonaldKing, MarisaLaios, RonaldLanier, DennisManning, MaryMcAdam, CharlesMeacham, ColleenMiller, Ralph V.Owen, JessicaPhilips, SarahRatner, KorindaRusinyak, AngelaSadsad, SummerSage, Matthew A.Shapiro, Henry Street (serving as agency designee for RayHopkins), CarlTate, EdTurner, KathleenVaughan, RoseWilliams

Board Members Absent:CarolLewin, AprilNiamtu,TerrySmith, KimberlyVanderland, Angela YongWest

CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: Board Chair John Kelly called the meeting to order at 11:47a.m. The Chair welcomedagency designeesHeather Norton, Developmental Disabilities Operations Manager, DBHDS serving for Connie Cochran; andHenry Street of DBVI serving for Ray Hopkins.Mr. Kelly made general announcements and noted one change to the meeting agenda: a vote to approve the state fiscal year 2015 budget wouldnot take place.

APPROVAL OF MARCH5, 2014BOARD MEETING MINUTES: The Chair asked if there were any changes or corrections to the March5, 2014Board meeting minutes. Hearing none, the Chair called for a MOTION to approve the minutes. Jessica Philipsmade a MOTION to approve. Randy Burakseconded the MOTION. The MOTIONcarried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Board Secretary Maggie Disney read the minutes of the June 4, 2014 Executive Committee meeting.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE: The Nominations Committee (Angela Sadsad, Carl Tate, and Ed Turner) was charged with the responsibility of nominating candidates for the Board to consider for election to the 2014-2015 Executive Committee. Committee Chair Angela Sadsadreported that after careful deliberation, the Nominations Committee had selected the following Board members:

Executive Committee Officer Candidates: Chair, Korinda Rusinyak; Vice-Chair, Charles Meacham; Secretary, Dennis Manning

Executive Committee At-Large Member Candidates:Dennis Findley, Mary McAdam, and Jessica Philips

Standing Committee Chairs:To be appointed by the Executive Committee Chair.

Board Chair John Kelly noted that the report of the Nominations Committee constituted a MOTION from the committee and did not require a second. The Chair called for discussion on the MOTION or additional nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the Chair called for a VOTE on the MOTION. The MOTION carriedunanimously. The Chair noted that the newly elected Executive Committee would assume their duties effective July 1, 2014.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Terry Wagoner of the Virginia State Board of Elections gave public comment. Ms. Wagoner discussed the voter photo identification law that will go into effect on July 1, 2014 and SBE’s outreach efforts to individuals with disabilities. She reviewed the processes for obtaining a Voter ID.

RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS: The terms of the following Board members expire June 30, 2014: Linda G. Broady-Myers, Margaret Disney, Angela Sadsad, Carl Tate, and Ed Turner. Board Chair John Kelly recognized these Board members for their service and presentedthem with Resolutions of Appreciation. Board Chair John Kelly’s term also expires June 30, 2014. Heidi Lawyer, Executive Director, recognized Mr. Kelly for his service and presentedhim with a Resolution of Appreciation.

AGENCY DESIGNEE BUDGET, POLICY, AND PROGRAM UPDATES (DARS, DBVI, VDDHH)

Kathleen Vaughan, Agency Designee, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS):

  • Individuals who apply to receive vocational rehabilitation services are designated as belonging in categories numbered one through four, category 1 being those with the most significant disabilities. Funds have been insufficient to serve all who are eligible and federal law requires that DARS give priority to those with the most significant disabilities. Therefore DARS’s primary focus had been on serving individuals in category one. However,
  • in August of 2013, DARS was able to offer services to nearly 1400 category 2 individuals who were on the waiting list;
  • in February of 2014, services opened for category 2 including 100 individuals on the waiting list; and
  • as of April 15, 2014, services had been offered to 765 category 3 individuals on the waiting list.

Categories 1 and 2 are now fully opened.Categories 3 and 4 are closed except for those category 3 individuals who were on the waiting list as of April 15, 2014.

  • Project Search is anational program that helps people with significant disabilities transition into the workplace after graduating from high school. Project Search has 250 national sites 13 of which are in Virginia. Hospitals such as Bon Secours, Sentara, Inova, Clinch Valley Medical Center and the VCU and Carilion Health Systems serve as host sites for the Project Search program. During the 2013/2014 school year 100 students participated in the Project Search program.
  • The Commonwealth Council on Aging has an annual best practices award program. The purpose of the program is to recognize unique programs of excellence and to encourage replication of those model programs throughout the Commonwealth.The program focuses specifically on recognizing creativity in services that foster livable communities and/or home and community-based supports. This year’s first place winner in Virginia was theequipment reuse, recycling, and gifting program of the Roanoke-based organization F.R.E.E. (Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment). F.R.E.E.’s program helps peopleobtainequipmentthey need for independence such asassistive technology for rehabilitation and mobility.

Henry Street, designee for Ray Hopkins,Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI):

  • DBVI does not have a finalized budget for the 2015/2016 biennium.
  • DBVI is following the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act recently introduced in Congress. This bill replaces legislation passed in each chamber of Congress last year. As drafted, thelegislation, which includes a rehabilitation act, would reauthorize the Work Reinvestment Act of 1998 and change vocational rehabilitation practices in the United States. The legislation does not include some major revisions that drew concerns from many segments of the rehabilitation and disability communities.
  • DBVI’s Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired is pursuing a grant from the Institute of Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. The grant would be used toassist in implementing and transforming a project at the Rehabilitation Center. The aim of the project is to better correlate Center services with employment outcomes for our consumers. A particular goal of the project is to increase utilization of the Rehabilitation Center.
  • DBVI has re-established an in-house budget position. Hugh Costleybegan work as Budget Manager in April. Eva Ampey, who served as Special Assistant to the Commissioner, retired in April. Ms. Ampey’s former position has been re-vampedand given a new name:Deputy CommissionerforAdministration. Responsibilities of the position will include managing administration functions such as information technology, security, capital outlay, continuity of operations planning, and strategic planning. Mathew Cook,formerly COO for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will begin work in that position on June 10.

Ronald Lanier, Director, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH):

  • On March 10, a one-year contract extension was signed for continuation of the popular captioned telephone relay service, also known as CapTel. The extension will provide services through March 31, 2015 and includes several additions to the current agreement. Negotiated for the extension are more stringent reporting deadlines, increased coordination between the company’s state and national marketing programs, the availability of additional outreach funding, and a 25 percent reduction in the price of CapTel devices for both VDDHH and persons who do not financially qualify for our Technology Assistance Program (TAP). With no contract price change since 2011, the extension includes a 3 percent increase for the 12-month period. The projected value of the new contract extension is $1.4 million.
  • On March 24, a one-year contract extension was signed for the continuation of traditional relay services provided by AT&T’s Norton Center. The extension will maintain center operations through July 31, 2015 with no increase in the current monthly cost paid by the Commonwealth. VDDHH carefully worked with Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) and AT&T to include language in the extension that would accommodate any General Assembly action on the existing contract requirements. The projected value of the new contract extension is $8.3 million. While the current contract supports 80 positions at the Norton center, it is expected that number could decrease over the 12-month extension period due to attrition, voluntary resignations, and the offer of AT&T incentive packages. Old budget language specified the location of the relay center. VDDHH is waiting for a new budget before proceeding with an RFP.
  • VDDHH’s sixth annual new technology demo and equipment evaluation event for consumers was held on April 12 at VDDHH. In previous years, DDHH worked with local chapters of Hearing Loss Association of America where members are offered hands-on opportunities to test out prototype and recently released devices available to state equipment distribution programs. In turn, members complete an in-depth evaluation of the effectiveness of each device and make recommendations to VDDHH on new or replacement devices for our equipment distribution program, better known as TAP. This year, DDHH opened the Focus Group attendance up to the general public, resulting in record crowd. Among the new participants were the (Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Speech Pathology Department, Special Education Coordinators, a Deaf Ministry from Newport News, and the VCU Partnership Program. This arrangement with the local Stakeholders provides VDDHH a no-cost method to formally evaluate new equipment by targeted users and allows us to make informed decisions on future program offerings. VDDHH also shares a summary of the equipment evaluations with the national Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association (TEDPA) where the results are posted for other state equipment programs to use.
  • After working together for several years to address access to the Driver’s License testing process, on May 7, VDDHH and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued a joint press release to announce the availability of three computer-based knowledge tests (Driver’s License, Motorcycle License and Commercial Driver’s License) in American Sign Language (ASL). VDDHH has been pleased to have the opportunity to work with DMV to improve access for persons who are Deaf, allowing them to go to DMV at their convenience to take the test. VDDHH has typically coordinated sign language interpreters for testing several times per month and will continue to do so for persons who choose not to use the computer-based ASL version for any reason.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

REPORT OF THE ADVOCACY OUTREACH COMMITTEE:Ms. Korinda Rusinyak, Committee

Chair, reported that the Advocacy Outreach Committee:

  • called the meeting to order, did introductions,and reviewed the Advocacy Outreach Committee meeting agenda;
  • reviewed and approved the March5, 2014 Advocacy Outreach Committee meeting minutes;
  • received an Executive Committee update from the Advocacy & Outreach Committee Chair;
  • received an update from Barb Dodd on social media outreach and marketing, and blog posts pertaining to activities and achievements related to state plan goals and objectives;
  • discussed achievements of state plan objectives in the Advocacy and Outreach area of emphasis (points of discussion included:a request for sponsorship from the Arc for the Arc 2014 State Convention, grants activities, and liaison activities);
  • received updates on the Partners in Policymaking and Youth Leadership Forum activities and achievements related to state plan goals and objectives;
  • reviewed 2012-2016 State Plan Objectives and Implementation Activities for the 2015 State Plan Update and discussed potential 2015/2016 investments;
  • discussed the 2014 Disability Assessment recommendations pertaining to the Advocacy & Outreach Committee’s areas of emphasis and then adjourned.

The Advocacy & Outreach Committeereviewed a request from the Arc for $5,000 for event support funding for the 2014 Arc Convention. The Committee made a MOTION that the Board provide $4,000 in funding. Board Chair John Kelly called for discussion of the MOTION. There being none, the Board Chair called for a vote on the MOTION. The MOTIONcarried with one recusal by Marisa Laios.

Colleen Miller, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) inquired as to why the concept paper that dLCV had submitted at the December Board meeting to the Advocacy and Outreach Committee had not been acted on. She noted that other funding proposals had received consideration. Ms. Rusinyak and Ms. Lawson provided information on the status of the concept paper. Ms. Lawyer clarified that the requests acted on at the June meeting were conference sponsorship requests which had dedicated funding allotted. She apologized to Ms. Miller for her not having received a formal communication on the status of dLCV’s submission and that a letter would be forthcoming.

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION COMMITTEE:Ms. SarahRatner, Committee member, reported that the Community Integration Committee:

  • called the meeting to order, did introductions, and reviewed the Committee meeting agenda;
  • reviewed and approved the March5, 2014Community Integration Committee meeting minutes;
  • received an Executive Committee update from Committee member Charles Meacham;
  • discussed the 2014 Disability Assessment recommendations pertaining toCommunity Supports, Medicaid, and Healthcare;
  • reviewed the 2012-2016 State Plan Objectives and Implementation Activities for the 2015 State Plan Update and discussed potential 2015/2016 investments;
  • discussed achievement of State Plan Objectives in the Community Supports and Health areas of emphasis (points of discussion included: grant, post-grant, and contract activities and outcomes; and liaison activities and outcomes) and then adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY LIVING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:Angela Sadsad, Committee Chair, reported that the Community Living & Transportation Committee:

  • called the meeting to order and reviewed the Community Living & Transportation Committee meeting agenda;
  • reviewed and approvedtheMarch5, 2014 Community Living & Transportation Committee meeting minutes;
  • received an Executive Committee update from the Community Living & Transportation Committee Chair;
  • discussed achievement of State Plan Objectives in the Community Living & Transportation area of emphasis (points of discussion included liaison activities, grants, post-grants, and contracts);
  • received a presentation on the current status of EasyLiving Home (ELH) given by guest speaker Mike Toalson, Executive Director, Home Builders Association of Virginia and ELH Board Member and Supporter;
  • reviewed the 2012-2016 State Plan Objectives and Implementation Activities for the 2015 State Plan Update and discussed potential 2015/2016 investments;
  • discussed 2014 Disability Assessment Recommendations pertaining to the Community Living & Transportation Committee’s areas of emphasis;
  • planned for the next Community Living & Transportation Committee meeting; andadjourned.

The Community Living & Transportation Committee reviewed a request from Virginia Accessible Housing Solutions Inc. for$10,000 in funding for continued support of the ELHVirginia program. The Committee made a MOTION that the Board provide said funding for state fiscal year 2015.Board Chair John Kelly called for discussion of the MOTION. Discussion followed.Following discussion, the Board Chair called for a vote on the MOTION. TheMOTIONcarried with one recusal by Kathleen Vaughan.

The Community Living & Transportation Committee reviewed a request from VACIL for a 6-month no cost extension of the contract for theABLE grant. The Committee made a MOTION that the Board approve the request. The Board Chair called for discussionof the MOTION. Hearing none, the Board Chair called for a vote. TheMOTIONcarried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE:Mr. Dennis Manning, Committee Chair, reported that the Education & Employment Committee:

  • received an Executive Committee update from the Committee Chair and Lynne Talley, Committee Staff Team Lead;
  • received updates from the State Agency Representatives of DOE and PPD;
  • discussed 2014 Disability Assessment Recommendations pertaining to the Education & Employment Committee’s areas of emphasis; a suggestion for an Education recommendation will be taken to the full Board
  • reviewed the 2012-2016 State Plan Objectives and Implementation Activities for the 2015 State Plan Updateand has no changes to objectives or activities; also discussed potential 2015/2016 investments;
  • discussed achievement of State Plan Objectives in the Education & Employment areas of emphasis(points of discussion included: grant updates on VAIL, which conducted 13 workshops training 57 students and 22 schools professionals and added 1 participant to the program in the past quarter, and RRTC which reported that 3 Arc of Southside staff completed the Supported Employment Certificate Series; and development of product for policymakers regarding supports leading to successful transition); and then adjourned.

The Education & Employment Committee reviewed a request from Langley Air Force Base for $1,650 in support for a Disability Employment Awareness Training for personnel. The Committee made a MOTION to provide the event support in the amount requested. Board Chair John Kelly called for discussion of the MOTION. Discussion followed. Following discussion the Board Chair called for a vote. The MOTION carried unanimously.

DISCUSSION/APPROVAL OF DISABILITY ASSESSMENT FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS:Board ChairJohn Kelly gave a brief overview of the process for developing the draft Findings & Recommendations and called for discussion of the draft. Discussion followedand resulted in plans to clarify existing language and to change content ofthe Findings & Recommendationsas follows.

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