Meeting Activities
Council Meeting
November 18, 2009

 

ISSUE: 

1. Call to order, Introductions, Minutes from September 2009 Meeting
1. The meeting was called to order at 12:34 pm. 
2. Introductions: Those who remembered to bring their notebooks were able to find the Council member roster in the notebook.
3. Minutes:
2. Innovations:
1. Systems Change Grid: Betty Henderson gave an overview of the systems change grid and how it can be used as a mutual learning tool with grantees, Council and Committee members, and policy making activities.  Marcia Tewell reviewed a handout summarizing findings from the Pennsylvania DD Council and their work with HSRI. (Measuring System Change Synergy”)
   
   Marna presented an exercise using the grid and outcomes from the African American Parent Leadership Project.

Marcia presented the grid and outcomes from the passage of legislation to create the Colorado Family Support Services Program. 

The discussion of how to make the grid more understandable and useful included suggestions of meetings among grantees, Council members, and possible consultation with HSRI. 

3. Colorado Autism Commission: Bruce Cline was the planned presenter, but was not in attendance.  Marcia reviewed the background of the creation of the Commission. Bruce Cline served on the Commission as a representative of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council. Testimony covered the lack of supports, poor services and supports in schools, such as segregated programs and out-of-state placements, pre-school and early childhood, diagnostic process and families experiences with it.
   
   Rhonda Spellman is writing a book on autism, and is celebrating the success of a certain diet for her son such that her son no longer qualifies for special education supports. Point is that there are other options than segregated schools.
   

A lot of the recommendations would apply to any disability label, and there is a concern that autism doesn’t get over-identified and have so much attention focused on just one disability label. 

4. Legislative and Public Policy Committee Report (delivered by Sheryle Hutter)
5. Planning & Grants and Multicultural Committee Report

Penny Gonnella made a presentation on cultural competence as part of the report from the Planning & Grants Committee. 

6. Executive Committee report: n/a
7. Membership Committee report: staying current with office of Boards and Commissions
8. Fiscal Committee report: Given by Chris Herron and Mackenzie Helton, and Mackenzie offered to send any Council member details of budget to actual in addition to the grant progress review that was handed out.
9.  Public Comment
1. Discussion of the pros and cons of using an audible timer.
2. Eileen gave an update on the Family Leadership Training Institute, a semester-long training series. The next series begins in January, with 5 sites launching the series, with 20 people in each class. Denver, Larimer, Durango, Adams and Arapahoe/Douglas. Training of facilitators for the course was conducted with CO as host with four other western states. Each series is for one night a week for 20 weeks.
3. Penny encouraged Council members to attend the January 7, 2010 follow-up workshop to the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference.
10. Adjournment at 4:10 PM

ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS –

1. Minutes for the September Council meeting: Chris Herron moved to approve the minutes, Ben Sutton seconded. Approved.

BY WHOM/ BY WHEN:

1. Patricia Murphy will send notebooks and inserts to those members who need them.

Those in attendance:  Mike McCarty, Ben Sutton, Julie Farrar, Sue Fager (by phone), Chris Herron , Maria Cabral, Todd Coffey, Barbara Ramsey, Katherine Carol, Eileen Forlenza (arrived at 1:50 PM), Mary Anne Harvey (arrived at 1:50 PM), Penny Gonnella (arrived at 1:50 PM)

Staff Present: Marna Ares, Mackenzie Helton, Patricia Murphy, Marcia Tewell, Sheryle Hutter 

Guests: none  

Personal attendant:  Daniel Gomez

Those absent:  Mike Hoover, Corry Robinson, Stephanie Garcia, Karie Valdez, Ed Steinberg, Irene Aguilar, Karen Ferrington, The Honorable K. Jerry Frangas, Katie Grange, Xenia Grant, Sharisa Kochmeister,

 

Meeting Activities
Council Meeting
Date: September 23, 2009

ISSUE:

1. Call to order, Introductions, Minutes from July 2009 Meeting
1. The meeting was called to order at 12:35 pm. 
2. Introductions
3. Minutes: Changes to July minutes: Penny was to do a 5-minute presentation on cultural competency and because of time constraints was not able to do so. Under Action: Item 2, Sue Fager cast a ‘no’ vote on the voting item on the CC&R conference.
2. Innovations:
1. Voc Rehab 101 presented by Karen Ferrington.
2. Sexuality Curriculum presented by John Nelson and Debbie Scheer of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. They are developing a curriculum on sexual health for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
3. Legislative and Public Policy Committee Report (delivered by Sheryle Hutter)
1. 20^th Anniversary of the ADA is in 2010, and there is a coalition formed to discuss activities to be carried out for the entire year.  CCDC is spearheading the effort.
2. “Nothing About Us Without Us”: Governor’s office is supportive of the effort to get people with disabilities on boards.
3. Representative Kefalas’ committee has included Sheryle Hutter, Katherine Carol and Mike Hoover on its subcommittees.
4. Parity of rate paid to nursing home care providers and community care providers, and budget cuts that effect direct care professionals was discussed.  The L&PP has a meeting with Dr. Wadwah at the end of October.
5. Closure of the skilled nursing wing of Grand Junction Regional Center involves 32 people.  DDD is working to move people to places that meet their individual needs. The Legal Center is involved in the process, especially for people who have neither family nor guardians available.
6. Working with Governor’s Office of Economic Development to communicate with businesses moving into the state and/or using ARRA funds to make them aware of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and the need to comply with provision in the ADA.
7. Economic Opportunity and Poverty Reduction has six sub-committees. It has been asked to look into federal match for the $38 million generated from various county mill levies. A task force will be writing a bill to introduce in the 2010 session.
4. Multicultural Committee Report
1. Penny Gonnella presented the board self-assessment handout on involvement of families and youth on boards and councils.  The Council has signed the MOU with LINKS (see May 2009 Council minutes), and the results of this survey will be given to LINKS. Council members were asked to fill out the survey by the end of the meeting today.
2. Sue Fagar updated the Council on the upcoming October 9-10, 2009 Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference.  The impact of the furlough day on attendance and the fact that Council staff is prohibited from working/attending the conference were discussed. Follow-up workshop will be on January 8, 2010.
3. National TASH will have its annual conference in Denver in 2010, and have worked over the last decade to encourage the participation of people of color involved in national advocacy organizations. The MCC will be meeting with TASH during the conference to plan on how the MCC can help TASH with its conference in Denver next year.
5. Planning & Grants Committee report
1. Betty reviewed the last P&G meeting discussion about mutual responsibilities among the Council and its grantees. The committee is thinking about assigning a couple of committee members to oversee a particular grant instead of having the entire committee oversee all Council grants and activities.
2. Katherine Carol has heard about the Administration’s (Obama) Social Innovations money, and information is apparently on the White House website.
3. Betty discussed the systems change grid that was presented at the July 2009 NACDD Technical Institute in Washington DC by the Pennsylvania DD Council.

6. Executive Committee report
1. The EC has done some retreat planning for the Council retreat on October 22 -23, 2009 at District 1 Police Station (near I-70 and Pecos)
2. The EC has discussed cuts in Supported Living Services, and will be meeting Oct. 5 at 2 PM at the Capitol to discuss SLS cuts and possibilities of innovation.
7. Membership Committee report given by Eileen Forlenza welcomed new members.  All Council positions are filled.
8. Fiscal Committee report was given by Mackenzie Helton
9.  Public Comment
1. Penny announced the APSE CO Oct. 22, 2009 11-2 Summit on Supported Employment. Sheryle will attend while the rest of the Council is at its retreat
2. El Grupo Vida conference will be on Oct 17-18, 2009 at Red Lion with funding from CDE.
3. Eileen Forlenza distributed handouts from Family Leadership Training Institute
4. Frank Taylor spoke as a direct care professional about his concern that DSPs who are in advocacy and in providing care really don’t have a voice in Colorado. He informed the Council that September 14-20, 2009 was declared as DSP Recognition Week in Colorado.  Discussion followed—Mr. Taylor is involved with advocacy efforts regarding lack of health insurance, control of services  by people with disabilities, homelessness issues, direct services issues.
   
   K. Carol agreed; important to acknowledge direct support workers.

Colo. N-P Assoc. mtg 9-30-09, 1:30-2:30—opening up dialogue re CO fiscal sitx and bldg changes in how n-p sector deals with situation.  At Denver Foundation, 1^st and Madison, Denver

Betty moved to adjourn.  Irene Aguilar seconded .

10. Adjournment at  4:03 PM

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS –

1. Minutes for the July Council meeting: Approved with noted amendments.

 _____________________________________________________________________________________

BY WHOM/ BY WHEN:

1. Patricia Murphy will send out to the entire Council the list of boards that have vacancies.
2. All Council members present were asked to complete self-assessment questionnaire by the end of today’s Council meeting.

Those in attendance:  Mike McCarty, Karen Ferrington (left at 3:15 PM), Maria Cabral, Ben Sutton, Katie Grange, Sue Fager, Penny Gonnella, Mary Anne Harvey, Irene Aguilar, Betty Henderson, Julie Farrar (left at 2:45 PM), Eileen Forlenza, Barb Ramsey, Katherine Carol, Rep. Jerry Frangas (3 PM), Christine Herron (by phone)

Staff Present: Marna Ares, Mackenzie Helton, Patricia Murphy, Marcia Tewell, Sheryle Hutter

Guests: Kari Delaney, John Edward Nelson, Debbie Scheer

Personal attendant:  Frank Taylor

Those absent:  Mike Hoover, Sharisa Kochmeister, Stephanie Garcia, Karie Valdez, Todd Coffey, Xenia Grant, Corry Robinson, Ed Steinberg

 

 Meeting Activities
 Date: July 22, 2009
Council Meeting

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ISSUE:

1. Call to Order, Introductions, welcome to new Council members
2. Minutes from May 2009 Council meeting
3. Innovations
4. Conference Attendance Report
5. Committee Reports
1. Planning and Grants Committee (include 4 voting items)
2. Multicultural Committee
3. Membership Committee
4. Legislative & Public Policy Committee
5. Executive Committee (includes vote to approve meeting dates)
6. Fiscal Committee (includes voting item)
6. Public Comment
7. Adjournment

_______________________________________________________________________________________

DISCUSSION:

1. Mike McCarty called the meeting to order at 12:35 PM. Introductions were made.
   
2. Minutes from May 2009 Council meeting reviewed.
   
3. Joint presentation to the Council by Bob Lawhead and Menda Warne giving background information on history of supported employment in Colorado. 
    
4. Sue Fager reported on her attendance at the Building on Family Strengths Conference in Portland, Oregon in June.
   
5. Committee Reports: 
1. Planning and Grants Committee (include 4 voting items)

                                                               i.      Voting item: Third Annual Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference
The P&G Committee recommended not to fund the conference. Discussion included a plan to include cultural competency training at the Council retreat.

                                                             ii.      Voting item: Implementing Project SEARCH in Colorado, Year Two

                                                            iii.      Voting item: Year Three funding for the Full Access for All Abilities Project

                                                            iv.      Voting item: Year Three funding for the Enhanced Person-Centered Planning Initiative

2. Multicultural Committee:

                                                               i.      Plans are moving forward for the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference, October 9-10, 2009.

                                                             ii.      Penny was to do a 5-minute presentation on cultural competency and because of time constraints was not able to do so.

3. Membership Committee: Karie Valdez welcomed all new members.
   
4. Legislative & Public Policy Committee: Sheryle Huter reported on interim committees and between-session activities for the L&PP Committee. She talked about cuts to SLS (Supported Living Services) in DDD. She asked for more Council members to join the Legislative & Public Policy Committee.
   
5. Executive Committee (includes vote to approve meeting dates)
   The Council was informed that the lease for Council office space will be ending and the search is on for new space is being done within the parameters determined, in part, by the Department of Human Services.
   
6. Fiscal Committee (includes voting item)
   The budget for federal fiscal year 2010 was presented to the Council for approval by Christine Herron.
   
5. Discussion/Public Comment
6. Adjournment at 4:52 PM

____________________________________________________________________________________
ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS

1. May minutes were approved.
   
2. Voting item on Third Annual Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference passed with Penny Gonnella and Sue Fager casting ‘no’ votes.
   
3. Voting item: Implementing Project Project SEARCH in Colorado, Year Two: motion passed
   
4. Voting item: Year Three funding for the Full Access for All Abilities Project: motion passed
   
5. Voting item:  Year Three funding for the Enhanced Person-Centered Planning Initiative: motion passed
   
6. Voting item: Council will meet on the third Wednesday, every other month. Motion passed.
   
7. Voting item: Council budget for FFY 2010. Approved.
   _________________________________________________________________________________

BY WHOM/ BY WHEN:

Those in attendance:  Penny Gonnella, Sue Fager, Katherine Carol, Todd Coffey, Chris Herron, Shari Repinski, Mike Hoover, Maria Cabral, Ben Sutton, Katie Grange, Karen Ferrington, Kerri Valdez, Mike McCarty
Staff Present: Marcia Tewell, Patricia D. Murphy, Mackenzie Helton, Marna Ares, Sheryle Hutter
Guests:  Laverne Valdez, Mike Nelson, Bob Lawhead, Menda Warne
Personal attendant: Donna Downing, Daniel Gomez
Those absent:  Stephanie Garcia, Sharisa Kochmeister, Karl Valdez, Ed Steinberg, Irene Aguilar, Corry Robinson, Eileen Forlenza, Mary Anne Harvey, Honorable Representative Jerry Frangas, Julie Farrar, Xenia Grant

 Meeting Activities
Council Meeting
Date: May 27, 2009

1. Call to order, introductions
2. Minutes from March 2009 Council meeting
3. Innovations
4. Multicultural Committee report
5. Membership Committee report
6. Fiscal Committee report
7. Executive Committee report
8. Planning and Grants Committee report
9. Legislative & Public Policy committee
10. Elections
11. Discussion/Public Comment

1. Minutes. Corry moved, Christine seconded. Corrections to be made: page 3 6b: typo: “with” to be changed to “which.” Page 4 item 9 change “of” to “or.” Motion approved.
2. Multicultural Committee: Sue Fager reported on committee activities.  The April 18 workshop was poorly attended because of a snowstorm. Sue reviewed the evaluations of the workshop. Sue informed the Council of the conference planners who have been hired for the October 2009 conference and follow-up workshop. The call for presentations has been issued, and proposal due date is June 26, 2009.
3. Membership committee: Marcia reported for the committee. The Governor is expected to sign the executive orders appointing new members on June 5.
4. L&PP: Mike McCarty reported that committee meets first Monday of the month when the legislature is not in session.  Location is in the basement of the Capitol. The committee meets every week when the legislature is in session.
5. Fiscal Committee:  Chris Herron gave the report for the committee.
6. LINK: Council has signed onto MOU with LINKS, and Penny asked that the Council complete the survey in the Council packet today.  The survey looks at involving youth and family members in board activities.  Council members filled out survey; outcomes and feedback will be given at the July Council meeting.
7. Innovations: Katherine Carol presented a session entitled, “Creating Meaningful Lives.”
8. Executive Committee:
1. Corry began the report for the committee: JFK Partners and Arc of Colorado are planning a summit inclusive of the DD community, entities and individuals, for a one-day meeting. Purpose: clarifying statements of values and principles, and to clarify current status of the system(s), and identify next steps to ensure that we address current and future challenges in ways consistent with shared values. This developed, in part, as a result of information coming from the DD definition committee and the Autism Commission, and an increasingly common understanding that unity within the developmental disability community is needed. Corry’s request of the Council is for endorsement of holding the summit, not any funding. Christine Herron made the motion to support the concept of the summit as described by Corry Robinson requested the Council, Irene seconded.  Motion passed.
   
2. Voting Item: Public Policy analyst. Irene moved to approve the amendment, Todd seconded the motion. The motion passed.
   
3. The Council needs to create a lease committee to look for Council office space. The lease expires in two years.
   
9. Planning and Grants
1. Betty Henderson reported on positive site visits to come grant projects.
2. Katherine Carol reported to the last committee meeting on innovative practices for getting employment for people with disabilities in Wyoming.
3. The committee has decided to standardize the grant funding process by having all grants begin on October 1.
4. Betty encouraged Council and committee members to conduct site visits to grantees.  The one announced was the June 13 meeting of the Advisory Committee for PEAK’s Enhanced Person-Centered Planning project.
5. The Committee has decided not to continue funding the Big 8 conferences, effective January 1, 2010.
6. The committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
   
10. Elections
1. Ben Sutton and Mike McCarty ran for Chairperson. There were no nominations from the floor.
2. Mike McCarty was elected Chairperson.
3. Ben Sutton and Betty Henderson (nominated from the floor) ran for Vice-Chairperson.  Betty won that position.
4. Sharisa Kochmeister and Ben Sutton (nominated from the floor by Irene Aguilar) were candidates for the At-Large position on the E.C.  Ben Sutton won that position.
   Corry Robinson and Todd Coffey won the Agency positions; there were no nominations from the floor

11.  Legislative / Public Policy Committee wrap up:  Sheryle Hutter described successes / failures in the last legislative session.  She described the defeat of Morgan Carroll’s bill SB 09-103.

HB 09-191 (tax credit for job growth)—disability emphasis was not included in bill.  Gov Ritter eliminated the tax credit.  L/PP sent a letter to Gov asking for tax credit to be reinstated.  Their efforts were not successful, but the fight will continue.  Sheryle contacted The Legal Center.  Council needs to monitor the situation.  The Job Creation and Economic Development Commission has no person representing interests of people with disabilities–the Council can write to request permission to send a representative to this subcommittee's meetings.  Need to get letter out ASAP.  There is obligation under fed law to include people with disabilities.  K. Carol offered her help in this effort.  Sen. Schwartz is chair of committee.

HB 1281—inclusion of people with disabilities on state boards:  this bill is awaiting signature by Gov. Ritter.  (The words “shall, when possible” were not included).  However, some success because other boards were included that were not included originally.

HB 244 will be signed (autism and insurance).

SB 228 was approved by Senate and is scheduled to be signed by Gov.

SB 263 (Medicaid nursing facility bill—sets levels on fees); L/PP’s proposed amendment was severely fought and failed.  However, the bill passed.

L/PP will work on revision language to be submitted as bill in next session.

Representative Cindy Acree proposed H B 1026 (Interim Committee regarding the Developmental Disabilities wait list); the organizing committee will start meeting next week and Sheryle will attend.  Sheryle encourages Council members to become involved with this committee, as well.

A question came up about federal match and county dollars—CCB’s would have to apply for federal dollars and then money would come back to the counties.  Sheryle thinks applying for the match money would be worth the effort; she has posed this question to HCPF.  She will follow up with that agency for an answer.  She suggests Council members write letters to their legislators—this needs help!

Regarding Family Caregiver / CDAS legislation:  some counties are making their own “either / or” regulations about this legislation which was passed during the recent session.

Council needs to make our needs known.

Irene Aguilar suggested working with Marcia Tewell to draft letters; an informational template letter should be passed along to Council members.

Irene was working on HB 1273 re single payer—efforts died in the House (Governor Ritter opposed the bill); it is to be re-submitted during the next legislative session.

Actions:

1.                  Approved the concept of a statewide developmental disabilities summit, currently being designed by JFK Partners and Arc of Colorado. 

2.                  Voting Item: motion passed.

3.                  Lease committee: Mike Hoover volunteered to be on the committee. Others are encouraged to email Marcia if they are interested in being on the committee or have ideas for space (looking for roughly 1950 square feet).

4.                  Retreat planning: The week of the September Council meeting will not work. The proposed dates are for October 22 and 23.

Those in attendance: Betty Henderson, Mike McCarty, Mike Nelson, Ben Sutton, Maria Cabral, Christine Herron, Todd Coffey, Corry Robinson, Irene Aguilar

Staff: Marcia Tewell, Marna Ares, Patricia D. Murphy
Guests: Steve Teets, Katie Grange, Sheryle Hutter, Mike Hoover, Karen Ferrington, Katherine Carol, Sue Fager
Attendants: Daniel Gomez, Donna Downing
Absent: Penny Gonnella, Xenia Grant, Eileen Forlenza, Stephanie Garcia, Karie Valdez, Sharisa Kochmeister
Staff Absent: Mackenzie Helton

Meeting Activities
Council Meeting
Date: March 25, 2009

ISSUE:

1. Call to order, Introductions, Minutes from January 2009 Meeting
1. The meeting was called to order at 12:43 pm. 
2. All those present introduced themselves.
3. Minutes: The Council reviewed the minutes of the January Council meeting.  Chris Herron suggested changes:  paragraph 4a2, “It will also . . .” insert the word, “be.”  Paragraph 4C1:  the second-to-last sentence is incomplete; paragraph 4c3; “Bill Hanna has . . .” Also, Chris noted that she was, in fact, in attendance at the January Council meeting. 
2. Multicultural Committee Report and Voting Item
1. Funding for the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference, Year Two.  The purpose of the Voting item is to approve funding for the October 9-10, 2009 conference and the follow-up workshop to be held six months after the conference.  The committee has selected the Summit Events and Conference Center in Aurora as the conference site, and is in the process of selecting a planner.

2. The Planning and Grants (P&G) Committee is encouraging grantees to look for additional sources of funding to augment Council funding.  The P&G Committee notes the statement by the Multicultural Committee that the conference will seek donations and sponsors.  Mackenzie clarified that seeking donations and sponsors is part of the Planner job description.  Penny pointed out that all attendees will be charged a registration fee ($35) this year.  Additional support will be available for family members for childcare and for mileage reimbursement of those who must travel more than 65 miles one way.  Scholarships for registration fees also are available. 

3. Voting Item: LINK Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
1. Penny reminded Council Members of the presentation by José Esquibel at the January meeting concerning this.  LINKS exists to improve mental health services for children and youth, including outreach to those with developmental disabilities. The Council needs to decide whether it will participate.
2. Todd Coffey mentioned a section of the MOU, and asked a question about Council member representation.  Penny Gonnella and Irene Aguilar are willing to represent the Council on the committee.
4. Executive Committee Report
1. The Council discussed the Council’s relationship with its Designated State Agency (DSA), the Department of Human Services (CDHS). Chris Herron talked about CDHS Executive Director Beye’s suggestion that the Council develop a “white paper.”  Penny said this has not been done, but a summary about the Council’s values, in the form of the Memorandum of Understanding between CDHS and the Council, has been submitted to the CDHS Director. 

                                                               i.      There are two sets of issues:  advocacy and process issues, such as travel matters.  Process matters, such as the time it takes for requests for travel to be approved, often have a negative impact on the Council’s budget and on missed opportunities for Council member development.

                                                             ii.      Shari Repinski asked whether the Governor must approve our DSA.  Marcia said that the answer is “yes,” and this is in the legislation that authorizes the Council’s existence.  Marcia pointed out that other Councils whose DSA’s provide services to people with developmental disabilities were ‘grandfathered’ in when the DD Act was amended in 1984; all new designations of a Council’s DSA must be under departments that don’t provide services to people with developmental disabilities.

                                                            iii.      Marcia commented that any state agency chosen needs to have experience with “flowing” federal dollars. 

2. The Council discussed the status of appointments to the Council, which have been delayed for a year and are still pending. 
3. Council elections and committee leadership

                                                               i.      Elections will be held at the May 2009 meeting.  Penny Gonnella will function as the Past Chairperson on the Executive Committee. Ben Sutton and Mike McCarty have expressed their interest in running for Chairperson.  Please attend in May! 

                                                             ii.      Maria Cabral resigned from chairing the Multicultural Committee.  Ben Sutton will step down as chair of Fiscal Committee.  According to the Council’s by-laws, the chairperson for the Fiscal Committee is also a member of the Executive Committee.

                                                            iii.      PG stressed that all members must serve on at least one committee.

5. Fiscal Committee report
1. The Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Council offices.
2. Mackenzie reviewed the grant status report with the Council.
6. Planning and Grants Committee report
1. Project SEARCH activities were reviewed. The project is underway in Fort Collins. Columbine Health is the business partner with the Poudre Valley School District. Schools districts in Adams County, Denver, and Aurora have expressed interest. 
2. Marna has developed a new monitoring tool for grantees with will make it easier for grantees to report grant activities and outcomes, and easier for the Planning and Grants Committee and Council staff to track outcomes.
3. Summary of Council grants and activities: The Council handout for this meeting is a copy of what is posted on the website.  Council members are encouraged to go on site visits to get an in-person understanding of grant activities.
7. Legislative & Public Policy Committee report
1. Todd introduced the discussion of SB 228, introduced by Senator Morse and Representative Marostica, to eliminate the 6% limit on state appropriations.
2. HB 1273 (Kefalas sponsored)—Comprehensive Health Care bill that would create a study group for a year.  No specific agenda around health care, but seeking better quality for less cost.  Sheryle gave update on its progress through the legislature.  Even though it is only a study, perhaps it will lead to good things.
3. Income Tax Credit for Job Growth—there is no provision for people with disabilities in this bill.  Last year’s approved tax credit for employers hiring people with disabilities was eliminated due to budget cuts.  L/PP mailed letter to Governor Ritter on 3-11-09 and has received no response as yet.  Sheryle suggested that we call Gov’s office to ask about status. 
4. “Nothing About Us Without Us”; it was laid over until tomorrow; “shall, when possible” language instead of “encouraged” was inserted into the bill.  The Aging / Corrections boards will to be added to it. 
5. SB09103 is scheduled to go on to the House.  Help is needed:  this is being strongly opposed by the insurance lobby.  Senator Carroll is the sponsor.  Sheryle suggests Council members contact their House representatives in support of the bill.
6. HB1223.  Some parts are questionable, such as section regarding hospitals paying providers.  CICP funding; also enabling more people to become eligible; Medicaid and CHP-Plus; also adult Medicare.  Federal dollar matching is included in the bill, so additional funding will come to the State.  The amount specified is $600 million, but approximately $200 million will go back to the hospitals.  The L/PP Committee fought to include a representative of the disability community on board.  This bill is going to Senate next.
8. Membership Committee report
1. Marcia described content of current applications for new Council members, as well as status.

9.  New business
1. Todd Coffey and Karen Ferrington talked about a “train the trainer” disability awareness package that will be used at DVR.  It might be good for other departments of divisions to have access to this.  Training will go towards Employment Outreach staff, Workforce staff.  Todd talked about how the method can be personalized for departments.  Karen mentioned that we could present it at a Council meeting, and that it can be for as little as 1 hour or as much as 8 hours.

10. Old business

ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS –

1. Minutes for the January Council meeting: Corry Robinson moved to approve as amended; Chris Herron seconded.  The minutes were approved as amended by voice vote.
2. Voting Item (Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference-Funding for year II):  Corry moved to approve; Todd seconded.  The motion passed by voice vote. 
3. Voting Item LINK Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Corry moved to approve.  Todd seconded, and the motion carried by voice vote.

Adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Those in attendance:  Todd Coffey, Penny Gonnella, Betty Henderson, Christine Herron, Corry Robinson, Xenia Kathy Grant (by phone), Mike Nelson, Shari Repinski, Benjamin Sutton Jr., Maria Cabral, Sheryle Hutter (12:30-2:15)
Staff Present: Marna Ares, Mackenzie Helton, Patricia Murphy, Marcia Tewell
Guests: Julie Farrar (1:00-2:30); Karen Ferrington; Mary Anne Harvey
Personal attendant:  Daniel Gomez
Those absent:  Betty Henderson, Karie Valdez, Stephanie Garcia, Irene Aguilar

Meeting Activities
Date: January 28, 2009

 Council Meeting

ISSUE:

1. Call to Order, Introductions
2. Minutes from November 2008 Council meeting
3. Proposed MOU between Colorado LINKS for Mental Health and CDDC
4. Committee Reports
1. Executive Committee
2. Fiscal Oversight Committee
3. Legislative  & Public Policy Committee
4. Multicultural Committee
5. Membership Committee – Boards and Commissions Update
5. DVD Presentation (Including Samuel documentary)
6. Discussion/Public Comment
7. Adjournment

DISCUSSION:

1. Penny Gonnella called the meeting to order at 12:35 PM. Introductions were made.
   
2. Minutes for November 19, 2008 were reviewed.  No corrections were requested.
    
3. MOU Presentation: the Council may consider a motion to sign the MOU at a later date. The Colorado LINKS mission is to promote partnership among state agencies and key stakeholder groups by weaving together existing efforts to create a more coordinated continuum of mental health services for Colorado children, youth and families. Behavioral health is defined as encompassing both mental health and substance use (use, abuse and dependence/addiction) disorders, and developmental disabilities. Approach encouraged is to seek information from community members as to what their needs are rather than deciding on plans of action without gathering that input. Refer to Page 5 for the list of commitments requested of the DD Council if it were to sign the MOU.
   
   Discussion of entering partnership: Many of the values identified by LINKS are also part of the Council’s Five-Year Plan 200-2011. What is the reward for entering the partnership? Getting the key priorities accomplished, such as having more groups supporting a legislative effort the Council undertakes. The collaboration could, though concerted effort, help to have each constituency’s voice heard through collective action. Also possible is increased visibility for each partner organization.
   
   LINKS IV meeting will be on Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Colorado History Museum in Denver

4. Committee Reports: 
1. Executive Committee

                                                               i.      The Executive Committee decided to change the Council meeting location from AT Partners to the Radisson Hotel, for 2009.

                                                             ii.      DSA:

1.       Communication difficulties, such as the impossibility of setting a meeting with the Executive Director, Karen Beye. The current situation is that Karen Beye has requested a white paper explaining why the Council has requested a meeting with her.  Council members were asked to offer other issues that need to be included in the white paper. Travel approvals move through at glacial speed, if at all.  When they are approved at the last minute the costs of airfare are prohibitive and impede the work of the Council when members and staff are unable to attend DD Council-related conferences and workshops. The difficulty in changing the DSA is that any DSA must expend approximately $80,000, and the Council contributes $25,000, matched by the General Fund in an equal amount. Becoming a 501(c) 3 is a lengthy and tedious process, and would require extensive staff time that would detract from Council work. Operating under a Continuing Resolution makes it necessary to have an agency that can carry the Council costs while federal funding is pending. The concept of using strategic planning in order to address the issues the Council faces, and the DSA change in particular, can either happen immediately, or can be deferred to after new members have been appointed. Todd suggested one way to approach it would to have a legislator carry a bill to change the Council’s DSA. Sheryle said it might still be possible in this legislative session if there is a legislator who has not introduced all of the bills they’re allowed to introduce in one session.  Katherine suggested a task force be formed. See vote item #2 below.

The white paper will include the request from the L&PP to address employment issues.  It will also include the need for member appointments to made in a timely manner and the need to support the Council to do its work by processing travel and other paperwork in a timely manner.

                                                            iii.      Appointments submitted last March have not been acted upon. Subsequently, some members have resigned, and some terms are ending.  There are now 9 vacancies. Katherine Carol called the Governor’s office this morning to ask what has happened to her year-old nomination to the Council, and will call again in a month, at which time they thought the nominations would be finalized.

                                                            iv.      The grant cycle is going to be standardized so that all grants begin funding on October 1 of each year, with the exception of the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness Conference which the Planning and Grants Committee will introduced as a voting item at the March Council meeting.

                                                              v.      Corry handed out information on the Council’s evaluation of the Executive Director which is done annually.  Corry will ensure that the form is sent out electronically to Council members. The deadline for returning the evaluation forms will be February 16, 2009.

2. Fiscal Committee report

                                                               i.      Mackenzie Helton reviewed the grants currently active and four that have recently closed.

                                                             ii.      Mackenzie Helton reviewed the amount of money that can be granted out of the Council’s annual allocation from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

3. Planning and Grants

                                                               i.      Betty Henderson reviewed the joint meeting of the L&PP and P&G Committees on December 16, 2008. Both committees want more visibility in the legislature and in the community. The committees desire a strategic planning meeting that would involve the full Council. A retreat could be held after new members are appointed, or before. Corry wondered about asking ADD to go to the Governor on the Council’s behalf. Eileen suggested asking Jose Esquivel’s advice on how to move forward.

Sheryle has resigned from both committees while she is the Council’s legislative liaison. Shari Repinski has joined the Planning and Grants Committee.

                                                             ii.      The P&G committee has asked staff to send letters to grantees to let them know their funding will be decreased, encouraging them to seek alternative sources of funding. For most grantees the necessity to pursue alternate funding is part of their statement of work/contract.

                                                            iii.      Bill Hanna, department lobbyist, has offered to do a training for the entire Council on the legislative process. Eileen suggested opening up the training to the community and Council grantees.

                                                            iv.      The committee reviewed the proposal from the Multicultural Committee for the second year of the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness conference at its meeting yesterday and will recommend it in a voting item for the Council to consider at its March meeting. That would be an in-house project, i.e. one not funded through the RFP process.  The Council discussed how other Councils spend their federal grant, through combinations of grant-funded and Council activities.  The practice varies among Councils.

The Council discussed various options for alternate approaches.  Katherine suggested http://www.abilitiesfund.org/ for a model the Council could consider. Discussion concerned the development of microboards.

4. Legislative and Public Policy

                                                               i.      Sheryle reviewed what the L&PP Committee is doing to work with Rep. Labuda on the bill (HB 1048) she introduced requiring state boards and commissions, task forces, advisory councils, to include people with disabilities and their family members. Eileen expressed concern that getting beyond token membership could be an issue with the bill, and discussed the need for leadership development for people with disabilities and family members. Eileen reviewed the development of the 20-week program beginning in Colorado, based on the model of a program begun in Connecticut focused on civic involvement, going beyond leadership development focused on developmental disabilities. Marcia circulated the Council’s brochure on including people with disabilities on boards of directors that has been handed out to legislators considering HB 1048.

                                                             ii.      SB 101: tax credits to large businesses who employ at least 20 people in a year provided for, but Ritter’s promised tax credit for employers who employ people with disabilities has been tabled. Joe Rice and Rollie Heath are the bill’s sponsors. Sheryle encouraged Council members to write to the sponsors and the Business Affairs and Labor Senate Committee that will be hearing the bill. Sheryle encouraged people to refer in their communications to legislators to the federal intent to increase employment for people with disabilities.

                                                            iii.      Marcia updated the Council on the bills that came out of the interim committee that addressed the waiting list for people with developmental disabilities. Most are dead and are not being implemented. The tax credit bill was one of those.

5. Multicultural

                                                               i.      Penny reported on outcomes from recent meetings, highlighting the proposal to hold a second annual conference, and anticipating the April 18, 2009 workshop.

                                                             ii.      Committee meets twice a month from now until the April workshop, after which the committee will resume once-monthly meetings. Meetings dates are posted on the Council’s website (www.coddc.org ).

6. Membership

                                                               i.      Marcia gave the Council an update on membership status for all Council members.

                                                             ii.      The Executive Committee members need to be voted on, and candidates must be identified by the Nominating Committee.  Nominations can be sent to Linda Dunn for open positions, and people can submit names for any of the positions. The one open position is Council Chairperson as Penny Gonnella has said she would like to be on the Executive Committee as past Chairperson.  The elections will take place at the May Council meeting.

5. Presentation of DVD
6. Discussion/Public Comment
7. Adjournment at 4:52 PM

ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS

1. Ben Sutton moved to approve the minutes, Corry Robinson seconded. November 2008 minutes approved.
   
2. Corry Robinson moved to create a task force to identify potential DSA’s within state government and explore the process to change the Council’s DSA. Maria Cabral seconded (Penny Gonnella, Marcia Tewell, Katherine Carol, Sheryle Hutter, Corry Robinson to be initial members). Motion passed.

BY WHOM/ BY WHEN:

1. Penny will submit a draft copy of the white paper to Council members for feedback before submitting it to Karen Beye.
   
2. Marcia will contact Bill Hanna to determine dates he would be available to conduct a legislative training for the Council.

Those in attendance:  Penny Gonnella, Corry Robinson, Betty Henderson, Linda Dunn, Todd Coffey, Shari Repinski, Maria Cabral, Christine Herron, Ben Sutton, Mike Nelson, Eileen Forlenza (arrived at 1:50 PM)

Mike McCarty (by phone, left meeting at 1:30 PM), Xenia Kathy Grant (by phone, left the meeting at 1:55 PM)

Staff Present: Marcia Tewell, Patricia D. Murphy, Mackenzie Helton, Marna Ares

Guests:  Katherine Carol, Sheryle Hutter, Brittany Baer, Katie Grange, Jose Esquivel, Sarah Coffey

Personal attendant: Daniel Gomez

Those absent:  Stephanie Garcia, Sharisa Kochmeister, Karl Valdez, Ed Steinberg, Karie Valdez, Irene Aguilar

Meeting Activities

November 19, 2008

Council Meeting

ISSUE:

1. Call to Order, Introductions
2. Minutes
3. Voting Item: Parent-to-Parent African-American Leadership Project
4. Outside Committee Work
5. Presentation by the Legislative & Public Policy Committee
6. Committee Reports
1. Fiscal Oversight Committee
2. Membership Committee
3. Multicultural Committee
4. Executive Committee
5. Planning & Grants Committee
7. Public Comment
8. Adjournment

DISCUSSION:

1. Penny Gonnella called the meeting to order at 12:35 PM. Introductions were made.
2. Minutes for July 23, 2008 were reviewed.  Chris Herron wondered if clarification was needed in item 4 d. Add clarifications that the people referred to are people with disabilities.
3. Voting Item
1. Betty Henderson presented the voting item, recommended by the Planning & Grants Committee, to fund the third and final year of the African-American Parent Leadership Project.
2. Comments: Xenia wondered if places of worship can be included. Eileen offered that the recruitment of participants does include outreach to places of worship. Betty pointed out that the model is similar to a coaching model where the participants hold each other accountable from one month to the next, i.e. follow each others’ action plans. Does the Council keep track of the outcomes of the plans? How does the Council feel about this group being exclusively for African-American parents? Penny: the original concept by the Multicultural Committee was to address two specific communities; the Latino/a Community and the African-American community.

Eileen voiced concern for the lack of Partners in Leadership in Colorado, wondering why the Council is not funding this very broad leadership development program. Mackenzie pointed out that the proposed funding would be for the final and third year of the project.  Any further kind of leadership training after this funding cycle would need to go out in a formal RFP. New parameters for inclusiveness could be included in such an RFP.

 Accountability:  Betty suggests the Council needs guidance from Council members in how to keep grantees accountable.  Todd wants to keep track of how leadership skills acquired translate to effects of the children and/or the greater system. It might be premature to deny funding as proposed for the third and final year. Betty, through site visits, saw examples of the effects of training trickling down to the children and the community (network).

4. Outside Committee Work: 
1. Marcia Tewell distributed Five-Year Plan “cheat sheets.” Council members are encouraged to use them whenever they are attending outside committees, and Council activities, to determine if their activities are meeting the goals and objectives of the Five-Year Plan.  Marcia also distributed a “Council’s IEP Process” document, listing the Council’s goals and objectives, and processes and strategies followed to address the goals and objectives.
   
   Marcia handed out a table listing committees on which Council members and Council representatives site. Members present were requested to fill in information on the outside committees they work with. Marcia also handed out a form for members to use to reflect whether their time on committees addresses Council Five-Year Plan goals and objectives, titled “Evaluation Checklist for Outside Committees Attended on Behalf of the Council.” Members are asked to fill out the form and submit it to Patricia D. Murphy at the end of the Council meeting.
   
   
5. Presentation by the Legislative & Public Policy Committee
1. Irene Aguilar presented the handout listing the L&PP Committee activities over the past year, and a handout describing a piece of legislation being sponsored by Rep. Labuda to be introduced in the 2009 session.  This legislation was initiated by the Council’s L&PP Committee and will provide for any boards that oversee services to people with disabilities to include in their board membership people with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities.
2. Sheryle Hutter presented the work the committee did on preventing trusts legislation from being introduced during the 2008 legislative session. The committee continues to work with legislators and HCPF staff to craft and design any future legislation.
3. Committee members distributed letters for each Council member to sign, one to the member’s State House Representative and on to the member’s State Senator. The letters are letters of introduction to the legislators describing the Council, its goals and missions, and introducing the member as one of the legislator’s constituents. Irene handed out a simplified version of the online training provided on the Minnesota’s DD Council website on “Being a Partner in Policymaking.”
4. Hearing on December 3 in the Old Supreme Court Chambers will be held to discuss health insurance issues in Colorado.
5. Bill Hanna, who is the legislative liaison for the Colorado Department of Human Services, has offered to do a Council training on the legislative process in Colorado.
6. Children’s Hospital does a basic legislative training, once in the fall and once in the Spring. The training is called “Champs for Children,” but is broad enough to cover other issues.
7. Sheryle presented the handout on legislation passed during the 2008 session, and other activities related to legislation, such as the Family Caregiver workgroup, CDAS workgroup to expand the program to people with developmental disabilities.
8. Joe Beaver talked with the Council to review how the disability issues were included in the discussions during the Democratic National Convention in August. Joe suggested to add the strategy of going to each State legislator’s Town Hall meetings. J_beaver@comcast.net To apply to be a member of Democrats with Disabilities ($1/year dues).
9. Marcia updated on the work of the Definitions Committee (defining developmental disability for eligibility purposes). The committee has finished its work and submitted its recommendations to the Department of Human Services.
10. Quality Advisory Committee to DDD: will be meeting quarterly, and have 2 meetings so far. Looking at quality indicators for agencies, abuse, neglect and mortality statistics.  The intent is to put systems in place to avoid repetition of incidents of abuse, neglect and deaths of people in DDD services. Diane Rehner has been representing the Council on this committee. (Diane is a community member of the L&PP Committee).
11. Bob Lawhead (a community member of the L&PP Committee) is representing the Council concerning the implementation of SB-04 (State hiring of people with disabilities) and SB-05 (pilot program on supported employment with outcome-based funding according to achievement of benchmarks).
    
6. Committee Reports

                                                               i.      Fiscal Oversight Committee:  Mackenzie Helton distributed a handout detailing “Where the Money has been spent.” The recommendation by the Planning and Grants committee to put all grants on the same funding cycle will allow the Council to realistically plan future grants and expenditures.

Todd requested that the budget reviews include monthly billings by each grantee, and be sent to Council members a week before each Council meeting.

                                                             ii.      Membership Committee: Marcia reported for the committee, reminding Council members that recruitment occurs year-round.  Becky Young, who was recommended by the committee to be appointed to the Council, has withdrawn her application for Council membership. The names recommended by the Membership committee were submitted in March 2008, and have not been acted on.

                                                            iii.      Multicultural Committee

1.       Maria Cabral reviewed the Cultural Competence and Responsiveness conference.  There were 180 people registered for the conference, with 166 who attended. The people who did not attend but who had registered are being contacted by one of the committee members. The total expenditures for the conference have not yet been summarized, but were somewhat less than budgeted for.  The April 18, 2009 follow-up workshop will benefit from the unspent funds for the October conference. Jose Reyes will moderate the discussion at the follow-up workshop, helping attendees discuss what ideas from the conference were useful, where some obstacles to implementation arose, and how to continue implementing some of the ideas gathered from the October conference.

2.       Penny noted that the committee will submit a proposal to the Council to provide a second annual conference in 2009.

                                                            iv.      Executive Committee:

1.       Penny Gonnella presented for the Executive Committee, expressing concerns Committee members have voiced about the perceived lack of transparency of the Council decision-making processes.

Penny expressed concern that the MOU between the Council’s Designated State Agency (DSA) the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and the Council is being ignored. Penny acknowledged the conflict of interest inherent in the Council’s DSA being an agency that provides services to people with developmental disabilities.

The Executive Committee recommends that the Council consider changing the Council’s DSA. Mike McCarty suggested the Council approach the Governor to explore the options that may be open to the Council.  Penny voiced the concern that current difficulties with the DSA will worsen with the passage of the motion to meet with the Governor. Irene also voiced the concern that the Council, as a representative of people with developmental disabilities, is being discriminated against and cannot put forward the issues of importance to people with developmental disabilities.

Todd voiced the concern that issues that were discussed by the Executive Committee on November 5 be first on the agenda at the January 28, 2009 Council meeting.  Penny recommended that such things as Committee reports be set aside so that those issues can be discussed at the next Council meeting.
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                                                              v.      Planning & Grants Committee:

1.       Betty Henderson distributed minutes from previous committee meetings and explained the Committee’s decision not to recommend funding for the CAPRA grant. The committee has developed a site visit checklist, and will be fine-tuning it based on how it is used during site visits.

9.  Public Comment
1. Xenia Kathy Grant updated the Council on the Autism Commission after Penny distributed the notes Kathy had provided.  The Commission meets twice a month, and is taking testimony on December 10, 2008 from 2-5 PM in the Old Supreme Court Chambers. The testimony is to address early intervention, school ages 3-20, adults, services for all age groups and families.  Two key questions that need to be addressed overall are: What is working? What needs improvement? The commission would like to receive testimony in writing, limited to 500 words, 200 words per issue then submitted on the web. Possible solutions need to be included in the remarks whenever possible. The Commission is trying to reach out to areas outside the metro area and Front Range.  Website: co-asd-commission@googlegroups.com. Bruce Cline is representing the Council on the Autism Commission and is setting up focus groups around the state.  They are targeting Alamosa, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Eagle/Edwards/Frisco/Vail, Ft. Collins, Ft. Morgan/Sterling… (refer to Bruce Cline’s notes via Marcia Tewell) Commission is seeking information from citizens to understand what is needed by people in the State integrating and coordinating services for all people with autism and their families, regardless of age and regardless of IQ.

 

The Council will add a link to the list of links the Commission is developing. The Council’s website, resources page, includes a link to a national organization for Spanish-speaking families with children who have autism. The Human Rights Commission for the City of Aurora has translators for 23 different languages available to people in the community.

10. Adjournment at 4:52 PM

ACTION / MOTION / CONSENSUS

1. Ben Sutton moved to approve the July minutes as corrected; Mike McCarty seconded the motion to approve the minutes for July 23, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Ben Sutton moved to approved funding for the African-American Leadership Project, Maria Cabral seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
3. Irene Aguilar announced her resignation from the Executive Committee, citing lack of time to devote to the responsibilities of being an Executive Committee member.
4. Irene Aguilar moved that the Council request a meeting with the Governor if a meeting with Karen Beye is not granted within 21 days of the meeting being requested on November 20, 2008. Mike McCarty seconded. The motion passed with two abstentions by Todd Coffey and Linda Dunn.
   

BY WHOM/BY WHEN:

1.       Marna will let all Council members know of the link to and availability of the PPR for FFY 2007, and will provide the PPR 2008 report after it is submitted on January 1, 2009.

2.       Marna will let all Council members know of the December 16 joint meeting of the L&PP and P&G Committee will be at AT Partners.

3.       Marna will send Council members the recent ADD Update newsletter from Commissioner Morrissey.

4.       Irene will email Council members the information on the December 3, 2008 hearing.

5.       Marna will send Council members the link to the online training at the Minnesota’s Council website.

6.       Marcia will email Council members the report and recommendations of the workgroup on SB-05.

7.       Penny will email Marna with the results of her request to meet with Karen Beye.

8.       Mike McCarty made the motion and Chris Herron seconded the motion to explore changing the Council’s DSA. The motion passed unanimously.

9.       Budget reviews include monthly billings by each grantee, and will be sent to Council members a week before each Council meeting.

Those in attendance: Irene Aguilar (arrived 1:30 PM), Maria Cabral (left meeting at 2:30 PM), Todd Coffey, Linda Dunn, Eileen Forlenza (by phone, left meeting at 1:30 PM), Penny Gonnella, Xenia Kathy Grant (by phone, left meeting at 2:17 PM), Betty Henderson, Chris Herron, Mike McCarty (left the meeting at 3:30  PM), Thom Miller, Mike Nelson (left meeting at 4:23 PM), Shari Repinski (left meeting at 3:35 PM), Ben Sutton, Karl Valdez (by phone, left meeting at 1:40 PM),

Staff Present: Marcia Tewell, Patricia D. Murphy, Mackenzie Helton, Marna Ares

Guests:  Joe Beaver (Democrats with Disabilities), Katherine Carol, Sarah Coffey (CDPHE), Sue Fager, Mike Hoover, Sheryle Hutter,

Personal attendant: Daniel Gomez, Donna Downing (facilitator)

Those absent:  Stephanie Garcia, Christi Kasa-Hendrickson, Sharisa Kochmeister, Corry Robinson, Ed Steinberg, Karie Valdez