NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
FINAL
Executive Committee Minutes
Date: July 20, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Members Present: Allison Dodson, Kerri Eaker, Cheryl Powell, Ryan Rotundo, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith
Members Absent: Myron Gavin
Staff Present: David Ingram, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Talley Wells, Letha Young

I. Call to Order
Kerri Eaker called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for joining the meeting and for their service.

II. Approval of Minutes
The draft minutes for the June 15, 2020 Executive Committee meeting were reviewed.

Motion: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the June 15, 2020 minutes. Allison Dodson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

III. Executive Director Update
Talley Wells discussed Chris Egan’s request for a ‘no’ list. He had reported that we are still doing business and almost exclusively virtual, so he submitted more of a ‘yes’ list. There is a ‘Lives Worth Living’ presentation in Shelby, NC – live – and as a drive-in as part of the ADA 30th Celebration this Thursday evening.
Philip Woodward is master of ceremonies for the ADA 30th Celebration this Thursday that NCCDD is co-hosting with Vocational Rehabilitation and Bryan Dooley will also be leading the event. There are almost 400 people registered.

Talley said that there is still time for the surveys we have distributed for the Five-Year Plan to be completed. He asked the members to follow up with their colleagues, especially self-advocates, to complete the survey.

He next discussed a Supported Living II proposal that will be reviewed by the Community Living committee for consideration to approve drafting an RFA. Money Follows the Person has offered additional funds for this proposed initiative for the Council; $75,000 per year for two years.

The Systems Change Managers have been meeting twice a week and have discussed the potential use of $75,000-$90,000 from FFY 2021 funding for future initiatives. Many ideas have been discussed, including enhancing current initiatives. Cheryl Powell updated the members that NCEN has an abundance of trainings scheduled for this month and next.

Talley discussed the formation of a small Public Policy planning group. He would like the group to explore the potential of adding a position for public policy research, attendance at legislative sessions, etc.

He updated the members on the Registry of Unmet Needs sole-source initiative that will be further discussed for approval at the August Council meeting. It will be reviewed with the members during the Cross-Cutting presentation on Thursday.

The topic of diversity and inclusion next steps will be discussed further at a virtual staff development day the end of August.

IV. Financial Report and Expenses/Match Update
In the absence of Yadira Vasquez, JoAnn Toomey reviewed the financial reports. Dan Smith asked if there will be any delay in the Justice initiative due to COVID-19. Talley informed the group that the Advocacy Development and Community Living committees will be meeting jointly at the Thursday August Council meeting to discuss this initiative and that it is being transitioned to be under the Community Living committee.

V. Council Meeting/Member Survey Review
The draft August agenda was reviewed. Several additions and revisions were discussed and will be made available to the full Council in the August mailout.

VI. Conference Funding Requests
A request from Vocational Rehabilitation to fund a speaker for the virtual ADA 30th Celebration event being held July 23, 2020 was discussed. The request is for up to $1,500.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the request for speaker funding in the amount up to $1,500. Allison Dodson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

VII. Ad Hoc Committees/Updates
The Awards Ad Hoc Committee will update the EC in August with their recommendations. David Ingram reported that there has only been one nomination received at this time. He will ask O’Neill Communications to push it out more and that the EC members may want to check with people they know for recommendations and/or potential nominations.

Kerri asked David for an update on the Five-Year Plan Ad Hoc Committee. The deadline for the surveys has been extended a bit and there had been almost 400 people registered for the virtual conversations and over 200 people have responded to the surveys at this time. The August 15th deadline should be met.

VIII. Personal Services Contract Review/Approval
None at this time.

IX. Other
Kerri reported that she and staff will be meeting with Sherry Thomas from the Dept. of Instruction on how we can support families to transition their children back to school.

Kerri asked Talley to report on our efforts to improve the process to get updates from our agency representatives. We have an extraordinary opportunity to get information from these members and perhaps ask to have them join our Public Policy calls to provide input.

The members reviewed the possible Council Meeting Dates for 2021 (February 11 & 12, May 13 & 14 away or local, August 12 & 13, November 3, 4 & 5). The EC approved the dates being forwarded to the full Council at the August meeting. They discussed that it is looking like Council meetings will be virtual for the remainder of 2020.

X. Adjourn
Kerri asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Cheryl Powell made the motion to adjourn and Allison Dodson seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30