NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
FINAL
Executive Committee Minutes
Date: March 15, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Members Present: Bryan Dooley, Kerri Eaker, Cheryl Powell, Ryan Rotundo, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith
Members Absent: Allison Dodson
Staff Present: Chris Hendricks, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Talley Wells, Shar’ron Williams, Philip Woodward, Letha Young
Guests/Council members Present: Sandy Terrell

I. Call to Order
Chair Kerri Eaker called the meeting to order of the Executive Committee (EC) and welcomed the members calling in.

II. Approval of Minutes
The draft minutes for the February 22nd EC meeting were reviewed.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the draft minutes for the February 22, 2021 Executive Committee meeting with the correction of the title heading. Cheryl Powell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

III. Executive Director Update
Talley Wells updated the members that we are having conversations with the Georgia Council to show the Waiting List film to several entities in NC and for some folks to tell their story which may lengthen the time. We’re looking to do this in early April.

Peer Support is moving forward. There is now a website created and if the members have any feedback, please let him know soon as the website will be going live soon. Talley asked the members to spread the word since we are very excited about this effort and pilot stream.

Regarding technical assistance on recent conflict of interest questions, some Council members asked us to reach out regarding stipends for members. Talley updated the members that we did contact ITACC (Information and Technical Assistance Center for Councils on Developmental Disabilities – a program under NACDD – the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities) regarding stipends and the sole-source for the NC Empowerment Network (NCEN). Talley explained that the Council was given technical advice that self-advocacy initiatives should usually be done through RFAs and there can be appearance of conflict of interest when a Council member benefits from or is part of an organization that benefits from an initiative in which the Council member serves on the Council even where Council member recuses. A vote will be taken later to rescind the funding to NCEN and to possibly release a RFA for support to a self-advocacy organization.

Cheryl Powell raised some other questions and Kerri asked that we contact ITACC again to be clearer on an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Dan Smith also discussed concerns regarding a conflict.

Talley reminded the members that we will be looking later in this meeting for approval for the short-term RFAs recently released for initiatives titled Latinx Outreach Webinars and Resources and COVID-19 Registry of Unmet Needs Relief.

Other updates included that the financial asset development training contract with Alan Bergman is moving along. There has been more technical assistance provided regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and the Governor recently moved up and made clear the definition of developmental disabilities, with respect to the vaccine. Sandy Terrell asked that if we hear any problems or challenges for people getting the vaccine that we contact her since she serves on the leadership team and has heard from some of the counties that they are not aware of this additional new information and definition.

Talley concluded his update by letting the EC members know that on the 16th the department is coming to the Council to talk about the tailored plans and he’ll be sending out more information soon.

IV. Financial Report and Expenses/Match Update
JoAnn Toomey reviewed the financial reports for the NCCDD. Kerri asked if there were any questions and there were none.

V. Council Meeting/Member Survey Review
The draft May Council meeting agenda was reviewed and there were no revisions at this time. The EC members discussed having the August Council meeting in person and realize there are pros and cons to having virtual and in-person meetings. Talley discussed purchasing an OWL video camera that moves to the person speaking. He said that we will have the August meeting in-person with a virtual option. Kerri mentioned that agency folks need to be encouraged to show up for the Council meetings.

V. Conference Funding Request
None at this time.

VI. Initiatives & Funding
Philip Woodward updated the members on the COVID-19 Registry of Unmet Needs Relief RFA. Four applications were received for this proposed six-month initiative in an amount up to $50,000 with a non-federal match requirement. The application review committee included six individuals. Two applications clearly rose to the top, but First in Families of NC was the consensus to be the recommended agency to the Executive Committee for this RFA.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the application review committee recommendation for First in Families of North Carolina to be the applicant chosen for the NCCDD initiative titled COVID-19 Registry of Unmet Needs Relief. Funding is approved in the amount for up to $50,000 for the period beginning April 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2021 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds. Nessie Siler seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Melissa Swartz updated the members on the Latinx Outreach Webinars and Resources RFA. Three applications were received and scored by three application review committee individuals. The Arc of Union/Cabarrus County was the consensus to be the recommended agency to the Executive Committee for this RFA.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to approve the application review committee recommendation for The Arc of Union/Cabarrus County to be the applicant chosen for the NCCDD initiative titled I/DD Latinx Outreach, Webinars and Resources. Funding is approved in the amount for up to $25,000 for the period beginning April 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2021 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds with the following contingencies:

The Applicant must include in the contract a detailed description of statewide marketing, and virtual engagement efforts; more specificity about additional targeted Latinx orgs/groups; and, extensive detail of Hispanic/Latinx diversities. In addition, NCCDD initiative management staff would ensure recommendations of the application review committee are also part of initiative engagement.

Bryan Dooley seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Discussion continued on the recommendation of ITACC to rescind the six-month funding approved by the Council at the February meeting to NCEN. Kerri would like conversations to continue about supporting self-advocates and to raise their voice.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to rescind the six-month funding approved by the Council at the February Council meeting to the NC Empowerment Network in an amount up to $28,000 with a non-federal matching requirement that was to begin April 1, 2021 and end September 30, 2021. Bryan Dooley, Cheryl Powell and Nessie Siler recused themselves. Kerri Eaker seconded the motion. The motion was approved by majority vote.

An honorarium of $500 was requested for a speaker fee for a family’s participation in NCCDD’s showing of the film "6,000 Waiting - Screening and Panel Discussion" on April 8, 2021.

MOTION: Cheryl Powell made a motion to approve funding in the amount up to $500. Nessie Siler seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

VII. Conference Funding Request
None at this time.

VIII. Ad Hoc Committees/Updates
Talley Wells updated the committee that Melissa Swartz will be stepping in for David Ingram to be the staff liaison to the Five-Year Plan Ad Hoc Committee. Dan Smith reported that the 45-day public comment period was out March 1st.

Talley Wells updated the members that the Public Policy Ad Hoc Committee met and that the Disability Policy Seminar is coming up in April and several staff and Council members will be attending.

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

X. Other
The EC members asked that an Ad Hoc Committee be formed for the upcoming member vacancies and that an e-mail be sent to recruit up to 5 Council members for this committee.
Cheryl Powell reminded members that she has been contacted by Spectrum News to do an interview on disability issues and transportation later in March.

Kerri Eaker let the members know that she has resigned her position at HCA Healthcare as of April 30th. She will remain on the Council and continue her advocacy for people with I/DD in her community and the state.

XI. Adjourn
Kerri asked for a motion to adjourn. Nessie Siler made the motion and Dan Smith seconded. The motion carried and the meeting ended at 11:45 AM.