Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
DRAFT
August 11, 2017
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

MEMBERS PRESENT: Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Teresa Strom (for Wayne Black), Eric Chavis, NaKima Clark, Anna Cunningham, Christina Dupuch, Bryan Dooley, Kerri Eaker, Joseph Breen (for Mary Edwards), Myron Gavin, Michael Groves, Brendon Hildreth, Katie Holler, Beverly Colwell (for William Hussey) Kelly Kimple, Aldea LaParr, Alex McArthur, Tara Myers, Wing Ng, Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Cheryl Powell, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith, Vicki Smith, Sandra Terrell, Mya Lewis (for Jason Vogler), Paula Woodhouse

MEMBERS ABSENT: Katherine Boeck, Jason Faircloth, Sen. Valerie Foushee, Joshua Gettinger, Rep. Verla Insko, William Miller, Dave Richard, Clare Shocket, James Stephenson, Peggy Terhune, Kelly Woodall
    
STAFF PRESENT:  Chris Egan, Cora Gibson, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Travis Williams, Philip Woodward, Letha Young

CONTRACTORS/GRANTEES PRESENT:  Gordon O’Neill, Devika Rao

GUESTS:  Jennifer Bosk, Karen Cook, Natalie Davis, Paula Coppola, Rene Cummins, Kathy Dooley, Darcy Hildreth, Renate Macchirole, John Marens, Douglas Stoll

WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE

Vice-Chairman Wing Ng welcomed the members and asked that any Council member with a potential conflict of interest regarding any item on the agenda to identify that conflict for documentation in the minutes and recuse, as necessary. He also reminded members of the emergency exits at the Hilton Garden Inn. Anna Cunningham then conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Wing Ng asked for approval of the May 2017 Council meeting minutes. A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.

MOTION: Paula Woodhouse made a motion to approve the May 2017 Council meeting minutes. Amanda Bergen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan delivered his report to the members focusing on systems change and the evolution and nature of change. He used examples of early innovations and the process of building on early efforts to set new goals for future systems change efforts, and referenced the literature on systems change theory. He described the importance of collaboration and shared vision in pursuing positive changes and opportunities for individuals with I/DD and their families, and to focus on what is possible. He included a brief update on the Council response to the Administration on Community Living regarding the possible future structure of Council’s on DD and the importance of the funding that we receive. He concluded by welcoming Alex McArthur as the new Chairperson for the NCCDD.

FINANCE REPORT

Wing Ng reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and submit them to staff. He gave a brief report on the financial status of the Council. A copy of the report had previously been made available and reviewed with Council members

LEGISLATIVE UPATE/PUBLIC POLICY

Erika Hagensen and Jill Hinton had given a public policy update to the members the day before.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Amanda Bergen made Council members aware of the accessibility feature in Microsoft Word.

John Marens with the DHHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Client Assistance Program, introduced himself to new Council members and to make them aware of the program.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Wing Ng requested presentation of committee reports. Please refer to the committee minutes for a detailed description of the committee’s work, including motions made in committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee members met April 17, 2017, May 22, 2017, June 19, 2017 and July 17, 2017. Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members. Wing Ng asked members to review the minutes.

FINANCIAL ASSET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Amanda Bergen presented the Financial Asset Development Committee report. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. Updated information concerning initiatives was provided. The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion to grant NCCDD staff authority to release the Request for Applications (RFA) regarding the Innovative Employment: Making Inroads to Long-Term Success through Apprenticeships, Pre-Transition Partnerships, and Post-Secondary Monitoring initiative, in an amount up to $100,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 1 (of up to 3), beginning March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. Approval to fund will occur at the November 17, 2017 Council meeting. Anna Cunningham recused herself from the vote since she is aware of several agencies who may apply for the RFA. Vicki Smith seconded the motion. Amanda noted that there were four additional bullets to be added to Component 3 by the committee. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Anna Cunningham made a motion to rescind the following motion from the May Council meeting:

MOTION: Paula Woodhouse made a motion for staff of the Council to further research the potential of an in-house initiative regarding an I/DD Employment Resource Guide initiative in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation and other possible partnerships, for approval of funding at the August 11, 2017 Council meeting. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Anna Cunningham made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to draft the RFA regarding an I/DD Employment Resource Guide initiative in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation and other possible partnerships, in an amount up to $75,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for a period of up to three years, for approval to release the RFA at the February 9, 2018 Council meeting. Alex McArthur seconded the motion.
Dan Smith suggested that the motion be amended. Discussion ensued. Anna Cunningham and Alex McArthur withdrew their motions.

MOTION: Anna Cunningham made a motion for the staff of the Council to have authority to draft a research report regarding an interactive, dynamic and regularly updated I/DD Employment Resource initiative in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation and other possible partnerships, for review at the Financial Asset Development Committee meeting at the November 2017 Council meeting. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

COMMUNITY LIVING COMMITTEE

Committee chair Kerri Eaker presented the Community Living Committee report. Updated information concerning initiatives was given. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Mya Lewis made a motion to grant NCCDD staff authority to release the Request for Applications (RFA) regarding the I Get Around – Improving Transportation Options initiative, in an amount up to $75,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 1 (of up to 3), beginning March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. Approval to fund will occur at the November, 2017 Council meeting. Dee LaParr seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Katie Holler made a motion to grant NCCDD staff authority to release the Request for Applications (RFA) regarding the Using Natural Supports to Build Greater Community Engagement initiative, in an amount up to $75,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 1 (of up to 3), beginning March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. Approval to fund will occur at the November, 2017 Council meeting. Anna Cunningham recused herself from the vote since she is aware of several agencies who may apply for the RFA. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Anna Cunningham made a motion for continuation funding to The Arc of North Carolina for the From Planning to Action: Integrated, Collaborative Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) initiative. Funding is approved for up to $125,000 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($41,667), for Year 2 (of 3) from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Alex McArthur made a motion for continuation funding to Vaya Health for the Supported Living: Making the Difference initiative. Funding is approved for up to $100,000 ($25,000 DD Funds, $75,000 MFP/DMA Funds), with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($33,334), for Year 2 (of 3) from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Paula Woodhouse seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Nessie Siler presented the Advocacy Development Committee report. Updated information concerning initiatives was given. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Wing Ng reminded the members of the change of dates for the November, 2017 Council meeting and of the proposed Council meeting dates for 2018. The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Paula Woodhouse made a motion to approve the date change of the November, 2017 Council meeting to November 1, 2, 3, 2017, and to approve the 2018 meetings of the Council; February 8-9, May 10-11, August 9-10, and November 7, 8-9 be scheduled. The February, May and November, 2018 meetings will be held in the Raleigh area and the August, 2018 meeting will be held in the western region of NC. Katie Holler seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion to rescind the following motions approved at the May, 2017 Council meeting:

MOTION: Wendy Boyd made a motion for staff of the Council to research the creation of an in-house initiative regarding an “Access to Assets” Digital Lookbook initiative, or to include the digital lookbook in the NCCDD Communications initiative, in an amount up to $50,000 with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds (match requirement only if included in an external initiative) for a period of one year, for approval at the August 11, 2017 Council meeting. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion to approve funding for the NCCDD Communications initiative in an amount up to $135,000 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($45,000), for Year 1 (of up to 3) from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Kerri Eaker seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Amanda Bergen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Anna Cunningham made a motion to approve the cost-extension of Year 3 of 3 funding to O’Neill Public Relations for the NCCDD Communications (including the Digital Lookbook) initiative in a total amount up to $191,700 with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($63,900), from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Kerri Eaker seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES

Sandy Terrell gave an update on the Five-Year State Plan Ad Hoc Committee. A copy of the minutes from the August 4, 2017 meeting was provided to all members.

Amanda Bergen gave an update on the Communications and Member Development Ad Hoc Committee. A copy of the minutes from the July 20, 2017 meeting was provided to all members.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NETWORK PARTNERS-UPDATE

Vicki Smith congratulated the Council on the work they were doing and gave an update on the Disability Rights NC activities.

Deb Zuver gave an update on the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) and their focus on research and that they are pleased to be a part of the NC Empowerment Network.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

ADJOURN

Wing Ng asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION: Amanda Bergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Eric Chavis
seconded the motion. Motion was approved by unanimous vote and the meeting was adjourned.

Approved: _________________________
Anna Cunningham, Secretary
Date: _______________