Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
FINAL
May 12, 2017
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

MEMBERS PRESENT: Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Wendy Boyd, Caroline Bradstock, Adonis Brown, Lisa Byrd, Eric Chavis, Anna Cunningham, Bryan Dooley, Kerri Eaker, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Myron Gavin, Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, Katie Holler, Danielle Matula (for Kelly Kimple), Wing Ng, Desiree Peterson, Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Cheryl Powell, I. Azell Reeves, Nessie Siler, Vicki Smith, Jim Swain, Deb Goda (for Sandra Terrell), Mya Lewis (for Jason Vogler), Kelly Woodall, Paula Woodhouse

MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Black, Christina Dupuch, William Hussey, Representative Verla Insko, Dave Richard, Clare Shocket, Peggy Terhune
    
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, Dave Wickstrom

GUESTS:  Lori Bartholomew, Jennifer Bosk, Karen Cook, Paula Coppola, Rene Cummings, Debbie Hippler, Elizabeth Kahn, Ted Katroscik, John Maney, Jim McAgy, Tara Myers, David Owen

WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE

Vice-Chairman Wing Ng 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 February 2017 Council meeting minutes. A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.

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

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan began his report with the statement “time flies when you’re having fun” and described how our perceptions are influenced regarding our sense of the passage of time and he cited a few studies. He then provided a summary of NCCDD initiatives, including impact, spanning the 2009 to 2017 fiscal years. He then discussed his upcoming annual review and the importance of all members and staff to use the survey to provide input as all perspectives are important. He recognized the members that have completed two full terms of service on behalf of the NCCDD and their impact by being active members leading into an example of the impact members have by showing a video of Bryan Dooley describing his story to educate policymakers about the importance of HCBS Medicaid Waiver supports. He concluded his report by thanking the members and staff for their efforts to influence positive changes for individuals with I/DD, families and communities.

FINANCE REPORT

Wing Ng reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and submit them to staff. Dr. Ng 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

Dave Wickstrom, Executive Director of the NC Alliance of Disability Advocates shared about a new campaign being started called the “Me Too” initiative. He proceeded to share how this concept moved from idea to action and shared his story and his background.

Jim McAgy shared information about his company “Made Just For Me” that makes furniture out of cardboard. The furniture is built for an individual that is specific to their needs.

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 February 20, 2017, March 27, 2017 and April 17, 2017. Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members. Dr. 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 their initiatives was provided. It was clarified that motions regarding release of drafted RFAs will be presented at the August meeting for approval. The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion to approve a 9-month contract cost-extension, to National Disability Institute for the Upward to Financial Stability/Spanish initiative. Funding is approved at an additional amount up to $60,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($20,000). With this funding increase and contract extension, funding for Year 3 of 3 is $135,000 with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($45,000) for the period of October 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. Lisa Byrd 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 Innovative Employment initiative, in an amount up to $100,000 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 August 11, 2017 Council meeting. Kelly Woodall seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

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.

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.

COMMUNITY LIVING COMMITTEE

Committee chair Kerri Eaker presented the Community Living Committee report. Updated information concerning their initiatives was given. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. It was clarified that the motion regarding release of drafted RFAs will be presented at the August meeting for approval. The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Vicki Smith made a motion to approve the Community Living Committee’s prioritization of the future investment concepts in this order:

Priority #1: Staff of the Council will have authority to draft the RFA regarding an 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 a period of up to three years, for approval to release the RFA at the August 11, 2017 Council meeting.

Priority #2: Staff of the Council will have authority to draft the RFA regarding a 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 a period of up to three years, for approval to release the RFA at the August 11, 2017 Council meeting.

Priority #3: Staff of the Council will have authority to draft the RFA regarding a Community Navigator and Targeted Case Management in a Managed Care Environment initiative, in an amount up to $125,000 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 August 11, 2017 Council meeting.

Priority #4: Staff of the Council will have authority to draft the RFA regarding a Shared Living initiative, in an amount up to $50,000 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 August 11, 2017 Council meeting.

Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by majority vote. Azell Reeves abstained from the vote.

ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Nessie Siler presented the Advocacy Development Committee report. Updated information concerning their initiatives was given. She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting. The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Kelly Woodall made a motion to approve a no-cost extension to the In-House Inclusive Advocacy Leadership Development initiative, for the period of October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Bryan Dooley abstained from the vote.

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion to direct staff to address the targeted disparity statement and Goal 3, Objective B in the NCCDD Five Year Plan by Outreach to Hispanic/Latino Communities as described in the one-page document presented to the Advocacy Development Committee. Anna Cunningham seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Chris Egan reminded the members of the presentations from Thursday of the Council’s In-House and Cross-Cutting initiatives that were brought forth for approval of continuation funding. The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion to approve continuation funding to the Alliance of Disability Advocates, a state independent living center, for the NCCDD “ADA Network Fiscal Agent Initiative” for up to $40,000, with a 25% required minimum match ($13,334), for the period of July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 for Year 3 of 3. Anna Cunningham seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion for continuation funding for the In-House NC ADA Network Initiative for the period of July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 for an amount up to $30,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council. Cheryl Powell seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION: Adonis Brown made a motion to approve the 2017-2018 administrative budget that is $586,408 federal funds and $77,973 state funds; and to approve the 2017-2018 program management budget that is $444,002 federal funds. 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.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NETWORK PARTNERS-UPDATE

Vicki Smith gave an update on the authority of Disability Rights NC. Vicki also shared information about the upcoming 10th anniversary celebration of Disability Rights, NC. It will be held on July 7, 2017 in Cary, NC. The speaker will be Dave Richard.

Deb Zuver gave an update on the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD). CIDD focus is on training, research and services.

OLD BUSINESS

Mary Edwards shared that it was Vicki Smith’s birthday.

ADJOURN

Wing Ng asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

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

Approved: _________________________
Anna Cunningham, Secretary
Date: _______________