Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
FINAL
May 13, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Caroline Ambrose, Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Jack Rogers (for Wayne Black), Wendy Boyd, Lisa Byrd, Mya Lewis (for Courtney Cantrell), Eric Chavis, Anna Cunningham, Kerri Eaker, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Crystal Foreman, Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, Katie Holler, Dreama McCoy (for William Hussey), Desiree Peterson, Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Cheryl Powell, Ron Reeve, I. Azell Reeves, Clare Shocket, Nessie Siler, Jim Swain, Peggy Terhune, Senator Tommy Tucker, Kelly Woodall, Paula Woodhouse

MEMBERS ABSENT: Adonis Brown, Christina Carter, Lourdes Fernandez, Representative Verla Insko, Wing Ng, Dave Richard, Vicki Smith, Sandra Terrell, David White

STAFF PRESENT:  Chris Egan, Cora Gibson, Steve Strom, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Philip Woodward, Letha Young

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

GUESTS: Senator Tamara Barringer, Karen Cook, John Marens, Danielle Matula, Lori Stogner, Denise Sumiel, Sumer Sutton, Sarah Yancey

WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE

Chairman Ron Reeve 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 acted upon, as necessary.   He also reminded members of the emergency exits at the Hilton Garden Inn.  Anna Cunningham then conducted the roll call.

Ron Reeve introduced Justice Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. who conducted an affirmation of Council membership for all members.  Council members were photographed with Justice Edmunds afterwards.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Ron Reeve asked for approval of the February 2016 Council meeting minutes.  A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.   

MOTION:  Jason Faircloth made a motion to approve the minutes.  Amanda Bergen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved with one correction by Kelly Woodall that she was listed as present but was absent for that meeting.

FINANCE REPORT

Ron Reeve reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and submit them to staff.  Mr. Reeve 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.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan provided his report to the members with a focus on the nature of systems change in which the Council engages and the rippling impact of efforts with certain outcomes being very clear while others can be unexpected, referencing the “Butterfly Effect” of Edward Lorenz.  Mr. Egan also referenced his involvement with NC DHHS leadership to read and learn from the book “Team of Teams:  New Rules for Engaging in a Complex World” by General Stanley McChrystal.  He reflected on the past two years including successes and areas of ongoing emphasis and invited all members to be part of his yearly personnel evaluation.   

PUBLIC COMMENTS

John Marens gave a brief overview about the CAP program and answered questions from Council members.  Denise Sumiel thanked staff for the opportunity to work with them and she shared her future plans.  Clare Shocket shared information about the SECC and “211”.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Reeve 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 March 30, 2016 and April 18, 2016.  Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members.  Mr. Reeve asked each member to review the minutes and asked for a motion on the floor for the recommended committee chairs made at the March 30, 2016 meeting.

MOTION:   Wendy Boyd made a motion to approve the recommended committee chairs as follows:  Amanda Bergen for Financial Asset Development, Kerri Eaker for Community Living and Nessie Siler for Advocacy Development.   Anna Cunningham seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

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.  The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Crystal Foreman made a motion to approve continuation funding to National Disability Institute for the Upward to Financial Stability initiative for an amount up to $75,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($25,000), for the period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 for Year 3 (of 3).  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.   The motion was approved.

MOTION:   Crystal Foreman made a motion to ask staff of the Council to evaluate and explore collaborative workforce development options for individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities.  Kelly Woodall seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

COMMUNITY LIVING COMMITTEE

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

MOTION:  Anna Cunningham made a motion to approve continuation funding to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management to implement the Emergency Preparedness Initiative for an amount up to $105,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($35,000), for the period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, for Year 3 (of 3).   Crystal Foreman seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

MOTION: Kerri Eaker made a motion to approve NCCDD staff to draft a Request for Application (RFA) for a Supported Living Initiative that would be a potential collaboration between Division of Medical Assistance/Money Follows the Person and the Council.  The NCCDD, as a partner in this effort could consider funding a portion of a three-year initiative.   Kelly Woodall seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

MOTION: Kerri Eaker made a motion to increase funding and grant a three month contract extension to Easter Seals/UCP of North Carolina & Virginia, Inc. for the Medical and Health Homes for People with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities:  Coordination, Collaboration and Community Initiative in the amount of $30,920 with an increase to the required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($10,307).  With this funding increase and contract extension, funding for Year 3 (of 3) is $105,920 with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($35,307) for the period of October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016.   Desiree Peterson seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Committee chair Nessie Siler presented the Advocacy Development Committee report.  She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting.  The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:   Crystal Foreman made a motion to table continuation funding to First in Families of NC for the Sibling Support initiative for an amount up to $50,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($16,667), for the period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, for Year 3 (of 3) until the August Council meeting.   Peggy Terhune seconded the motion.  The motion was approved. 

MOTION:  Crystal Foreman made a motion to direct staff to explore advocacy development according to our mandate, particularly exploring what worked well with Partners in Policymaking and Advancing Strong Leaders in Developmental Disabilities.  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Senator Tommy Tucker gave a brief legislative update on Medicaid reform.  Senator Barringer shared information about her background and the status of the Able Act.

AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES

Crystal Foreman and Peggy Terhune gave a brief update on the Governance Ad Hoc Committee.

The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Peggy Terhune made a motion to approve the 12 updated and revised NCCDD policies prepared by the Governance Ad Hoc Committee and as recommended by the Executive Committee.   The policies are:  Conference Funding Requests; Conflict of Interest; Disposition of Unsolicited Requests for Funding; Effective Communication; Extension of External Initiative; Funding and Reimbursement for Contractors; Internal Fiscal Controls and Funding; Matching and Non-Matching Funds; Member Training and Travel; NCCDD State Plan Requirements; Reimbursement of Expenses: Childcare, Respite, and Personal Assistance; and Sole Source Funding.   Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

Caroline Ambrose gave a brief update on the Membership and Development Ad Hoc Committee.

Anna Cunningham and Crystal Foreman gave a brief update on the Communications Ad Hoc Committee.

Nessie Siler gave an update on the Five Year State Plan Development Ad Hoc Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

The following are motions presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:    Eric Chavis made a motion to approve continuation funding of the Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement initiative in an amount up to $22,500 for the period of October 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.  Funding for this period is prorated for nine months in order to move this in-house initiative of the Council back to a state fiscal year.  Crystal Foreman seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

MOTION:   Clare Shocket made a motion to approve continuation funding to O’Neill Public Relations 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 3 (of 3) from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.  Kerri Eaker seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

MOTION:   Michael Groves made a motion to approve the 2016-2017 administrative budget that is $577,739 federal funds and $76,286 state funds; and to approve the 2016-2017 program management budget that is $434,078 federal funds.   Amanda Bergen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

Ron Reeve thanked all Council members for the work they have done over the years and he recognized Crystal Foreman for her work over the years as she is rotating off the Council along with Lourdes Fernandez.  Ron Reeve made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting was adjourned.

Approved:  _________________________

Ron Reeve, Chair

Date: _______________