Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
FINAL
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC
February 9, 2018

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Karen Armstrong, Amanda Bergen, Katherine Boeck, Eric Chavis, Anna Cunningham, Bryan Dooley, Kerri Eaker, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Myron Gavin, Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, Dreama McCoy (for William Hussey), Danielle Matula (for Kelly Kimple), Aldea LaParr, Alex McArthur, William Miller, Jim Swain (for Tara Myers), Wing Ng, Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Cheryl Powell, Nessie Siler, Vicki Smith, Peggy Terhune, Mya Lewis (for Jason Vogler), Kelly Woodall, Paula Woodhouse

MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Black, Nakima Clark, Christina Dupuch, Senator Valerie Foushee, Brandon Hildreth, Katie Holler, Rep. Verla Insko, Dave Richard, Dan Smith, James Stephenson, Sandra Terrell

STAFF PRESENT:  Chris Egan, Cora Gibson, David Ingram, Melissa Swartz, JoAnn Toomey, Yadira Vasquez, Travis Williams, Philip Woodward, Letha Young

CONTRACTORS/GRANTEES PRESENT: Devika Rao

GUESTS:  Kenneth Bausell, Brian Beauchamp, LaToya Chancey, Karen Cook, Natalie Davis, Darcy Hildreth, John Marens, David Owen, Ryan Rhoads, Amy Spence, Douglas Stoll

WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE

Alex McArthur, NCCDD Chair, welcomed the members and asked that any Council member with a potential conflict of interest regarding items on the agenda to identify the specific conflict for documentation in the minutes and recuse, as necessary.   She thanked the members for their participation on Thursday.  She also reminded members of the emergency exits at the Hilton Garden Inn.  Aldea LaParr, NCCDD Secretary, conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Aldea LaParr asked for approval of the November 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 November 2017 Council meeting minutes.  Paula Woodhouse seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Chris Egan delivered his report to the members highlighting how ideas become initiatives, and how initiatives lead to learning and systems change, often addressing both expected and unexpected outcomes.  In addition, he described the complexity of engaging in systems change initiatives including the importance of the successes but also the difficulties or barriers that are experienced along the way.  He provided examples of two initiatives including the successes and the barriers and the learning that has occurred. 

FINANCE REPORT

Alex McArthur reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and submit them to staff.  She 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 gave a brief update on the spending bill that was just passed early in the morning and discussed H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Amy Spence from Methodist University expressed how grateful she was for the opportunity to visit with the Council and shared her interest in partnering with the Council and is excited to learn about new opportunities in Fayetteville and in NC.

Ryan Rhoads from Healthy Blue-Blue Cross/Blue Shield thanked the Council for their work, commitment and passion.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alex McArthur 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 November 27, 2017 and January 22, 2018.  Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members and Alex McArthur asked members to review the minutes.

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 and initiative updates.  The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Anna Cunningham made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to release the RFA regarding the Leadership Development Training initiative, with the funding level to be offered within the range of $150,000 up to $195,000 per year with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for a period of up to three years.  In addition, Council staff will have authority to extend the due date for applications, if necessary.   Nessie Siler seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:  Mary Edwards made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to release the RFA regarding the NC ADA Network-Fiscal Agent/Intermediary initiative, in an amount up to $40,000 per year with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for a period of up to three years.  In addition, Council staff will have authority to extend the due date for applications, if necessary.  Anna Cunningham seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

COMMUNITY LIVING COMMITTEE

Committee Chair Kerri Eaker presented the Community Living Committee report.  She thanked all committee members and staff and gave a brief update on the discussions from the Thursday meeting and initiative updates.  The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Eric Chavis made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to release the RFA regarding the Cross-System Navigation in a Managed Care Environment initiative in an amount up to $125,000 per year with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for a period of up to two years.  In addition, Council staff will have authority to extend the due date for applications, if necessary.  Cheryl Powell seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

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 and initiative updates.  The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Vicki Smith made a motion that the I/DD Employment Collaborative and Informational Website RFA as it is currently written be rescinded, and that Council staff conduct research on a more community focused, evidence based approach, to increasing competitive integrated employment for individuals living with I/DD and other disabilities.  The Financial Asset Development Committee request that Council staff report results of research and present findings at the May 2018 Council meeting.  Anna Cunningham seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Chris Egan presented the Cross-Cutting Initiatives due for continuation funding.  The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION: Kelly Woodall made a motion for continuation funding of the In-House Public Policy Initiative for the period of July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 for an amount up to $60,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council.  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote. 

MOTION: Joshua Gettinger made a motion for continuation funding of the In-House Council Development Fund Initiative for the period of July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 for an amount up to $40,000 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: Paula Woodhouse made a motion for continuation funding of the In-House Conference Funding Initiative for the period of July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 for an amount up to $15,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council.  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote. 

MOTION: Vicki Smith made a motion for continuation funding of the In-House Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement Initiative to support individuals with I/DD or their families to attend conferences or leadership development opportunities for the period of July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 for an amount up to $30,000 with match requirement waived since this is an in-house initiative of the Council.  Will Miller seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote. 

MOTION: Eric Chavis made a motion to approve funding of the NCCDD Communications contract for $135,000 annually, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds, for a period of up to three years, secured through the Department of Health and Human Services’ RFP process.  Funding for Year 1 will begin October 1, 2018 and end September 30, 2019.  Amanda Bergen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NETWORK PARTNERS UPDATES

Vicki Smith gave an update on the investigations of the PRTFs.  She also provided an update on the partnership with the Department of Public Instruction.

Deb Zuver gave an update on the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and their focus on post-secondary education, self-advocacy and inclusion.  She also expressed her continued support of the NC Empowerment Network.

OLD BUSINESS

Members gave happy birthday wishes to Joshua Gettinger, Michael Groves, and Aldea LaParr for their February birthdays.

ADJOURN

Alex McArthur asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

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

Approved:  _________________________

Aldea LaParr, Secretary

Date: _______________