Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
FINAL
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary NC
August 9, 2019

MEMBERS PRESENT: Amanda Bergen, Katherine Boeck, Eric Chavis, Anna Cunningham, Allison Dodson, Bryan Dooley, Christina Dupuch, Kerri Eaker, Myron Gavin, Joshua Gettinger, Brendon Hildreth, Gary Junker, Kelly Kimple, Susan McLean (for Virginia Knowlton Marcus),  Aldea LaParr, Mya Lewis (for MH/DD/SAS), Kristy Locklear, Alex McArthur, Will Miller,  Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven),  Ryan Rotundo, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith, James Stephenson, Teresa Strom (for DSS), Sandra Terrell, Beverly Colwell (for Sherry Thomas), Kathie Trotter (for DVR)  

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dawn Allen, Nakima Clark, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Katie Holler, Rep. Verla Insko, Senator Mujtaba Mohammed, Wing Ng, Cheryl Powell, Dave Richard, Peggy Terhune, Kelly Woodall

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

CONTRACTORS/GUESTS PRESENT: Fahamisha Amkajinaki, Kenneth Bausell, Jennifer Bosk, Diana Cejas, Caryn Cook, Joann Hick, Darcy Hildreth, Karen Martin, Kay McMillan, David Owens, Devika Rao, Ginger Smith, Briana S. and Taylor J. (for Maxim Healthcare Services)

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 also reminded members of the emergency exits at the Hilton Garden Inn.  She thanked the members for their participation on Thursday.

Aldea LaParr, NCCDD Secretary, conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Aldea LaParr asked for approval of the May Council meeting minutes.  A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.   

MOTION:  Katherine Boeck made a motion to approve the May 2019 Council meeting minutes.  Joshua Gettinger seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DIRECTOR UPDATE/REPORT

Alex thanked the Executive Committee and staff for their work during the search for an executive director and gave a brief update on the progress.  She also announced that Chris Egan will no longer be a member on the Council since he has been assigned as the DHHS administrative liaison to NCCDD.

FINANCE REPORT

Alex reminded members to complete their reimbursement forms and surveys 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.

MOTION:  Mary Edwards made a motion to approve the 2019-2020 Administrative budget for $575,282 federal funds and $89,393 state funds, for a total Administrative budget of $664,675; and to approve the 2019-2020 Program budget for $549,329 federal funds.  Kerri Eaker seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

An update was given during the Thursday sessions.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Kerri Eaker shared information about the new waiver in her area of the state regarding the changes and cuts to self-directed care and how it has affected her family and people she works with.  Several members shared their concern that with all the advances to date, there are still gaps.

Anna Cunningham also shared that there have been unintentional consequences of the NC Innovations Waiver that has created an unintentional bias of creative solutions for families regarding supported and community living models.

Fahmisha Amkajinaki attended the meeting from Northampton County to share her story of being the sole caretaker of her granddaughter who has a rare developmental disability and to learn more about NCCDD.

Kay McMillan spoke about community living and how it’s important to have supports and live independently, but you need the opportunity to gain those skills and leadership to be empowered and to be productive.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alex 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 May 20, 2019, June 17, 2019 and July 15, 2019.  Copies of the minutes were made available to Council members and Alex asked members to review the minutes and let them know that the minutes are also posted on the NCCDD website.  

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 that were presented to the committee.  The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Anna Cunningham made a motion to approve continuation funding to Disability Rights NC for the Leadership Development Training initiative.  Funding is approved for up to $195,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($65,000), for Year 2 (of 3) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.  Bryan Dooley recused himself since he is on the board of DRNC.  Susan McLean also recused herself because she is staff at DRNC.   Kat Boeck seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by majority vote.

MOTION:   Deb Zuver made a motion to approve continuation funding to Community Enterprises LLC for the NC ADA Network Coordination, Technical Assistance and Fiscal Intermediary 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 October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020.  Kat Boeck 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 a Justice initiative focused on re-entry/expanding re-entry program and I/DD Navigators.  Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the November 8, 2019 Council meeting.  Amanda Bergen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by majority 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 that were presented to the committee.  The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:   James Stephenson made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to draft the RFA regarding a Making Alternatives to Guardianship a Reality in North Carolina initiative.  Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the November 8, 2019 Council meeting.  Transportation is the second priority.  Fair, Affordable Housing is the third priority.  Mya Lewis seconded the motion.  Will Miller abstained from the vote since he is involved with this effort in his work.  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 that were presented to the committee.  The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:   Anna Cunningham made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to draft the RFA regarding a Benefits Counseling Expansion Demonstration initiative. Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the November 8, 2019 Council meeting.  Ryan Rotundo seconded the motion.   The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION:   Dan Smith made a motion to approve continuation funding to O’Neill Communications for the NCCDD Communications initiative.  Funding is approved for up to $135,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($45,000), for Year 2 (of 5), from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. Kat Boeck seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:  Kat Boeck made a motion to approve the 2020 meeting dates of the Council; February 6 & 7, May 7 & 8, August 6 & 7, and November 4, 5 & 6, to be held in the Raleigh area, with the exception of the May meeting, which will be held in Winston-Salem.   Aldea LaParr seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES NETWORK PARTNERS UPDATES

Susan McLean shared the Disability Rights North Carolina update on their recent conference, conducting different investigations and how they are keeping up with the new legislative changes and policies.

Deb Zuver, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, gave an update on the School of Social Work on-line training, new positions and upcoming conferences.

Nessie Siler shared an update on the advances of the NC Empowerment Network.

OLD BUSINESS

None at this time.

ADJOURN

Alex McArthur asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION: Dan Smith made a motion to adjourn the August 2019 meeting.  Anna Cunningham seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Approved:  _________________________

                     Aldea LaParr, Secretary