Quarterly Council Meeting Minutes
FINAL
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary NC
November 8, 2019

MEMBERS PRESENT: Amanda Bergen, Katherine Boeck, Eric Chavis, Allison Dodson, Bryan Dooley, Christina Dupuch, Kerri Eaker,  Joshua Gettinger, Katie Holler, Rep. Verla Insko,  Gary Junker, Kelly Kimple, Virginia Knowlton Marcus, Mya Lewis (for MH/DD/SAS), Alex McArthur, Will Miller, Wing Ng,  Deb Zuver (for Joseph Piven), Karey Perez (for Aging),  Cheryl Powell, Ryan Rotundo, Nessie Siler, Dan Smith, Donna Spears, James Stephenson, Teresa Strom (for Social Services), Peggy Terhune, Sandra Terrell,  Sherry Thomas, Kathie Trotter (for DVR)  

MEMBERS ABSENT: Dawn Allen, Nakima Clark, Anna Cunningham, Myron Gavin, Brendon Hildreth, Aldea LaParr, Kristy Locklear, Senator Mujtaba Mohammed, Dave Richard, Kelly Woodall

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

CONTRACTORS/GUESTS PRESENT: Jennifer Bosk, Diana Cejas, Caryn Cook, Chris Egan, Jill Hinton, Bridgette Lawrence, Jamila Little, Karen Martin, Dreama McCoy, Kay McMillan, Justice Michael Morgan, David Owens, Devika Rao, Annie Thomas (for BrightStar Healthcare Services), David Taylor, Jr., Judy Taylor, Ann Turnbull, Talley Wells, Talana Woods

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.

Cheryl Powell, NCCDD Vice Chair, conducted the roll call.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES

Alex McArthur, Chair asked for approval of the August Council meeting minutes.  A copy of the minutes had previously been made available to Council members.   

MOTION:  Eric Chavis made a motion to approve the August 2019 Council meeting minutes.  Katherine Boeck seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

DIRECTOR UPDATE/REPORT

Alex McArthur announced that this meeting will be her last Council meeting due to other professional and personal demands of her time.  She has been informed by Boards and Commissions that the new Chair to be appointed by Governor Cooper will be Kerri Eaker.  Alex thanked everyone and expressed that she has been honored to serve as Chair and truly enjoyed her time as a member of the Council.  JoAnn Toomey presented Alex with an award from the staff and members of the Council to express their appreciation. 

Alex then introduced Talley Wells who will be the new Executive Director for NCCDD, and that the recommendation has been sent to DHHS for final approval.  Talley expressed his excitement to begin work for the Council in January of 2020.

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.

NEW MEMBER AFFIRMATIONS

Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court Michael R. Morgan conducted an affirmation to the Council and the State of North Carolina for the following new Council members:  Jamila Little, Virginia Knowlton Marcus, Karey Perez, Ryan Rotundo, Donna Spears, Sherry Thomas, and Kathie Trotter.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Representative Verla Insko gave a brief legislative update.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Katie Holler introduced and shared a little bit of background information on her friend, Bridgette Lawrence.

Bridgette Lawrence, who is a mother of five from Rocky Mount, NC, shared her story regarding the systems in NC and the care needed for her son.

Christina Dupuch, who is retiring from Vaya Health at the end of the year, thanked the Alex McArthur and the Council for their support of her and for the Supportive Living, Making a Difference grant.

David Taylor, Jr. shared information about the 2020 SABE conference.

Donna Spears thanked Alex McArthur and expressed to Talley Wells that, “together we can make a big, big change.”

Ann Turnbull, a family advocate, shared her views regarding the Supportive Living, Making a Difference program.

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 September 16, 2019, August 19, 2019 and August 26, 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.  The following motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Donna Spears made a motion to approve the Executive Committee recommendation for the 2020 NCCDD standing committee chairs; Daniel Smith for Financial Asset Development, Ryan Rotundo for Community Living and Cheryl Powell for Advocacy Development.  Virginia Knowlton Marcus 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 that were presented to the committee.  The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:   Eric Chavis made a motion for continuation funding to Disability: IN North Carolina (NC BLN) for the Inroads to Employment initiative.  Funding is approved for up to $100,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 3 (of 3), beginning March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.  Daniel Smith seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:  Donna Spears made a motion for continuation funding to Disability:IN North Carolina (NC BLN) for the NC Employment Collaborative initiative.  Funding is approved for up to $100,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 2 (of up to 3) beginning March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:  Ryan Rotundo made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to release the RFA regarding a Benefits Counseling Expansion Demonstration initiative in an amount up to $90,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds, for up to three years.  In addition, Council staff will have authority to extend the due date for applications, if necessary.   Kerri Eaker 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 that were presented to the committee.  The following motions were presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Kat Boeck made a motion for continuation funding to FIRST for the Natural Support Network Development initiative.  Funding is approved for up to $75,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds for Year 3 (of 3), beginning March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.  Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:   Kat Boeck made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to release the RFA regarding a Making Alternatives to Guardianship a Reality in North Carolina initiative in an amount up to $100,000 per year with required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds, for up to three years.  In addition, Council staff will have authority to extend the due date for applications, if necessary.  Katie Holler seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

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 motion was presented on the floor for Council consideration:

MOTION:  Kat Boeck made a motion to approve the Youth Leadership Forum and initiative as a sole-source contract to Youth LEAD NC as the Project Administrator.  Youth LEAD NC will submit to the Executive Committee a detailed application and budget for their final review and the Executive Committee will have the authority to approve funding based on available funds, up to $50,000.   Eric Chavis seconded the motion.  Bryan Dooley abstained from the vote because he may be involved with Youth LEAD NC.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Alex McArthur invited members to make nominations from the floor for the one Vice-Chair position being vacated by Cheryl Powell and the Secretary position being vacated by Aldea LaParr.  She explained that members nominated have the option to accept or decline the nomination and if accepted, make a speech to the members.  Alex thanked Cheryl and Aldea for their service as Vice-Chair and Secretary and for their time served on the Executive Committee.  There was one accepted nomination for Vice-Chair and one accepted nomination for Secretary. 

MOTION:  James Stephenson made a motion after nomination, acclamation and unanimous consent, to approve Nessie Siler as Vice-Chair (2-year term, January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2021).   Joshua Gettinger seconded the motion.  Motion was approved by unanimous vote.

MOTION:  Donna Spears made a motion after nomination, acclamation and unanimous consent to approve Allison Dodson as Secretary (2-year term, January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2021).   Katie Holler seconded the motion.  Motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Alex McArthur thanked everyone rolling off – and rolling on!

DD NETWORK PARTNER UPDATES

Virginia Knowlton Marcus shared the Disability Rights North Carolina update on their law suits, appeal rights regarding Medicaid and discharge rights.

Deb Zuver, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, gave an update on the School of Social Work and the upcoming visit by ACL Commissioner on Disabilities, Julie Hocker.

Cheryl Powell 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. Virginia Knowlton Marcus made a motion to adjourn the November 2019 Council meeting.   Amanda Bergen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Approved:  _________________________

                     Aldea LaParr, Secretary