MINUTES

STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL

QUARTERLY MEETING

March 27, 2009, Friday

Noon – 2:00pm

93 Gooding Ave, Suite 3

Bristol, RI 02809

 

 

Members present: Ray Bandusky; Terrance Chapman; Kristen Connors; Rick Costa, Treasurer; Elizabeth Graves, Chairperson; Anna Liebenow; Silvermoon Mars; Don Phelps, 1st Vice Chair; Tony Pierre; Ron Racine; Lorna Ricci; Barbara Rozul, Secretary; Heidi Showstead, 2nd Vice Chair; Mary Wambach, Leadership Development and Advocacy  Chairperson.

Staff: Camille Pansa, Executive Director; Lisel Rockwood, Program Assistant.

Guest: Laurie Diorio (ORS); Lori Dunsmore (RI School for the Deaf).

Interpretor:  Dona Lombardi.

 

  1. Welcome and Introductions: Self introductions, person by person, were made.
  2. Minutes of the December 29, 2008: previously sent. Heidi Showstead made a motion seconded by  Mary Wambach                                 to accept the minutes as written. The vote passed unanimously. For: Ray Bandusky; Terrance Chapman; Kristen Connors; Rick Costa; Elizabeth Graves; Anna Liebenow; Silvermoon Mars; Don Phelps; Tony Pierre; Lorna Ricci; Barbara Rozul; Heidi Showstead; Mary Wambach.  Against: none.

3.    Audited financial statement for FFY 2008: audit previously sent. The audit, performed by Mike Orefice, was clean with no exceptions or issues. A motion was made by Don Phelps and


     seconded by Kristen Connors to accept the report as submitted.        The vote passed unanimously. For: Ray Bandusky; Terrance          Chapman; Kristen Connors; Rick Costa; Elizabeth Graves;      Anna Liebenow; Silvermoon Mars; Don Phelps; Tony Pierre;         Lorna Ricci; Barbara Rozul; Heidi Showstead; Mary Wambach.      Against: none.

4.    Council Initiatives: 

Ø     Global Medicaid Waiver – continue to monitor the impact on individuals and services provided; continue to contact and educate legislatures.

Ø     Disability History Bill/Curriculum – initiative on hold due to the economic crisis.

Ø     Cross Disability Coalition – the LDA committee is working with RI Disability Vote Project on this initiative.

Ø     RIPTA Transportation Position paper – has been sent to legislatures and key RIPTA people.

Ø     WIPA Workshop – will be held May 8th at the Warwick Public Library.

5.    Committee Reports:  

     Membership/Nominating Sub-Committee: previously sent. Nomination of new member Tim Flynn was tabled until the June        quarterly Council meeting at his request.

     Leadership Development and Advocacy Committee:                                  previously sent.  Mary Wambach reminded everyone about       the Friendly’s Fundraiser on March 30th and urged all to attend. 

     Finance/Resource Committee: previously sent. 

6.    Educational Presentation: Lori Dunsmore, Director, RI School for the Deaf, presented about the growing population of deaf and hard of hearing students who have multiple disabilities and how to address these educational challenges. She also spoke about high school reform and the concept of “no child left behind”.

7.    Executive Director’s Report: previously sent. Camille Pansa reiterated that it had been a busy quarter especially letter writing concerning the stimulus package.

8.    Chairperson’s Report: previously sent. Liz Graves emphasized that when things are sent out on behalf of the Council, it should be a true representation of its Members and this is why it is important for everyone to participate and respond to requests for information.

9.  Budget crisis/Stimulus package: A discussion was held       concerning the stimulus Part B funds. Additional directive   information is needed prior to deciding how these funds will be best used. A motion was made by Lorna Ricci and seconded by      Don Phelps that priority would be given for the Centers to use   Title VII Part B stimulus money in concurrence with the existing SPIL to go equally to the Centers for home modification   provided this is in compliance with forthcoming federal

     regulations.  The vote passed unanimously. For: Ray Bandusky; Terrance Chapman; Rick Costa; Elizabeth Graves;    Anna Liebenow; Silvermoon Mars; Don Phelps; Tony Pierre;         Barbara Rozul; Heidi Showstead; Mary Wambach.  Against:      none. Abstain:  Kristen Connors; Lorna Ricci.

10.Centers’ Reports:

Ø     Goal 1 Obj. 3 and Goal 2 Obj.2 of SPIL: OSCIL’s report previously sent. Lorna Ricci reviewed OSCIL’s accomplishments.

Ø     Centers’ 2008_704 Part 2 Reports: previously sent.

11.New Business: none.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Rozul

Secretary