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In Attendance: John Halliday, BRS; Brian Sigman, BESB; Dorian Long,
DCF; Elizabeth D'Amico, DMHAS; Diana LaRocco, DMR; Dick Edmonds, DPH;
Roger Frant, SDE
Guests: Christine Gaynor, Real Choice Systems Change Grant; Paul
Ford, Nursing Facilities Transition Grant
Real Choices System Grant Update
Christine Gaynor noted that they are finalizing the announcement for the
model communities. The hope is to have the announcement out by the end of
January. The letter of intent from cities and towns returned by the end of
February, bidders conference to be held in March, applications due the
middle of April and final decisions by the middle of May, with the
release of funds by July 1, 2003.
A selection committee of five (5) members from the Steering Committee
has been selected to review the applications. There are opportunities for
individuals to be involved in committee work, however, the selection
committee has been chosen and given the complexity of the project and the
need for the selection committee to fully understand the project. Everyone
understood that the selection committee for the communities would not be
expanded. BESB and Public Health offered to assist in getting out
announcement by using their mailing lists for local health directors and
special education directors.
Nursing Home Transition Grant
Paul Ford provided an update on this project, indicating that thirteen
individuals have already transitioned out of nursing facilities. The grant
is working to help support these individuals in the community so they do
not feel isolated in terms of involvement in their community.
Role of the IDDW in Real Choice Systems Change Grant Model
Communities
The group discussed the role of IDDW. Once the towns are selected, we will
work with the model communities and the Real Choice Systems Change Grant
to ensure that the goals of the DD Commission implementation plan,
particularly with regard to making sure that all populations are included,
are reflected in the three model communities projects.
Interagency Training
We discussed the need to identify training opportunities and consider how
working with agency training directors. The members of the group will
identify the training directors for their agencies so we can look at how
to coordinate training for other agencies and community groups,
particularly regarding existing programs of services, eligibility
criteria, and so on. The DD Commission report clearly pointed out that
many families and individuals are unclear of eligibility criteria.
Additionally, agencies who work with each other are often not up to date
on the eligibility criteria and/or eligibility processes. An example of
what we were discussing is having someone from DMR talk to the supervisors
at BRS about the DMR eligibility criteria and process to ensure that each
of the supervisors of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are up to date
on how to proceed with that process as it may arise in working with
consumers.
Next Meeting:
March 12, 2003
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
184 Windsor Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095
Telephone: 1-860-602-4000
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