CTCDD Meeting 3-28-17
MINUTES
CT Council on Developmental Disabilities
COUNCIL MEETING
March 28, 10:15 AM to 3:27 PM
Temple Beth El, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT
The 206th meeting of the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 from 10:15 AM to 3:27 PM at Temple Beth El in West Hartford, CT.
Presiding: Shelagh McClure, Chair
Recorder of Minutes: Donna Devin
Members Present: Chris Blake, Vice Chair; Kevin Daly, James Hexter, Joyce Lewis, Ellyn Little, Shelagh McClure, Chair; Patricia Richardson, James Rosen, Michael Scanlon, Brenda Stenglein, Danielle Webber, Robin Wood
Members Absent: April Burke, Michelle Chase, Ann Gionet, Gary Gross, Jackie Jamison, Alicia Kucharczyk, Margaret McDermott, Megan O’Neill, Sergio Rodriguez, Ada Suarez, Kathy Wolkner
Staff: Melissa Marshall, Donna Devin
Meeting Assistants: Miozotis Galarza
1. Call to Order: With a quorum present, Shelagh McClure, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:20 AM.
2. Approval of Agenda from 1/10/17 and Minutes from 11/10/16: The minutes from the January 10, 2017 Council meeting were amended to reflect the approval of the agenda from 1/10/17 and the minutes from 11/10/16. April Burke motioned to approve the 1/10/17 agenda and the motion was seconded by Megan O'Neill. The agenda was approved. Joyce Lewis motioned to approve the 11/10/16 minutes and the motion was seconded by April Burke. The minutes were approved.
3. Approval of 3/28/17 Agenda: Joyce Lewis motioned to approve the agenda. James Hexter seconded the motion. The agenda was approved.
4. Approval of 1/10/17 Minutes: Kevin Daly motioned to approve the minutes. Joyce Lewis seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
5. Committee Meetings and Summaries to the Council: Chris Blake, Vice-Chair reported on the Advocacy, Public Information and Education Committee. They are building a network of contacts and developing relationships to support the Council's initiatives. This is being accomplished through the use of all means of communication and the posting of flyers.
Joyce Lewis provided an update on the actions of the Legislative Policy and Planning Committee. They are tracking a number of pop-up bills occurring during this legislative session, and reaching out to state legislators in regards to them.
Shelagh McClure, Chair, summarized the activities of the Proposal Review Committee. They have been developing a protocol for Council mini-grants. Mini grants will be much smaller than the traditional size of grants awarded by the Council.
The Proposal Review Committee has also been tasked with designing a plan to train people in self-direction. They are hoping to have this in place by May.
6. Report from Council Chair: Shelagh McClure, Chair, has already presented testimony on behalf of the Council, for 13 bills this legislative session, and is monitoring additional ones.
Shelagh McClure, Chair and Melissa Marshall, Executive Director, were in Washington last week to attend the disability policy seminar. They met with Senator Christopher Murphy, Representative Rosa DeLauro, Representative Joseph Courtney, and the aide for Senator Richard Blumenthal. Shelagh voiced to the Council how much these meetings and these relationships with legislators, matter.
Melissa Marshall and Ada Suarez filmed a commercial for the Council. The screening event will be held at N.E.A.T. on May 10th at 5:30 PM, and the documentary will air on May 11th on CPTV. A "Save the Date" will follow.
Jim Conroy, one of the foremost experts, if not the foremost expert on institutionalization, visited for the filming of the documentary. While here, he agreed to meet with some Council members, parents, and professional writers at the Arc in Meriden/Wallingford, to offer his perspective on the issues that generally affect the closure of institutions. He was interviewed for the documentary and by the Hartford Courant.
7. Report from Council Vice-Chair: Christopher Blake, Vice-Chair, gave an overview of the Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance, who frequently partner with other state agencies and advocacy groups to hold events in CT.
8. Report from Executive Director: Melissa Marshall gave the Executive Director's Report. All federal agencies with the exception of the Department of Defense are on a continuing resolution until April 28th. This stop-gap measure means agencies have funding until April 28th. If Congress doesn't either pass a budget or extend funding, there will be a shut-down of federal agencies.
Partners in Policymaking training is progressing successfully and we are looking forward to the third session, in which the class will be learning about assistive technology.
The Connecticut Customized Employment project is off to a great start. Seven agencies sent staff to learn about the process of Discovery and Profiling, given by Marc Gold and Associates on February 3-5 in Hartford. 11 people have signed up to become certified in Discovery and are currently working with an assigned mentor and consumers. A second training will be conducted by Marc Gold and Associates in May on Job Development and Negotiation.
9. Review of Five Year Plan and Work Plan: Melissa Marshall, Executive Director, reviewed the Five Year Plan and Work Plan with the Council. All initiatives are on track.
10. Community of Practice LifeCourse Planning Presentation: Robin Wood presented to the Council on the LifeCourse Planning. She passed out samples of the forms and templates used in the process and explained them. The person-centered plan is an amazing universal process and an inclusive tool that can be used by anybody. Robin also asked the Council for a grant to continue the program.
11. Council Vote on Community of Practice LifeCourse Planning Initiative: Shelagh McClure, Chair asked for a motion to approve giving the Community of Practice LifeCourse Planning program $2,250 for one year. Ann Gionet motioned. James Hexter seconded the motion. All approved.
12. Legislative Update: Kathy Flaherty from CT Legal Rights Project updated the Council on the legislative bills that are on their radar.
13. Adjournment of Meeting: Shelagh McClure asked for a motion for adjournment. Brenda Stenglein motioned for adjournment. Kevin Daly seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 3:27 PM. The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in West Hartford. It will be the rescheduled Public Forum. The Council's retreat day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th in West Hartford.
