CTCDD Meeting 5-14-19
- DRAFT - - NOT APPROVED - - DRAFT -
MINUTES
CT Council on Developmental Disabilities
COUNCIL MEETING
May 14, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT
CT Council on Developmental Disabilities
COUNCIL MEETING
May 14, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT
The 219th meeting of the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, CT.
Presiding: James Hexter, Chair
Recorder of Minutes: Donna Devin
Members Present: Charles Bergamo; April Burke, Kevin Daly, Antonia Edwards,
Ann Gionet, James Hexter, Chair; Bryan Klimkiewicz, Gretchen Knauff, Joyce Lewis, Ellyn Little; Shelagh McClure, Vice Chair; Megan O’Neill, Patricia Richardson, James Rosen, Louis St. Felix, Lauren Traceski
Ann Gionet, James Hexter, Chair; Bryan Klimkiewicz, Gretchen Knauff, Joyce Lewis, Ellyn Little; Shelagh McClure, Vice Chair; Megan O’Neill, Patricia Richardson, James Rosen, Louis St. Felix, Lauren Traceski
Members Absent: Alicia Kucharczyk, Linda Rammler, Michael Scanlon, Brenda Stenglein, Kathy Wolkner, Robin Wood
Staff: Walter Glomb, Director
Meeting Assistants: Jennifer Raymond
Members of the Public: Sue Bastien; Adrienne Benjamin; Darlene Borre; Christina Calabro, Exec. Dir., WECAHR; Tom Cosker, Mary Etter, Exec. Dir., Bristol Adult Resource Center; Chera Gerstein; Joanne Hayes; Lauralyn Lewis; Kathy Perrier; Stan Soby, V.P., Public Policy & External Affairs, Oak Hill; Elizabeth Weiblen, Pres. & CEO of Key Human Services;
1. Greetings from Council Chair: James Hexter, Chair, opened the public forum segment of the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance. He summarized the Council’s mission and methods for achieving its objectives, and invited members of the public to voice their concerns and opinions.
Council Overview: Walter Glomb, Council Director, briefly reviewed the DD Act and explained how its emphasis on independent living, self-direction, and full inclusion in the community, guides the obligations and responsibilities of the federally funded Council. To reach its goals, the Council engages in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change necessary for building a system of services and supports in Connecticut that is consumer and family centered, consumer and family directed and focused on living in the community. He outlined the Council’s goals, discussed its initiatives and mentioned some of the events sponsored by the Council and its partners in the DD Network. Then, he turned the floor over to the public guests for their comments.
The Council heard comments from Sue Bastien, Adrienne Benjamin, Darlene Borre, Christina Calabro, Tom Cosker, Mary Etter, Lauralyn Lewis, and
Stan Soby,.
2. Call to Order: With a quorum present, James Hexter, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m.
3. Approval of Agenda: Antonia Edwards motioned to approve the agenda. Bryan Klimkiewicz seconded the motion. The agenda was approved.
4. Approval of March 12, 2019 Minutes: Ellyn Little motioned to approve the minutes from March 12, 2019 with the edits. The motion was seconded by Kevin Daily. The minutes were approved. Ann Gionet and Bryan Klimkiewicz abstained.
Gretchen Knauff suggested Cathy Adamczyk’s name be removed from #7 in regards to Council Office Staff. Only her title of Disability Policy Specialist will be used from here on out. The Council voted to pass the newly amended minutes Ann Gionet and Bryan Klimkiewicz abstained.
1. Remarks and Legislative Update from the Council Chair: James Hexter, Chair, commented on the status of legislation the Council is following closely.
• House Bill 5521 – An Act Expanding Required Health Insurance Coverage for Preexisting Conditions; SUPPORT – Passed the House – Senate Calendar Number 378
• House Bill 5559 – An Act Concerning Communication Between Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Law Enforcement Officers; SUPPORT – Passed the House – Senate Calendar Number 422
• Senate Bill 832 – An Act Concerning Registries of persons Found Responsible for Assaults or Other Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation or Abandonment of Elderly Persons or Persons with Disabilities; SUPPORT – Passed the Senate – House Calendar Number 505
• House Bill 7071 – An Act Providing an income Tax Deduction for Individuals Caring for Elderly Persons, Children or Disabled Persons; SUPPORT – Referred by House to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Banking
• Senate Bill 393 – An Act Concerning The Department of Developmental Services’ Level of Need Assessment; SUPPORT – Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
• House Bill 7092 – An Act Expanding The Katie Beckett Waiver Program; SUPPORT – Legislative Commissioner’s Office, File Number 874
• House Bill 5270 – An Act Requiring Health Insurance Coverage for Certain Services Provided by Peer Support Specialists; SUPPORT – Favorable Report, Tabled for the House Calendar (Number 176)
• House Bill 7093 – An Act Establishing a Task Force to Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities; SUPPORT – Passed the House – Senate Calendar Number 521
• House Bill 7353 – An Act Concerning the Provision of Special Education; SUPPORT – Favorable Report – Tabled for the Calendar - House Calendar Number 377
• Senate Bill 63 – An Act Concerning the Use of a Supported Decision-Making Agreement by a Person with a Disability; SUPPORT – Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar – Senate Calendar Number 449
2. Report from Council Director: Walter Glomb gave the Director’s Report. In regards to closing Southbury Institution, his focus has been on the Governor’s Office. No new legislation addressing the closure has been introduced during the current legislative session.
Gretchen Knauff and her group on Supported Decision Making have been meeting and preparing materials. S.B. No. 63, introduced by Senator Martin Looney, is on the Senate Calendar. The group offered their suggestions for it to Senator Looney.
The Arc of CT has met with both the DDS and the DSS to find out what self directed options are available through Medicaid. They are in the process of compiling the information.
Meetings have begun for the planning of the 2020 Building a Great Life Conference.
Training for Partners in Policymaking is progressing smoothly under the direction of Disability Rights Connecticut.
In regards to the Parents with Disabilities initiative, The Arc Connecticut has held 2 organizational meetings with local Parents with Cognitive Limitations groups to assist in its development.
The site visit for People First has been postponed until May 23. Walt continues to attend their meetings.
Meetings have begun for the planning of the 2020 Building a Great Life Conference.
Training for Partners in Policymaking is progressing smoothly under the direction of Disability Rights Connecticut.
In regards to the Parents with Disabilities initiative, The Arc Connecticut has held 2 organizational meetings with local Parents with Cognitive Limitations groups to assist in its development.
The site visit for People First has been postponed until May 23. Walt continues to attend their meetings.
The final Customized Employment training with Marc Gold & Associates will take place from May 29-31, and will be in the Systematic Instruction Process. Walt sent the Council’s recommendations on Customized Employment to DORS at their request. He has been invited to attend the next meeting of the Customized Employment Service Committee.
The Post-Secondary Education initiative is moving ahead. Two CT Universities are on-board. At this time, about 6 people with I/DD are preparing to being college in the fall of this year. The UCONN UCEDD will provide technical assistance in the application process.
Walt has held a number of conversations with companies to address the On Demand Transportation dilemma. He held a virtual meeting with some of the players. One project causing excitement is SCOOT (Stronger Communities Through Open and Organized Transportation), a mobile app developed by New Star in Chicago Heights, IL.
CT-KASA’s series of PSA’s targeting healthcare professionals about how youth with I/DD would like to be treated, is in the final stages to being rolled out.
Walt has been travelling around the state speaking to parents’ groups about housing. This initiative has been a major focus of the Council and has received a lot of funding. The Council is looking to narrow its scope to a couple of key areas where it can bring about positive policy change within the housing arena.
The Post-Secondary Education initiative is moving ahead. Two CT Universities are on-board. At this time, about 6 people with I/DD are preparing to being college in the fall of this year. The UCONN UCEDD will provide technical assistance in the application process.
Walt has held a number of conversations with companies to address the On Demand Transportation dilemma. He held a virtual meeting with some of the players. One project causing excitement is SCOOT (Stronger Communities Through Open and Organized Transportation), a mobile app developed by New Star in Chicago Heights, IL.
CT-KASA’s series of PSA’s targeting healthcare professionals about how youth with I/DD would like to be treated, is in the final stages to being rolled out.
Walt has been travelling around the state speaking to parents’ groups about housing. This initiative has been a major focus of the Council and has received a lot of funding. The Council is looking to narrow its scope to a couple of key areas where it can bring about positive policy change within the housing arena.
3. Budget Report: The Council’s Disability Policy Specialist is on medical leave. The budget is on track and staff continues to look for opportunities to save money and cut back on costs whenever possible.
4. Transportation RFP: James Hexter, Chair, asked for a motion to approve the RFP. April Burke made the motion. James Rosen seconded it. The RFP was approved by the Council.
5. Position Paper on Employment: Gretchen Knauff asked that “in these tough economic times” be removed from the paper. James Hexter, Chair, asked for a motion to approve the amended Employment Position Paper. Shelagh McClure, Vice Chair, made the motion. Gretchen Knauff seconded it. The paper was approved by the Council.
6. Position Paper on Housing: The paper was tabled until the next meeting. James Hexter, Chair, asked for a motion to table the amended Housing Position Paper until the next meeting. Kevin Daly made the motion. Charles Bergamo seconded it. The Council voted to approve tabling the paper.
7. Announcements and Adjournment: Charles Bergamo made a motion for adjournment. Gretchen Knauff seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Beth El Temple in West Hartford.