May 12, 2009
Hilton Towers, Harrisburg, PA
Mr. Michael Adamus called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and read the mission statement. Mr. Adamus asked members present and all guests to introduce themselves
Ms. Linda Williams stated that Ms. Sharon Behun, Director of the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) will be added to the agenda and be given the opportunity to say a few words around 10:20 a.m.
Dr. Kate Seelman stated the last conference call was on April 3rd. The CareerLink Committee works to improve accessibility within the CareerLinks. Dr. Seelman noted that several government staff always join in on the calls and thanked them for their time. Dr. Seelman stated that Ms. Edie Schramm from Workforce Development will soon have some figures for the Council. An example would be a comparison of employment of people with disabilities versus non-disabled people. Dr. Seelman also stated that Mr. Kenn Tuckey is exploring opportunities for a liaison between the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) and the Council.
Ms. Leslie Kelly stated that the committee received 44 customer satisfaction surveys from the public hearings and online survey. The committee discussed keeping the survey on the PaRC website till April of next year.
Ms. Jill Kovalcik-Weaver, PaRC staff reported that Ms. Lucinda Crissman had been the chairperson but is no longer on the Council. The committee will have a conference call on June 2nd to elect a new chairperson and look at their goals for the year. One new thing the committee would like to work on this year is transition. Ms. Kovalcik-Weaver invited the new members to join the committee. Mr. Joseph Kraher also stated the committee works on the annual report. Members are urged to take pictures to put on the annual report cover.
Ms. Emily Scott reported that on April 28th, three members of the legislative Committee traveled to Washington, DC to visit the Pennsylvania legislators and deliver their position papers. Ms. Scott felt the visits were a success and members were well received by everyone they visited. On May 7th the committee had a conference call to review the goals for the year. On May 11th six members of the committee visited legislators in Harrisburg and delivered the state position paper. Mr. Kraher thanked the staff for setting up all the appointments with the federal and state legislators. Mr. Kauffman stated the legislative visits are a good opportunity to inform and educate the legislators who have the power to do something that will help people with disabilities.
Mr. Larry Kauffman explained the Council's state plan attachment for the new members. Comments that were made at the public hearings are included in the Council's state plan attachment. Mr. Kauffman stated he created a survey for members of the Council to fill out about their experiences at the public hearings. Mr. Kauffman also invited new members to join the committee.
Mr. Adamus stated he attended the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) training conference and was part of a forum representing minority groups in employment. Mr. Adamus reported the Mr. Autro Heath from the EEOC is retiring. Mr. Heath joined in on the CareerLink calls. Mr. Adamus stated there are five new members present today and asked them to refer to the member manuals they received or contact the office with any questions. Mr. Adamus informed everyone that Ms. Carolyn Vidt, past member of the Council was chosen as one of the Statewide Independent Living Council's (SILC) fallen soldiers. Mr. Adamus stated the Council will have to form a Nomination Committee for the officer elections which will be held in August.
Mr. Adamus made a motion for Mr. Larry Kauffman to take the responsibilities of the Nomination Committee. Dr. Seelman seconded the motion. Mr. Kauffman accepted the nomination and all were in favor.
Mr. Don Zeigler reported the operating expenses for January were $1,501.25 and for February the expenses were $6,263.08. March expenses were $642.39 leaving a balance of $72,864.47.
No one attended their local WIB meeting, no reports given.
Mr. Charles Giambrone stated that he participates in youth meetings at the training and development center in Erie. Mr. Giambrone reported that under the new stimulus money, the age group for the summer employment program has opened up to 14 to 24, up from 16 to 21.
Ms. Sharon Behun, Director of the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) stated the ODHH is a department within the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and housed in the OVR building.
Funding is not from OVR but is funded by the State. Ms. Behun thanked members of the Legislative Committee for mentioning the ODHH in their legislative visits on May 11th in Harrisburg. Ms. Behun explained Act 57 which was passed in 2004. This act set standards for interpreters working in the state. This year there are two bills that were introduced, one in the House and one in the Senate. They will allow interpreters who graduated from an accredited college or university to get a provisional registration that would allow them to work in Pennsylvania.
None given
Mr. Larry Kauffman made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included the agenda, minutes and committee briefings. Mr. Charles Benn seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Tom Washic reported that he brought flyers to hand out called "Connecting the Dots", Literacy to Employment Blindness Awareness Expo 2009. Mr. Washic stated the flyers are from Mr. David DeNotaris, Director of the Blind and Visual Services. This year the event will be held on June 9th in the Capitol Building and the Keystone Building in Harrisburg.
Mr. William Murphy explained the 1994 Gaskin versus the Commonwealth court case and then introduced Mr. Robert Mehalick, from the Southern Columbia School. Mr. Mehalick stated he is the Director of Special Education at the school. Mr. Mehalick explained that students with disabilities had been sent to other districts or intermediate units because of the logistics and space needed for the classrooms. Not using that as an excuse, the following year the district emptied two office rooms and opened the first middle school life skills program. Southern Columbia is lucky in that they have full support of the school district and the Southern Columbia Board of Education.
There is now the beginning stage of a major building renovation with hopes of bringing all students with disabilities back to the school district. He stated it is also important for the district to get the children with disabilities back into a regular classroom and extracurricular activities. The law states that students age 14 are to be enrolled in the life skill classes but at Southern Columbia we start at the age of 11.
Mr. Mehalick then introduced Ms. Shylynn Flowers, who is a fifth grade student at the Southern Columbia School. Ms. Flowers read a letter that she wrote addressing the Council. In the letter, Ms. Flowers told about her life skills classes and what she does on a daily basis in regular classes. Mr. Murphy then introduced Mr. Roger Nunkester, Principal of the Southern Columbia School. Mr. Nunkester spoke about the National Institute of School Leadership that he attended on inclusive practices. Mr. Nunkester thanked the Council for their support of the school's life skills program. Mr. Rick Steele from the Southern Columbia school board, then addressed the Council stating their board is made up of a diverse group of people that looks at the humanistic side of teaching.
Mr. Bill Gannon, OVR Executive Director, stated there is still nothing happening with the Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act or the Workforce Investment Act. On the National Recovery Act, you can log onto the governor's website to see how Pennsylvania is spending the money. Regarding the Stimulus Act, OVR received Title 1 Rehabilitation Act funds. Mr. Gannon explained the three tier plan and how different projects would use the monies. Thanks to the activities of the Council, OVR did receive an increase of $5 million to match federal funds. There is still a freeze on hiring new employees and management salaries for at least two years, however, there is an exception that allows us to hire additional vocational rehabilitation counselors and interns. Out of state travel is still restricted. OVR attended the CSAVR and the NCSCB meeting in Bethesda, Maryland which was a little lackluster this year.
Mr. Sam Cost, OVR, stated he helps develop the state plan. This year there were 571 total attendees at the public hearings across the state. Of those attendees, 50 people submitted comments. OVR must submit the state plan to the federal government by June 30th and then come back to us with suggestions for any changes if something was omitted. The state plan is then approved based on the federal fiscal year starting October 1, 2009. Mr. Cost stated that the main themes this year were that more counselors should be hired to reduce the caseload. Transportation issues were identified in several comments. The order of selection and post-employment services were other concerns stated.
Ms. Edie Schramm, Workforce Development, stated she was asked to be involved with the CareerLink committee and sits in on their calls. Ms. Schramm provides statistics on what kind of services are being given to people with disabilities. Ms. Schramm shared a report with the Council showing that 350,000 people were served from October to December of 2008. Of that number, 30,613 were persons with disabilities, that is 11% of the total participants. Of the 7,990 youth served, 2,634 were youth with a disability and that is 33.5% of the total participants.
Ms. Schramm reported that $74 million of stimulus money is coming to the CareerLinks and local workforce areas. That money is targeted at unemployment and youth seeking summer jobs. Ms. Schramm encouraged everyone to log on to www.recovery.pa.gov to see where the money is going. Ms. Schramm also stated that because of the stimulus money, they have added 26 new positions within Workforce Development and will be adding 78 new positions in the CareerLinks by December. There is also $258 million going to the Department of Community and Economic Development for weatherization. CareerLinks will work with the Department of Labor and Industry to develop a statewide training program on weatherization. There will be 1,000 workers trained and 7 training centers will open across the state. These jobs will be posted on the Comprehensive Workforce Development System (CWDS) website.
No one was present from SILC to give a report.
Mr. Lee Lippi reported that CAP submitted 12 points to OVR to be included in the state plan. Mr. Lippi stated that CAP was invited to an open house in Lancaster at the Disability Empowerment Center and did a presentation. Mr. Lippi reported that his office will be moving to 2149 North 2nd Street in Harrisburg. Mr. Lippi stated that the April trip to Washington DC was a first for him and he thought it was a great experience. Mr. Lippi also reported that Ms. Jamie Ray, past member of the Council is getting married. Members asked staff to send a card to Ms. Ray on behalf of the Council.
Mr. Kenn Tuckey reported that today, members and staff of all 22 Workforce Investment Boards came to Harrisburg to talk to the state legislators about the activities on workforce development and the activities of the 76 industry partnerships. Mr. Tuckey stated there is a meeting later this week to focus on the American Recovery Act and budget. Mr. Tuckey also told the Council he talked with Dr. Garrity about having a member of the Council sit on the SWIB and would like to coordinate a conference call with Dr. Garrity and Council members to discuss this further.
Ms. Linda Loar was not present to give a report.
None given
Ms. Nesta Livingston, OVR introduced Ms. Wendy Patterson, Statewide Transition Specialist, who presented a power point presentation on transition services. The presentation touched on OVR transition services, Project SEARCH, Project PAS internships, grants and what is happening statewide as well as locally. Ms. Patterson stated that there will be a transition conference held at the Penn Stater in State College, July 22nd to the 24th, focusing on self advocacy universal design and assistive technology. Websites on transition are www.dli.state.pa.us and www.sharedwork.org.
Ms. Eilene Oaken, Chief of Specialized Transportation, from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation presented on transportation for persons with disabilities. Specialized Transportation means anything that is not a fixed route. Door to door rides are considered specialized transportation. Ms. Oaken explained the shared ride program to the Council which started out in 1972 and was used mostly for seniors at that time. Door to door transportation fares are very high.
Today, 85% of a trip cost is paid through lottery funds. There are no limitations on the trip purpose and it's available statewide. Every county has its own transportation system. Ms. Oaken introduced Ms. Soledad Bullock who explained to the Council the Persons with Disability (PWD) program which is the rural transportation program that is a reduced fare program and is intended for people between the ages of 18 to 74. Their disability must fall under the definitions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. PWD reimburses the transportation provider 85% of the fare and the remaining 15% is the responsibility of the rider. For more information on the PWD program, logon to www.dot.state.pa.us/BPTMAP/index.htm .
Mr. Adamus asked the new members to contact the office to join up with a committee they would be interested in.
Ms. Sharon Ferry asked member to keep abreast of SB 850 which may reduce services in the MR communities as well as other services for persons with disabilities.
The next Full Council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at the Hilton Towers in Harrisburg, PA.
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council
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