May 20, 2008
Harrisburg, PA
Ms. Carolyn Vidt called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and read the mission statement. Ms. Vidt asked members present, and all guests to introduce themselves. Ms. Vidt reminded members that today's meeting will end at 12:00 p.m. then several members of the Council will be visiting the legislators and dropping off position papers.
There were no additions or changes to the agenda.
Ms. Kate Seelman stated the committee would like to have a representative from the Workforce Development Board come to a council meeting and talk about the navigator program. Ms. Pam Shaw recently resigned her position at Workforce Development. Ms. Enright, Workforce Development Bureau Director will be the PaRC contact until Ms. Shaw's position is filled or another person is assigned.
Ms. Leslie Kelly reported the committee received 34 Customer Satisfaction surveys back and thanked members for attending the public hearings. (Survey results were in the meeting packet)
Ms. Lucinda Crissman stated the committee is working on the cover for the annual report which will be made up of pictures of council members at work. The next conference call is scheduled for June 18th at 11:00 a.m.
Ms. Passle Helminski stated that nine members of the council attended the NRA conference March 9th and 10th, and went to Capitol Hill on March 11th to visit the Pennsylvania legislators. Both the conference and visits were very successful. Representative Phil English agreed to be the point person on Capitol Hill for the PA Republicans for the Reauthorization of the Rehab Act without WIA. Today, after the council meeting, ten members of the council will go to the state capitol delivering position papers to the state legislators.
Mr. Donald Zeigler stated staff will poll members for a call the beginning of June to work on the goals and elect a new chair.
Ms. Vidt reported the committee worked on policies that members will have to follow in terms of attendance at meetings and conferences. The committee also has been working on recruitment and nominations for the council executive committee for the next term. Ms. Marji Beyer, OVR will be talking about the needs assessment which is a combined effort between OVR and the council. This is a requirement that needs to be done by 2010.
Mr. Micki Greenstein stated the council has spent $27,108.98. The Council's year to date balance is $70,391.02 as of the end of March.
Mr. Michael Adamus stated that Ms. Helminski and Ms. Crissman's second terms end on July 12, 2008 and thanked them for their service. Mr. Joseph Kraher will be starting his second term and has submitted his paperwork to be forwarded to OVR. The council is also still looking for someone to represent the young adult category. OVR is working with the council to secure a representative from the Department of Education. Ms. Linda Loar has submitted her paperwork to fill the IDEA category. Ms. Jamie Ray submitted her resignation and will be replaced by Mr. Lee Lippi as the CAP representative.
Ms. Helminski stated she has approached everyone and asked them to consider running for an office of the council. In August, the council will hold the election of officers for the coming year.
Ms. Roni Hamiel, Secretary Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Social Services Union gave a report on the progress of the new OVR office in Pittsburgh. Ms. Hamiel stated the date for the Bureau of Blind Services to move in is scheduled for June 5th and 6th and OVR will move in on June 15th and 16th. The alleyways are not finished yet and still need paved. There are also no pull over's for clients arriving in vans. There is no covered walkway to the garage in the rear of the building.
Ms. Helminski motioned to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Adamus seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. William Gannon, OVR Executive Director, stated he thought there would be no action on the Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act this year since it is an election year. Governor Rendell did propose a $5 million increase in the 08/09 budget for vocational rehabilitation (VR). As presented to the governor's budget committee, $5 million would cauterize the wound that allowed OVR to stay in business but it would take $15 million to eliminate the dual year draw down of funds. Mr. Gannon stated he feels confident that full funding will be restored to the Independent Living Centers thanks to the lobbying of all interested parties.
Mr. Gannon and Mr. David D'Notaris, OVR Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, attended the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) meeting in Bethesda, Maryland. While there, Mr. Gannon was asked if he would accept the nomination to become the region three representative for the CSAVR, which he accepted. The roll-out of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) is going well with several small problems.
Ms. Denise Burchomak has been named as the new director for the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mr. Bruce McClintock, VR Supervisor retired and was replaced with Mr. Ryan Hyde. Mr. Carl Pillar, District Administrator, Altoona, retired and was replaced with Ms. Pam Montgomery. There are still several vacancies in all the bureaus and the number one priority at this time in central office is to fill these vacancies.
Mr. Gannon thanked members of the council for their participation in the public hearings held in March and April. Mr. Gannon updated the council on the activities of the Hiram G. Andrews center and their wing for returning veterans. OVR was informed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration that our order of selection did not meet their criteria. Ms. Nesta Livingston has restructured our definitions to fit their dictate.
No report given.
Ms. Judy Jobes reported the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services is will be holding a blindness awareness day on June 18th at the Keystone building at the capitol. There will be vision screenings and tables of handout information. Awards will be given to blind leaders.
Ms. Nesta Livingston, OVR reported that a needs assessment is to be done every three years and this is the year the assessment must be completed. Ms. Livingston stated her staff will work with the council and council staff to develop the questions for the assessment. Council members were reminded that they must also complete the needs assessment. This process will be done over the summer months. Ms. Pam Dross, OVR will also be working with the council on this project
Ms. Melissa Simmons stated the youth leadership conference will be held on November 7th to the 9th at the Pittsburgh Hilton. The Independent Living conference will be held at the Hilton in Harrisburg on April 2nd to the 7th, 2009. The Centers for Independent Living and the Pennsylvania Independent Living Council are working together meeting legislators about budget issues. There will be an advocacy day on June 10th. More information can be found on the SILC website.
No report given.
Mr. Ken Tuckey reported that because of re-alignments in the SWIB, a new communications committee was formed to streamline the message that we are trying to get out of better communication. Also in the works is a career readiness committee that will look at life and learning skills. Mr. Tuckey stated the first week of June he will be meeting with the executive director to address how they can help the council reach its mission goal by better communication. Mr. Tuckey informed the council that Ms. Sandi Vito is now the acting director of Labor and Industry and Mr. Fred Detrick will be the new Deputy Director of the Workforce Investment Board.
Ms. Vidt reported on the 2008 CSAVR spring conference in Bethesda, MD, that she attended and referred everyone to the report inserted in their packets. Also, mentioned was the training modules for the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) which will not be available until RSA meets with each region to present the training. Members will be able to logon and get the training when they have time. Ms. Vidt stated that one nice thing about this training is that you can do 20 minute training then come back later and take up where you left off.
Mr. Adamus reported on a conference that he and Ms. Marji Beyer attended in Orlando, FL also on the SRC training. There were breakout sessions and Mr. Adamus attended the recruiting, staffing and budget session and Ms. Beyer attended the partnering session. A representative from George Washington University may come to the August meeting and give a demonstration of the software used for the trainings. Ms. Beyer talked about sharing information with SRCs in other states.
Mr. Donald Zeigler talked about support for a continued resolution for funding of the Statewide Action Teams.
None given.
The next Full Council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at the Hilton Towers in Harrisburg, PA.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council
1902 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011
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email: racucpca@parac.org