June 5, 2008 Minutes

FLORIDA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL, INC.

124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2981

(850) 488-4180, FAX (850) 922-6702, TDD (888) 488-8633

PP&E COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES – Final

June 5, 2008

PPE Member Present Pam Hinterlong Chris Drummond Susan Gold Michael Smith Susan Redmon Ann Smith Betsy Farmer Marc Tasse Casey Stewart Ronni Bianco Michele Polland	Not Present Idelio Valdez Ernest Smith Shirley Kervin Kathy Henderson	Staff Present Allison Cruz-Mitchell Lisa Taylor Adam Miller Debbie Richards Dennie Hill Rose Coster Margaret Hooper Debra Dowds Antionette Williams Latarsha Williams Shanette Peters Mandy Pinkston
Visiting Council Members Enrique Escallon Casey Stewart Renee Valletutti Steve Howells		Others Present Doreen Stewart Michael Kiser

I. Call to order

Pam Hinterlong called to order the meeting of the PP&E Committee at 12:20 p.m.

II. Approval of minutes 12-6-07

Motion: Betsy Farmer made a motion to approve the December 6, 2007, minutes with corrections, spelling of Susan Redmon’s name. Chris Drummond seconded the motion; the motion was carried.

Approval of minutes 03-08

Motion: Marc Tassé made a motion to approve the March 5, 2008, minutes with corrections, spelling of Susan Redmon’s name, and to indicate the purpose of the APD waitlist survey project. Chris Drummond seconded the motion; the motion was carried.

III. Buget Update

FINANCE REPORT – Lisa Taylor, CPA, CFO

Lisa Taylor gave a brief description of the budget and Finance committee action items.

The following are some of the action items pertinent to PP&E (Additional information is available in the Finance Committee meeting minutes):

Status of Obligation and Liquidation of Funds

· Discussion was held regarding 2007 task force funds at the March 2008 meeting as well as this meeting. All task forces were behind schedule for obligation of their 2007 task force funds. Plans to obligate funds were presented: those plans are being followed and will be reviewed at the September 2008 meeting. 2008 funds may need to be shifted to cover shortfalls if necessary.

Project Approval Policy

· This policy has been modified to require projects initiated/approved by committees go to Program and Evaluation Committee for review and approval (just as project coming out of task forces currently do).

IV. Project Presentation

Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator, Michael Kiser

Mr. Kiser provided an overview of Project SEARCH. Project SEARCH High School Transition Program is a worksite-based, school-to-work program that provides training in independent living, employability skills, and specific job skills; job placement assistance; job coaching; on-the-job support; and career advancement opportunities. The cornerstone of this program is a customized career exploration package for each student. While in the program, students spend their entire school day at the workplace learning in an onsite classroom and experiencing a variety of jobs at sites throughout the workplace. The goal for each student is competitive employment upon graduation.

The High School Transition Program have targeted students with significant disabilities whose main goal is employment. Students who are on an Individual Education Plan, have completed all of their high school credits and graduation requirements, and have deferred graduation status are eligible for participation in the program.

Year one of the project academic year, was a planning year that entailed a competitive process in which applications solicited for seven pilot sites throughout the state. This process sought applications from collaborative teams in local areas that must have included, at a minimum, the local school district, vocational rehabilitation, and supported employment providers. Project SEARCH Co-Directors Ms. Riehle and Ms. Rutkowski played a primary role in assisting the local collaboratives in marketing Project SEARCH to potential business partners specifically in the hospital or banking industries.

The five (5) pilot sites for year one include:

o Miami (City of Miami) Government

o West Palm Beach

o Jacksonville, Hope Have

o Pensacola, Baptist Hospital

o Melbourne

V. State Plan Ammendments:

Program Managers provided a brief overview of edits to the state plan made by each respective task force. Council members recommended the following edits to be made:

· Page 6, CS 1.1outcome indicator # 1- change “Consumer Directed Program” to “Consumer Directed Care Program”

· Page 7, CS 1.3 outcome indicator -include types of formats

· Recommendation for the CL/SC task to consider adding a percentage to CS 1.4 outcome indicator (pg 8)

· Page 17, “b” and “e” delete the word “natural”.

Motion: Susan Redmon made a motion to approve the amendment to the state plan with corrections . Motion was seconded by Chris Drummond. Motion was carried.

VI. Projects

Community Living/ Service Coordination (CL/SC)

Pre-Conference Day on Adult Issues at the 2009 CARD Conference

Brief Description: The 2009 CARD pre-conference will be held on January 16, 2009, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The pre-conference will feature Keynote Speaker, Dr. Michael Brady, author of JOB Observation and Behavior Scale and JOBS Observation and Behavior Scale: Opportunities for Self-Determination, as well as six afternoon breakout sessions featuring professionals who have researched, implemented, or developed adult-life options for individuals with disabilities. Afternoon sessions will include presentations on Housing Issues for People with Disabilities, Government Benefits, Vocational Assessment and Issues, and sessions on Strategies to Facilitate Successful Supported Employment Efforts. The day will conclude with a panel discussion to include professionals and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to learn new strategies and ideas related to living, working, and learning as adults in communities. A focus throughout the day will be developing positive solutions to address gaps in the current system: and creating linkages between individuals, families, and support providers. The requested amount is $5,000.

Motion:

Motion to approve the Pre-Card Conference Day was made by Ronni Bianco. Motion was seconded by Chris Drummond. Marc Tassé recused himself from the vote. Motion was carried.

Benefits Planning guide and Training Workshops for Families

Brief Description: The primary purpose of this project is two-fold: a) to develop a comprehensive benefits planning guide for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and their advocates and b) to plan and implement statewide training sessions for individuals interested in learning more about benefits planning. The benefits guide will be utilized as a major component of the training sessions. The amount requested is $75,000.

This project was not approved. PP&E members recommended for the CL/SC task force and the Employment task force to collaborate on a benefits planning initiative.

Child Development/Education (CD/ED)

Early Care & Education Inclusion

Brief Description: The purpose of this project is to develop a network of early care and education providers trained on evidence based inclusive practices. A focused expert responsible for the program development, implementation and ongoing monitoring will result in quickly indentifying potential barriers and challenges and assist with resolution. The Coalition has developed a system of inclusive learning in collaboration with other community agencies and programs including: Early Steps, Florida Diagnostic Learning Resource Services, Pinellas County School District, Pinellas County Health Department and Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas County, Inc. The requested amount is $80,000.

Motion:

Motion to approve Early Care & Education Inclusion project was made by Susan Gold. Motion was seconded by Chris Drummond. Motion was carried.

Employment

Project Search- Year 2 Statewide Coordination

Brief Description: The cornerstone of this program is a customized career exploration package for each student. While in the program, students spend their entire school day at the workplace learning in an onsite classroom and experiencing a variety of non-traditional jobs at sites throughout the workplace. The goal for each student is competitive employment upon graduation. It is recommended that the Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator position continue throughout the second year of the program in order to continue providing training and technical assistance to the current pilot sites and to assist with the start-up of five new pilot sites. The requested amount is $ 170,000.

Motion:

Motion to approve the Project Search- Year 2 Statewide Coordination project was made by Chris Drummond. Motion was seconded by Enrique Escallon. Motion was carried.

Project SEARCH (Co-Directors) - Year 2

Brief Description: The primary purpose of this project is for the Project SEARCH Co-Directors to continue to work with the Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator in providing technical assistance and training to both the Statewide Coordinator and each of the Year 1 and Year 2 sites. The requested amount is $ 60,000.

Motion:

Motion to approve the Project SEARCH (Co-Directors)- Year 2 project was made by Susan Gold. Motion was seconded by Chris Drummond. Motion was carried.

Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE)

Brief Description: This project will provide funding for at least 20 individuals with developmental disabilities to attend the 10^th Annual APSE Conference in the Fall of 2008. The APSE Conference is an opportunity for people with disabilities, family members, support providers, and employers to learn more about employment practices that work and strategies to overcome barriers that exist in obtaining employment. The Council funding will provide financial assistance to cover travel expenses, registration costs, PCA Services, and/or other assistive services to ensure at least 20 individuals with developmental disabilities enjoy full participation. The requested amount is $10,000.

Motion:

Motion to approve the Association for Persons in Supported Employment was made by Susan Redmon. Motion was seconded by Marc Tassé. Motion was carried.

Partners in Transition (PIT)

Brief Description: This project will build the capacity of the local PIT Leadership Teams, using the PIT Strategic Plan, with greater collaboration with Project Connect and other community partners. The project will also recruit new Leadership Teams in other regions/districts and provide technical assistance and training as needed. The project will develop a resource/training guide to be used by teams interested in replicating effective transition practices. The requested amount is $150,000.

Recommendation:

For one (1) member from each task force to serve on an advisory committee.

Motion:

Motion to approve Partners in Transitionwas made by Susan Gold. Motion was seconded by Chris Drummond. Motion was carried.

Communications Committee

Public Relations/Media Consultant

Brief Description: This project is similar to the project approved for FY 2008, but now we want more flexibility as to the type and amount of services required and when we want the media firm to supply those services. We want a public relations/media consultation firm with a proven track record to provide assistance and support to the Council on an as-needed basis for such services as will be required over the course of the contract and to provide back-up support to the Communication s Coordinator and Public Policy Coordinator. Amount requested is $ 95,000.

Motion to approve made Public Relations/Media Consultant was madeby Chris Drummond. Motion was seconded by Enrique Escallon. Motion was carried.

VII. New/Old Business

1. Roles of the Council Team Members

A brief overview of this policy change was discussed by Debra Dowds, Executive Director. The policy outlines the responsibilities of the Council/Task Force Member monitor, Program Manager, Task Force and advisory committee.

Motion:

Motion to approve the Roles of Council Team Members was made by Chris Drummond. Motion was seconded by Betsy Farmer. Motion was carried with recommended changes:

1) Program managers and project monitors to determine on major and minor project decisions.

2) Council Staff to revisit language on Advisory Committee.

2. Satisfaction Surveys & State Plan Tracking Form

Allison Cruz-Mitchell reviewed Satisfaction Surveys & State Plan tracking form and the StatePlan at a glance form.

3. Self-Advocacy project- The members briefly discussed continuing to fund the Council’s Self-Advocacy project for the third year and beyond.

VIII. Adjournment

Ronni Biancomade the motion to adjourn the meeting. Marc Tassé seconded the motion. With no further business, the committee meeting adjourned.