HomeMy WebLinkAbout201111_DDAB MinutesJEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
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Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 11/15/11
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Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board (DDAB)
M I N U T E S
November 15, 2011
Board Attendees: Carl Hanson (Co-Chair), Patty Perry, Catharine Robinson, Kim Rafferty,
Board Absentees: Lesly Sheinbaum (Co-chair), Kathryne Kent, Phil Johnson
Guests: John Austin (sitting in for Phil Johnson), Ludwig Becker, Jenell DeMatteo,
Chris Miller, Amber Kent, Lisa Falcone, Tobias Clawson
Staff: Julia Danskin, Anna McEnery, Donna Marvin (recorder)
Call to Order
Co-Chair Carl Hanson called the meeting to order at 3:22 pm.
Approval of Agenda
No changes or amendments were proposed.
Member Rafferty moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by
Member Austin. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes from September 27, 2011
No amendments or corrections were noted.
Member Robinson moved to approve the minutes as presented. Motion seconded by
Member Rafferty. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments
No comments at this time.
New Business and Presentations:
Update – ARC of Jefferson & Kitsap County
Jenell DeMatteo, Executive Director, gave an update on State Legislative activity that could
potentially affect the DD population. She discussed the budget crises, the pending Governor’s
budget to be released November 21st, and the Legislature’s special session beginning
November 28th. Jenell talked about potential deep cuts to DD services that could seriously
impact families and self-advocates, and she reviewed specific programs and services that could
be affected. In protest of threatened cuts to Medicaid services, there will be a rally on November
28th on the steps of the Capitol (10:00 am – 1:00 pm), and also a candlelight vigil (7:00 pm –
9:00 pm). All are invited to come and participate. She distributed “Advocacy Opportunities for
Families” which lists practical ways for people to make their voice heard in Olympia.
Update – Jefferson County Community Network
Anna McEnery spoke about Project MENTOR and the World Café. Based on the model of the
World Café, the planning committee set a date and place for a gathering to talk about
employment for people with disabilities. It will be held at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship (QUUF) on December 6th. The World Café will promote brainstorming and will
Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 09/27/11
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highlight resources that are available to help meet employment needs for people with disabilities
in our community. Anna encouraged all those present to attend.
Anna shared that the Mentoring Project (or Project MENTOR) now has 6 young people with
learning disabilities who are volunteering at 6 sites in the community, while being mentored by
members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She talked about the different sites
and how well this project has been working. Anna noted that a lot of strong relationships are
being built. There may be more funding available in the future.
Presentation – Community Connectors Project & Rotary Project
Jim Corey from the Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WiSe) gave a Power Point
presentation on the “Building Careers and Community Project” (Community Connectors). He
explained the background about how the project came about and noted that this project was
funded by a 3 year federally funded grant (the “Person Centered Planning Implementation
Grant”). The goal is to develop a model about Person Centered Planning for individuals, and
find out how to support the lives that they desire more efficiently, and with less public funding.
Three counties that represented a wide geographic spread were selected to participate:
Chelan-Douglas County, Snohomish County and Clark County. Jim gave an extensive and in-
depth presentation on the specifics of the research project. He explained how the process of
Person Centered Planning usually centers around finding people jobs. He discussed
“Community Connectors”; shared some of the tools and insights that were developed; talked
about some challenges; and gave examples that led to the desired outcome of providing jobs.
Jim spoke about the local Community Connectors group that met earlier in the day and how
they’ve started to look at what this might look like here in Jefferson County. He shared many of
the things discussed at the meeting and invited those present to help develop some kind of a
community event that is a “call to action” to come together with ideas and contacts. Names and
email addresses were collected from those present who would like to receive future information
and developments.
Jim showed video interviews with several Washington employers who talked about why they
hire people with developmental disabilities. He also showed interviews with a few of these
individuals at their worksite. Anna noted that these video interviews are something that we
would like to do similarly here in Jefferson County.
Jim also talked about how the “Rotary Partner for Work Project” is a good model for
employment connections through Rotary.
Old Business & Informational Item
Anna McEnery gave updates on activities of the following items:
DD Program Events to Celebrate October National Disability Employment Month
a. Monday, October 3rd, 9 am - BOCC Proclamation and Presentation of Employer
Certificates to Bishop Hotel, Bon Appétit & Security Services NW, Inc.
b. Monday, October 3rd, 6:30 pm - City Council Proclamation and short
presentation on Employing People with Developmental Disabilities
c. New Posters of People with Developmental Disabilities working in Jefferson
County (handout)
d. Monday, November 7th, 12-1 pm - Disability Employment Panel Presentation at
the Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Panel included Skookum, Concerned
Citizens, Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation & Jefferson Mental Health.
Anna gave a talk that focused on what the benefits are of hiring people with
developmental disabilities.
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SEPAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) Meeting. Bob Wheeler is no longer
overseeing this group, it is now Diane Porter-Brown and Abbey Van Luben. There will
be future meetings, so please contact them if you are interested in participating.
Transition Network Meeting - December 13th, 2011 - JCPH Main Conference Room.
Ludwig Becker will be speaking about travel training.
New DD Resource Guides were distributed and more are available if desired.
JCChoices.org Website was created with Real Choices grant money a few years ago.
A reminder to the group that this website is still up and valid and to take advantage of its
many resources and services. Anna has been working with someone to make sure that
the website is updated.
Public Comment
One comment was made by Chris Miller, a Board member of SNAP. He said SNAP’s
involvement with the Sprout Film Festival for the last 2 years has been very successful. The
Sprout Film Festival shows films about people with disabilities. Check out Sprout.org for what
they have to offer.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 pm.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 3:30 – 5:00 pm