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HomeMy WebLinkAbout201609_DDAB MinutesAlways working for a safer and healthier community 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board (DDAB) M I N U T E S September 29, 2016 FINAL Board Attendees: Carl Hanson (Co-Chair), David Sullivan (Jefferson County Commissioner), Kim Rafferty (Parent), Patrick Kane (Port Townsend School District) Absent: Pam Adams (City of Port Townsend) Claudia Edmondson, (Community Representative) Guests: Melissa Lund, Taylor Webster, Al Latham, Jim, Marianne & Joe Ott, Randy Rosens, Blaine Wheeler, Isolde Perry, Catie Morton, Janie Nelson-Achodor Staff: Anna McEnery, Vicki Kirkpatrick & Lori Fleming CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Hanson called the meeting to order at 4pm. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Rafferty moved to approve the agenda as written. The motion was seconded by member Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 24, 2016 Member Rafferty moved to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by member Sullivan. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Bob Wheeler noted as a parent involved in Special Olympics for several years, he is aware there is a notable difference of opinion within this community about who is in charge of the Special Olympics, should it be unified or otherwise, etc. It has gotten to a point where there are challenges among parents. He suggested a committee be formed that decides what sports are pursued, decisions around whether to unify a team or otherwise, who coaches, etc. Whatever help the board can give to this issue would be appreciated. Member Carl Hanson noted we want to make sure the citizenry knows what is available to the DD Community and appreciates Mr. Wheeler’s awareness being brought to this meeting. Always working for a safer and healthier community Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 09/27/2016 Page 2 of 5 Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Ms. McEnery noted that Schools who have hosted unified teams in grade/middle/high school have seen positive effects. There is a lot more respect between those with disabilities and those without, as well as less bullying, and a greater ability for self-advocacy. She said think about a future, (in 20 or 30 years) when these kids are grown up and they see a person with disability as a cohort, co-worker, hopefully a friend. NEW BUSINESS AND PRESENTATIONS 1. Olympic Neighbors, Bob Wheeler Olympic Neighbors is a 501c3 organization, initiating an Adult Family Home in Jefferson County where adults with developmental disabilities can discover and develop their full potential. Their vision is to have adults with and without disabilities live in comfortable homes and work together as expanded families that interact with the local community through work and volunteer activities. The initial efforts were focused on establishing a community of adults with disabilities and without on property in Chimacum WA, based on the “Camphill Community” model. Since the development costs are high and the timeline for development reaches out several years, Olympic Neighbors initial focus will be on setting up a residential living situation for adults with developmental disabilities in existing houses in Port Townsend. Jefferson County has ~ 95 adults with disabilities, yet there aren’t any housing solutions that work for them and their disabilities. It is a critical need and challenge for our community, particularly for adults with developmental disabilities and their aging parents. Olympic Neighbors has a Board of Directors and a five-year strategic plan in place, $26k in the bank, ongoing fund-raising activities, and a house in Port Townsend. This home is set to house a residential program for 4-6 adults with developmental disabilities. Many approvals and training hours must be accomplished before opening in the Spring of 2017. Volunteers are needed for the construction and for help in the home itself, as well as contributions for the set up and ongoing operation of this facility. The state currently funds about 2/3s of the cost, contractors are contributing their expertise, but there are capital costs of about $30-60k needed, with a $240k total. If Washington State helps Olympic Neighbors reach $180k, they will need to raise $60S- 100k a year to be a viable long term living space viable for 4-6 people. Member Carl Hanson noted the DDAB’s appreciation for the awareness this presentation highlights and noted Developmentally Disabled Adult housing is an important facet of a multi-pronged effort that needs to take place in our community. He suggested this organization explore networking with Habitat for Humanity, noted how well the group is working together now, and how important that collaboration will be going forward. A past housing effort was sabotaged by parents, who had a hard time releasing their own level of involvement as their child entered a home of their own. Ms. McEnery noted the question of “Who will take care of my disabled child when I am gone?” is a top concern among the parents of children with disabilities and the work Olympic Neighbors has undertaken is of great value to our community. She also noted that this lack of housing was a topic of concern at the last DD Community Forum and that the DDAB and the Developmental Disabilities Program followed up by hosting a Housing Forum in Port Townsend. The Housing Forum was well attended by Jefferson County families along with families from Kitsap and Clallam Counties. Always working for a safer and healthier community Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 09/27/2016 Page 3 of 5 Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Also, a follow up to the Housing Forum was a series of Housing/Life Network meetings hosted by the DD Coordinator. A person in the audience noted the DDAB can help a great deal by expanding the awareness within the broader community of what Olympic Neighbors is and does. 2. Achieving Community Employment through Transition-(ACE-IT) A Transition Program at Fort Worden, Taylor Webster Taylor Webster, a Transition Specialist, presented an overview of Fort Worden’s ACE-IT program. This is a year-long school to work program that is based entirely at the workplace for transition students with disabilities. The focus of the program to support students to make a seamless transition from school to paid employment in the community. This program is an internship, rather than a volunteer program. Fort Worden is an ideal place for this transition program because there are many business opportunities to develop internships. Students come from Port Townsend as well as Quilcene and one student moved from Sequim. Students are focused on teambuilding, learning public transit, using the internet, developing a resume, interview skills, how to pay for food, proper hygiene, how to communicate effectively with coworkers and supervisors, as well as learning job skills. The goal of the program is to develop competitive marketable, vocational skills that will enable program participants to be employed in the community when they leave ACE-IT. 3. Arc of Kitsap/Jefferson Counties, Melissa Lund Melissa Lund is the Parent to Parent Coordinator for the Arc of Kitsap and Jefferson. She passed out the Fall Parent-to-Parent newsletter and spoke about how the Parent-to- Parent group supports parents of children with disabilities in both Counties. A big topic right now is that overtime hours (available to parents to be paid as care givers, for their child) are being phased out. This can have a marked impact on caregivers over various fronts, including incoming money, availability of needed help, etc. Guardianship is another issue. The Arc is advocating that parents handle their own guardianship process to trim costs for themselves. Melissa would like to get a court facilitator to train folks here in this area and is looking at generating an on-line survey – in order to develop an understanding of needs in this area. As school starts, there are issues with Special Ed programs that parents are focused on. Melissa is meeting with Special Ed programs to round out her own understanding of what’s available. The Arc is having their Annual Fundraising Gala on October 29th at the Kitsap Golf and Country club in Bremerton. Melissa invites referrals – often these parents need a safe space to articulate their concerns and challenges – and she provides that. Adult classes are available, but she’d like to get more teen and child classes going. Always working for a safer and healthier community Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 09/27/2016 Page 4 of 5 Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 OLD BUSINESS & UPDATES/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS & FUTURE MEETINGS 1. Updates Informational Items a. The DDAB Co-Chair position has been vacated by Leesa Monroe. A motion was put forth to have Kim Rafferty fill the vacated position. David Sullivan moved and Patrick Kane seconded. b. Save the date! October is Developmental Disability Employment Month and a proclamation stating that will be read and signed at the October 17th, 10:30am BOCC meeting. Employers who help create a community that supports and encourages diversity by hiring people with developmental disabilities will also be honored at this meeting. c. The Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) got a ~$25k grant this past year, and more funding could be pursued from the Governor’s Committee for 2017. Ms. McEnery is organizing a lunchtime disability planning meeting on December 5th from 12 noon to 1:30pm at QUUF. The meeting will be facilitated by Bob Wheeler, to be attended by People with Disabilities, City, County, Special Ed Directors, Providers, Case Managers, – all who are interested in the topic of disability. The purpose is to give the ACAC information about disability needs and wants in Jefferson County, while discussing ways to partner with people with disabilities, agencies and/or government in order to request grant funding for another round of projects in 2017 that make a difference. d. Accessibility Community Act Project – The All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair is available at the Canteen at Fort Worden. e. Community Inclusion for Everyone group has suffered from low attendance. The next meeting is a planning meeting – where do we go from here. They are regrouping, making an effort to more directly connect with young teens/young adults to get them to the meeting to discuss community inclusion. f. Application for Person Centered Planning Grant for Jefferson County. This is a $8k grant, five counties could get it, although we don’t know how many Counties are applying. This grant covers whole life planning for people with disabilities and would be a beneficial service for transition students. g. A Subcommittee is needed on Unified Special Olympics in the Grant Street. Carl Hanson and Kim Rafferty stepped up. h. DVR Update: Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene School Districts applied and received the DVR WIOA grant funding for pre-transition. This project is in the initial stages – DVR has hired some transition liaisons, who we will support the local School Districts. The pre-transition focus is on job exploration, workplace learning, post-secondary planning, workplace readiness and self-advocacy. The $15m set aside for this year and next is gone – and we are lucky to have a piece of that pie. i. The November DD Board meeting will feature a presentation from the Self- Advocates in Motion program for students in High School. j. Developmental Disabilities Administration – Catie Morton shared about IFS Waiver for children age 3 or older who live with their families. DDA is reaching out to connect families with this waiver service so we can maintain our funding. Also IP1 was mentioned and the issue of no overtime. Working to find caregivers to cover that overtime. Always working for a safer and healthier community Developmental Disability Advisory Board - Minutes 09/27/2016 Page 5 of 5 Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487 Future Meetings 1. Accessibility Community Act Project-(Governor’s Committee on Disability Grant) –MTG to be held on October 4th 2016-2pm to 3:30pm @ Public Health/ Main Conference Room 2. Jefferson County Transition Network MTG to be held on October 11th 2016 3:45 to 5pm @ Public Health/Main Conference Room 3. Board of County Commissioners Meeting/DDAB – Monday, Oct 17, 10:30am - A proclamation celebrating National Disability Employment Month and honoring Employers who employ people with developmental disabilities 4. Community Inclusion for Everyone MTG-Future Meetings to be announced 5. 3rd Transition Workshop-September 27th 2016-6:30pm to 8:30pm-Blue Heron School 6. ACAC Disability Planning MTG-Save the Date-December 5th from 12noon to 1:30pm at the Quimper Unitarian in the Fellowship Hall Public Comment None. Adjournment Co-Chair Hanson adjourned the meeting at 5:10pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 15, 2016