Chair’s Report, April 19, 2007
Since our last full Council meeting, we have achieved a significant amount of progress with outreach, legislative work, the State Plan for Independent Living and Emergency Preparedness work. We have surmounted some challenges and continue to try to surmount others.
Outreach efforts and Emergency Preparedness work seem to go hand in hand. At a conference for state, county and local officials and health policy and health personnel, I represented the Maine SILC on a panel discussing the efforts, myths and challenges for serving the disability population in our state during an emergency. Planning seems to be the order of the day for, without plans, we are all working without a net. Local planning is the key, and we continue to press individuals and communities to do their planning with the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Legislative work has included representing the SILC on housing and Mainecare matters as well as speaking with individual legislators regarding the services, needs and desires of people with disabilities in Maine.
Planning for forums, creating a survey and checking goals in the previous plan have taken up our State Plan meetings. Thanks to all participants in SPIL metings, I am pleased to include a copy of a recent article that I wrote and posted on AbilityMaine. Thanks once again to Norm Meldrum for continuing to help with deadlines and postings, and thanks again to each council member who has worked to make this work happen.
(see article at the bottom of this report)
Of Course, a link to our survey can be found at http://www.abilitymaine.org
Dennis FitzGibbons has been most cooperative in offering space in Alpha One’s publication "One in Five," for our survey. This quarterly newspaper has a circulation of approximately 20,000 according to Dennis.
Alice Crandall Johnson has sent information about our forums and the survey link to the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services list.
I attended and presented for the SILC at our first forum in Aroostook County on April 18. Attendance was sparse, but things went well and input was gathered.
Surveys have begun to come in. They are peppering my mailbox as I write this.
Challenges
Many of you will all ready know that Deborah Nichols is no longer contracting with the Maine SILC. She resigned on February 17, continuing through her notice until March 18. The Executive committee, has undertaken the challenging process of administering the changeover. Communication problems have made this transition a bit rocky, and there are still obstacles to overcome. The harmony on the Executive committee has made this work easier and we continue to untangle a twisted web. Progress on issues includes;
1. All materials, with the exception of electronic files, have been retrieved from Deborah’s home office. Thanks to Sharon Tomah, Alan Sacabasin, Rose Hoad and Deborah’s husband for assistance with this task.
2. All Maine Silc files, equipment, and office supplies were moved into a storage unit on the Leighton Road in Augusta. Details on that unit are available for those who need them. This will give the Maine SILC a permanent base for our history and other necessary baggage.
3. I have hired, temporarily, an adminstrative person. Her name is Rebecca Corcoran and her work and training has begun. Rebecca will be an Employee of the Maine SILC, at least, temporarily.
4. Sharon has begun the work of trying to recover financial transaction information during January, February, and March. This work continues.
Ongoing challenges continue — I am hoping all SILC members will distribute our survey widely. A large amount of our effort regarding SPIL input, needs and goals will be gathered by using this tool.
We must straighten out tax issues regarding Deborah’s service with SILC. The Internal Revenue Service determined that Deborah was not a contractor with SILC, she was determined to be an employee. This work continues as we attempt to also retain an accounting firm to do our SILC work.
Those members who are due reimbursements are asked to have patience and dialogue with Sharon. All of us are sorry that these payments have been delayed and we continue to try to expedite our affairs and bring them into a current state.
SILC intern Mali Daku with guidance from Sharon Tomah, continue to work on the "121 grant" regarding Vocational Rehabilitation for Native American tribes. This work continues to be challenging, but progress has been achieved. The Houlton Band of Malaseets has decided to move forward with this work, and Brenda Commander, their chief, is enthusiastically embracing the concept and the effort.
Here is the article about the forums and survey. Visit AbilityMaine for an actual link to the survey.
Thank you for your patience, trust and service.
Maine SILC Chair
Steve Hoad
Ability Maine:
http://www.abilitymaine.org/current/silcserv.html
Spring SILC Survey
For Parents! Friends! People with Disabilities!
AND MaineSILC Forums!
Please forward this article link to your lists and networks.
Maine Statewide Independent Living Council seeks public input!
Our easy web survey is found here! Click this link to provide your input.
http://www.abilitymaine.org/current/servsilc.html
Our survey will be held for the public to offer information for the State Plan for Independent Living, a three year plan setting
goals for independent living services in Maine. The "Maine SILC" is working to produce a plan that fits the needs of all who live independently or want
to be living independently in our state. It will be used to effect services with Maine's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and to set priorities for
Maine SILC's advocacy work. This plan is also to be filed with the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration.
The Council seeks input from persons with disabilities and their friends and families to drive meaningful and creative independent living services and advocacy
for all people with disabilities in Maine.
We are encouraging agency personnel and families who receive this information to assist people with disabilities with the survey, when necessary. It is the lives of people with disabilities that
we, as Council members, are working to improve. This is a chance for people with disabilities to have input toward services and advocacy. It is also a
chance for all to learn how the Maine SILC can have advocacy efforts and projects that directly connect with people with disabilities.
The Maine Statewide Independent Living Council (Maine SILC) is an organization formed to serve all people with disabilities in our state. We are a true
cross disability organization!
Thank you!
Steve Hoad, Chair
Maine Statewide Independent Living Council
Maine Statewide Independent Living Council
Report of the Chair,
January 17, 2007
Steve Hoad
Here is a brief report. Be prepared, there will be a quiz at our meeting on the 19th!
Communications
I find it a bit disconcerting that Emails sent from me and from Deb are not answered by many members! It is important to communicate since work between meetings will make the Council’s function much easier. Please do not ignore your responsibilities: answer requests for information and input in a timely manner.
It is frustrating that Deb can’t even get a count of who will be attending the meeting.
Tasting Victory
It is with great pleasure that I report the Governor’s action of leaving the HOME Fund monies in that fund rather than incorporating those monies into the general fund as he has done in the last two tieniums. It will be our job to keep these monies in the HOME Fund as the legislature continues with the budget process.
Opportunities
I hope each of you considers your membership on the SILC as an opportunity to make Maine a better place for people with disabilities to live. What opportunities should we be pursuing as we begin the process of creating a new State Plan for Independent Living? The outreach necessary for this work must extend to all who live in Maine and who are served with independent living funds, however, as we have seen in the past, it is impossible to do everything. What opportunities do you foresee, and are they manageable for this Council within the next four years?
Internships
Broc has completed his updating of the Career Center Accessibilty Report. With a few tweaks and edits, we will have it ready for discussion and review at our next meeting.
Mali has compiled a significant list of emergency preparedness resources — some good, some bad. We are continuing the sorting process and readying materials for a set of fact sheets that should be valuable to those persons we serve.
Committees
Dee Nilsen, after discussion with me about purposes and goals of our various committees, has decided to join the More and membership committees. I’m sure Dee will be an asset. I hope others will decide on committees that interest them, and I certainly hope someone might step forward to chair the Emergency Preparedness Committee.
As a reminder, current committee chairs are
Dennis Fitzgibbons, membership
John Dunleavy, Maine Outdoor Recreation Committee
Steve Hoad, legislative Committee
“unchaired” Emergency Preparedness Committee
Sharon Tomah, Evaluation Committee
Stepping Forward
This is a serious plea for assistance. As your chair, I feeled compelled to complete duties in order that this Council continues to function. I am, however, fairly well swamped! In order to smooth the Council’s work and spread responsibilities, I am sincerely requesting assistance where ever your personal interest lies. Many hands make light work, a Chair’s position is really to help direct the work, not do the bulk of it. Please consider stepping forward toward some Council duty function.
Thank you.
Maine Statewide Independent Living Council
Report of the Chair
Steve Hoad
December 8, 2006
This report covers my activities, actions, and thoughts while performing functions as MaineSilc chair since my election in October.
Thoughts from the Chair
Participation of SILC members always increases the capacity of this Council. Many members have actively participated in some functions during these last months. More participation, and attention to Emails is sought, for it is our capacity as members that will create a footprint of respect for this Council. State and private agencies have no trouble bringing their representation to the tables. As our Council is totally voluntary, I understand the difficulties each of us faces, however, if we expect representation and chances to have input we must have reports or persons available to provide it. I hope each member will do their best to monitor Email and all forms of communication in order that the SILC will be perceived as a worthwhile group to include in the ongoing work of creating appropriate opportunities for independent living in Maine.
I hope to be able to have, during each meeting, a presentation that addresses some aspect of independent living. This month, we will view accessibility improvements that have recently occurred at our Career Centers in Maine. These centers offer opportunities from many Maine employers and people need income and jobs to live independently. If you have an idea for a presentation, please bring it forward so it can be explored. With information, we can offer input, and we can also reach out to our constituencies and provide that information.
It is my hope that committee reports will be presented in written form for Council members’ perusal before the meetings. In this way, we can attempt to make our “face time” in meetings more productive. This, of course, will require some reading before the meetings.
Membership must be a huge priority for all Council members. As we go about our daily business, we should offer membership opportunities to persons who we perceive as worthy candidates. Many times, after reviewing the obligations, these persons will say they can’t do the job. We should admire that, and continue to ask people, because membership on a Council like this is a big responsibility. We all have busy lives, and the Maine SILC must fit in somewhere for membership to be of value. An active Council will produce eager new members. If you know of persons interested in emergency preparedness, transportation, employment, or housing issues, encourage them to join us. Of course, there are other issues, and those are welcome at the Council too, but these four issues seem to be on our radar at this time.
Committee Chairs.
We have various committees for which I am responsible to appoint chairpersons. I have had no volunteers thus far, and I do not like to lay a responsibility on an unwilling member. Please assist me with this task.
Administration.
Deb is performing yoeman service for our Council. As she grows into the position, her work becomes more valuable to us. Please always respond to her communications. Those Emails she sends and phone calls she makes are either requests from me or some other officer or information she needs to have to make our Council function. Her messages are often more important than you realize, an expedient answer may save us money or help us fulfill some obligation.
My chairmanship may sometimes be impeded by my other work. Unfortunately, my other work is for pay, or for family. I hope each member will help me fill gaps when they appear. Often, it will be a meeting where we need representation, and sometimes, just filling the seat is an important function. Please consider my requests to do these things and be willing to come forward and help. I will do my best to ably fill the role of making the Maine Statewide Independent Living Council a functioning body and a place where persons and organizations can turn to for real quality feedback and information on independent living in Maine.
Thank you all for your work.
Meetings, Our Work, and Outreach
As usual, the months of October, november, and December are filled with meetings and obligations plus planning for the upcoming legislative session. I will attempt to separate legislative issues into the legislative committee report. I will also separate Emergency Preparedness activities into the E P ad hoc committee report, each delivered in person at the Council meeting.
My most pressing duty as chair has been to retrieve and organize MaineSILC materials. The imperative to do so comes from my frustration as a member that documents and equipment belonging to the Council have often been scattered and not readily available for perusal. As of this writing, files have been retrieved from the previous chair. They were received in orderly fashion and have been handed over to Deb Nichols for examination. There has also been a promise to deliver files and equipment by Alice Conway. Hopefully, by the time you have received this report, the delivery will have taken place.
Deb Nichols and I have had a couple of meetings plus numerous Emails and phone conversations to bring me up to speed on items that need attention. Of course, each member will have their items of interest and Deb and I hope you will make your priorities known to us. Some housekeeping items to make Deb’s and my lives easier will be considered during the Council meeting. They are a form to reflect what accommodations each member requires and a leave of absence policy and form.
During November, our insurance for directors and officers has come due. I have been researching buying insurance through a membership in the National Council for Independent Living. That organization has an affiliation with an insurance firm and I will discuss potential for membership during our meeting.
The last organization type item is a request. During the last year and a half, a volunteer form and an evaluation form have each been presented to the Council. Blair Blain and Sharon Toma have each put considerable thought and work into these forms. I am hoping each of us can begin to use these forms. Reflecting our volunteer hours will be worth money during times we wish to apply for grants. Evaluation is a significant part of the function of this council and should be reflected in an ongoing way.
704 Report.
This Federal requirement, with a new form and instructions, is due by our meeting date, December 15. It has been laboriously attended to by Alice Johnson, Steve Hoad, John Dunleavy, Sharon Toma, and Blair Blain and the work has been ably assisted by Deb Nichols. Feedback was requested from all SILC members and was received from some members for inclusion in the Report.
This report has been a time consuming and expensive requirement for our Council. Much of the report form does not even pertain to our work. I believe the Office of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) should consider creating a report form that accurately reflects SILC functions only rather than a “one size fits all” form that includes state rehabilitation, Centers for Independent Living, and SILCs. An interesting side note is that a month has passed since we requested a braille copy of the report and instructions with nothing received thus far. I’m sure I slowed and aggravated the process by my own personal frustration with this process. Thanks to all who participated in the work toward completion of the 704.
Public Outreach.
I have been attending numerous meetings as a representative of the Council. Here I will try to list categories and functions of these.
Housing.
In August, I began regularly attending meetings of a “Housing Committee” formed by the Maine People’s Alliance. In these meetings, we have begun to attempt to effect state policy by grassroots actions. Currently, we are looking toward potential legislation to increase the monies for housing as well as to protect monies that have been traditionally used for housing. In the past two budgetary cycles, Governor Baldacci has siphoned 7.5 million dollars of these monies into the general fund. We have been working to pressure him and his budget officer not to do that this year. These 7.5 million dollars need to be used to match other available funds. Without the money, less housing opportunities will be available for people with disabilities and low incomes.
The Maine Disability Advocacy Coalition.
I have been sending items to the MEDAC list informing members of SILC functions. I attended one meeting by conf call, and at that meeting supportive housing, transportation, emergency preparedness, and the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine were discussed. I did miss one meeting due to a schedule conflict.
Transportation.
The eight regional public transit providers are currently holding meetings to create a two year plan with the Maine DOT. I attended one of these meetings in Bangor. I am working with the consultant on the project as well as with Barbara Donavan at DOT to insure that SILC has input into these plans.
Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods.
I regularly attend these meetings and bring the Council’s viewpoint to the table. MAIN is a group of low income individuals concerned about issues effecting this population — poverty, Mainecare, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, SSI, etc. These meetings happen on the second Thursday of each month. MAIN also had a conference in October to consider legislative issues of interest and set priorities for work during the upcoming session.
Poverty.
The state association of Community Action Providers held a workshop in November to begin an initiative to "end poverty". There will be a conference in May to further this objective, and I have injected viewpoints of the SILC into this work and offered our input as the work progresses.
Rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation division within Maine’s Department of Labor had a workshop on “Results Based Funding” where presenters from Virginia and Indiana presented information about a different way to offer funding to organizations contracting with Vocational Rehabilitation. The presenters gave an overview of their work which is an incentive based system for providers based on intake, creating a plan for work for each individual, finding a job, and maintaining that job. At each point in their system, payments are available as tasks are completed. This appears to be an exciting opportunity to do vocational rehabilitation in a more productive fashion.
Maine SILC Interns
Although having interns is sometimes time consuming, they are adding a great deal of ability and enthusiasm to our Council. Each intern is involved in their own projects. They may work together in legislative functions during the session. Adding their capacity is an exciting prospect for our Council and I have enjoyed our work together thus far.
Mali is working closely with Sharon in Bangor. She will complete her work commitment in late December and turn her full time emphasis toward school and the SILC internship. She has ably gathered Emergency Preparedness resources and really beginning to grasp the needs of persons with disabilities living independently. She eagerly looks forward to more time to do our work.
Broc has been working on a project around the Career Centers. I have offered him a report delivered by Shell Moore to the Department of Labor in 2004 concerning the accessibility of Career Centers and their services. His task will be to view improvements and update this report for our use. This task is short term, and he will continue on legislative and other tasks as needed. I hope to involve him in a task around transportation as his next project.
Our interns both travelled to Aroostook County for the Emergency Preparedness planning meeting there. Their commitment and learning was obvious to me during this trip and I look forward to our continuing work together.
Steve Hoad
Maine SILC Chair
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