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DD Subcommittee Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2016 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE OF CORTLAND COUNTY Community Services Board May 10, 2016 1:00 P.M. Room 304 – County Office Building Members Present: Jeff Beal (Chair), Don Noble (Vice Chair), Aaron Baier, Ellen Wright, Maria DeRado and Liesl Moheimani Members Excused: Jacquie Stegeland Others Present: Mark Thayer (Director), Fran Burnham (MC ARC), Kathy Reynolds (Cortland Schools), Marianne Odell and Sandra Ehrlich (Racker Center), Beth Astramskas (OPWDD), Elaine Fisher (EI and member candidate), Kay Wood (Parent and former member), Alexandra Huntington-Ofner (CCMH) and Gail Spitzer (Secretary) Call to Order: 1:00 p.m. by Chair, Jeff Beal MINUTES Due to scheduling conflicts, this meeting was held one week later than usual Agenda Item: Approval of Meeting Minutes Jeff Beal asked for motion to approve Motion to approve minutes of April 5, 2016 made by Aaron Baier, seconded by Don Noble. With no further discussion minutes passed unanimously Introductions Discussion – As a follow-up after meeting with the Rotary Club, Liesl Moheimani meet with Dan Brown from Racker Center and David McNeil of Business Development Corporation to discuss employment options/opportunities for people with disabilities. (Approximately 89 % unemployment rate of people with disabilities) Options were discussed but there were no resolutions or plans. Liesl attended the “Farm to School” meeting which could offer some options – become part of existing businesses / create a new business model / TC3 has farm that is hiring, school in Ithaca will train people in agriculture – other options discussed – existing programs – mentorship programs / Mark Thayer: The State transition away from “sheltered workshop” creates the perfect opportunity to open these conversations / Kathy Reynolds: School perspective – school to work program in life skills class, looking at other ways to align with employment opportunities – how to get other schools involved – Kathy explained how she became involved / Aaron Baier: ATI to pilot after school “Job Club” Create Employment Coalition to discuss this topic in further detail – include businesses, parents, agency and school representatives Agenda Item: Director’s Report (copy provided) Mark Thayer State System Updates: 1) Voluntary Executive Director Meeting; discussed many of employment related issues and options (related to earlier conversation) / Funding and rate rationalizations / Front Door report of positive changes 2) Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors – OPWDD presentation (slides provided): ambitious agenda with limited funding / Residential requests – State has keen awareness / Work, employment topics – how to compile stakeholder needs and concerns, what proposals (models) would resolve needs in communities Agenda Item: 2017 County Plan Discussion Mark Thayer Survey summary (provided) – Student Transition Services (Youth) and Employment Opportunities (over 21) were top ranked needs – Staff retention and transportation remain high need items – County Plan summary (provided) / This year’s submission will update, add and detail any items deemed necessary; include additional challenges / Example: Strategy 1.5 – operationalize protocols for transitioning youth and adults (Agency representatives noted the programs that will have to be eliminated or reduced due to State cuts in respite rates – no longer a viable option) / public health and safety issues compound housing problems Don Noble: If Joint meeting is attended by media, Legislators this may be a forum to bring bigger issues (housing, employment) up for discussion Next Meeting Joint CSB / Subcommittee meeting: May 24, 2016 – 4:00 p.m. Legislative Chambers of the County office Building Agenda Item: Adjourn Chair, Jeff Beal adjourned the meeting 2:40 p.m. No meetings in June NOTE: All approved minutes are available upon request - Gail L. Spitzer [EMAIL REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] (Posting to website currently unavailable)