Public Policy Committee Minutes
March 7, 2008

OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
Carolyn Head
Carol Shkolnik

GUESTS
Thomas Ballard
Bob Butler
JoLyn Dean
Sue Hetrick
Taylor Kepcheck
Eric Rathburn

STAFF
Gary Groom
Paul Jarvis
Ken Latham
Robin Shipp
Kay Treanor
Tammy Waller
David Zwyer

Call to Order:

Chairwoman Butler called the meeting to order at 9:37 a.m. Committee members and guests introduced themselves.

Chairwoman Butler moved to the Announcement section of the agenda. Jane Novick reported that she attended the National Disability Policy Seminar in Washington D.C. where she received updates on several very important federal issues. Jane met personally with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and he was very receptive to disability-related issues. Jane recommended that Council public-policy staff attend future conferences.

Michael Scholl announced that due to the weather, it would appear the Business Meeting of Council may not occur because of a lack of available quorum. He indicated that the May meeting will be dedicated to receiving the report of the external review team requested by Governor Strickland’s office.

Chairwoman Butler asked the committee to review the minutes from the last meeting. Denise Kissel moved the minutes be accepted as drafted. Chuck Beatty seconded the motion. No discussion occurred on the motion. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed.

State Plan Amendments:

Chairwoman Butler moved to the second item of business on the agenda, State Plan Amendments. Paul Jarvis reported to the committee that decisions made during the previous meeting of the Public Policy Committee needed to be accompanied by state plan amendments in order to reconcile with 2008 state plan language and activities.

The first plan amendment deleted from the State Plan the Legislative Event(s) grant. Michael Schroeder moved the state plan amendment be adopted and submitted to Council for approval. Denise Kissel seconded the motion. No discussion was offered. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed. Chuck Beatty abstained.

The next plan amendment revised downward the performance targets associated with the DD Council Centers for Public Policy. Paul Jarvis indicated that no additional applications were received and that Council would only have four of five expected DD Centers in 2008. Based on having only four DD Council Centers for Public Policy, the performance targets should be reduced by 1/5.  Curt Wellman moved the state plan amendment be adopted and submitted to Council for approval. Michael Schroeder seconded the motion. No further discussion was offered. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed. Ruben Garcia and Chuck Beatty abstained.

Chairwoman Butler opened the floor for discussion of state plan language updates. Paul Jarvis provided the committee with draft state plan language for the Advocacy Day Coordinator and draft state plan language for the DD Council Centers for Public Policy. No recommendations were made during the meeting to change the plan language. It was clarified that changes could be made at the next meeting of the Public Policy Committee.

Old Business:

Chairwoman Butler called for Committee Reports. Chairwoman Butler provided the committee with a brief description of public policy activities coming from the Community Living Committee. The Committee has decided to send a letter urging Ohio ’s congressional delegation to support the Community Choices Act and to thank Senator Sherrod Brown and Representative Marcy Kaptur, who have already co-sponsored the legislation.

No other committees provided public policy reports.

Paul Jarvis gave a legislative update, indicating that it has been relatively quiet in both state and federal policymaking bodies. Paul reported the Visitability Strategy Group is nearing interaction with legislators to support Visitability. The group is planning to request a meeting with Ohio homebuilders to discuss options. Paul also reported on legislation dealing with health care in Ohio , introduced by Representative Jim Raussen. Included in the bill is the dental hygienist issue.

Paul also reported that Council member Joyce Fox has been in contact with Representative Scott Oelslager to discuss House Bill 129, legislation that would permit Council to participate in Council meetings via telephone or video conferencing. Representative Oelslager is the chairman of the committee the bill was referred to and has indicated that he does plan to allow a vote on the bill.

Chairwoman Butler opened the floor for discussion of quarterly reports of grantees. Paul Jarvis stated that the committee has not received the most recent quarterly report update because all of the reports had issues that needed rectified before being reported to Council. All of the DD Centers for Public Policy have been contacted and are following up with Paul to amend their quarterly reports.

Chairwoman Butler announced during the Chairwoman’s Report that the Arc of Ohio and the Ohio Olmstead Task Force were co-hosting a Legislative Event on Wednesday, March 12th from 10:00 to 7:00. The executive director of the American Association of People with Disabilities, Andy Imparato, will be featured presenter. There will be two tracks, an Arc track and an Olmstead track with topics on Medicaid Buy-In, Money Follows the Person, the Futures Committees and other disability issues. Assistance is available for travel. Chuck Beatty added that the Arc of Ohio is providing a limited amount free parking tokens to participants.

New Business:

Chairwoman Butler moved to New Business and invited Sue Hetrick to talk to the committee about supporting the Disability Vote Coalition (DVC). Sue indicated the DVC has 23 dues-paying organizations that are members. The DVC is currently helping to plan a presidential forum on the 18^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act to occur on July 26^th in Columbus . The Ohio Olmstead Task Force has provided $10,000 in support of the forum. Sue provided the committee with information about 501(c)(3) organization’s ability to participate in political activities. Ruben Garcia stated that People First of Toledo had some experience with a ballot issue.

Council is being asked to continue its membership to the Ohio Disability Vote Coalition by paying the $50 annual dues and participating in ODVC meetings and planning events. Michael Schroeder moved that Council pay the $50 dues to renew its membership to the ODVC. Chuck Beatty seconded the motion. Mary Butler added that she may recommend the ODVC come back to Council for support of the presidential forum. A voice vote was taken and the motion passed.

Chairwoman Butler recognized Eric Rathburn for announcements. Eric announced the MBI Advisory Council is scheduled to meet the second Friday of every month and will meet at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services facility, the Lazarus Building . Eric also announced that recent election results show that eight out of 11 MR/DD levies passed. The three counties that did not approve levies were Stark, Morrow and Preble.

Chairwoman Butler recognized Joyce Fox for announcements. Joyce announced that Colette Adam’s husband is doing better. He had been taken to the hospital but he has been released.

Chairwoman Butler recognized Ruben Garcia for announcements. Ruben announced that he participated in the MR/DD Awareness Month kickoff the previous day at the Ohio Statehouse.

With no further business before the committee, Chairwoman Butler called for a motion to adjourn. Chuck Beatty moved to adjourn. Without objection, the committee adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

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