Advocacy and Leadership Committee
DRAFT Minutes
Thursday, August 6, 2015
2:00 – 3:00 pm

Members Present:  Caroline Ambrose, Eric Zechman, Lisa Byrd, Mary Edwards, Cheryl Powell, Karen Armstrong, Crystal Foreman, Michael Groves, Clare Shocket

Members Absent: Lourdes Fernandez, Joshua Gettinger, Katie Holler, Sen. Tommy Tucker

Visitors: Jessica Green, Renate Macchirole, Tara Fields

Staff in Attendance:  Pam Dickens, Melissa Swartz

Introductions:

Welcome:  Chairperson Caroline Ambrose welcomed all members and provided an opportunity for all members to introduce themselves.  Caroline reminded members to complete their financial forms for reimbursement.

Approval of minutes:  
Rick Zechman made a motion to approve the May 2015 Advocacy and Leadership committee meeting minutes.  Mary Edwards seconded the motion.  Motion was carried.

Initiative Review: Safety and Security: Addressing Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence Against People with IDD
Jessica Green provided an update on the activities of the Safety and Security initiative and answered questions from the committee.

MOTION:  Eric Zechman made a motion to continue funding to Coastal Horizons, Inc. for the NCCDD Safety and Security Initiative for up to $50,000 with a required minimum match of 25% non-federal matching funds ($16,667) for Year 3 of (3) from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016.  Mary Edwards seconded the motion.  The motion carried.  Crystal Foreman abstained from voting.

Initiative Review:  NC Chapter of the Alliance for Direct Support Professionals  
Renate Macchirole provided an update on the activities of the Direct Support Professionals initiative and answered questions from the group.

MOTION: Cheryl Powell made a motion to continue funding to Benchmarks for the NCCDD NC Chapter of the Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.  Year 3 of (3) funding will begin on October 1, 2015 and end on September 30, 2016 for an amount not to exceed $100,000, with no required match. Crystal Foreman seconded the motion.  The motion was carried.

Fiscal Update:   Yadira Vasquez, NCCDD’s Business Services Coordinator, gave an overview of the fiscal status of the organization.  She provided Council members with information on each initiative housed in the Advocacy and Leadership committee.

Adjourn.