Advocacy Development Committee
DRAFT MINUTES
Thursday, August 8, 2019
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

Members Present: Alex McArthur, Bryan Dooley, Diana Cejas, Eric Chavis, Gary Junker, Kelly Kimple, Aldea LaParr, Jamilla Little, Cheryl Powell, Nessie Siler, Deborah Zuver

Members Absent: NaKima Clark, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Katie Holler, Rep. Verla Insko

Staff in Attendance: Melissa Swartz, Yadira Vasquez, JoAnn Toomey

Guests:  Corye Dunn, Jayke Hamill, Karen Hamilton, Dave Owen, Francesca (member DSP)

Welcome/Introductions:

The Advocacy Development Committee started with a welcome to new member Diana Cejas and self-introductions. Eric Chavis was acknowledged for his commitment to advocacy and the ending of his second and final term with the Council.

Approval of Minutes:

Eric Chavis made a motion to approve the May 2019 Advocacy Development Committee (ADC) minutes. Aldea LaParr seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Continuation Funding Request: Inclusive Leadership Development Training Initiative:

Corye Dunn, Leadership Development Training initiative coordinator and Jayke Hamill from the Center for Creative Leadership expanded on initiative activities, next steps, and addressed questions from the ADC members and 1 comment card from the full council presentation.  Discussion included:

• Fully accessible presentation and initiative materials, and technology and electronic training tools and materials. Improvements with meeting accessible accommodations involved and will continue to involve Universal Design and ADA accommodation technical assistance from Deb Zuver (CIDD) and Karen Hamilton (ADA initiative), minimally.
• Participant recruitment of the 1^st pilot training after the curriculum is ready to test. Staff will work closely with the contractor to ensure appropriate and intentional recruitment practices. However, the immediate priority is developing the curriculum and program logistics guided by the advisory committee.
• Programmatic and contract management timelines: The contractor has shown great improvement in meeting initiative and contract management goals in a timelier fashion.

Eric Chavis made a motion to approve continuation funding to Disability Rights North Carolina for the Leadership Development Training initiative. Funding is approved for up to $195,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($65,000) for year 2 (of 3) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Gary Junker seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. Bryan Dooley recused from voting (he is the Disability Rights North Carolina board chair).

Continuation Funding Request: NC ADA Network Coordination, Technical Assistance and Fiscal Intermediary:

Karen Hamilton expanded on initiative activities, next steps, and addressed questions from the ADC members about the ADA Network Coord/TA/FI initiative activities.

Deb Zuver made a motion to approve continuation funding to Community Enterprises, LLC for the NC ADA Network Coordination, Technical Assistance and Fiscal Intermediary initiative. Funding is approved for up to $125,000, with a required minimum of 25% non-federal matching funds ($41,667) for year 2 (of 3) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Future investment discussion: Permission to draft RFAs

Gary Junker made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to draft the RFA regarding a Justice initiative focused on re-entry/expanding re-entry program and IDD Navigators. Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the November 8, 2019 Council meeting. Aldea LaParr seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Gary Junker made a motion for staff of the Council to have authority to draft the RFA regarding an Aging Family Caregivers initiative, prioritizing activities in the following order:

• Examine how more cross-cutting collaborations can occur among the aging, and disability sectors to address the needs of caregivers of persons with I/DD.
• Market access to Lifespan Respite Care programs
• Research the long-term impact of caregiving on caregivers of individuals with I/DD. And,
• Support the development/Implementation of or access to evidenced-based training models and emotional support caregiver systems to reduce stress and learn to cope more effectively with both short- and long-term stressful situations

Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the November 8, 2019 Council meeting. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Aldea LaParr made a motion for staff of the Council to further research and engage informational interviews regarding Education System/Early Childhood Intervention topic. Request for permission to release the RFA will occur at the February 2020 Council meeting. Eric Chavis seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn was made by Aldea LaParr. The motion was seconded by Gary Junker.