MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA
Name of Organization: Nevada Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities (CSPD)
Date and Time of Meeting: November 12, 2015
9:30 a.m.
Location: Governor’s Office of Economic Development
808 West Nye Lane
Carson City, NV 89703
Video Conference Location: Governor’s office of Economic Development
555 East Washington Ave., Suite 5400
Las Vegas NV 89119
1535 HOT SPRINGS RD, CARSON CITY, NV 89706 1535 HOT SPRINGS RD, CARSON CITY, NV 89706
1535 HOT SPRINGS RD, CARSON CITY, NV 89706
To join this meeting by phone dial 1-888-251-2909, then enter Access code 8985078 when prompted.
DRAFT Minutes
Members present: Brian Patchett, Gary Olsen, Karen Taycher, Nicole Schomberg, Jon Sasser, Shelley Hendren, Jim Osti, David Daviton
Guests: Kelley Wooldridge, Kimie Beverly, Frida Aizenman, Mark Olson, Will Geddes, Dora Urchel, Debbie Kawack, Lynn Hunsinger, Judith Kholer, Catherine Rider, Scott Youngs, George Mackinley, Mechelle Merrill, Sherry Manning, Courtney Horner, Whitney Hobbs
Staff: Jane Gruner, Jill Berntson, Rique Robb, Desiree Bennett
I. Welcome and Introductions
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
II. Public Comment (No action may be taken upon a matter raised under public comment period unless the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item. Public comment at the beginning and end of the agenda may be limited to three minutes per person at the discretion of the chairperson. Members of the public may comment on matters not appearing on this agenda or may offer comment on specific agenda items. Comments may be discussed by the Board but no action may be taken. The matter may be placed on a future agenda for action)
III. Approval of Minutes from the August 17, 2015 Meeting (For Possible Action)
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
Mr. Olsen would like to receive more information on the AB200 budget and have an update at a future meeting.
Corrections were made to the spelling of Mr. Osti’s last name.
Mr. Olsen made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Mr. Sasser seconded the motion. Motion passed.
IV. Presentation and Discussion from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) on the Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act (For Possible Action)
Parnell Diggs, NFB, Director of Government Affairs
Ms. Beverly presented on behalf of Parnell Diggs from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) on the Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act.
The NFB and Congressman Greg Harper of Mississippi have introduced the TIME Act (Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act). There is also a Senate version that was introduced by Senator Ayotte of New Hampshire.
The NFB is also working with the Department of Justice, the Secretary of Labor, and the National Council on Disability; on the special wait certificate, which allows employers to pay less than the national federal wage.
Ms. Beverly presented and answered questions on three state bills related to the TIME Act. (Attachment A)
· The Braille Literacy Bill
· The Blind Parents’ Right to Parent Act
· Web Accessibility Bill
Mr. Sasser suggested partnering with the NFB in introducing the three bills to the three different legislative interim committees: Education, Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice, and Senior Citizens, Veteran, and Adults with Special Needs.
Ms. Urchel shared the obstacles she faces as a student at the University of Nevada, Reno regarding accessibility as person who is blind.
V. Update, Discussion and Make Possible Recommendations on AB307 and SB419
(For Possible Action)
· AB 307
· SB 419
Jane Gruner, Administrator, ADSD
Kelly Wooldridge, Deputy Administrator, DCFS
Ms. Gruner updated the Commission on AB307, the pilot project in Washoe and Clark Counties to develop a residential program to support individuals with intellectual disabilities, behavioral issues and children on the autism spectrum.
The tentative plan is to include one program in each county, intensive case management, person centered planning, and use of the Wrap Around in Nevada model.
Collaboration on this project includes: Aging and Disability Services, Department of Health Care Financing and Policy, Child and Family Services, Washoe County Social Services, Clark County Social Services, Nevada PEP, and a few donor organizations.
VI. Update and Discussion on SB419 and the Enabling of the ABLE Act in Nevada, Possible Recommendations from the Commission (For Possible Action)
Sherry Manning, Executive Director, Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
Ms. Manning updated the Commission on the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) that was created and signed into law on December 19, 2014. The Act gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to establish tax deferred savings accounts to maintain their independence. The Act falls under section 529 of the internal revenue code. Attachment B covers the different elements on the Act including the protections of current disability and healthcare benefits, what the qualified expenses are, who can have an ABLE plan, and setting up an ABLE plan.
ADSD and the Treasurer’s office are working in partnership on the future and processes of the Act.
Ms. Gruner stated that ADSD has been working with the Treasurer’s Office and the National group that is working on the ABLE Act. The biggest barrier was receiving regulations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Bruce Nisberg, DRC is in collaboration with Rique Robb, ADSD is working on the Act on behalf of ADSD. There will be an upcoming webinar focusing on setting parameters on who can use the ABLE Act and what the qualifications of eligibility will be. ADSD will bring information about the eligibility criteria developed after the webinar to the next CSPD meeting.
VII. Discussion and Follow up on The Division of Health Care Financing Policy Hearing on Proposed Rates for Applied Behavioral Analysis Services, Possible Recommendations Made by the Commission(For Possible Action)
Jon Sasser, Commission Member
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
Mr. Sasser stated that in the last Legislative session, funding became available for the first time in the executive budget to have Medicaid cover applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services to kids with autism. The budget was set to a program that should start January 1, 2016. The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy has been developing policy and state plan amendments in order to implement the program. A controversial issue that has been put in front of the Division is the rate that will be paid to the provider of services. There is still an opportunity for individuals to submit comments to CMS that the provider rate is too low. The Commission sent a letter to the Governor’s office regarding the low rate.
Mr. Sasser made a motion to send a follow up letter to the Governor’s office on behalf of the Commission. Mr. Olsen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Mr. Olsen made a motion to approve Jon Sasser to speak on behalf of the CSPD at the Legislative Interim Committee on Health Care on November 16th. Mr. Sasser seconded the motion. Motion passed.
VIII. Update on AB200 and Report from the Subcommittee on Communication Services, Discussion and Possible Recommendations From Council (For Possible Action)
Julie Balderson, Social Services Program Specialist, ADSD
Ms. Balderson updated the Commission on the work of the Subcommittee on Communication Services in developing a strategic plan.
ADSD is in the process of developing an interpreter pool and an online interpreter registry. The agency is currently looking to hire four contracted interpreter positions; two in the north and two in the south.
Mr. Sasser asked Mr. Olsen and the Subcommittee on Communication Services to develop a concrete list of what a quality interpreter is and bring it back to the CSPD.
Mr. Patchett met with the President of the University of Nevada, Reno about the need of an interpreter program at UNR including Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) training.
IX. Update on Caseload Evaluation Organization Numbers, Discussion and Possible Recommendations from Council (For Possible Action)
Jill Berntson, Deputy Administrator, ADSD
Ms. Berntson presented and answered questions regarding the ADSD Caseload Evaluation report (Attachment C).
The Commission requested more information on the Independent living numbers and on the Communication Access program.
Ms. Gruner updated the Commission on the managed care language of the Appropriations bill. The bill stated that the waiver they are looking at could possibly go to managed care for aged, blind and disabled. A review is being conducted of all other states currently using manage care as to what the advantages and disadvantages are and if it helped control costs. January will begin state wide meetings in communities to voice concerns and the feedback will be put into the report, in which an RFP or RFI would be based around.
ADSD is proposing that the revenue gained from billing, which is over what ADSD has authority to spend, be kept in the programs and be put into the waiting list.
Ms. Gruner asked the Commission to speak and lend support of that proposal to the IFC (Interim Finance Committee).
Mr. Sasser made a motion to write a letter of support to the IFC to support ADSD in reducing the waiting list. Mr. Osti seconded the motion. Motion passed.
X. Discussion and Possible Recommendations on the Governor’s Taskforce on Integrated Employment (For Possible Action)
· Seven Work Groups/ Subcommittees
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
Mr. Patchett made a suggestion that the Commission have one subcommittee for the implementation of the report and goals from the Governor’s Task Force on Integrated Employment. A CSPD Commission member is appointed to Chair and from there divide into separate working groups. The Chairperson would be the representative to report back to the full Commission.
Ms. Gruner wrote a grant with the DD Council to receive money to hire a facilitator to support the Chairperson of that Subcommittee.
Mr. Sasser made a motion that Shelley Hendren and Brian Patchett co-chair the Subcommittee on the Governor’s Taskforce of Integrated Employment. Mr. Olsen seconded the motion. Motion passed. Ms. Gruner will work with both co-chairs on a scope of work.
Mr. Sasser will set up a CSPD Legislative Subcommittee meeting before the end of January. Mr. Sasser made a motion that the Commission allows him to take action on items the full Commission is currently concerned with. Mr. Olsen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
XI. Discussion and Possible Determination of Issues and Agenda Items to be Considered or Deliberated at the Next Meeting (For Possible Action)
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
AB 200 update including budget information
ABLE Act update- eligibility
Medicaid update: RBT rates and managed care on autism
Olmstead update
Task Force update
CSPD Legislative Subcommittee report
Caseload report
Unified State Plan report- Shelley Hendren
Proposal for CSPD membership term extensions- Brian Patchett
Assistive Technology Council report on state website initiative and training.
XII. Confirm Dates for Future Meetings and Discuss Possible Meeting of the Subcommittee Regarding CSPD Nominations. (For Possible Action)
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
The next CSPD meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2016 in Las Vegas.
XIII. Public Comment (May Include General Announcements by Commissioners) (No action may be taken upon a matter raised under public comment period unless the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item. Public comment at the beginning and end of the agenda may be limited to three minutes per person at the discretion of the chairperson. Members of the public may comment on matters not appearing on this agenda or may offer comment on specific agenda items. Comments may be discussed by the Board but no action may be taken. The matter may be placed on a future agenda for action)
Mr. Daviton asked what the decision or result is from ADSD on deaf services for people in the north.
Ms. Robb stated that DHHARC in Reno was closed October 31, 2015 and on a temporary bases; the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living will be increasing their supports for deaf services.
Scott Youngs commented that it would be important to add a report from the Assistive Technology Council on the status of the state website initiative to the next CSPD agenda.
Ms. Gruner stated that budget building starts in February.
XIV. Adjournment
Brian Patchett, Commission Chairperson
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities Members
Brian Patchett (Chair), Mary Bryant (Co-Chair), Gary Olsen, Jon Sasser, Karen Taycher, Nicole Schomberg, Shelley Hendren, James Osti, David Daviton
NOTE: Agenda items may be taken out of order, combined for consideration, and/ or removed from the agenda at the Chairperson’s discretion. The public body may combine two or more agenda items for consideration. The public body may remove an item from the agenda or delay discussion relating to an item on the agenda at any time. The public body may place reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of public comments but may not restrict comments based upon viewpoint.
NOTE: We are pleased to make reasonable accommodations for members of the public who have disabilities and wish to attend the meeting. If special arrangements for the meeting are necessary, please notify Desiree Bennett at (775) 687-0586 as soon as possible and at least five days in advance of the meeting. If you wish, you may e-mail her at . Supporting materials for this meeting are available at: 3416 Goni Rd, D-132, Carson City, NV 89706 or by contacting Desiree Bennett (775) 687-0586 or by email at
Agenda Posted at the Following Locations:
1. Aging and Disability Services Division, Carson City Office, 3416 Goni Road, Suite D-132, Carson City, NV 89706
2. Aging and Disability Services Division, Las Vegas Office, 1860 East Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89104
3. Aging and Disability Services Division, Reno Office, 445 Apple Street, Suite 104, Reno, NV 89502
4. Aging and Disability Services Division, Elko Office, 1010 Ruby Vista Drive, Suite 104, Elko, NV 89801
5. Nevada Community Enrichment Program, 6375 West Charleston Boulevard, Ste. L200 Las Vegas, NV 89146
6. Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living, 6039 El Dora Street H-8, Las Vegas, NV 89101
7. Disability Resource Center, So. E. Greg St., Suite 102 Sparks, NV 89431
8. Nevada State Library and Archives, 100 North Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89706