Governing Body Meeting Minutes
May 23, 2017
ICASA GOVERNING BODY
MEETING MINUTES
May 23, 2017
11:00 a.m.
Conference Call
Springfield, IL
I. INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS
A. ROLL CALL OF VOTING DELEGATES
PRESENT:
Arlington Heights Jim Huenink
Aurora Alisa Neary
Belleville Michelle Cates
Bloomington Hilary Pacha
Carbondale Cathy McClanahan, Teresa Eubanks
Charleston Erin Walters
Chicago, YWCA of
Metropolitan Chicago Debbie Perry, Laura Sailer
Chicago, MLEA Maritza Reyes
Chicago, RVA Sarah Layden, Leah Hungerford,
Megan Blomquist
Danville Marcie Sheridan
DeKalb Mary Ellen Schaid
Elgin Carolyn Karp
Galena Carrie Melton, Coral Jablonsky
Hickory Hills Lynn Siegel, Patty Murphy
Joliet Donna Plier
Kankakee Tracey Noe, Nancy Fregeau
Macomb Diane Mayfield
Peoria Julie Boland
Princeton Michael Zerneck, Stacy Hoffman Rosalez
Quad Cities Brittney Delp
Quincy Megan Duesterhaus,
Rockford Maureen Mostacci, Erica Engler
Springfield Shelley Vaughn
Sterling Rebecca Munoz-Ripley, Deb Walter
Streator Susan Bursztynsky
Urbana/Champaign Adelaide Aime
Vandalia Mary Harrington
ICASA STAFF:
Polly Poskin Sean Black Libby Shawgo
Carol Corgan Lindsay Grammer Carrie Ward
Michelle Miller
GUESTS:
Beth Maskell, VOICES of Stephenson County, Freeport
Barb Wells
ABSENT:
Decatur
II. FY18 FUNDS
The Governing Body convened regarding ongoing discussion with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) regarding allocation of FY18 VOCA funds and ICASA’s policy regarding geographic service regions. The ICJIA staff notified ICASA on May 19 of its decision regarding geographic service regions as follows:
Geographic Areas: Eligibility for both RFPs must not include a geographic area restriction/MOU requirement. Written collaborative agreements between applicants (non-certified and certified RCCs seeking expansion) and RCCs that provide services in the same geographic area, may not be a required element for 1) Program Development RFP eligibility, 2) ICASA certification (that is later required of non-certified providers), or 3) funding of a RCC expanding into an already-serviced area, with respect to any ICJIA funding opportunities.
ICASA must utilize an objective scoring system: The application review process, including individual and group scoring and ranking of applications will guide the decision-making regarding which organization(s) will be funded to serve the area:
a. The funding decision-making cannot be based solely on certification status. Non-certified applicants under the “Program Development” RFP may not be denied eligibility solely due to the existence of a Rape Crisis Center (RCC) in the same geographic area, or a RCC expanding into the geographic area under the “Services to Victims of Sexual Violence” RFP.
b. In either RFP selection, the need of that geographic area must be taken into consideration. If there is great need for services in an area, ICASA must justify its decision-making to fund only one provider or not fund any provider.
c. In either RFP selection, if multiple providers score similarly in the same area, ICASA must justify its decision-making to fund only one provider.
d. ICASA may encourage collaboration between RCCs and non-certified providers in an effort to make provision of victim services more efficient and effective by designating additional points during the review process for executed collaborative agreements between providers.
Polly told Director Maki that she would consult with the ICASA Governing Body regarding this decision and how to proceed.
Polly said the ICJIA has agreed to ICASA’s proposal to distribute 2 NOFOs concurrently: one for certified Rape Crisis Centers and one for program development funding and to set aside $300,000 for program development with the possibility of setting aside more for that purpose, if warranted.
Polly asked the Governing Body for feedback about the ICJIA decision, and the Governing Body discussed how to respond to the decision.
Polly said issuance of a NOFO and competitive review process meets GATA requirements. Director Maki said the ICJIA decision is multi-layered, and GATA is one aspect of that. The Governing Body discussed how to proceed.
Sarah said using scoring to reflect concerns about duplication of services process could address the issue, by awarding points for organizations that have collaborative agreements for overlapping geographic areas.
Megan asked what is to be gained by pursuing the issue.
Jim said policy should state a position of preference for the Geographic Service Region Policy. We can also recognize areas are underserved and accept applications to serve those areas through collaborative agreements.
Shelley said she thinks it is valuable to meet with the ICJIA and to be on record about the need to identify rape crisis centers as unique organizations and respect geographic areas.
Erin said the notion of scoring is interesting but we should start with the ICJIA board and exhaust all avenues for negotiations about recognizing the importance of ICASA’s Geographic Service Region Policy.
Cathy McClanahan said meeting with the ICJIA board is a good idea. We should not fund other organizations to provide pieces of service and others centers’ service areas.
Maritza said meeting with the ICJIA board is a good idea, and scoring would help. We need to brainstorm how to proceed with NOFO and application.
Mary Ellen said it’s important to meet with the ICJIA board to discuss the reasons to define geographic service areas.
Carrie M. said scoring could play an important role, with weight given to established service providers.
Lynn said geographic service areas policy is important, and standards for rape crisis centers are critical.
Donna said scoring is a great way to manage the issue, and we should meet with ICJIA board.
Diane said meeting with the ICJIA board is important. If the decision doesn’t change, scoring can be helpful in identifying qualified providers.
Michael asked who will review applications. Contracts Review Committee will review them. He asked if rural centers face more of a threat than urban areas, when duplication of services is considered.
Rebecca said she agreed with Shelly. It is important to advocate for uniqueness of rape crisis centers and comprehensive services provided to a specific standard. The issue could affect existing rape crisis centers in any area.
Michael said he came from a business where competition was constant. Eliminating the Geographic Service Region Policy could create a nightmare, where a discontented staff or board member could say they are creating a new rape crisis center for a community. Efficiency and economy suggest the Geographic Service Region Policy is essential.
Megan said there seems to be support for a meeting with the ICJIA Board of Directors.
Shelley recommended that ICASA ask for a meeting with the board of the ICJIA to address the issue.
Megan asked if there was more discussion.
The Governing Body approved the recommendation by consensus.
III. GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS
Polly gave a status report about the ongoing budget crisis. If budget proponents don’t go forward by May 31, then a 3/5 majority is needed to make decisions.
Minutes recorded by:
Carol Corgan
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