Statewide Independent Living Council public meetings in 2021

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council meets over two days to discuss its interagency agreement, quarterly budget, and reporting obligations. The council will also address its autonomy, including 501(c)(3) status, and execution of the State Plan for Independent Living. Day 2 features updates from independent living centers and state agencies, plus a recap of legislative advocacy efforts.

• Interagency Agreement discussion
• Quarterly Budget Update
• Discussion on LASILC's autonomy and 501(c)(3) status
• Discussion on execution of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) objectives
• Legislative initiatives and advocacy recap

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council meets over two days to discuss and review its operations, including the Interagency Agreement, quarterly budget, State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) objectives, legislative initiatives, and member recruitment. Day 2 features updates from independent living centers and state agencies. No votes or specific dollar amounts are listed.

• Discussion on LASILC's reporting obligations and autonomy, including 501(c)(3) status update
• Quarterly budget update presented by Daryn Broussard
• Discussion on execution of State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) objectives
• Updates from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Veterans Affairs, Office of Behavioral Health, and other agencies
• Discussion on Independent Living Center Consumer Satisfaction Survey

The Council approved meeting minutes from August, September, and October 2021. Members discussed the 2022 legislative agenda, including opposition to motorized wheelchair prohibitions in nursing homes, though a formal motion on the matter failed due to lack of quorum. The Council also reviewed its quarterly budget and 501(c)(3) status.

• Approved November 4, 2021 meeting agenda
• Approved August 5-6, September 16, and October 4, 2021 meeting minutes
• Approved motion to enter executive session to discuss Executive Director selection
• Motion to support access to motorized wheelchairs in facilities failed (lack of quorum)

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council is holding an emergency virtual meeting on October 4, 2021. The agenda includes only procedural items: call to order, roll call, and approval of the Executive Director Selection Committee. No other business or discussion items are listed.

• Approval of the Executive Director Selection Committee

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council will hold an emergency virtual meeting to consider approval of the LA SILC Bylaws and to appoint a Secretary and Vice Chair. The meeting includes call to order, roll call, and public comment via email or during the session.

• Approval of the LA SILC Bylaws
• Appointment of LA Secretary and Vice Chair
• Emergency meeting held virtually via Zoom
• Public comment accepted by email or during meeting

The council approved its Bylaws to facilitate the transition to an autonomous 501(c)(3) entity. The council also appointed a new Vice-Chairperson and Secretary to fill vacant positions.

• Approved SILC Bylaws
• Appointed Rocky Fuselier as Vice-Chairperson
• Appointed Ester Jett as Secretary

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council meets virtually over two days to discuss and decide on key operational matters. Major items include a discussion on LASILC's autonomy, updates from the fiscal agent committee, and the status of a revised contract. The council will also review the quarterly budget, approve prior meeting minutes, and receive updates from independent living centers and state agencies.

• Discussion on LASILC's autonomy, including executive order from Governor's office and status of revised contract
• Quarterly budget update presented by Daryn Broussard
• Interagency agreement discussion with Ellenor M.
• Job description, advertisement, and interview process for future LASILC Executive Director
• Updates from independent living centers: SLIC, NHILC, and RIL

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council is meeting to discuss its organizational autonomy, including updates on a revised contract and an Executive Order. The agenda also includes a quarterly budget update and the recruitment process for a future Executive Director.

• Quarterly Budget Update
• Discussion on LASILC's Autonomy and revised contract status
• Executive Director job description, advertisement, and interview process
• Review of Policy and Procedures Manual and Bylaws
• Updates from various state agencies including Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and DOTD

Statewide Independent Living Council

The council established a hiring timeline for a new Executive Director and voted to dissolve the Fiscal Agent Committee. Members also approved motions to advocate for rate increases and improved accessibility funding in New Orleans.

• Approved August 5th and 6th meeting agenda
• Approved May 2021 minutes with amendments
• Dissolved the SILC’s Fiscal Agent Committee
• Approved deadline of August 12, 2021, for Executive Order amendment suggestions
• Approved hiring timeline for Executive Director with final offer by September 15, 2021
• Approved writing a letter supporting rate increase and parity among OCDD and OAAS systems
• Approved writing a letter to the Mayor of New Orleans for increased accessibility funding

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council scheduled an emergency meeting for June 29, 2021. The agenda includes a discussion regarding the Executive Director search and the Registered Agent.

• Executive Director search

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council is holding an emergency meeting to vote on the budget and Articles of Incorporation. The body will also discuss its bylaws.

• Budget vote
• Articles of Incorporation vote
• Bylaws discussion

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council Executive Committee is meeting to discuss the SILC budget and updates regarding LLC and 501c3e status. The meeting will also include a period for public comment.

• Update of LLC and a 501c3e status
• Discussion of the SILC budget

Statewide Independent Living Council

The council is reviewing goals for increasing awareness and participation in independent living initiatives. Members are discussing the process of separating from the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs to become autonomous by July 1, 2021.

• Votes for re-appointment of members Sharron H., Danny C., and Jamie A.
• Vote for new officers
• Discussion on hiring a permanent Executive Director and formulating a job description
• Review and revision of the Policy and Procedure Manual and Bylaws
• Update on RevUp voter registration initiatives

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is meeting to review progress on its three-year plan goals. The agenda includes budget updates, interagency agreements, and reports from various state agencies and independent living centers.

• Quarterly budget update by Steven N.
• Review of Interagency Agreement
• Updates from LRS, VA, OBH, Elderly Affairs, OCDD, and LHC
• Reports from Southwest Louisiana Independence Center, New Horizons Independent Living Center, and Resources on Independent Living

The Council elected a new leadership team effective July 1, 2021, and approved the job description for a permanent Executive Director. The body also voted to support HB 446 and re-appointed one member to a three-year term.

• Elected Jamie Duplechine as Chairman (unanimous)
• Elected Anita Paton as Vice-Chair (8-3-2)
• Elected Jarrod Bottley as Secretary (unanimous)
• Elected Daryn Broussard as Treasurer (unanimous)
• Approved $53,000 salary for prospective Executive Director (unanimous)
• Set Executive Director minimum education at bachelor's degree in social work or related field (unanimous)
• Approved full Executive Director job description with corrections (unanimous)
• Approved letter of support for HB 446 (unanimous)

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council Executive Committee is meeting to discuss the Executive Director position. The discussion will cover employment status, salary, and job posting details.

• Discussion of Executive Director position (full-time vs. part-time, contract, salary, and degree level)
• Discussion of office vs. residence requirements for Executive Director
• Review of Executive Director job posting

Statewide Independent Living Council

The council will hold an open meeting via Zoom to discuss tentative agenda topics. The single item listed for discussion is the fiscal agent.

• Fiscal Agent

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Council voted to maintain Louisiana Rehabilitation Services as its Designated State Entity while continuing efforts to achieve autonomy by July 1, 2021. Members also approved the development of a new performance evaluation tool for the Executive Director. The meeting included reports from various state agencies and discussions regarding the lack of reporting from Resources for Independent Living.

• Approved agenda and November meeting minutes with corrections
• Approved motion allowing members to attend virtual conferences
• Ratified decision to keep Louisiana Rehabilitation Services as the DSE
• Approved development of a new Executive Director performance evaluation tool
• Tabled decision on participating in the National Council on Independent Living
• Tabled decision on appointing Jessica Lewis as Executive Director upon autonomy

Statewide Independent Living Council

The Statewide Independent Living Council is meeting over two days to discuss the State Plan for Independent Living. The agenda lists only this topic and meeting logistics, with no specific proposals, votes, or financial items.

• Discussion of State Plan for Independent Living