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APPROVED MINUTES
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL
WINTER MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2008
UNM CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTER
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Members Present Staff Present
Persons w/ Disabilities Pat Putnam
Colin Holmes Karen Courtney-Peterson
Andrea MacRae Justin Moore
Judy Ann Sena Chris Rowland
Marilyn Martinez Staff Present for
Katie A. Klauschie Reporting Purposes
Matthew Heady Only
Family Members Bernadette LeRouge
Althea McLuckie, Chair Rosemarie Ortiz
Victoria Romero Meriam Jawhar
Denise Balderas Frank Fajardo
Angelique Thompson, Vice-Chair Rose Ortiz
Terri McCaslin Eveline Baier
Nadine C. Maes Connie De Herrera
C. Dianne Griego Elizabeth Peterson
Phoenix Helm Simpson
Attendants
Andrew MacRae Members/Family Members Absent
Jeanette Sena Estevan Maestas
Agencies Present Adrienne Shije
Jennifer Thorne-Lehman DOH Liz Thomson*
Denise McGhee ENMU- Present for committee meetings and
Roswell pre-meeting.
Doyle Smith ALTSD Agencies Absent
Consuelo Trujillo HSD Christina Stick, DIA
Cate McLain CDD
Jim Jackson P&A
Dan Harris CYFD
Richard Jiron DVR
Denise Koscielniak NMPED
Tania Maestas AG’s Office
Mikki Rogers DDSD
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Call to Order/ Housekeeping 9:00 am Angie
Angie called the meeting to order at 9:25 am.
Icebreaker/Introductions 9:10 am Angie
Angie initiated the introductions.
Approve Agenda and
Minutes 9:20 am Angie
Denise M. moved and Terri seconded for approval of the minutes. The motion carried. Jim corrected the
spelling of Linda Siegle’s name. Richard moved and Cate seconded for the approval of the agenda. The
motion carried.
Mission Statement /Chair Report 9:30 am Althea
Terri read the Mission Statement for DDPC.
Althea commended the committees for their hard work and enthusiasm. She talked about her activities on the
national board, specifically, the development of a letter urging restraint regarding pending federal legislation.
Althea reported back on the San Diego conference. She recommended dialogue with California regarding
landmark legislation. Althea wants input from Council on needed technical support, to be forwarded to
national committee. Families should be key players in decisions regarding family members with disabilities.
.
.Staff Reports 9:45 am Pat & Staff
Pat distributed the reports among the Council members. Pat introduced Chris Rowland to the Council.
Guardianship Update (HSD Report) Frank
Pat distributed among the Council members our response to the guardianship complaints. Frank told
the Council the main objective is to reduce the waiting list (in spite of budgetary restrictions). He
then discussed the HSD report and the responses from OG. The recommendation that OG be moved
to ALTSD was discussed. Pat urged Council members on the Guardianship Council to make every
effort to participate in the meetings.
Update on Personnel and Financial
Policies/Procedures Karen
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Karen reported on the personnel and financial policies update. SPO has requested a personnel liaison
for DDPC. Seven new policies have been added, e.g., Code of Conduct, IT, Fraud, Drug-free Work
Place.
Financial/Audit Report Eveline
Eveline informed the Council about the audit findings (which were minor); for example, segregation
of duties, difficulties with SHARE, reversions, and overspending salaries and benefits by $77.
Requested increases were mostly denied (i.e., additional positions and budgets). Pat warned the
Council that the result will be a financially tight year. Pat urged the Council members to attend the
budget hearings.
Pat said the Foley lawsuit is in the process of being settled. Mikki said there are several issues under
negotiation. The House Joint Memorial’s recommendations were not placed on the Governor’s Call.
ALTSD will try to help. Will work with Representative Trujillo to continue the work of the Memorial
for another year. The Council supported our participation in a federal pilot project (ADD). This is an
opportunity to put New Mexico on the national map. Diane moved and Katie second for participation
in the pilot project. The motion carried.
Denise McGhee, Althea, Pat, and Bernadette will participate in the 2008 Disability Policy seminar.
Break 10:45 am
Pat talked about Mental Health Day. Services for persons with disabilities and mental health issues are not
adequate. DDPC will participate in this event. Housing, transportation, health care are issues that affect the
entire disability community. Doyle said Freedom Day has been moved to January 30th. Bernadette
confirmed. No activities are planned for January 29th. DDPC is the only agency this year to provide financial
support for Freedom Day. We will work with other agencies and stakeholders to develop more support for
next year.
CDD/UCE Update 11:00 am Cate
Cate said her center is in the first of a five-year award cycle. Received a decrease in core funding. Some
funding will be returned. Five-year summary will be mailed this week (and FY ’07 report). The center now
has hired four developmental pediatricians. Act Early is being scrutinized. Tele-health services are in pilot
phase. Results are very promising – will interface with autism project.
P&A Update 11:15 am Jim
Jim highlighted recent activities. Presented results of Memorial to legislators with Pat. Report was well
received. Voted to support the memorial’s recommendations. Special Education clinics have gone well.
Twelve to fifteen more will be scheduled across the state. Jackson lawsuit continues. Judge has appointed a
specialist to work with the parties. P&A is looking into developing safe houses to work with persons with
mental health challenges.
Litigation initiated with detention centers that fail to provide sufficient screening. Representative Barney
Frank has introduced a new version of his earlier proposal, but there are still problems with it.
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Pat handed out copies of annual federal report to the Council. This is the first time the report was submitted
before Christmas. The staff was congratulated.
By-laws Committee Report 11:30 am Jim
Jim reported. The committee is soliciting input on changes and is recommending a two-stage process. The
Council should approve the existing by-laws; suggestions for changing the by-laws should be sent to Karen.
Vote on By-laws
Sadi moved for and Cate seconded the approval of the current by-laws. The motion carried.
Althea asked if there could be a deadline for suggested amendments. This will be taken up at a future
meeting.
Discussion & Vote on Guiding Principles
Changes in Guiding Principles were presented and discussed. The Policy Committee will write
something to address healthcare elements. Process to be developed for future changes. Jim moved for
the adoption of the Guiding Principles with two changes (IEP means Individual Education Program
– not Plan, and the Council supports alternatives to guardianship when appropriate and the least
restrictive form of guardianship consistent with the individual’s capacity and preferences). Andrea
seconded. The motion carried.
Membership Committee Report 11:50 am Dianne/Nadine
Council Appointments
Nadine circulated the report among the Council members. The committee’s recommendations were
reviewed. Nadine urged the Council to continue to recruit. A draft letter of warning and draft letter of
termination were discussed. Council members must make every effort to participate. Unexcused
absences were examined. Accommodations for special circumstances will be made. Nadine discussed
the NACDD conference in San Diego. It is clear that New Mexico is way ahead of the game in terms
of services provided to our disability community. Dianne reported on the autism workshop (at the
NACDD conference). Autism now affects one in one hundred fifty children. More housing and more
services will be needed (although resources are not increasing). The Membership Committee wants to
change the by-laws to two four-year terms of membership. Also recommended that the Executive
Committee have one chair and two vice-chairs. Before serving as a chair, a Council member needs to
serve as a vice-chair (for mentorship). The term of the chair would be limited to two years. The
Executive Committee should have six members, three can be from agencies but members of state
agencies shouldn’t serve as chair or vice-chair. Althea was concerned that this policy might diminish
the Council’s ability to elect the chair. A candid exchange of ideas followed.
Recognition of Council Member Achievements
Nadine congratulated Angie on the birth of her beautiful baby boy and gave Ben some warm winter
clothing.
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Nadine presented Terri with a plaque commemorating her many years of selfless service, in addition
to a turquoise necklace.
Lunch 12:15 pm
Program Committee Report 1:30 pm Katie/Rosemarie
Rose asked Meriam to give update on Grassroots project. Three regional leaders reported to the committee
on their activities (community forums). Interaction with contractors (e.g., Big Brothers/ Big Sisters,
Information Center) has been very important and useful. Committee is developing work plan – has
experienced problems with attendance. The committee would like to have its membership reviewed.
Allocation of stipends is being studied. Andrew MacRae will now serve on the Program Committee.
Policy Committee Report 1:50 pm Denise M.
Denise reported. Committee worked for several hours on legislative priorities (copies were disseminated to
Council members). The Tier Process was reviewed and the committee’s position on various bills was
discussed.
Vote on Legislative Agenda
Judy moved and Katie seconded that the Council accept the Policy Committee’s legislative agenda.
The motion carried. Representatives from all state agencies abstained.
Break 2:30 pm
Doyle gave update on Mi Via. Committed to serving 400 in first year. At present have signed 310. Will meet
or exceed the commitment by the end of the year. Pat commended ALTSD for the tremendous effort that has
been exerted to implement Mi Via. Coordinated Long Term Services will most likely be approved. Target
date for implementation is July, 2008.
Public Comment 2:45 pm Denise M.
Marilyn acquainted the Council with her new website and radio show. Pat informed the Council about a new
ARC internship program.
New Business/Networking 3:30 pm Denise M.
Pat discussed the Spring Retreat. It is possible that transportation may be proved for some Council members.
Adjournment 4:00 pm Denise M.
Richard moved and Mat seconded for adjournment. The motion carried.
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