Meeting Minutes
Virginia Brain Injury Council
Virginia Brain Injury Council Meeting Minutes October 24, 2008-DRAFT
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Virginia Brain Injury Council Meeting
Meeting Minutes DRAFT
October 24, 2008
Members Present:
Theresa Ashberry Family member
Scott Bender, Ph.D. University of Virginia Health System
Helen Butler, R.N. Brain Injury Services of SWVA
Kelli Williams Gary, Ph.D Professional, VCU TBI Model Systems Program
Anne McDonnell, MPA, OTR/L Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Carole Norton, Ph.D. Professional
Patricia Goodall , Ed.S Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Lisa Garver, MA, NCC, CBIS Professional, Brain Injury Services, Inc.
Victoria Harding, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP Lakeview Healthcare
Linda Redmond , Ph.D. Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Mark Salisbury Family member
Micah Sherman Survivor
Gerald Showalter, Psy.D. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
GiGi Szelesta Family member
Jenny Toth Brain Injury Association of America
Alan Towne, MD, MPH Virginia Commonwealth University
Jason Young, MSW Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers
Members Absent:
Paul Aravich, Ph.D. Eastern Virginia Medical School
Nancy Bullock, R.N. Virginia Department of Health
Tia Campbell, R.N., BSN, NCSN Virginia Department of Education
Terry Miles Survivor
Michelle Nichols McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center
Russell Payne Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Substance Abuse Services
Paul Sharp, RN, NREMT-P Virginia Department of Health
Julie Triplett Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy
Board Staff:
Kristie Chamberlain Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Others in Attendance:
Laura Anglin Phoenix Star Clubhouse
Karen Brown Brain Injury Services, Inc.
Marylin Copeland Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Christine Grauer Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Commissioner James Rothrock Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Whitney Sherman Family member
John Szelesta Family member
Juanita Thornton Phoenix Star Clubhouse
Leigh Wion Virginia NeuroCare
Michelle Witt Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery
CONVENING OF THE MEETING
The Virginia Brain Injury Council meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Anne McDonnell, Chair. Council members and guests introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the July 25, 2008 meeting were distributed and reviewed. Micah Sherman made a motion to accept the minutes with the corrections; Jason Young seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Agenda
The October 24, 2008 agenda was distributed and reviewed. Anne McDonnell added two items to the agenda. Carole Norton made a motion to accept the agenda as prepared with the two additions; Micah Sherman seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment:
No public comment was given during the Public Comment period.
Remarks from the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Commissioner:
Commissioner Rothrock provided the following updates, announcements and suggestions:
1. The Commissioner presented certificates of appreciation to Helen Butler, who finishes two terms as Secretary of the Council, and to Paul Aravich, Ph.D., retiring Immediate Past Chair, in absentia. He also presented a letter of thank you to Anne McDonnell who will move into the Immediate Past Chair position in January 2009.
2. The Commissioner discussed the continued downturn in the Virginia economy and the recent 2009 budget cuts initiated by the Governor. The deficit projection calculated in the summer of 2008 for the 2009-2010 budget is $2.5 billion. Virginia agencies were asked to prepare three budget scenarios—5%, 10% and 15% reductions and submit to the Governor in September 2008. The Commissioner stated the Governor chose not to cut brain injury services from the DRS budget thanks to advocacy efforts by the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Services Providers, as well as other advocates with connections to the Governor (i.e., Fran Rooker of The Jason Foundation). In addition, Disability Services Boards, Personal Assistance Services Program, and Centers for Independent Living were not cut. Overall, DRS sustained a $3.2 million reduction which included a 15% cut in employment services; 13% cut in Long Term Supportive Employment Services, and $422,000 cut in Vocational Rehabilitation. To help achieve these reductions, DRS will stop accepting new clients in November. There are currently 1,000 on the waiting list and 17,900 being served by DRS. There are 1,600 applicants. The reductions in the 2009 budget covered $900 million of the $2.5 billion projected deficit, leaving $1.6 billion to be cut from the 2010 budget. The Commissioner urged Council members to:
a) Thank the Governor for his understanding of the issues facing survivors of brain injury and for refraining from reducing funds for these services;
b) Continue advocacy efforts and;
c) Look at ways that the state-funded programs can institute “cost conservation” procedures to make the most of state general funds during each fiscal year.
3. The Commissioner stated the Governor, DRS and DMAS are continuing to discuss the feasibility of a Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver. The Commissioner encourages state funded brain injury service providers to seek and gain Medicaid vendor approval. Helen Butler requested that the Commissioner investigate whether there might be an alternative form of credentialing to become a vendor rather than the lengthy and complicated licensure currently required for participation in Medicaid wavier programs. Helen Butler stated the process to become an approved Medicaid provider requires rewriting policies and procedures that have already been written according to mandated CARF accreditation standards. The Commissioner stated the requirements of a future BI Waiver are determined by the DMAS and DMHMRSAS and that he did not feel he would have influence over the vendor / licensing requirements.
4. The Commissioner stated he received the Council’s letter of October 9 2008 asking him to explore the issue of the Community Service Board systems’ inability to respond appropriately (or at all) to brain injury survivors who are in crisis. A copy of the letter was distributed. The Commissioner stated he will address the issue when he meets with DMRMHSAS and report back to the Council.
5. The Commissioner said that he is working with the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund to support a Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) research project identify and remediate problems of juvenile offenders who enter the correctional system. The DJJ study was mandated via a FY ’09 budget amendment, and they are to submit a report to General Assembly in November 2008.
NEW BUSINESS
Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers
Jason Young, Chair of the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers (VABISP, also known as “Alliance”), provided an update regarding their Legislative Agenda for FY 2010:
1) The Alliance will confirm its legislative agenda after learning of the Governor’s budget in December.
2) A priority is prevention of budget cuts affecting brain injury services. There are two programs that would likely cease operation in 2010 if their budgets are reduced.
3) The Alliance recognizes that the availability of neurobehavioral treatment programs is critical; however, funding is needed to support placements of persons with significant behavioral challenges.
4) The Alliance supports passage of a legislative directive
Return to Minutes Listing Details:
Virginia Brain Injury Council Meeting
Meeting Minutes DRAFT
October 24, 2008
Members Present:
Theresa Ashberry Family member
Scott Bender, Ph.D. University of Virginia Health System
Helen Butler, R.N. Brain Injury Services of SWVA
Kelli Williams Gary, Ph.D Professional, VCU TBI Model Systems Program
Anne McDonnell, MPA, OTR/L Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Carole Norton, Ph.D. Professional
Patricia Goodall , Ed.S Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Lisa Garver, MA, NCC, CBIS Professional, Brain Injury Services, Inc.
Victoria Harding, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP Lakeview Healthcare
Linda Redmond , Ph.D. Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Mark Salisbury Family member
Micah Sherman Survivor
Gerald Showalter, Psy.D. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
GiGi Szelesta Family member
Jenny Toth Brain Injury Association of America
Alan Towne, MD, MPH Virginia Commonwealth University
Jason Young, MSW Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers
Members Absent:
Paul Aravich, Ph.D. Eastern Virginia Medical School
Nancy Bullock, R.N. Virginia Department of Health
Tia Campbell, R.N., BSN, NCSN Virginia Department of Education
Terry Miles Survivor
Michelle Nichols McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center
Russell Payne Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Substance Abuse Services
Paul Sharp, RN, NREMT-P Virginia Department of Health
Julie Triplett Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy
Board Staff:
Kristie Chamberlain Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Others in Attendance:
Laura Anglin Phoenix Star Clubhouse
Karen Brown Brain Injury Services, Inc.
Marylin Copeland Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Christine Grauer Brain Injury Association of Virginia
Commissioner James Rothrock Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Whitney Sherman Family member
John Szelesta Family member
Juanita Thornton Phoenix Star Clubhouse
Leigh Wion Virginia NeuroCare
Michelle Witt Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery
CONVENING OF THE MEETING
The Virginia Brain Injury Council meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Anne McDonnell, Chair. Council members and guests introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the July 25, 2008 meeting were distributed and reviewed. Micah Sherman made a motion to accept the minutes with the corrections; Jason Young seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Agenda
The October 24, 2008 agenda was distributed and reviewed. Anne McDonnell added two items to the agenda. Carole Norton made a motion to accept the agenda as prepared with the two additions; Micah Sherman seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment:
No public comment was given during the Public Comment period.
Remarks from the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Commissioner:
Commissioner Rothrock provided the following updates, announcements and suggestions:
1. The Commissioner presented certificates of appreciation to Helen Butler, who finishes two terms as Secretary of the Council, and to Paul Aravich, Ph.D., retiring Immediate Past Chair, in absentia. He also presented a letter of thank you to Anne McDonnell who will move into the Immediate Past Chair position in January 2009.
2. The Commissioner discussed the continued downturn in the Virginia economy and the recent 2009 budget cuts initiated by the Governor. The deficit projection calculated in the summer of 2008 for the 2009-2010 budget is $2.5 billion. Virginia agencies were asked to prepare three budget scenarios—5%, 10% and 15% reductions and submit to the Governor in September 2008. The Commissioner stated the Governor chose not to cut brain injury services from the DRS budget thanks to advocacy efforts by the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Services Providers, as well as other advocates with connections to the Governor (i.e., Fran Rooker of The Jason Foundation). In addition, Disability Services Boards, Personal Assistance Services Program, and Centers for Independent Living were not cut. Overall, DRS sustained a $3.2 million reduction which included a 15% cut in employment services; 13% cut in Long Term Supportive Employment Services, and $422,000 cut in Vocational Rehabilitation. To help achieve these reductions, DRS will stop accepting new clients in November. There are currently 1,000 on the waiting list and 17,900 being served by DRS. There are 1,600 applicants. The reductions in the 2009 budget covered $900 million of the $2.5 billion projected deficit, leaving $1.6 billion to be cut from the 2010 budget. The Commissioner urged Council members to:
a) Thank the Governor for his understanding of the issues facing survivors of brain injury and for refraining from reducing funds for these services;
b) Continue advocacy efforts and;
c) Look at ways that the state-funded programs can institute “cost conservation” procedures to make the most of state general funds during each fiscal year.
3. The Commissioner stated the Governor, DRS and DMAS are continuing to discuss the feasibility of a Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver. The Commissioner encourages state funded brain injury service providers to seek and gain Medicaid vendor approval. Helen Butler requested that the Commissioner investigate whether there might be an alternative form of credentialing to become a vendor rather than the lengthy and complicated licensure currently required for participation in Medicaid wavier programs. Helen Butler stated the process to become an approved Medicaid provider requires rewriting policies and procedures that have already been written according to mandated CARF accreditation standards. The Commissioner stated the requirements of a future BI Waiver are determined by the DMAS and DMHMRSAS and that he did not feel he would have influence over the vendor / licensing requirements.
4. The Commissioner stated he received the Council’s letter of October 9 2008 asking him to explore the issue of the Community Service Board systems’ inability to respond appropriately (or at all) to brain injury survivors who are in crisis. A copy of the letter was distributed. The Commissioner stated he will address the issue when he meets with DMRMHSAS and report back to the Council.
5. The Commissioner said that he is working with the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund to support a Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) research project identify and remediate problems of juvenile offenders who enter the correctional system. The DJJ study was mandated via a FY ’09 budget amendment, and they are to submit a report to General Assembly in November 2008.
NEW BUSINESS
Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers
Jason Young, Chair of the Virginia Alliance of Brain Injury Service Providers (VABISP, also known as “Alliance”), provided an update regarding their Legislative Agenda for FY 2010:
1) The Alliance will confirm its legislative agenda after learning of the Governor’s budget in December.
2) A priority is prevention of budget cuts affecting brain injury services. There are two programs that would likely cease operation in 2010 if their budgets are reduced.
3) The Alliance recognizes that the availability of neurobehavioral treatment programs is critical; however, funding is needed to support placements of persons with significant behavioral challenges.
4) The Alliance supports passage of a legislative directive
This File Was Last Modified: 8/18/2010 12:54:19 PM