Approved April 18, 2008

Rehabilitation Council Conference Call Minutes

Date Of Call: March 27, 2008

Time: 10:00 Am EST

Jesus Garcia, Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.

Those in attendance were:

Jesus Garcia, Chair
Henry Alexander, Kathy Davis, Joyce Hildreth, Ted Hull, Brian Johnson, Robert Kelly, Craig Kiser, Jay Naiman, Dawn Saunders, Dwight Sayer, Michael Taylor, Sue Townsend, Sheryl Brown, Steve Ritacco and Phyllis Dill, Staff.

Those absent:
Rufus Brown and Marilyn Palmer

Public representation:
Carlos Montas, Debbie Grubb, Robert Miller and Carl McCoy

Jesus informed the Council there were two reasons for the call.

• Recognize the new members on the council.
• Get an update on DBS director position

Steve gave the following update:

• Commissioner had to meet with the State Board
• Commissioner has received the letters from the stakeholder groups and will be contacting consumer organizations; welcome any input
• Directors position has been posted; applications accepted through April 21st
• Position may not be advertised nationally – doesn’t appear to have been; but we can do that ourselves
• Are probably not going to use a committee process, but will get feedback from consumer organizations (FCB, NFB, FAASB, FFCVI, Blinded Vets, and Rehab Council)
• These six agencies were presented to the commissioner’s office with contact information for each.
•  The council may want to re-send the letter to the Commissioner.

The Council concurs with issues concerning the posting for the position.

• No mention of needing a comprehensive understanding of blindness.
• Educational requirements are Bachelor’s degree - counselors must have a Master’s degree (Council recommended Master’s degree or higher in the list of criteria provided)

Robert Miller suggested asking for the advertisement to be postponed or removed until the issues of qualifications are addressed.

Dwight agreed and made a motion that the Commissioner be asked for the advertisement to be removed until the issues of qualifications are addressed.

Motion received second

Discussion included:

• Joyce suggested that the Council make responses through the website to upgrade the vacancy announcement.
• Kathy is concerned that the posting won’t go up for several months if it is pulled and would delay the advertising again.   She also added a condition that they have to clarify the hiring process.
• Ted amended the motion to add “qualifications….and procedures”.

Jesus called a Question. Motion passed with amendment.

Steve suggested letters from the Council be sent to Tricia Brinkman, attn: Lynn Abbott.

Craig recommended sending a letter to the Commissioner with copies going to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.

Phyllis provided Tricia Brinkman’s email address: Tricia.brinkman@fldoe.org

A suggestion was made to invite the Commissioner or representative to the Pensacola meeting to explain to them why the current posting is problematic.

Phyllis informed the Council she was still waiting for the hotel contract for Pensacola to be signed by the Commissioner.  He may not see the contract until Monday.  With the cut-off date being the next day, April 1st, she called the hotel and received an extension to April 9th.

Steve stated that he would “birddog” it to see if it could be done earlier.

Phyllis informed the Council that the Agenda for the April Meeting is very tight.  She read both the April quarterly meeting Agenda and the upcoming Training in Orlando, April 4th.  She will send out the hotel information ASAP.

Jesus reiterated and that there would not be a Saturday morning portion.  He stated that he and Phyllis had to fly to Washington, DC Friday evening immediately following the Council meeting.

Carl McCoy informed everyone that they should familiarize themselves with HB 1287 (Increase Transportation Funding by increasing funding on license plates from $1.50 to $3.50)  He suggested everyone show their support and contact their legislator; Curtis Richardson should be commended for it.  His phone number is 850/488-1798.

Jesus informed Robert Miller that it was o.k. for the consumer groups to react to the posting prior to the council’s action regarding it.

Jesus informed the Council that the October, 2008 Council meeting contract was approved for Key West. (October 16th, 17th, & 18th)

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM.