COCA Steering Committee Meeting

COCA Steering Committee Meeting 16 February20 July 2006

Attendees:

Gordon Richins, UT Co-Chair Laurel Ryan, UT BCDD, TN, Secretary Cathy Harstaad, ND Norb Ryan, KY Sharon Hauss, IN Laura Walker, AUCD Mitchell Levitz, NY

Issues/Decisions: Action Needed by:

Update: PAR GRANT

Angela Weaver-Roebuck sent an email to the workgroups A. Weaver-Roebuck on current happenings. This should also be forwarded to or G. Richins – forward COCA listserve, so that all members are aware of the email to COCA members progress. re: project.

Update: CAC TA Project

Laura Walker is working on adding substance to the framework of materials. There will be a meeting on 8/4/06 at AUCD where COCA members will assess materials to be sure needs are being addressed. Participants include: Sara Rule, UT UCEDD Cathy Harstaad, ND UCEDD Norb Ryan and Meg Steinman, KY UCEDD Joseph B. (?) from CA Jennifer Johnson from ADD will drop by for a visit during this meeting.

A clarification was made on the difference between the PAR TA project (COCA and OR UCEDD) and the TA project Laura Walker is heading up:  The PAR project is focused primarily on the research process, and how to better involve community members  The TA project Laura is working on is wider in scope and covers all functions of the UCEDD, from CAC orientation to meaningful participation by the community in all core functions.  Both projects may have implications for the entire DD Network (including P&A’s and DD Councils)

of 4 COCA Steering Committee Meeting 16 February20 July 2006

By the time of the Annual Meeting, there may be products in development for several topic areas, including: How can we include CAC’s in all core functions of UCEDD’s? How can we orient new members to understand what UCEDD’s are? How can CAC’s assist UCEDD’s in working on other funding opportunities, e.g. Real Choice Systems Change grants?

If these products will be primarily web-based, how will we be able to make them accessible (e.g., paper versions and clear language) to community and/or self advocates?

CAC TA Project – Annual Meeting Presentation

Some authors of the CAC Report published in March 2006 will be presenting a workshop during the Ann. Mtg. See Annual Meeting website for details.

Update: End of Life Issues Workgroup Email report from Susan Yuan:

Over the months, the focus of this group has expanded beyond just end-of-life issues to decision-making processes for people w/disabilities and families in medical and other life-threatening decisions. We have had many (I believe 7) people so far who have responded to the COCA request for panelists for the presentation at the conference. All the names have been forwarded to the workgroup. Decisions about the size and composition of the panel haven't been made yet, but all the interest is really appreciated! If the panel is narrowed to 3 or 4, all others are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion, which will be richer for the voices.

Update: MCC/COCA – Related issue: L Ryan to contact Laurel Ryan will contact MCC Workgroup to ask if they MCC/COCA Workgroup would like to offer input on questions to put to this panel, for input. or if any MCC members would like to get involved.

Legislative Committee Update: Email report from Susan Yuan: All – Invited to join Legislative Affairs DD Act Reauthorization: Committee and

of 4 COCA Steering Committee Meeting 16 February20 July 2006 Starting language for the Self-Determination Title, to especially DD include both Family Support and Self-Advocacy Resource Reauthorization Centers, has been received. Kim Musheno and George Workgroup Conference Jesien, Lu Zeph and I have had initial chance for input, and Calls. Look for notices Kim will move it forward into the Reauthorization of calls on the COCA Workgroup. Once Kim has done that, there Listserve will be lots of opportunity for COCA members to have input. It's a bit sensitive right now, which is why we are asking Kim to make the timing decisions.

Legislative call participation: Sharon Henault has asked me to convey to the COCA that her work responsibilities have made it impossible for her to participate, and she would like to step down from her co- chair position so someone else, who can participate, can take on that role. Carl, as the other co-chair, has been steady in his participation, which gives us continuity. I don't know whether the other co-chair role is one to fill now or wait for the annual meeting. This next year, with Reauthorization up, it will be important for us to be very present on these calls.

Web Page Review Update:

Evette Metzger will have a review of the new AUCD web page at the Annual Meeting. COCA will be creating a volunteer position for a webmaster for the COCA Page of the Website who will maintain, edit, update, etc. the pages.

COCA – Annual Meeting Session:

A draft agenda has been circulated. There are two sessions – 4- hour workgroup in the morning to take care of COCA business, and the evening meeting. Laura Walker suggested removing her from the COCA meeting agenda, as she will have an afternoon session on her project. The registration form will be out shortly on the website and will have an open-ended question about accessibility needs, rather than check-boxes, which were seen as being too limited. Personal Attendants are not required to pay registration fees, but AUCD needs the names for meals, etc.

Discussion re: having “COCA member” designated on name

of 4 COCA Steering Committee Meeting 16 February20 July 2006 badges.

Steering Committee – 3 At-Large Members have staggered terms of office: Dean Westwood (West – 2 years) Mitchell Levitz (East – 1 year) Karen Dixon (Middle/South – 3 years)

Election will need to be held for the Eastern Representative.

NEXT CONFERENCE CALL:

AUGUST 17, 2006 12:00 ET 11:00 CT 10:00 MT 9:00 PT

Respectfully Submitted, Laurel Ryan, UT BCDD, Memphis