NV Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD)
September 3, 2015 Minutes
DETR: Vocational Rehabilitation – 3016 W. Charleston BLVD #200, Las Vegas, NV 89102
INTRODUCTIONS
Members Present: Chair, Jodi Thornley; Vice Chair, Stephen Schumacher; Deborah Aquino; Jennifer Casselman;
Ronald Futrell; Jane Gruner; John Heiner; Shelley Hendren; Jack Mayes; Filiberto Ontiveros; Brian Patchett; Renee
Portnell; Steve Rock; David Sorensen; and Robbin Vasquez
Members Absent: Lisa Antram; Reggie Bennett; Jennifer Frischmann; and Robin Renshaw
Guests Present: Santa Perez, People First of Nevada; Tim Brown, PCA for Santa Perez; Debra Vieyra, Division of Public
and Behavioral Health; Mark Tadder, CitiCare/SNTC; Melanie Kauffman, Family TIES; and Christina Hansen, Family
TIES; Nora, Family TIES; Monica, Family TIES; Matthew Cox, Never Give Up Foundation; Liz Grable, Easter Seals;
Nancy Brune, Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities
NGCDD Staff Present: Sherry Manning, Executive Director; Kari Horn, Projects Manager; Jessica Banes, Executive
Assistant
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Council Chair, Jodi Thornley at 11:07 am.
Jessica Banes verified that the agenda for this meeting was posted to the appropriate locations on August 25 th, meeting the
requirements set forth in Open Meeting Law.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Stephen Schumacher announced that he will be leaving the Reno chapter of People First of Nevada after their fundraising
event in November.
Renee Portnell shared exciting information about her daughter, Casey, who is starting her first job teaching 3 – 5 year olds
at the pre-school at UNR. Renee credits Casey’s success to Partners in Policymaking and Pathways to Independence.
Melanie Kauffman thanked the Council for the opportunity for Family TIES of Nevada to apply for a grant for the next
Federal Fiscal Year (FFY). Ms. Kauffman also provided clarifying information on the grant application received and a
brief background on work done by Family TIES. Ms. Kauffman also provided the Council with two letters of
endorsement.
Nora and Monica gave background information on themselves and their experiences with Family TIES and spoke in
support of the grant proposal received from Family TIES.
Matthew Cox, founder of Never Give Up Foundation, gave background information on himself the Never Give Up
Foundation. Mr. Cox came before the Council to request for the Council to consider opening the NOFA back up, as the
Foundation was not aware of the NOFA until after it closed and they are already doing exactly what the Council is
looking for to meet objectives 3.2 and 3.3 in this last year of the 5-Year State Plan.
David Sorensen read a letter received from a volunteer at the Rural Center for Independent Living regarding
transportation issues in Carson City.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 4, 2015 MEETING
A motion to approve the minutes from the June 4, 2015 meeting was offered by Renee Portnell and seconded by
David Sorensen. Motion carried unanimously. Steve Rock noted an error that was made in the minutes. On the 4th page,
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under the Partners Summary, it says that NCED is working with Project AWAKE, but it should be project AWARE.
Jessica Banes will correct this error before posting final draft of the minutes.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHAIRPERSON’S SUMMARY
Jodi Thornley, Council Chair and Executive Committee Chair discussed recommendations from the August 2015
Executive Committee Meeting. Ms. Thornley made specific reference to a recommendation made by the Committee to
award up to $5,000.00 in Consumer Leadership Development Funds in order to assist parents, families, and transition-age
students to attend the 2015 Nevada Transition Conference in Las Vegas.
Ms. Thornley briefly discussed the Nevada Disabilities Conference (NDC). Commissioner Aaron Bishop of AIDD came
to Sparks to attend the NDC and the NACDD Conference and, during his visit, he asked Sherry Manning to assemble a
group to meet with him so he could learn more about the Council and the Council’s partners: Nevada Disability Advocacy
& Law Center (NDALC) and Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED). This meeting was not open to the full
Council, it was by invitation only so as to make sure a quorum was not established, as that could constitute an Open
Meeting Law violation. Ms. Thornley ended this discussion by reading a letter received by Commissioner Bishop
thanking the Council for the opportunity to speak at the NDC and meet with some of the Council members.
Sherry Manning discussed the final rule for the DD Act. Ms. Manning reviewed the PowerPoint Presentation on the DD
Act Final Rule. The following were areas of highlight that Ms. Manning mentioned to the Council:
 A change was made to the DD Act that now states councils cannot be the primary funding source for pilot
programs for more than 5 years, whereas there was not a set time frame for funding. There are certain exceptions
to this rule, such as if a project is really close to becoming self-sustaining and they just need a little bit longer, you
can request an extension. However, if an extension is requested, AIDD will want to know why the project is being
extended and how you know the project will become self-sustaining.
 There is further definition provided regarding the autonomy that the Council must have within their designated
State agency.
For more information on the activity of the Executive Committee, please see the meeting minutes and handouts from their
August 18, 2015 meetings posted on the NGCDD website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
*The PowerPoint on the DD Act Final Rule is also available for view on the NGCDD website in the handouts for today’s
meeting, in the Executive Director Summary.
TASKFORCE ON INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Sherry Manning gave an update on the completion of the Taskforce on Integrated Employment created by Governor
Sandoval’s Executive Order. The Taskforce ended on June 30, 2015 with a final report that was submitted and presented
to the Governor by Jane Gruner. The Governor was very excited and thankful for the collaboration on this issue. The
Governor, with recommendation from Jane Gruner, tasked the Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities
(CSPD), which is funded by ADSD, to come up with a strategic plan for implementation. The Council was considered for
taking on this task, but the Governor cannot order the Council to take on projects so it was felt that it was appropriate for
CSPD to take it. The Council will continue to support integrated employment, one of the ways this is being done currently
is through the award of $45,000.00 to ADSD to fund integrated employment for Goal 1. The Council will also be
discussing other ways to support CSPD and integrated employment. Ms. Manning informed the Council that the Council
has received the grant from Employment Learning Community, which assists states at the national level in improving
systems and services to increase inclusive, competitive employment for individuals with I/DD.
Council member, Brian Patchett serves as the Commission Chair Person on CSPD. Mr. Patchett will be working with the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to do a presentation regarding integrated employment. Mr. Patchett
gave an update on the implementation and encouraged people to attend the CSPD meetings. The next CSPD meeting is in
November. For any questions regarding CSPD or their meetings, please contact Mr. Patchett.
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*The Taskforce’s final report is available for view on the NGCDD website (www.nevadaddcouncil.org) in the handouts
for today’s meeting, under the section “Taskforce on Integrated Employment Update.”
NGCDD BUDGET COMMITTEE
Robbin Vasquez presented information discussed at the August 2015 Budget Committee meeting. Sherry Manning
presented the ending budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015, Budget for SFY 2016, and Federal Fiscal Year (FFY)
2014, 2015, and 2016 obligations and liquidations. Ms. Vasquez informed the Council that the Council got the closest it
has ever been to spending down State funds.
Sherry Manning presented the budget and recommendations by the Budget Committee in the August meeting. Ms.
Manning anticipates spending down federal funds. However, Ms. Manning shared some initial concerns about drawing
down federal funds due to misinformation provided by fiscal. Federal funds must be obligated by September 30th.
Brian Patchett made a motion to approve budget as presented and to stay on the Federal Fiscal Year for the grant
cycles. Ron Futrell seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
For more information on the NGCDD budget, please see the Budget Committee meeting minutes and handouts from their
August 13, 2015 meeting posted on the NGCDD website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
PROJECT STATUS SUMMARY
Kari Horn presented the Project Status Summary on the performance of the Grantees for the period of April 1 – June 30,
2015, mainly reviewing the areas of most importance. The areas specifically referenced are as follows:
 State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) is meeting their performance measures.
 People First of Nevada:
o Some of the information reported may be inaccurate or unreported due to some of the chapters not turning
in their paperwork in a consistent manner, despite the efforts of Council Staff and People First directors to
assist the chapters in this process. Ms. Horn provided examples of the type of paperwork not being turned
in.
o Council Staff and People First members have continued to experience hostility from some members in the
Reno People First chapters so Staff and Community Chest employees filling objective 2.1 will no longer
be attending the Reno People First meetings.
 Partners in Policymaking is meeting their performance measures.
 Sierra Nevada Transportation Coalition (SNTC) is meeting their performance measures.
 Nevada Rural Transit Association is meeting their performance measures.
 Systems Change (Family TIES) is meeting their performance measures. Of note: same concerns as previously
noted in last Council meeting, regarding the expected outcomes of this objective.
For more information, you can view the full Project Status Summary in the handouts for this meeting on the NGCDD
website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
NGCDD EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Filiberto Ontiveros presented recommendations from the August 14 and 27, 2015 Evaluation Committee meeting.
Discussion was held regarding the recommendations by the Committee. Mr. Ontiveros thanked the Committee for their
diligence, as the meetings have been very heavy-handed and the Committee has been tasked with a lot.
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
Recommendations for Grant Funding from the applications received through the Notice of Funds
Available (NOFA) for the last year of the current 5-Year State Plan in order to meet Goal 3, Objectives 3.1,
3.2, and 3.3.
o
Objective 3.1:
 Filiberto Ontiveros and Sherry Manning reviewed Goal 3 and Objective 3.1. Mr. Ontiveros
reviewed the discussion that took place among the Evaluation Committee members regarding the
grant applications received for objective 3.1. Two applications were received for this objective:
Sierra Nevada Transportation Coalition (SNTC)/CitiCare and Kenny Guinn Center for Policy
Priorities. Although the Evaluation Committee liked the proposal from SNTC/CitiCare, there
were areas of concern expressed by the Committee. The recommendation made by the Evaluation
Committee was to fund the proposal for Objective 3.1, in the full amount ($40,000), to the Kenny
Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Brian Patchett made a motion to accept the
recommendation of the Evaluation Committee to fund the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy
Priorities as recommended. Jennifer Casselman seconded the motion and the motion passed
unanimously.
o

Objectives 3.2 & 3.3:
 Mr. Ontiveros reviewed Objective 3.2 and 3.3 and the discussion that took place among the
Evaluation Committee members regarding the grant applications received for these objectives.
Two applications were received for these objectives as well: Family TIES of Nevada and Jobs for
Dyslexics. Although the Committee appreciated the proposals received, there were concerns
expressed for both proposals. After extensive review and discussion, the recommendation made
by the Evaluation Committee was to not fund either project and, instead, to have Council Staff
come up with a plan for how these objectives could possibly be met in-house. Sherry Manning
informed the Council that, at this point, there is no time to go back out for NOFA so Ms.
Manning met with Council Staff and they came up with a proposal to use the $30,000 budget for
these objectives; the proposal is as follows:
 Staff to post information from the Nevada Disabilities Conference and medical home to
the DD Council’s website and update the At a Glance sheets and get them out through
mailings and PACE Events.
 Staff to hold focus groups at PACE Events.
 Add to objectives 2.1 and 2.3 by granting $15,000 to Community Chest to keep Santa
Perez as an employee of Community Chest and to serve as a second self-advocacy
coordinator. This would give us a coordinator (Santa Perez) in the south and a
coordinator (Sheree Cassingham) in the north.
 Set aside an additional $10,000, for a total of $20,000, for the of award mini-grants, up to
$5,000 each, to organizations that can meet the objectives or are already meeting the
objectives and just need a small amount of money to get the job done. Mini-grants would
be approved through the Executive Committee.
 Set aside the remaining $5,000 to pay for the additional resources that will be needed in
order to accomplish these objectives in-house, such as office supplies, additional
materials and/or room reservations for PACE Events, etc.
 Brian Patchett made a motion to accept the recommendation from the Evaluation
Committee to not fund the grant applicants and to go with the two coordinators who are
already employed through Community Chest and to increase the monies for mini-grants as
discussed and to set aside $5,000 for materials. David Sorensen seconded the motion,
discussion was held, and the motion passed with Shelley Hendren abstaining.
Recommendation of one or two self-advocacy coordinators for the in-house self-advocacy project for the
fifth year of the current State Plan.
o Since the funds have been approved for a second coordinator, David Sorensen made a motion to go
with two self-advocacy coordinators. Renee Portnell seconded the motion, discussion was held, and
the motion passed unanimously.
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
Recommendations for the Draft 2017 – 2022 5-Year State Plan.
o Kari Horn discussed a survey for the next 5-Year State Plan that was distributed to 48 agencies, including
those represented by the Council as well as agencies, organizations, and individuals from diverse
geographic, ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, disability and personal/professional backgrounds. A total of
331 responses were received. Discussion was held regarding the Draft 2017 – 2022 5-Year State Plan as
recommended by the Evaluation Committee. Ms. Horn reviewed the results of the surveys received.
o

Sherry Manning reviewed the guidelines for the 5-Year State Plan. Discussion was held regarding the
Draft 2017 – 2022 5-Year State Plan as recommended by the Evaluation Committee. After in-depth
discussion, it was the determined that some of the goals and objectives are immeasurable or undefined the
way they are currently written. Jennifer Casselman made a motion to send the 5-Year State Plan back
to the Evaluation Committee to consider the discussion and make changes accordingly. David
Sorensen seconded the motion and the motion passed with Shelley Hendren abstaining.
Recommendation for “no” policy changes for Consumer Leadership Development Fund (CLDF).
o There had been discussion regarding possible changes to the Consumer Leadership Development Fund
(CLDF); however, since this is the final year of the current State Plan, it was decided by the Evaluation
Committee to not take any action on this item at this time and to leave it as-is. Deborah Aquino made a
motion to accept the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee to leave the CLDF as-is.
Jennifer Casselman seconded the motion and the motion passed with Shelley Hendren abstaining.
For more information on the activity of the Evaluation Committee, please see the meeting minutes and handouts from
their August 14 and 27, 2015 meetings posted on the NGCDD website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
NGCDD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Renee Portnell discussed areas of highlight from the August 2015 Legislative Committee meeting.
For more information on the activity of the Legislative Committee, please see the meeting minutes from the August 5,
2015 meeting posted on the NGCDD website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
PARTNERS SUMMARY
Jack Mayes gave an update of the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC):
 Mr. Mayes participated in the Partners in Policymaking graduation last month.
 Due to the new DD Act regulations, NDALC can no longer be denied access to their clients.
 Also due to the new DD Act regulations, 51% of the NDALC board must have a disability or have a family
member with a disability. Mr. Mayes indicated that the board already meets this new regulation.
 Mr. Mayes is working on outreach to the Hispanic communities.
 NDALC received the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) grant, effective August 1, 2015.
DIRECTOR’S SUMMARY
Executive Director, Sherry Manning reviewed the Director’s Summary.
To view the Director’s Summary, visit the NGCDD website: www.nevadaddcouncil.org
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next NGCDD meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2015 as a video-conference. The location of the videoconference is to-be-determined.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Renee Portnell gave an update on her daughter’s first day of work.
Santa Perez thanked the Council for hiring her back as a self-advocacy coordinator. Ms. Perez commented to the issue of
health care and asked the Council to consider bringing in an anesthesiologist when talking about oral health because some
individuals have to be put out for their oral care and a lot of dentists will not do it without the individual paying for the
anesthesiologist out of their pocket. Ms. Perez also spoke to the importance of considering cultural differences when
trying to reach the Hispanic community because their culture is different; it’s not just a language difference.
Tim Brown discussed self-advocates having the final say on their lives.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:47 PM.
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