Region I - Williston ICC Minutes of 2/22/04

Regional ICC Meeting February 22, 2004 12:00 Noon

"The purpose of the RICC is to ensure partnership of parents and regional representatives dedicated to supporting children with, or at risk, of a disability from birth to age 3, and their families."

The meeting commenced on this date at 12:04 pm, at the Northwest Human Service Center’s second floor conference room, by Tim Coughlin. Introductions were made, including a new ICC member, Holly Snellings, Regional Representative of County Social Services. Subway sandwiches were served.

Tim explained the teleconferencing procedure, stating future meetings will be held via videocom with Deb Balsdon. Betty reported DOIT technologists need to explain the system, which was purchased with Part C funds, to allow for extended training opportunities.

It was noted any future correspondence from the committee should include the mission statement on the letterhead. Suggestion to use big font and red letters. There was a question as to placing the mission statement at the bottom of the document or even the side.

The minutes of the 10-23-03 meeting were read and approved.

Old Agenda:

Discussion presented by Barb Olson regarding Natural Environment Training. She discussed the purpose of natural environment services in the home. She and Lynda Hill will do a presentation on this topic next month, and they hope to offer CEU’s.

Transition Survey – no information has been obtained regarding follow up contact with parents who didn’t complete the survey or mail it in.

Betty announced the concern regarding the large amount of informational materials presented to parents during the initial meeting – program staff will revisit and review these materials at subsequent home visits. She also discussed sending out information prior to the evaluation. She passed out a handout regarding "Having Your Child Assessed".

Discussion on the amount of transition materials given to families. Jaret spoke of the parental request for knowledge of the next step of services for their child. Betty discussed the transition grid – outlining purpose / persons or agency involved / timeline, etc. Feedback from parents is positive as the grid was easy to follow with "parent language".

Discussion on Special Education services in Divide County – contact person is Mary Kay Bloom.

Discussion on the Experienced Parent Program, which assists parents prior and after evaluation of their child. Discussion regarding hiring an individual who is a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, to go into the family homes before, during and after evaluation. Betty read the job description prepared by Badlands, while Tim read the description prepared by Minot.

Andrea is a contact person for the Parent to Parent Program, and reported she has received one call. Discussion was held on the value of having someone available to talk to after the assessment; however concerns were voiced regarding connecting parents to other families with similar situations – the advantages and disadvantages of having another person involved with the evaluation, etc. Funding is available under Birth to Three Part C Grant for this position. Betty noted it appears to be more beneficial to give information regarding the Family to Family Program later during the course of providing services to the family. Noted the main question during the evaluation process for families to be "is my child okay?" Discussion on the necessity of taking time to establish rapport with families. Discussion was tabled and the topic placed on the agenda.

Rose Shafer reported on the Right Track Program. Kudos were given to her for having screened the largest amount of children for the program.

Concerns were discussed regarding accessibility for children with disabilities on the playgrounds or at businesses locally. Janelle is a representative of the Mayor’s Committee on Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities, and will voice these concerns.

The Quality Improvement Plan was presented in draft format. Target areas were discussed. It is noted Target 3 was approved as written. Target 4 - the State Office will receive revisions of this working plan. Final approval of the plan was tabled until the next meeting, which is set for April 22, 2004, at 12:00 noon. The remaining quarterly meetings were scheduled for July 29 and October 28, 2004.

No further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:54 pm.

Submitted by
Tammy E. Hilton
Office Assistant III