Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs July 5, 2023 Meeting
Body
QUORUM: Quorum was reached
STAFF:
Raquel Elejabarrieta - Human Resources Director
Ericka Sanchez, Human Resources Administrative Assistant
Catie Hastings - Park & Recreation - D.E.I. Coordinator (Via Zoom)
GUEST:
CITIZEN ADVISORS:
PUBLIC GUEST: Ira Diaz - Advocacy Network on Disabilities
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order 10:00am
MEETING ABSENCE:
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
June 7, 2023
Motion by: Jennifer Sando / 2nd Vanessa Bedoya / All approved unanimously
Minutes approved with changes to be made regarding name correction - Ms. Vanessa Bedoya
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Welcoming of New Board Members - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta welcomed new board members and provided them with ID and parking permit.
Saturday Programming / Collaboration with other organizations - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke regarding idea which has been discussed prior with Ms. Carolina Vester, Deputy Community Recreation Director. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated the need for Saturday programing has come due to the lack of activities available during the weekend for special needs individuals 18 years and older. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated Ms. Vester advised there is space at the Youth Center available for any organization which would like to do a memorandum of understanding and provide programming at site. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she reached out to Ms. Francine Andersen, Chief of Education, Outreach & Access, Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and they are very interested in collaborating with the city. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated perhaps other organizations can also do memorandum of understanding, provide programing and it would be great to have it between 9:00am and 12:00noon.
Ms. Palacio-Pike advised Ms. Vester stated if the board makes a motion in favor of this programming, let them know and they will continue conversation with other organizations. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would be reaching out to Friendship Circle to see if they are interested in participating.
Motion Made:
Motion to have Community Recreation Department to explore options and vendors who are willing to come into city on Saturday to provide programing for teenagers and adults with special needs.
Motion made by: Jennifer Sando / 2nd Philippa Milne / All approved unanimously
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated the motion will provide Community Recreation staff the opportunity to explore and provide further information at next meeting.
Summer Programing - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated even though the summer programing is inclusive, some participants require a RBT Registered Behavior Technician, which becomes expensive for the family. Ms. Palacio-Pike advised this is not usually covered by Medicare waiver.
Ms. Milne spoke regarding the need of assistance for families to apply for services such as med waiver and asked if city would consider having someone available to help with this process. Ms. Bedoya stated she believes Ira Diaz; Advocacy Network on Disabilities may provide this assistance. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated parents with private insurance need to pay for the RBT at after school programs and it becomes expensive and difficult for families.
After School Care Programing - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke of issue regarding cost for families who must have RBT at After School Care Programing. Ms. Bedoya stated perhaps city can look into Childrens’ Trust Fund and if they could assist.
Ms. Dietz stated she feels if the family request an accommodation, regarding RBT, city should be paying for the RBT and not the family.
Med Waiver - Ms. Ira Diaz - Advocacy Network on Disabilities
Ms. Diaz stated everyone who may be eligible to receive services from the agency for Persons with Disabilities, should apply. Ms. Diaz advised to receive services from any program developed and funded by the state, it is a requirement recipient be on the med waiver or on the waiting list for med waiver. Ms. Diaz advised reason for this is the Agency for Persons with Disabilities would establish person has met criteria. Ms. Diaz advised it would be best for people who need assistance regarding completing Med Waiver request, should be instructed to go to personnel who are familiar with this process and provided contact information, website www.advocacynetwork.org <http://www.advocacynetwork.org>, email info@advocacynetwork.org <mailto:info@advocacynetwork.org>, phone number 305-596-1160.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Bertini Clothing Store Event - Ms. Milne
Ms. Milne stated she met with Mr. Bertini, and they exchanged ideas. Ms. Milne stated Mr. Bertini is considering event take place during October 2023. Ms. Milne stated the goal is not for just this event, but to have other businesses become aware of this event and perhaps participate or have similar events.
Ms. Bedoya advised she has been in contact with Runway of Dreams, which have shown interest in this concept. Ms. Bedoya stated once she hears back from them, she will provide them with contact information of other board members so they can be contacted directly, individually.
Ms. Milne asked progress of program where city was going to take stock pictures of people with disabilities around the city in various scenarios. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised city is still coordinating and once best date is identified, they will be contacted.
Sensory Friendly Fireworks - Ms. Catie Hastings - Parks & Recreation
Ms. Sando advised along with her family they attended the sensory friendly fireworks and what a really good job Ms. Hastings did with this. Ms. Hastings provided update regarding sensory friend fireworks event and information of new upcoming program for professionals with autism, Unmasked.
Update: Audible Crosswalks / Path Granada Golf Course - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Audible Crosswalks - Ms. Elejabarrieta advised DOT had advised they will be getting back to us in July, regarding crosswalks, still waiting to hear from them.
Path Granada Golf Course - Ms. Elejabarrieta advised still on schedule to commence creating accessible path on the eastside in a few months and westside is being handled by county, also on schedule.
Accessible Parking Spaces Garage 1 - Follow up requested by Ms. Dietz
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Parking Director Kinney, stated they are on track with contractor regarding striping not only Garage 1 but a few other garages providing more accessible spaces.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised regarding Mr. Eddie Martinez, who contacted city regarding Summer of Dreams program for young adults with disabilities geared towards employment possibilities and their visit to Public Safety Building, July 18, 2023.
Board determined it would be best not to hold an August meeting, next meeting will be scheduled for September 6, 2023.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: September 6, 2023
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned 11:12am
Recommended Action
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