COMMISSION ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Meeting Summary Points
September 5th, 2007
Welcome and Approval of June Points – The June meeting notes were approved by e-mail prior to the meeting.
Presentation: “Customized Employment Program” – Marie Parker, Montgomery Works
Ms. Parker explained that the Customized Employment Program is an initiative within the County to create positions for individuals with significant disabilities. So far, Ms. Parker has met with six different departments within the County to create positions. There will be a maximum of fifteen eighteen-hour positions created based on the needs of the department and the individual’s skills. Although, it is not necessarily limited to fifteen positions as each person can work between one and eighteen hours per week depending on the person’s ability and the type of work available. The positions are part-time, with no benefits and pay $7.20. Each position will last 900 hours or up to two years. MontgomeryWorks is currently interviewing for the positions that are open. The official kick-off for the program is later this month. Ms. Parker then opened the floor to questions.
Lise Hamlin, Commissioner, asked how the positions are going to be filled. Ms. Parker explained that she has sent out notices to a distribution list put together with the help of Betsy Luecking, Staff, to reach out to all the disability communities, as well as contacting individuals already involved with MontgomeryWorks.
Connie Caldwell, Commissioner, inquired about the duration of the project and how long it will last. Ms. Parker replied that their goal is to hopefully create jobs that will turn into long-term positions. The Customized Employment Program is a way for people with disabilities to get their foot in the door, to either apply for merit positions or to make these newly created positions permanent.
Susan Ingram, Community Support Services, stated that the Commission has been working on employment issues for a number of years now and that there needs to be an overall approach to hiring people with disabilities, not just customized employment. We need to find out what the obstacles are and what is putting people with disabilities at such a disadvantage at all levels of employment. Betsy noted that Craig Brieske, Commissioner, had drafted a letter to County Executive Isiah Leggett in regards to a recent Washington Post article about Montgomery County’s minority recruitment plan, of which people with disabilities were not included. She also noted that set asides are not allowed with the Merit Protection Board and Montgomery County does not do that for any population. Craig said that two months ago people with disabilities had the highest unemployment rate of any particular group, with two-thirds of the population not employed. Nancy Aldous, County Council Liaison, recommended sending the letter to the County Council.
David Sharp, Commissioner, inquired about accommodations for the hired individuals. Ms. Parker said that she will be helping the departments to ensure all accommodations are in place.
August Spector, Public, asked if the County had a budget for buying equipment for accommodations. Ms. Parker said yes, there is a budget for accommodations.
If you are interested in being added to Ms. Parker’s distribution list or have further questions, you can contact her at: 240-283-1574 or at mparker@montgomeryworks.com. See Attachment I.
Presentation: Community Participation for FY09 Operating Budget Commission Testimony, HHS Departments, Non-Profit Agencies and Private Citizens. See Attachment II.
Update from the Chair –
Lise Hamlin, Co-Chair, noted that the Commission needs to appoint a nominating committee to choose the new Chair and Co-Chair for the 2007-2008 Commission year. Since there were not enough Commissioners present for a quorum the committee will be appointed at the Steering Committee. Lise also noted that there are four outgoing Commissioners: Russ Holt, Joan Riley, Sharon Swwezy, and Jeff Weintraub. Certificates of appreciation will be mailed to them.
Workgroup Updates –
Betsy urged Commissioners to attend the Steering Committee meeting on Sept. 11th to discuss the budget priorities. She also noted that October is National Disability Awareness Month. Montgomery County is sponsoring Disability Mentoring Day on October 17th. You can find more information on the website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/disabilitymentoring.
Phil Smakula, Dept. of Recreation, encouraged Commissioners to attend the Therapeutic Recreation Community Forum on Sept. 6th from 7pm – 8pm.
Tonya Gilchrist announced that Independence Now has two new job openings for a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) and a Director of Community Services. More information can be found at www.innow.org/employment-opps.htm. Tonya also noted that a visitability legislation meeting will be taking place in Columbia, MD at the Gateway Building at 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive on Sept 24th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. It is being sponsored by the Prince George’s County Coalition for Housing for Persons with Disabilities. The meeting will discuss visitability legislation for new houses being built in Maryland.
Roberta Carlin, Commissioner, is selling tickets for Macy’s Shop For A Cause Day, which is taking place on Saturday, October 13th, 2007. Tickets are $5.00 and will save you 20% on merchandise at Macy’s If you are interested, you can contact Roberta at 301-545-6140 (W) or rcarlin@aahd.us.
Jackie
Simon, Commissioner, noted that since our last Commission meeting a letter had
been sent to the County Council in regards to pavers. She has spoken with Royce
Hanson, Chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and he
has asked for locations where pavers are a problem. He will review the
locations with a team of individuals from Rockville, Silver
Spring, and the
Commission. Betsy has already received a letter back from County Executive
Isiah Leggett regarding the pavers. A group of individuals has already met and
agreed that the Commission has a logical concern. Betsy thanked the
commissioners for their advocacy on this issue.
Jackie also noted that Bozzuto Homes has entered into a voluntary settlement
agreement with the Equal Rights Center for violating the Fair Housing Act.
They will be modifying hundreds of units as well as developing wheelchair
accessible single family homes and town homes. Bozzuto Homes is just one of
many builders having similar settlements.
Lise reported on the Senior Fire Safety Task Force. The annual report on is the website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov. She would like to hear your recommendations and is interested in your input on any other disability issues.
Public Remarks –
None
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 10th, 2007