Executive Committee Meeting
February 27, 2025
DRAFT Minutes

Action Items: 
•	Ms. Butler will follow up about the availability of the Community Living Fund. 
•	Mr. Alas Bucton will follow up with Ms. Hayes about his meeting with Disability Rights California (DRC) on how to approach the California Attorney General about Texas v. Baccera. 
•	Ms. Viramontes-Nhan will share information about Texas v. Baccera with all SILC members. 
•	Ms. Hess will share the Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) Staff Volunteer application information with members. 

1.	Call to Order 

2.	Introductions
Ligia Andrade Zuniga – SILC Chair/Executive Director, Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) 
Anisa Escobedo – SILC Vice-Chair/C and C Vice-Chair
Roque Alas Bucton – C and C Chair
Tink Miller - SPIL Chair/Executive Director, Placer Independence Resource Services (PIRS)
Jenny Yang – Governance Chair
Lisa Hayes – SILC Member/Executive Director, Rolling Start, Inc. (RSI) 
Susan Rotchy – SILC Member/SPIL Member/Executive Director, Independent Living Center of Solano and Contra Costa County (ILCSCC) 
Shapree Butler – Independent Living, Assistive Technology, and Traumatic Brain Injury Section (ILATS) Manager, DOR 
Allison Viramontes-Nhan – SILC Legislative Specialist
Danielle Hess – SILC Office Manager 

3.	Public Comment
Ms. Hess shared that the Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) Staff Volunteer application has been released, and she will share it with members. 

4.	SILC Member Updates
Ms. Hayes asked for any updates about the implementation of the new Section 504 regulations, which does have some deadlines in 2026 despite the current lawsuit seeking to block its implementation nationwide. She reached out to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and they do not currently have a plan. Ms. Miller shared that the federal Office of Management and Budget has put forth directives on how to implement the new 504 regulations, including stages for different entities. 

5.	Approval of the Draft Minutes of January 23, 2025, Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes were not available for approval at this meeting, so this will be pushed forward to the next meeting for approval. 

6.	SILC Operations Updates
a.	Executive Director Updates
SILC Staff shared written updates from Executive Director Carrie England because she was not available to attend this meeting. There will be more detailed updates at the April SILC meeting. Efforts are underway to vacate the SILC office, and staff are collaborating with DOR to secure storage space. This includes boxing up documents for the state archives and taking inventory of items for the state surplus warehouse. Staff computers have been updated to comply with recently revised IT security policies. 

Staff are monitoring potential legislation and the impact of Federal cost-cutting measures and executive orders. Funding isn’t currently at risk, but there are concerns about the use of terms such as “accessibility” and “transition” in grants and the SPIL. Staff sent information to the network confirming that Title VIIB funds can not be used for emergency lobbying, and will keep sharing updates as applicable. 

Staff are working with DOR to complete the Program Performance Report (PPR), which is due by the end of March 2025. Both Carrie England and Allison Viramontes-Nhan will be attending SILC Congress in Orlando and giving four presentations while there. 

The IL-Net Technical Assistance and Training Center has been awarded the Training and Technical Assistance Grant. It is now operated by the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities at the University of Montana, and Paula McElwee continues to provide support to the program alongside a network of SILC and CIL EDs. Ms. England will continue providing TA to SILCs as requested.

Ms. Miller shared that ILC directors received an email that the new administration has started a review of the Administration on Community Living (ACL). 

b.	Monthly Budget Report
Ms. Hess shared that there’s nothing new to report for the budget, everything continues to be on track to expend most of the funds without coming in over budget. 

7.	Working Committee Updates (Discussion and Possible Action)
a.	Communication and Collaboration
i.	Legislative Updates and Upcoming Legislative Visits
Ms. Viramontes-Nhan shared information about the AB84 ADA notification bill, which is the only item on the SILC watch list. She asks members to share any bills related to SPIL goals or Independent Living for review by the C and C Committee. 

Ms. Viramontes-Nhan is working to schedule both in-person and virtual legislative visits. She will be reaching out to members in the next weeks about specific scheduling and pre-meetings for the in-person meetings. 

ii.	Other Committee Updates
Mr. Alas Bucton brought up the Texas vs. Beccera lawsuit that has been filed by 17 states to eliminate Section 504 regulations. He asked that Ms. Viramontes-Nhan share that information with all members. 

Ms. Hayes asked about the possibility of scheduling a meeting with the California Attorney General to see what can be done in California to support Section 504. Mr. Alas Bucton shared that he reached out to Disability Rights California (DRC) about the options the Judge has in the case and will share that with the SILC when he receives the information. 

b.	Governance
Ms. Yang shared that the next meeting will be on April 19, 2025, and there are no committee updates to report during this meeting. 

Ms. Andrade Zuniga asked about any mentoring activities for new members. Ms. Yang will be working on questions for a mentoring activity during lunch on April 1 for members. 

c.	SPIL
i.	2025-2027 SPIL Updates
1.	No Committee Updates. Next Meeting March 17, 2025

Ms. Hayes asked if there had been any consideration of changing the use of terms like “transition” in the SPIL to avoid being caught up inadvertently in attempts to target programs that do not align with current administration goals. Ms. Miller responded that it is too early to tell at this point, but the review of the Administration on Community Living (ACL) has started. Ms. Hayes clarified that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reviewing Health and Human Services. 

Ms. Hayes asked if anybody had updates about the implementation of the new Section 504 regulations, which does have some deadlines in 2026 despite the current lawsuit seeking to block its implementation nationwide. She reached out to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and they do not currently have a plan. Ms. Miller shared that the federal Office of Management and Budget has put forth directives on how to implement the new 504 regulations, including stages for different entities. 

ii.	DOR Updates
1.	Transition and Diversion Information
Because invoiced amounts always come up short of the encumbered amount, there has been $254,895 encumbered and $64,391 invoiced out of the $238,943 authorized for this grant. There are 21 grants for this fund executed, with 67 standard diversions, one youth diversion, and one youth transition. There are 28 people on the waitlist.

Ms. Hayes asked if there was a waitlist for the Community Living Fund, Ms. Butler does not have that information but will find it and share it with the SILC. 

2.	Systems Change Information
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) was awarded an extension through January 31, 2025, to allow for continuity of service during the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, for a total of $116,667. The remainder of the Federal Fiscal Year, through September 30, 2025, has been awarded to the Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL) for a total of $233,333. They will also cover the two remaining years of the SPIL, with the option for two one-year extensions at DOR’s approval. 

Mr. Alas Bucton asked when MCIL will start reporting to the committee, and Ms. Butler clarified that they are expected to start reporting in the next couple of months. 

3.	Tier Augmentation Information
Six grants, with amounts ranging from $43,000 to $291,000, have been awarded to Community Resources for Independent Living, Inc. (CRIL), Disabled Resource Center, Inc. (DRC), FREED Center for Independent Living, Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL), Service Center for Independent Life (SCIL), and Tri-County Independent Living, Inc. (TCIL). Reported priorities include successfully transitioning consumers, maintaining a list of affordable housing options, and offering weekly classes on a variety of topics based on client needs. 

4.	Other DOR IL Program Updates
Kim Rutledge has been appointed as the Director of DOR.

8. Future Council Meetings
a.	April 1-2, 2025 (Sacramento)
This will be at the DOR office in Sacramento. 

b.	August 26-27, 2025 (Anaheim)
c.	December 9-10, 2025 (Virtual)

9. Summary of Activities Requiring Follow-Up at Next Meeting
a.	Next Meeting March 27, 2025
Mr. Alas Bucton stated that he would not be available to attend that meeting. Ms. Escobedo will be reporting in his stead as C and C Vice-Chair. 

10. Adjourn