Executive Committee Meeting
May 28, 2026
DRAFT Meeting Minutes

Action items: 
•	Ms. England will resend information about the California Commission on Aging event “Nowhere to Go: The Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians” on June 11 in Sacramento. 

1.	Call to Order 

2.	Introductions
Susan Rotchy – SILC Member/SPIL Member/Executive Director, Independent Living Center of Solano and Contra Costa County (ILCSCC)
Shannon Coe – SILC Vice-Chair
Roque Alas Bucton – C and C Chair
Brandi Bluel – SPIL Chair/Executive Director, Resources for Independent Living (RIL)
Lisa Hayes - SILC Member/Executive Director, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) 
Sarah Harris – Chief, Independent Living, Assistive Technology, and Traumatic Brain Injury Section (ILATS), Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Susan Neely – Grant Administrator, DOR 
Mike Valencia – Grant Administrator, DOR 
Carrie England – SILC Executive Director
Allison Viramontes-Nhan – SILC Legislative Specialist
Danielle Hess – SILC Office Manager

3.	Public Comment
None

4.	SILC Member Updates
Ms. Coe shared that she will be attending the California Commission on Aging event “Nowhere to Go: The Crisis in Supportive Housing for Older Californians” on June 11 in Sacramento. Ms. England agreed to resend the information. 

5.	Approval of the Draft Minutes from the April 23, 2026, Executive Committee Meeting
Ms. Bluel motioned for approval of the Draft Minutes from April 23, 2026, and Ms. Coe seconded the motion. This passed unanimously through a roll call vote. 

6.	SILC Operations Updates
a.	Executive Director Updates
Ms. England shared that staff are working on making sure that the SPIL development process is structured, transparent, and educational for SILC members and the broader IL Network. This includes trainings on current SPIL priorities, reviewing the statewide needs assessment results, and continuing to provide education on funding structures, implementation activities, and statewide priorities. The SILC also continues to offer individualized technical assistance training to all ILCs upon request at no cost to the ILCs. 

SILC staff are working on long-term budget planning, with anticipated financial pressures from operational costs. They have started a discussion with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) regarding support for the SILC through Innovation and Expansion (I&E) funding. 

There was a new appointment to the SILC, and staff continue to orient and support new members so they understand both the Independent Living network and their responsibilities as Council members. They are also spending time educating members on the distinct purpose and role of each SILC Committee. 

Staff have scheduled leave over the summer to ensure regular business can continue uninterrupted, and there is always someone available to support members and SILC business. 

b.	Monthly Budget Report
Ms. Hess reported that the SILC is expected to finish the year within budget, but not with much money left over at the end of the year. 

7.	Working Committee Updates
a.	Communication and Collaboration
i.	Policy, Funding, and Systems Updates Connected to SPIL Goals
Mr. Alas Bucton shared that the committee has added a few additional bills to the Watchlist. They are also tracking the final budget submissions, grassroots organizing by the community, and the California Governor’s race. 

ii.	Other Committee Updates
Ms. Viramontes-Nhan shared that the committee reviewed some real-world examples of assisted suicide laws and how they relate to independent living philosophy and the importance of the work of the SILC. They have also discussed how elections at all levels can impact independent living in California. 

b.	Governance
The Governance Committee has not met since October 2025, and is still awaiting appointments from the Governor’s Office. Staff are working to orient the newest members, David Forderer, and reorient ex officio members. 

c.	SPIL
i.	2025-2027 SPIL Updates 
Ms. Bluel shared that there has been great participation from the community at recent SPIL Committee Meetings, and she hopes to see people continuing to attend and learn more about current SPIL projects and prepare for the development of the next SPIL. 
So far, trainings have covered Systems Change and Transition and Diversion. The schedule of future trainings and activities includes: 
•	Review of the statewide needs assessment results at the June full SILC meeting
•	Tier Augmentation at the July SPIL Meeting
•	Funding Formula at the August SPIL Meeting
•	Future Goals at the September SPIL Meeting

ii.	SPIL Updates from DOR
1.	Transition and Diversion Grant
There have been 113 diversions and one transition approved, with $77,735.16 out of the $346,523.54 invoiced to date. The fund is fully encumbered, with nobody on the waitlist. 

2.	Systems Change Network Hub Grant
The Systems Change Contractor, Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL), has invoiced $125,995.88 out of the $350,000 allocated to them. 

3.	Tier Augmentation Grant 
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). $388,200.35 has been spent to date out of a total of $920,000. 

8.	Future Council Meetings
a.	June 16-17, 2026 (Virtual)
b.	October 13-14, 2026 (Virtual)
c.	December 8-9, 2026 (Virtual)

**CLOSED SESSION**

9.	Review SILC Executive Director Performance Review Evaluation Summary
The Executive Committee discussed Ms. England’s performance. Ms. Hess will develop a summary for approval by the Executive Committee Members and to include in her permanent file. 

**END CLOSED SESSION**

10.	Report Results of Closed Session
This meeting ended in closed session. 

11. Summary of Activities Requiring Follow-Up at Next Meeting
a.	Next Meeting July 22, 2026 (June Executive Committee Meeting Canceled in Favor of the SILC Full Council Meeting in June) 

12. Adjourn