Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-2014-04-02DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK Regular Meeting 12:15 p.m. April 2, 2014 PRESENT: Chair Roberts DAC Members: David McElrath Erin Sember -Chase Common Council Liaison — Brock Information Management Specialist — Myers EXCUSED: Vice Chair Gizewski DAC Members: Andrew Rappaport Jody Scriber Jason Anderson Amy Scott SPECIAL GUESTS: Acting Youth Bureau Director - Vance Coordinator of Recreation Support Services - Groome Director of the Tompkins County Youth Services Department - Hendrix APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the December 4, 2013 and March 19, 2014 Disability Advisory Council meeting was not done due to lack of quorum. They will be placed on the May 7, 2014 agenda for approval. DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY OF ITHACA AND TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU: Chair Roberts explained that one of the DAC's goals from 2013 was to meet and get to know all the various departments of the City, their programs, and how the DAC might be able to assist in their efforts. The role of the DAC is to advise the City and elected officials, staff and others about the rights and needs of people with disabilities. He further stated that one topic that the DAC has not had much discussion on is young people with disabilities. That is why the DAC wanted to extend an invitation to key people who work with youth in the community to attend a meeting to discuss that topic. He stated that the DAC is very interested in finding out what kind of barriers are encountered and what is being done to serve the youth in the community with disabilities. He further stated that during the discussion the members of the DAC will also share their perspectives of the topic. Ms. Hendrix began the discussion by explaining that the Tompkins County Youth Services Department does not see any young people directly; however, they work very closely with other agencies, such as the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau, who do work with youth on a regular basis. Currently, the Tompkins County Youth Services Department contracts with 6 agencies offering 10 different programs for youth in the County. One of those contracts is with the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau for multiple programs, and there is also a contract with the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau through its Recreation and Support Services Program. The department also works with rural municipalities in the County on various programs for youth — primarily targeted towards teens. She reported that about a year and half ago the department conducted a "Needs Assessment" of youth programs in the community to determine the program's strengths and needs as well as gaps in programming. That assessment has helped them to better understand what families, youth, and community members feel are greatest youth recreational needs in the community. Unfortunately, they have not collected a lot of information on the recreational needs of the youth with disabilities in the community; the focus has been more on their educational needs. Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes April 2, 2014 They do work with Tompkins County Mental Health as well as the Finger Lakes Independence Center when there is a need as well. Chair Roberts asked what the recreational programming for youth in the community consists of. Ms. Hendrix responded that the Tompkins County Youth Services Department provides funding and training for coordinators to run the various programs for both local and rural communities. Some of the programs include the Learning Web youth outreach program which offers assistance to runaways and homeless youth. There is also an apprenticeship program, the advocacy center, and the teen pregnancy and parenting program available in the community. They provide training; however as budgets have been cut through recent years the training budgets have been the first to either be eliminated or drastically cut. Therefore, they are finding that a lot of training, especially technical, is needed for coordinators of the programs before they can be offered to the youth in the community. Chair Roberts questioned whether any of the training includes disability awareness skills /training. Ms. Hendrix responded that training of that sort is currently provided through the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreational Support Services program. CC Liaison Brock noted, from what has been described, that it appears a lot of attention is paid to those with cognitive /mental challenges. The Ithaca City School District Independent Educational Program (IEP) might also have statistics available for those students with disabilities. The DAC may want to review that statistic to determine whether programs /activities for youth with disabilities in the school district should be expanded or extended; as well as how many youth just go home after school where they face further separation from other youth due to their disability. Chair Roberts stated that one of long range goals at Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) is to connect students with disabilities to the mentoring programs in the community such as the Big Brother /Big Sister program, and the Learning Web. He reported that when representatives from FLIC met with Dale Schumacher (The Learning Web) and Joe Gibson (City of Ithaca Youth Bureau) regarding students with disabilities they reported that a few of the students they worked with were in IEP (Independent Learning Programs) related to social or behavior problems or the autism spectrum rather that physical disabilities. Now, what is being asked by FLIC staff, is how they can make sure that students with physical or sensory disabilities are also getting that connection; they feel that is very important to those youth in the community. He further reported that both Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Gibson reported that currently no students in their programs match those criteria right now. DAC Member Sember -Chase pointed out that there will always be two pieces to this program. For example, if there is success in attracting young people with disabilities to make them aware that these programs, and welcome their participation; there will also need trained and qualified staff members to provide that service. Someone with at least an understanding of what it would be like to have that disability connected to their identity. She further acknowledged, as had been noted above, that training for those staff members is definitely needed. She would consider this another factor of diversity awareness and how staff members should feel comfortable interacting with disabled youth in the community. Chair Roberts stated sometimes a lot of these youth just want to be part of the regular mainstream programming. CC Liaison Brock noted that it might be very beneficial to have adults with disabilities working with youth in the school setting on a regular ongoing basis to help change students' perception of what capabilities people with disabilities have. That physical presence would be very beneficial for everyone to become comfortable with that difference. Chair Roberts responded that staff from FLIC have been working regularly with students from Lehman Alternative School on their "Students with Disabilities for Social Justice" - project. Ms. Vance distributed a brochure from the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau that provides a nice overview of all the programs offered at the Youth Bureau. She stated that as a City department they have a large array of programs to meet the many needs of children not only in the City of Ithaca, but in the surrounding municipalities. Some of those programs include youth sports, art, special events, family events at the ice rink, the tennis courts, 2 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes April 2, 2014 the playing fields and both indoor and outdoor swimming programs. They also have a college program, a youth council, and recreation support services for outdoor programs that help develop the whole child experience that stays with them as they grow and go through their lives. They also have a Youth Employment Service (YES) Program since there are lots of youth looking for work. This program places students at many different businesses throughout the community based upon their interests and the needs of the business. Ms. Vance explained that at one time, the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center were combined into one department. In the early 1990's both departments became independent of each other, with GIAC forming a 501 3c organization. GIAC is a community center for everyone from pre - school to senior citizens. This community center like setting provides a hub for different groups and neighborhoods to come and learn together. With their programming they see children on a regular basis; especially if the children are signed up for after school care then staff sees them all year, and sometimes through summer. The Senior Program is very similar to that as well. That is different from the programs at the Youth Bureau; although they do work with children from 5t" grade through college. Their recreational programming is offered seasonally. They may see kids in the Fall for theatre class for 6 -10 weeks, and then in the Spring those same kids may choose a different program to participate in. Chair Roberts reported that he spoke with Joe Gibson, from the Youth Bureau about the Big Brother /Big Sister program related to the College Discovery Program. That seems like a great program for youth with disabilities. We are seeing more youth with disabilities go to college - but not as many as there could be. He wondered if there are ways that we can make sure that those kids with disabilities are able to participate in the College Discovery program at the Youth Bureau? Ms. Vance explained that the College Discovery Program brings 12 to 15 5t" graders, who are recommended by their schools and teachers, who show the potential to succeed in school but have obstacles in the way. For example, they may come from low income homes and diverse backgrounds. In addition, if the school is developing an IEP for the child it is the perfect time for a counselor to identify that the student has the potential to excel and succeed, and participate in some AP classes, and to recommend their participation in the College Discovery Program. Discussion followed on the floor regarding how students with disabilities might be recommended for participation in the College Discovery Program, and all the other factors that need to be taken into consideration. There is a societal need for programs for those youth with disabilities who are not from low income or single family homes or of diverse racial backgrounds to be offered similar opportunities as well. Ms. Groome stated that for both her and Ms. Vance it has been interesting to work in an agency where there have been so many cultural and other changes taking place during their tenure together. They want everyone to know that every child is welcome and wanted to participate in their programs. Recently, more parents of children with disabilities are asking for their kids to play in sports with other children who are not disabled. She then provided some details of their recreational support programs which have slowly been incorporating kids with disabilities into regular programming. She stressed that they need to be careful in their provision of inclusiveness as it is a process, and failure is worse than not participating or including at all. She stated that it would be great to have an Inclusion Director at the Youth Bureau to oversee all their programs. Ms. Groome further noted that training on inclusion is not always successful either. It takes someone who knows about all the different disabilities and the histories of the child, the child's school, extracurricular programs, parents, and society to be inclusive as much as possible. She further explained that the Recreation Partnership has been in place since1977 for children and adults who are living with impairments or disabilities in the Ithaca community. The program serves ages 2 to 81, and there are 6 employees that serve Tompkins County. The program utilizes volunteers, students, and interns. Safety is their number one concern so they have established rules they follow regarding the number of 3 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes April 2, 2014 participants per leader (8 -1). The program has been very successful, and they have even won awards for it. The program has also won a Diversity Award from the City of Ithaca. The program takes an enormous amount of work and maintenance. The program strives to have a very open relationship with parents, guardians, and teachers; they meet throughout the year to find out what they want the program to do. The response has been that they want a separate program because they know the kids will be safe and successful. DAC Member Sember -Chase stated that she is very happy that options are being offered; but that the children and adults are not pushed to participate beyond their comfort level. Ms. Groome then responded to questions regarding the disability demographics of the programs and the programs offered based upon those demographics. She did note that they try not to mix different types of disabilities together, and that they act almost like case managers. For example, what does the child like to do and what is it that the parent or caregiver would like the program to do for the child. There are some parents who prefer that their children be in a less integrated setting, and others who want nothing but that. Chair Roberts noted that there are two dominant ideas on how to raise kids with disabilities. One is that they are fragile and need help; and then those parents who feel their child is normal. There is not much middle ground but the types of programs their child participates in can have huge impacts on the rest of their lives. He has been much more concerned lately with the availability of mentoring programs in the community. It seems to him that kids with less obvious disabilities that are being mainstreamed through school could be very successful, if they had the mentoring support to assist them. There are a lot of things to take into account with inclusion in every aspect of the child's life. He also knows that there are parent's who hate inclusion, and he understands what that means, and that is why it is so hard to find the right balance for what is best for the child. Ms. Groome noted that the City has a diversity task force to work with all employees which assists in their efforts. They do try really hard with inclusion options, and to invite people to participate where they can. DAC Member Sember -Chase confirmed that the diversity task force mentioned above, which she is a member of, is a great place for people with disabilities to provide input - not necessarily to staff but to parents since they can speak from their personal experience in life. Ms. Groome stated that she wishes she could put Recreational Support Services out of business - meaning that the world was more inclusive. Everyone would have their own program and budget to provide what is needed in their community. Ms. Vance stated that the primary focus of the programs is working with youth, their needs, and the family to make sure they are aware of the options available to them. We need to find that balance between the "push" versus comfort level. The programming and staff at the Youth Bureau are very good at doing that. They really try to see and hear the needs and tweak the experience for youth as they are in the program to help them be as successful as possible. Chair Roberts noted that having data and information that can actually be used to determine the disability demographics is very important. He is on the County's Workforce Diversity Initiative committee, and the number of people who voluntarily disclose their disability is something like 2 women 3 men and some veteran's. He has been saying to the County personnel office that a more accurate reflection or data of a person with disabilities is the people who ask for and are provided reasonable accommodations for their particular disability. That disability data is very hard to get; however, it is needed in order to get a sense of where we are in making accommodations for everyone. 4 Disability Advisory Council Meeting Minutes April 2, 2014 Ms. Hendrix responded that data is one component where the Tompkins County Youth Bureau works with the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau because they need to make sure youth are able to participate in whatever program they want. They work together to make programs happen as much as possible, and those conversations need to continue. CC Liaison Brock suggested that the Ithaca City School District and BOCES be involved in those discussions as well. Chair Roberts thanked the guests for coming to the meeting today. He feels that it has provided the DAC with a better understanding of where some of the needs are in the community. He stated that the DAC wants to be of assistance to the Tompkins County Youth Bureau and the City of Ithaca Youth Bureau in whatever way they might need. NEXT AGENDA: Chair Roberts asked the DAC members to review and be prepared to discuss the survey from Fort Collins, Colorado that CC Liaison Brock e- mailed to everyone. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Sarah L. Myers Larry Roberts Information Management Specialist Chair, DAC