PENDING COMMISSION APPROVAL

Transcription

1 Janice K. Brewer Governor Sherri L. Collins Executive Director 100 N 15 th Avenue Suite 104 Phoenix, AZ acdhh.org Minutes of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the ACDHH Board Room, 100 N. 15 th Avenue, Suite 104, Phoenix, AZ PENDING COMMISSION APPROVAL Call to Order & Roll Call Commissioners Present: Chair Schneck, Vice Chair Wasisco, Commissioners Liz Booth, Tina Duresky, Robert Kirschbaum, Sue Kay Kneifel, Kathy Roadlander, Roz Siebold and Maureen Sydnor Commissioners Present by phone: Secretary Appleby, Tom Muller, Commissioners Absent: Commissioners David Curry, Robert Hill Staff Present: Sherri Collins, Carmen Green, Curtis Humphries, Emmett Hassen, Sean Furman, Bryanna Browder, Christi Smith and Melinda Villela Approval of Minutes - November 15, 2012 meeting Commissioner Wasisco moved to approve the minutes as written, Commissioner Roadlander seconded, the motion unanimously carried Chair s Report/Summary of Current Events ACDHH s 35 th Anniversary Celebration will be held Friday, March Chair Schneck encouraged the Commissioners to attend. New Committee appointments will be effective February 1, The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 16, Executive Director s Update/Summary of Events Ms. Collins introduced Sean Furman and asked him to introduce himself. Sean is from Massachusetts. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology as a Film Major, worked at Valley

2 Page 2 of 6 Center for the Deaf as an Employment Specialist, taught middle school at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, and is the father of triplets. Sean is looking forward to working at ACDHH as a Deaf Specialist. ACDHH has been approved by the Attorney General s office move forward with the contract with Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) to hire a lawyer to work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people on legal issues. The scope of work is currently being developed. The lawyer will most likely work out of Tucson ACDL office but will be available by video phone The Deaf-Blind partnership with the University of Arizona is moving forward. ACDHH and the U of A staff will be working with the Governor s Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired Deaf-Blind subcommittee to receive feedback in the development of the scope of work The Mentorship contract with Phoenix College is being finalized. Last year the Governor proposed Personnel Reform which excludes political appointments, Directors and Deputy Directors. Ms. Collins reported that she does not know how this will affect the Executive Director and Deputy Director evaluation processes. Commissioners can nominate a person or agency for the 35 th Anniversary 2013 Advocate Award. Apache ASL Trails (AAT) HUD targeted AAT stating they were in violation of equal access. This afternoon there was a meeting with HUD s Regional Administrator, two Administrators from DC, lawyers, Deaf community and Deaf residents. Ms. Collins, as the primary speaker, advocated for ATT as appropriate housing for the Deaf Community. The HUD officials were touched by the testimony and what they learned. The attorneys and administrators are working to resolve the issue quickly. Education Session Arizona Relay Service Ms. Collins introduced Gail Sanchez, Senior Product Marketing Manager Contract Administrator for Arizona Relay. Gail presented AT & T s relay history, products, service structure, outreach plan, introduced Channel Managers Connie Short and Lee Sams and reviewed goals/performance requirements. They were the first relay provider in California in Discussion ensued regarding captioned telephone competitors; specifically if Caption Call has to be presented as an option to consumers and how it relates to AZRS and the TRS fund. Commissioners Muller, Appleby, Siebold, Ms Collins and Ms Sanchez participated in the discussion. Ms. Collins invited Connie Short and Lee Sams to introduce themselves. Ms. Short is a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA), a native signer, and she interpreted in California for a number of years.

3 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Sams worked in Vocational Rehabilitation for 6 years, enjoyed working with Phoenix Day School for the Deaf students and parents, and has Masters Degree from the University of Arizona. Assistant Attorney General Laura Flores joined the meeting at 5:16 p.m. Public Comments on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items Rhono Ghepert Office Chief at Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of Special Licensing; Hearing Aid Dispensers, Audiologists, Speech Language Pathologists and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants congratulated ACDHH on 35 years of Service and spoke regarding agenda item X. The goal of legislation is to move from a 1 year license to a 2 year license which will decrease administrative processing time and allow more time to investigate complaints. His office opposes the internet sale of hearing aids and thanked ACDHH for their position paper. There are many organizations, universities and hearing aid dispensers who oppose this option. DHS is committed to figuring out a resolution. They did not include internet sale of hearing aids in the bill because of concerns that it would prevent the bill from moving forward. He encourages other entities to sponsor an internet hearing aid dispensing legislation. Legislation - Hearing Aid Licensure Ms Collins expressed her concerns regarding the removal of the Code of Ethics from the statute. Discussion ensued regarding the reasoning behind the removal of the Code of Ethics and the intent to develop one. Ms. Collins and Mr. Ghepert participated in the discussion. Ms. Collins asked board to allow her to work with a smaller group of Commissioners during the bill writing session. So that she will be able to testify regarding the bill. Commissioner Muller moved that Ms. Collins, Commissioner Siebold and himself be given the authority to craft a response recommending how to move forward on the bill. Commissioner Appleby seconded, the motion unanimously carried Public Comments on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items - Continued Sondra Potter sign language interpreter, recommends appending the law so that when unexpected events happen interpreters are not penalized when licenses are not renewed timely. She shared her experience of being robbed in October. A break was taken 5:51 p.m. The Commission returned to public meeting 6:03 p.m. Licensure

4 Page 4 of 6 Licensure Audit Procedure Ms. Green reviewed the current audit procedures and the prescribed hours that the original work group established. She also explained the Rules as written provide challenges for internal process of auditing education hours. When audited licensees must provide proof of completion of hours within the license year of audit. Licensees receive a courtesy reminder 90 days prior to renewal detailing the Education requirements. Commissioner Siebold commented that it is generous to provide such reminder. Commissioner Siebold moved to go into executive session for legal advice at 6:13 pm, Commissioner Wasisco seconded, the motion unanimously carried The Commission returned to public meeting at pm 6:36 Complaint - Amanda Rasmussen Commissioner Wasisco moved to penalize Ms. Rasmussen $10 per day for each of the 14 days, Commissioner Appleby seconded, the motion unanimously carried Audits Christina Felix Commissioner Roadlander moved to have Ms. Felix make up the missing CEU hours within a 30 day time frame not to be misconstrued with up-coming hours, Commissioner Sydnor seconded Commissioner Kniefel made a friendly amendment to change the time frame to 60 days All Commissioners opposed Commissioner Kniefel moved to make a settlement agreement requiring Ms Felix to complete the missing 8 hours within the 20 day short term registration timeframe and notify the Commission upon completion, Commissioner Sydnor seconded, the motion unanimously carried Kelly Schultz Commissioner Kneifel moved to make a settlement agreement requiring Ms Schultz to complete the missing hours within the 20 day short term registration timeframe and notify the Commission upon completion, Commissioner Sydnor seconded, the motion unanimously carried Licensure Notice of proposed rulemaking

5 Page 5 of 6 Badge requirement Ms. Green reviewed the staff recommendation for interpreters pictures to be on badges and requiring interpreters to wear the badge for identification purposes Commissioner Wasisco moved to accept the staff recommendation. Commissioner Kneifel seconded, the motion unanimously carried Continuing Education Hours Ms Green reviewed the two scenarios and option recommendations from staff. Commissioner Kniefel moved to adopt Option 2 and move to a 4 year cycle for continuing education units. Commissioner Sydnor seconded, the motion unanimously carried Future Audit Procedures Ms. Green advised the board that staff will adopt tonight s vote as a guide for auditing. If the rules are approved by the Governors Regulatory Review Council they will become part of the agency s rules. Draft Position Paper: Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage in the State of Arizona Commissioner Siebold explained the background of the Hard of Hearing taskforce s work on the position paper regarding the financial burden of purchasing hearing aids and read its position. Commissioner Siebold moved to adopt the position paper, Commissioner Muller seconded, the motion unanimously carried Officer Elections Chair Chair Schneck expressed his willingness to serve another term as Chair. Commissioner Wasisco also volunteered to serve. Roll call votes were cast; Commissioner Schneck was re-elected by a vote of 8-2. Vice Chair Vice Chair Wasisco expressed her willingness to serve another term as Vice Chair. Commissioner Appleby moved that Vice Chair Wasisco continue another term, Commissioner Siebold second, the motion unanimously carried Secretary Secretary Appleby expressed her willingness to serve as Secretary for another term. Commissioner Siebold moved to reappoint Secretary Appleby, Commissioner Wasisco seconded, the motion unanimously carried Consumer Bill of Rights

6 Page 6 of 6 Ms. Collins reported that in response to a request from Commissioner Curry, staff contacted 50 states inquiring if they utilized a Consumer Bill of Rights (CBR). Of those contacted, 19 agencies responded, 5 of which utilize a CBR; all but one of these agencies provide vocational rehabilitation services rather than information and referral services. Ms. Collins does not see a need for a CBR as ACDHH provides information referral and advocacy rather than direct patient services. Commissioner Kneifel explained that CBR is used by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to advise VR clients of their rights. If they feel they do not get the adequate services, they can appeal. Proceedings can range from a friendly hearing to a formal appeals process. So for an agency that is not providing a direct service there is not a need for it. IARC Update Commissioner Wasisco reported that the committee reviewed and approved 8 applicants for licensure. Announcements The next Commission meeting is on May 16, 2013 in Phoenix. Adjournment Commissioner Wasisco moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m., Commissioner Sydnor seconded, the motion unanimously carried. Dated this 23rd day of January, 2013 Chris Schneck, Commission Chair The undersigned certifies that a copy of the attached notice was duly posted this 23rd day of January, 2013 at 3:45 p.m. by Melinda Villela, Assistant to the Board of Directors