VESID/PEF Local Program Area

L/M Minutes November 9, 2004

 

ATTENDEES

VESID Representatives                       OHRM Representatives                 PEF Representatives

Shirley Williams                                                    Jim Gerrity                        Carol Dolan

Rose Johnson                                                                                             Dan Ryan

                                                                                                                   Tino Mejia

                                                                                                                   Chris Dennihy

                                                                                                                    Bill Weaver

                                                                                                                    John Connery

 

STANDING ITEMS

 

Legislative Update

VESID provided the summary of Regents Priority Legislative Proposals 2005. Of specific interest to VESID are the proposals to Improve Services for the Disabled at Postsecondary Institutions, Interagency Collaboration: Use of School Space to Increase Children’s Access to Health, Dental and Mental Health Clinics and Allowing Retired Public Employees to Qualify for Teaching and Educational Leadership Positions. 2006 Legislative priorities are currently being developed.

 

Conference committees have been set-up in Washington regarding federal IDEA and WIA reauthorization.

 

Action Step: Shirley Williams will send PEF a copy of the “Federal Brochure” document, once it is finalized, so that PEF could advocate accordingly on a Federal level.

 

Budget Update

Enacted budget for 2004-2005 includes:

Case Services - $52.6 million ($2 million reduction)

Independent Living - $10.2 million ($ .5 million reduction)

Supported Employment - $14.8 million ($ .1 million increase but below desired level)

TANF - no new monies, however there is a $3 million carry-over

 

PEF inquired about the possibility of releasing IDEA money for contracts earlier in the year. VESID will approve payments for contracts/bills only after the State budget is enacted. Discussed how the delay poses cash flow difficulties for our contract recipients.

 

Personnel Update

VESID is putting together a sizable staffing plan package to address our attrition and internal controls needs. This expanded package includes for VR: Associates, Senior VRC’s, VRC’s, VRCA’s and clerical support; for Special Ed: vacancies in NYC for Regional Associates and other management positions: for MC positions: requesting waivers when promotions occur, The positions requested fill a “critical need” in the larger context of SED needs.

 

This package includes positions that have been vacant in the last fiscal year. DOB has received the internal audit and resulting recommendations in support of the expanded waiver package.

 

VESID received approval from Dr. Cort to develop an overtime eligibility package through 3/31/OS, pending availability of funds. DOM’s are being surveyed for staff interest.

 

VESID received approval to expand the use of temporary services via the State Contracts to help offices deal with internal controls. Types of duties could include activities performed by administrative assistants, keyboard specialists and clerks.

 

Rose Johnson obtained a waiver for a grade 18 accountant in CO finance office.

 

VRC continuous recruitment has not yet been posted through Civil Service.

Action Step: Jim Gerrity will send PEF the information on minimum qualifications once he receives the latest agreed changes from Civil Service.

 

The SEDCAR unit has lost more staff since our August meeting. The staffing situation is critical. VESID shared a three-phase plan to address the needs; 1. Waiver request has been submitted for a backfill of 3 positions-grades 23,18 and 11. 2. A review of the IT needs and types of positions will be conducted to determine other waiver positions to be requested in the short term. 3. A more comprehensive review of IT work within the department, how the work is managed and information from staff completing a job classification questionnaire will be conducted regarding needed job titles. For the interim, the temporary solution is to plug in current staff to assist with VESID work.

 

ReaIlocation Update

HR has yet to receive the formal written denial of the VR reallocation request from Civil Service. HR has requested the response again from the CS Director (last week). PEF requested a copy of the proposal now to begin a review for possible appeal, especially given the factors of our attrition rates, new internal control requirements and Designing our Future plans. Action Step: Jim will ask Gayle Bowden if the proposal can be shared at this time.

 

Jim Gerrity also mentioned that after a cycle of hiring with the new minimum qualifications (for VRC), convincing CS of the need for reallocation may be helped if eligibility lists are quickly broken.

 

Designing our Future Update

The retreat has been postponed until November 18,19, 2004. The timeline for staff and PEF review has not been established, however, the preliminary recommendations are expected to be presented to the Regents in May 2005.