Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2007

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:
FROM:	Rebecca H. Cort
SUBJECT:	Appointments to the New York State Independent Living Council, Inc.
DATE:	November 16, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 4
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

Vacancies have occurred on the New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC). Should the Regents approve the proposed appointments and reappointments of members to the NYSILC?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

The 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act require the Board of Regents to appoint members to the New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC).

 

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the EMSC-VESID Committee at its December 2007 meeting where it will be voted on and final action taken.

 

Procedural History

 

Each year, as vacancies occur, the Board of Regents approves recommendations to fill such vacancies.

Background Information

 

              Information on the proposed appointees is noted on Attachment 1 and a list of the entire NYSILC is noted on Attachment 2.

 

 

Recommendation

 

VOTED: that Courtney Totter, Ramon Rodriguez, Sharon Fong and Kieran McGovern be appointed for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2010, and five reappointments be made to second three-year terms for the following individuals: Monica Redeye, Edith Prentiss, Christine Zachmeyer, Paige Pierce, and Christina Curry beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2010. 

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

Upon approval by the Regents of the recommended candidates, appointments and reappointments will go into effect January 1, 2008.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                              Attachment 1

 

New York State Independent Living Council, Inc.

(New Appointments)

 

Four appointments must be made to replace vacancies and to install a youth representative. The first appointment replaces a long-term member (Sharon Shapiro), the second fills in for an absentee member (Sherry Taub), while the third replaces an active member who chose not to be reappointed due to work and family commitments (Bob Gaffney). The fourth appointment establishes a youth representative on the Council (Kieran McGovern).

 

2010 Expiration Date

– Advocate
for Individuals with Disabilities

Courtney Totter

Coordinator Program and Services

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

1650 South Avenue, Suite 100

Rochester, NY 14620

1 (800) 344-4867 voice

1 (585) 442-2817 fax

E-mail: ctotter@msupstateny.org

 

• Program Coordinator at National Multiple Sclerosis Society Upstate New York Chapter, Rochester, NY (7/2005-present)
• Member of Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE)
• Member of Rochester’s Grant-makers Forum
• Planning Coordinator, Future Car Planning Services, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Rochester, NY (9/2003-7/2005)
• Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC), Continuing Developmental Services, Inc., Rochester, NY (12/2002-9/2003)
• Vocational Assessment Coordinator, Arc of Monroe County, ArcWorks, Rochester, NY (4/2002-12/2002)

 

2010 Expiration Date

– Advocate
for Individuals with Disabilities

Ramon Rodriguez

District Director

Resource Center for Independent Living, Amsterdam

347 West Main Street

Amsterdam, NY 12010

(518) 842-4029 voice

(518) 842-3593 TDD

(518) 842-0905 fax

E-mail: rrodriguez@rcil.com

 

• District Director, Resource Center for Independent Living, Amsterdam 10/02-Present

• Employment Consultant, Resource Center for Independent Living, Amsterdam   11/00–10/02
• Senior Advisor, United States Army 1997-2000
• Career Counselor, United States Army 1990-1997

Ramon Rodriguez (continued)

 

• Emergency Medical Technician, United States Army 1980-1990
• AS Degree, Supervision and Leadership, Hawaii Pacific College, HI 1986
• Certificate, Advanced Leadership and Management Development Course, US Army 1994
• Co-Chair of the Greater Amsterdam School District Magnet School Committee
• Member of the Montgomery, Schoharie, Fulton Counties Workforce Development Board
• Member of the Montgomery County Community Service Board, OMRDD Subcommittee

 

2010 Expiration Date

- Other

Sharon
Fong

Chief Operating Officer

Barrier Free Living

270 East Second Street

New York, NY 10009-7815

212-677-6668, x124 voice

E-mail: sharonf@bflnyc.org

 

• Developed and managed centralized database and information/knowledge management strategies for risk management firm
• Chief Operating Officer, Barrier Free Living Holding, Inc., New York, New York, April 2007 to Present
• The After-School Corporation, New York, New York
• Acting Director of Grants & Contracts, October 2006 to March 2007
• Center For Independence Of The Disabled, New York, New York
• Director of Administration & Programs, September 2002 to October 2006
• Oliver, Wyman & Company, New York, New York
• Global Leader, Information & Knowledge Management/Operations Projects Corporate Development Function, September 2000 – August 2002
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Washington Square College, New York University,

    (Senior transfer from UC Berkeley, Political Science/English major)

• Masters in Public Administration and Management
• Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University
• Masters in Social Work
• Graduate School of Social Work, New York University
• Member, Manhattan Developmental Disability Council Task Force on Housing
• Member, NYC Disability Housing Task Force
• Member, NYC Office of Emergency Management, Advisory Committee on Emergency Preparedness for People with Special Needs
• Committee Chair, Disaster Relief Planning for People with Special Needs, NYC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYC VOAD)
• Editor, CIDNY Publication, “Lessons Learned from the World Trade Center Disaster: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities in New York City”

                                                                                                                             

New York State Independent Living Council, Inc.

(New Appointments)

 

2010 Expiration Date

- Youth Representative

Kieran McGovern

Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc.

3680 Rt. 112 Suite 4

Coram, NY 11727

(631)880-7929 voice

(631) 654-8076 TDD

(631) 654-8077 fax

E-mail: kmcgovern@suffolkilc.org

 

• United Cerebral Palsy, Hauppauge, NY: Student Assistant, Summer 2002
• Kings Park Central School District, Kings Park, NY: Assistant Custodian, Summers 2001
• Suffolk Independent Living Organization, Holbrook, NY, Peer Advocate, Present
• Association for Technology Dependent Children, Smithtown, NY: Volunteer, Present
• Kings Park High School: Kings Park, NY: Speaker and college mentor for students with disabilities, Present

• St. Joseph’s School of Religion, Kings Park NY: Camp Counselor, Summers 1998-2004

• Suffolk County Youth Achievement Award, 2002: Awarded to students who have persevered to attain their goals despite personal hardship. Recognized by Congressman Felix Grucci for having received award. Kings Park Graduate of Distinction, 2003: Honored at graduation by New York State Senator John Flanagan as the graduate of distinction, having overcome obstacles to achieve goals. Who’s Who Among American High School Students profile, 2003, Kings Park High School Honor Roll, 2000-2003, Irish American Physically Handicapped Olympic Team: Gold and silver medalist, 2005

Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY, GPA 3.0, Major Pre-law/ English: GPA 3.0, Credits: 76; Completed Semesters:  5, Credits needed to graduate: 45, Expected Graduation Date: June 2007

Mount Saint Mary College Student Government: Freshman Class President 2003-2004

• Mount Saint Mary College Peer Mentor, Present
• Chariots of Fire Wheelchair Soccer Team, Present

                                                                                                                              Attachment 2

 

New York State Independent Living Council, Inc.

(Term Expirations)

 

Center for Independent Living Director

 

2010     Christina Curry, Executive Director, Harlem Independent Living Center, 289 St. Nicholas Avenue, Lower Level, New York, NY 10027, Phone: (212) 222-7122,TTY: (212) 222-7198, Fax: (212) 222-7199, E-mail: harlemilc@aol.com

 

Representatives from Centers for Independent Living

 

2009     Agnes McCray, ARISE Independent Living Center c/o, 311 North Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13206, Phone: (315) 473-5006

 

2008     Bruce Darling, (NYSILC Vice Chair), Center for Disability Rights, 497 State Street Rochester, NY 14608, Phone: (585) 546-7510, TTY: (585) 546-7510, E-mail: bdarling@rochester.org

 

2008     Michael Godino, Brooklyn Center for Independence, 2044 Ocean Avenue, Suite B3, Brooklyn, NY 11230, Phone: (718) 998-3000, TTY: (718) 998-7406, Fax: (718) 998-3743, E-mail: mgodino@bcid.org 

 

2008     Douglas J Usiak, Executive Director, Western New York Independent Living Project, 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, Phone: (V and TTY) (716) 836-0822, E-mail: djusiak@buffalo.edu

 

Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities

 

2010     Courtney Totter, Coordinator Program and Services, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1650 South Avenue, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14620, Voice: 1 (800) 344-4867, Fax: 1 (585) 442-2817, E-mail: ctotter@msupstateny.org

 

2010     Ramon Rodriguez, District Director, Resource Center for Independent Living, Amsterdam, 347 West Main Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010, Voice: (518) 842-4029 , TDD: (518) 842-3593, Fax: (518) 842-0905, E-mail: rrodriguez@rcil.com

 

2010     Christine Zachmeyer, Executive Director (NYSILC Chair), Catskill Center for Independence, P. O. Box 1247, RT. 23 Southside, Oneonta, NY 13820, Phone & TTY: (607) 432-8000, Fax: (607) 432-6907, E-mail: ccfi@ccfi.us

 

2009     Sally J. Colletti, 333 Birch Street, Vestal, NY 13850, Phone: (607) 754-9694, E-mail: jcolletti@stny.rr.com

 

2009     Eugene Hughes, Resource Center for Independent Living, P.O. Box 210, 409 Columbia Street, Utica, NY 13503-0210, Phone: (315) 797-4642, Fax: (315) 797-4747, E-mail: ghughes@rcil.com

 

2008     Mark Hernandez, 127 Philip Street, #4, Albany, NY 12202, Phone: (518) 465-6278, Cell: (518) 506-6276, E-mail: Lizsan@myexcel.com

 

2008     Lauren LeFebvre, Project Director, Tri Lakes Center for Independence, PO Box 280, Ray Brook, NY 12977, Phone: (V) (518) 891-5295, TTY: (518) 891-5293, Fax: (518) 891-5293, E-mail: Lauren@tlcil.org

 

Representatives of Service Organizations for Individuals with Disabilities 

 

2010     Edith M. Prentiss, 739 West 186th Street, 4E, New York, NY 10033-8527, Phone: (212) 781-8309, E-mail: emprentiss@juno.com

 

2008     Dennis Boyd, Esq., New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, 151 West 30th St, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Phone: (212) 244-4664, Fax: (212) 244-4570, E-mail: dboyd@NYLPI.org

 

2008     Michael Kink, Legislative Counsel, Housing Works, Inc., 247 Lark Street, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12210, Phone:(518) 449-4207, Fax:(518) 449-4219, E-mail: kink@housingworks.org 

 

2008     Rain Rippel, 33 Saratoga Rd, Apt Z-10, Scotia, NY 12302, E-mail: rainbowrippel@yahoo.com

 

2008     Michael Smith, Director of Student Services, Shenendehowa Central School District, 5 Chelsea Place, Clifton Park, NY 12065, E-mail: smitmich@shenet.org

 

Parent/Guardian of an Individual with a Disability

 

2010     Paige Pierce, Families Together in New York State, 737 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, Phone: (518) 432-0333, E-mail: ppierce@ftnys.org

 

Native American Section 121 Project Representative

 

2010     Monica Redeye, Program Manager, Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Voc. Rehab., 12885 Route 438, Irving, NY 14081, Phone: (716) 532-1033 ext. 5415, Fax: (716) 532-1033, E-mail: monica.redeye@sni.org

 

Youth Representative

 

2010     Kieran McGovern, Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc., 3680 Rt. 112 Suite 4, Coram, NY 11727, Voice: (631)880-7929 TDD: (631) 654-8076, Fax: (631) 654-8077, E-mail: kmcgovern@suffolkilc.org

 

Other appropriate individuals

 

2010     Sharon Fong, Chief Operating Officer, Barrier Free Living, 270 East Second Street, New York, NY 10009-7815, Voice: (212)677-6668 x124, E-mail: sharonf@bflnyc.org

 

2009     Pratik Patel, 195-05B 67th Avenue, Apt. 2B, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365, Phone: (718) 249 -7019, E-mail: pratikp@gmail.com

 

2008     Randy Black Schantz, Mental Health Counselor, 8 Honeysuckle Lane, Catskill, NY 12414, Phone: (518) 943-2963, E-mail: RandyBS29@aol.com

 

2008     Alexander Wood, Executive Director, Disabilities Network of NYC, 2 Park Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10016, Phone: (212) 251-4071, Fax: (212) 251-4071, Cell: (917) 498-2399, E-mail: AWood@uwnyc.org