<div dir="ltr"><div>Good Afternoon,</div><div><br></div><div>Pasted below and attached please find the minutes from our most recent parents' division meeting.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!</div><div><br></div><div>Kind Regards,</div><div>Liz</div><div><br></div><div>**********</div><div><br></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The parents' division met on Thursday, May 16th. The meeting
began at 6:07PM. The meeting attendees included:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Jennifer Bose<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Youme Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hai Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Liz Lesperance<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Stephanie Valdes<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Stephanie recited the NFB pledge.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hai took down the April meeting minutes in Liz's absence.
Liz put forth a motion to approve the minutes which Youme seconded. The minutes
were approved unanimously. We also needed to approve the minutes from our
meeting in February. We did not meet in March. Hai motioned to approve the
February minutes which was seconded by Youme. The February minutes were
unanimously approved.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The parents' division would like to be involved in the
upcoming BELL Academy. Stephanie is the coordinator of the program. She shared
that the program will be held at St. Mary's Parish in Waltham. The address is
133 School St, Waltham, MA 02451. The age group for the program is 7 - 12
years. At this time, there are 2 children who have signed up. Jen is interested
in assisting with the program if time allows. Stephanie shared that they are
looking for a photographer/videographer to document each day's activities. This
resource can then be distributed to the affiliate. The national office liked
the idea of the final day of the academy being an open house and may
incorporate this idea into their programs going forward. Stephanie suggested
having the parents division get involved with the final day of BELL.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hai and Jenn inquired about the curriculum for the program.
Stephanie shared that the curriculum will be tailored to where the children are
currently at. This assessment falls under Ellen's responsibility. Games will be
incorporated into the lessons and there will also be related activities such as
Storytime, preparing lunches, and recess. The national office is requesting a
copy of the schedule for the first day, last day, and a regular day. Hai shared
that it would be a good idea for volunteers to receive a timeline of what their
expectations are so they can prepare appropriately. Stephanie shared that
volunteers would be expected to arrive at 9am and stay until 4pm so there is
time to clean the room each day. If you are planning on volunteering for the BELL
program, please let Stephanie know by the end of May as background checks are
required. Hai expressed a concern about logistics and program management. Hai
expressed that everything needs to be documented since this is our first
attempt to establish a BELL academy in our state.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hai inquired if we have been in communication with any
individuals from previous states who have successfully held this program.
Debbie Stein, Denise Avant, and Patty Chang were all part of the committee in
Chicago.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Stephanie noted that there is a BELL announcement on our
affiliate Facebook page which she would like us to share. Stephanie cautioned
that any posts about BELL must originate from the affiliate Facebook account.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hai shared the highlights of the presidential release which
we all had a chance to review.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Since it has been 2 years since our division's inception it
is now time to hold elections for our 5 board positions. Our current slate of
officers is as follows:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">President, Stephanie P Valdes<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Vice President, Hai Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Secretary/Treasurer, Liz Lesperance<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Board Position 1, Jennifer Bose<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Board Position 2, Youme Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">We discussed holding elections or maintaining the current
slate as we have a limited number of members at this time. Ultimately, we
decided to maintain the current slate. Jenn put forth a motion to maintain the
slate which Hai seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">This week Justin Salisbury emailed Kyra and Liz to share a
legislative update. There was a Health and Human Services ruling on May 9th
relative to the Rehab Act's Section 504 as well as programs operated by the
federal HHS. The summary of this ruling Lexology is pasted below at the end of
this email. <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Our next meeting will be Thursday, June 13th.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The meeting adjourned at 7:07PM.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">----------------------------------------------------------<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The final rule discusses the wide range of discriminatory
barriers that children, parents, caregivers, foster parents and prospective
parents with disabilities may encounter while navigating child welfare systems.
These barriers may include failing to provide reasonable modifications, failing
to place children in the most integrated setting appropriate for their needs,
or stereotypes about whether individuals with disabilities can safely care for
a child.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">The final rule clarifies that Section 504’s
nondiscrimination provisions apply to HHS-funded child welfare programs and
activities and should be interpreted to protect all individuals with a
disability seeking access to such services, including children, biological or
adoptive parents, caregivers, guardians, foster parents or prospective parents.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">HHS observes that child welfare agencies and providers are
obligated by law to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in the welfare
system; however, the decision of whether a caregiver can provide for a child’s
safety and wellbeing should be based on facts applicable to the individual
rather than stereotypes about individuals with disabilities. To that end, the
final rule clarifies that it does not narrow or limit recipients’ existing and
long-standing obligations under other civil rights statutes, including the ADA.
Rather, the Section 504 final rule sets forth additional prohibitions specific
to child welfare programs and services that are often used to:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- Deny a qualified parent with a disability custody, control
or visitation to a child<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- Deny a qualified parent with a disability the opportunity
to benefit from services provided by a child welfare agency<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- Terminate parental rights or legal guardianship of a
qualified individual with a disability<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- Deny a qualified caregiver, foster parent, companion or
prospective parent with a disability the opportunity to participate or benefit
from child welfare programs based on discriminatory criteria, including IQ
tests or algorithms<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">- Require children, on the basis of disability, to be placed
outside the family home through custody relinquishment, voluntary placement or
other forfeiture of parental rights in order to receive necessary services.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">HHS observes that this is not an exhaustive list, and all
HHS-funded child welfare recipients are prohibited from discriminating on the
basis of disability in all of their programs and activities.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Source:
<a href="https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1dbada09-587a-457c-aa8d-44fe0e0b095b#:~:text=The%20final%20rule%20clarifies%20that,parents%2C%20caregivers%2C%20guardians%2C%20foster">https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1dbada09-587a-457c-aa8d-44fe0e0b095b#:~:text=The%20final%20rule%20clarifies%20that,parents%2C%20caregivers%2C%20guardians%2C%20foster</a><span></span></p>
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