Materials or communications are available in alternative formats upon request.  For more information please contact Stephanie Murdock at info@inclusionresearch.org or 202-338-7158, ext 213.    

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by JoAnne Knapp, MD Dept. of Disabilities (MDOD)

Welcome and Introductions

 Explanation of Project/Background

This project builds on four years of work by the Maryland Department of Disabilities to research and improve the emergency preparedness of individuals with disabilities or other special needs in Maryland, and the organizations that provide services to them and/or advocate for their interests. Research has shown that the most productive approach is to focus on the interactive relation between organizations and the individuals and families they serve. This project focuses on individuals and their families who have very little regular contact with provider organizations, and live independently in the community or with their families.  This is a difficult population to reach, and they are as unlikely to prepare for disasters as Americans without disabilities or other special needs.  To provide technical planning assistance to this population and the organizations that interact with them, this project is developing a disaster readiness planning template that will help organizations and individuals work together to improve the individuals’ readiness for any kind of disaster.  Existing templates will be utilized, and in a working summit meeting of up to 100 participants, input will be sought to create the most useful and effective template now possible. After the summit, a plan for implementation of the template will be developed and put into practice, including four workshops to be held on separate days in four dispersed locations throughout the Baltimore UASI region. Subsequently, participating organizations will spread information about the template, and contribute to its use throughout the UASI region and the rest of the State.

Review of Website  

• Functional website was included in the project proposal. Will be operational as soon as possible. Short explanation of different stages of the project and where the website fits in.
• Would like a representation of wide range of agencies/locals.
• Focus on trusted agents delivering/training with material produced for preparedness
• Many individuals do not have internet access; consider different delivery methods for information and material.

Implementation Workshops

• Is there a way to clear workshops for Continuing Education Units?
• Finding an approved sponsor might be an easier way of obtaining CEU’s than initiating full process.
• Train-the-trainer? If that is the decided direction, there must be some type of accountability for trainers to follow up. Ensure there is additional training happening after train-the-trainer course.
• Consider “piggy-backing” off advertising used by other organizations that target a similar audience.
• Utilization of faith based organizations. Make it a priority to get them to summit on February 6. Henry Taylor; Hopkins School of Public Health may be useful in this because of his applicable research
• Personal information (ie: Name of referring individual) should be included in formal invitation to increase number of attendees
• Personal follow-up with faith based organizations invited to meeting today, just to ensure they will be in attendance at summit

The next event is the Summit Meeting, scheduled for February 6 2008.

Members of the Advisory Committee were asked to submit one or two names, perhaps more, of individuals who would be good contributors to the Summit deliberations.  These would include individuals with disabilities/special needs living in the community, family members, or staff of supportive organizations. Naturally, all members of the Advisory Committee are also invited to attend the Summit.

Advisory Committee Meeting Attendance:  

JoAnne Knapp (MD Dept. of Disabilities)
Pam Hobbs (MD Dept. of Disabilities)
Bill Swenson (Disabilities Preparedness Center)
Kim Bernardi (DHMH)
George Blevins (Baptist Convention of DE and MD)
Charles Bond (Disaster Behavioral and Mental Health)
Maghan Butasek (Baltimore City Health Department)
Mark Demski (Baltimore County Emergency Management)
Ned Featherston (MSDE – Special Ed./Early Intervention)
JK Ferrell (The Arc of Baltimore)
Alfreda Gill (Dept. Human Resources, APA)
Sharon Grzanka (Dept. Community Services – Harford County)
David Haltiwanger
Brenda Kelly-Frey (DBM-MD Relay)
JD Larson (American Legion Dept. of Maryland)
Joyce Lehrer (Howard County Dept. City Services)
Karen-Ann Lichtenstein (The Coordinating Center)
Gary Norman (American Council of the Blind)
Joel Palmer (Baltimore City Health Department)
Denise Perdue (Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
Laura Riley (Baltimore City Office of Aging)
Pam Simonson (Volunteer Center, Howard County)
Pam Spring (Dept. Human Resources)
Jackie Stone (Kennedy Krieger Institute)
Barbara Terry (Dept. Human Resources)
Gail Wowk (DHMH Facilities)
Nancy Gill (The Coordinating Center)