HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-10MILTON DISABILITY AWARENESS COMMITTEE (MDAQ
Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Executive Conference Room, Milton City Hall
Attendees: Ann Coggins, Tib Holland, Gary Arnold, Dara McMillan, Van Black,
Cyndee Bonacci, Jason Wright, Sudie Gordon
Welcome and Introductions
Updates:
Report on ABCD Training
• Ann
o Jason, Joe, Chris and l had a great meeting in Warner Robbins.
a We are so lucky to have Jason with us.
o Milton is one of the only communities working within city government
locally to create a city that's welcoming for all citizens.
• Jason
o An interesting idea presented was something called "living room
conversations," which was essentially a way to build good communities.
o This idea was attractive to us because I'm all about doing the leg work to
get out into the community. This is a no pressure situation where you
invite 10-15 people to your home, have refreshments and we come to talk
about subjects of interest to those in attendance.
o We want to test this out in 1 or 2 situations where you invite people to
your home and let them know they will be getting information about their
city. We will get comfortable with the concept and then roll it out to the
general public in the city.
o They also talked about involving churches. I'll make an initial inquiry to
see if there is interest in us coming to talk to members.
o The idea of small grants was mentioned, but it may not be feasible or
necessary in our community.
o One thing we're looking at doing on the web site is a complete staff
directory,
■ Ann
o When GCDD was here with us we talked about asset mapping and
associations directory. Our goal is to make it possible for all people to get
out and get involved in their community. So an association directory will
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make it easy to find other groups that have like interests. They offered to
help us do those things.
o Asset mapping can be broad (all assets here) or directed to a certain area,
such as merchants.
o There are groups working with their community but we seem to be the
only ones working with the government.
❑ While in Warner Robbins, members of other groups asked me how to get
their local government involved.
■ Jason
a Volunteered to work on the association's directory after he gets the web
site launched. That's something that goes along with other contacts he's
been making.
o Question asked as to what "associations" encompassed." Any clubs or
neighborhood associations (garden clubs, scouts, homeowner associations.
PTAs, church activities).
■ Ann
❑ We would like to get young people involved, but Resolution says you
must be at least 18 years old to be involved in the Committee. Specific
individuals were discussed as good prospects.
a We could have a junior MDAC club in the schools. Van Black will reach
out to Principal Tesch at Milton High School to invite him to an MDAC
meeting.
Next_Meetinjz
i 'larch 31, 2010
Future Events in Milton
■ Update by Cyndee Bonacci, Parks & Recreation Director
a Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey will be going out to every
residential household in Milton very shortly, This should only take about
5 minutes to complete. We're sending out 11,385, 2,200 of those are
apartments.
o Special Events for the year include Earth Fest on April 17, Memorial Day
ceremony on May 31 at City Halt, free outdoor movie on 9/11/2010 at
Birmingham United Methodist Church, Crabapple Arts & Antiques
Festival in October, Milton Round -up on October 23 at Birmingham
United Methodist Church, Christmas in Crabapple and Christmas tree
lighting the first Saturday in December.
■ A sidewalk connection from the parking lot area to the back area
was added at the church to make it more accessible. We'd love to
have your attendance at our Milton Round -up committee meetings
to add your input. First meeting is March 24`x` at 6:00 p.m., and
then meetings will be monthly thereafter. Sudie Gordon can
represent MDAC at the meeting.
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o We are moving forward on implementation and funding strategies for the
Milton Trail Plan. The accessibility issue will absolutely be factored in to
every aspect to make everything ADA compliant, even to the extent of
signage, colors, patterns, etc.
CIT Trainin (Crisis Intervention for police officers and firefighters) through NAMI.
■ 1-2 hours of training.
■ The part we do is just on disability.
■ Funding is a big consideration.
+ We could get some of the other communities involved, such as Johns Creek and
Sandy Springs. Roswell and Alpharetta are already involved every year.
■ We should consider putting an article in the Georgia Council publication.
Update by Dara McMillan Licensed Social Worker
• She and her husband own and operate a company called My Accessahle Home,
which they started at the end of 2008.
• It came about as a result of her work in rehab medicine and geriatric care
management. She saw a need after going into people's homes for more
accessibility to rooms and areas in the home for seniors and young people with
disabilities, as well as safety issues.
• They do home modifications and offer a unique perspective. Not only do they
look at it from a modification issue, but also what other resources are needed.
• They provide free in-home assessments, which takes about an hour. They look at
being as creative and cost effective as possible.
• After providing their service, they follow the client for life.
• She would like to offer her insight to MDAC from a psychosocial perspective.
Summary of Action Items
VAN
• Invite Principal Tesch at Milton High School to one of our meetings. Inquire with
Jessie about a MDAC group on the high school level.
CYNDEE
■ Let us know at what point the Committee should be involved with Parks &
Recreation activities.
SUDIE
• Attend Round -Up Committee Meeting on 3124110 to represent MDAC.
MDAC BOARD MEMBERS
■ Once MDAC, Jr. is formed and up and running, MDAC will network with
NGCSU and other universities/colleges for potential mentorship to MDAC, Jr. HS
Students.
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After no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Date Approved: March 31, 2014,
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