20230519 - Ridgewood Access Committee Minutes

Ridgewood’s Community ACCESS Committee

Meeting Minutes May 19, 2023

The ZOOM meeting opened at 2:02 pm.

Present: Ines Bunza, Robin Ritter, Deanna Schablik, Caroline Meier, Joanne Stolfo, Ashley Loria, Jan Philips, Michael Kilcullen, Mary Micale, Jaimie Davis, Lela Alter, Colleen Tansy, Erica Dunckley

Item 1: Welcome

Ines welcomed everyone to the meeting. Minutes from the April meeting were approved. Motion by Robin, Second Deanna and motion carried.

Item 2: Report from Village Liaison, Siobhan Winograd

1. Two weeks ago, Jesse Schwartzman and Siobhan attended a needs assessment meeting regarding a global initiative in NJ to see how Ridgewood is doing. They had an hour-long interview and were asked questions about how our government (essentially Siobhan) interfaces with our special needs committee. We scored very high regarding the events we do. They gave us a report and a tool kit with things we could do better. We got very high marks for having our village council meetings have hybrid access. Not every town is doing that. She sent the tool kit to the council. Heather has it and our planning dept. has it as well. Jesse was very helpful as he is such a great advocate himself.
2. On Monday, Siobhan is meeting with Sheri from Rising Above Bakery again. Siobhan feels the Schedler location is still a wonderful idea, but because of all the legalities with the project we cannot bring her in there.  Paul Vagianos, Siobhan and Paula Gilligan from Glen Rock met to discuss it. Siobhan prefers Ridgewood but walkability is important so they will continue to meet to discuss the possibilities in both towns. 
3. Jan had also mentioned a company that produces and sells popcorn. Siobhan feels that that might be better as a pop-up rather than a long-standing business but we can discuss that more,
4. The council has been super-busy. It’s been moving a lot of issues forward. At the last meeting they discussed Schedler and she’s been pushing for accessibility there. We did get a Bergen County grant for a ramp. She went in and saw that all the bathrooms will be accessible. Once that plan is solidified the park hopefully will be built and it most definitely will be accessible.
5. Siobhan reiterated how meaningful and paid work is so valued for our special needs community. Ines mentioned how Paul was very enthusiastic about providing a place of employment and feels strongly that the train station or the library would be perfect for their walkability. Siobhan followed up by saying that she is visiting the train station and the old taxi cab station to see what it looks like now. It’s been empty for so long. Erica brought up the point that Paul had suggested about the more relaxed customer at the library vs the rushed commuter at the train station.  Siobhan said that we also have to consider the commercial kitchen aspect of the business as well.  Both point of sale and kitchen are important here.

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Item 3. Introduction - Michael Kilcullen, Transition Coordinator for Ridgewood district schools

Ines gave an overview of the special needs programs in our village schools beginning with the RED program at the elementary level and continuing through as young adults. She described how when families move to town with a special needs child the child enters the RED program after proper testing. They have always been well taken care of by our BOE and LSHSA. But when they graduate, questions and concerns arise about what the next steps will be. Ines discovered that if your child graduates and takes a diploma at graduation, Ridgewood schools are no longer responsible for your child. It then becomes the parent’s responsibility to guide the child and find a place for him/her. Ines’ son, Dougie, went to Springboard, which at the time was the only option after graduation. Ridgewood has now begun a new program, called STEPS, that Michael Kilcullen is responsible for. Ines introduced Michael who will explain more about the program.

He emphasized how he wants every student to have a unique experience in the program with personal and professional goals. The program is located at 38 Oak St (the Old Post Office). It’s an amazing location because so many resources are walkable so students can connect with our community. It’s also been great for internships as well.

The team: they have a new teacher, Patrick DeFlore, who’s the Transition Coordinator. We also have some wonderful Job Coaches, OT, Speech Therapist, Asst Technology and Counselor as needed.

Michael explained that this is an 18-21 program for students who have met graduation requirements. Students transitioning to the program are not taking their diploma. They’re taking their certification and walking at graduation. The diploma is after graduating from the STEPS program. The focus is on developing short and long-term goals to ready the student for employment and independent living and connecting them with services and supports that they’ll need in adulthood. 

Michael led the committee through the different areas of the program, using his on-screen presentation. 

Ines then introduced Mary Micale, president of the Federated HSA. She said that they have been very happy with the STEPSS program. She said that she is stepping down as president after serving for many years and Carolyn Holt will be replacing her.

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4. New Business

Ines introduced Jaimie Davis, the new incoming president of the LSHSA, who said that she has a 14 year old and a 6 year old in the RISE program at Ridge. She has ideas about bringing younger children into the community. Perhaps the restaurants that are usually closed on Mondays could invite these families to dine. She also reached out to the RHS students regarding their Science Fair. They invited the Ridge students over to their fair. She also mentioned that Unique Athletics in Glen Rock has started their first DDD-certified 1-on-1 fitness training program. Deanna reiterated this and said that this is part of our Parks & Rec program. Ines spoke about ACCESS Weekend to Jaimie. 

Siobhan mentioned that Glenn from the Steel Wheel is now the head of the Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps he would be interested in the Monday family idea.

Regarding moving the ACCESS Weekend activities to Van Neste park, after several discussions we decided to keep it in place at the Library and the patio outside Village Hall.

The meeting ended at 3:27.

The next meeting will be on Friday, June 30 at 2:00 via ZOOM.