Meeting Minutes Details
Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative
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Commissioner Jim Rothrock made a motion to approve; Jay McLaughlin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Fiscal Report
Eleanor Williams, CNI Fiscal Analyst, provided a current revenue report of the CNI Trust Fund. The Fund averaged revenue of about $110,000/month. The Cash Balance of the Fund for state FY 2004 (7/31/03-6/30-04) is projected to be $3,007.971.90. To date, the CNI Trust Fund Revenue total is $7,010,218.90 and the Fund has awarded $9,653,944.00 in grant awards, leaving an obligated balance of $2,643.725.10. As of March 26, 2004 the Fund had reimbursed $4,017.371.03 in expenditures and currently has a cash balance of $2,922.847.87.
Doug Harris raised the question does the Board need to cut back on awards in order to fill obligations. There was consensus among the Board members that through understanding of Eleanor William’s revenue report, the Board is comfortable with the incoming funds to support the moneys allocated through 2006.
Given the fiscal condition of the Trust Fund, there was consensus by the Board that the next round of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) should be deferred until sometime in early 2006. This information will be posted on the CNI website and be sent out to those who have requested RFP’s this year by CNI Staff.
New Business
Commissioner Jim Rothrock of the Department of Rehabilitative Services explained to the Advisory Board that there is a language amendment within the Health & Human Resources Subcommittee that if approved would require applicants for grant awards from the fund to have a plan for self-sufficiency at the end of the two-or three-year grant cycle. Also it allows the Commissioner to redistribute unspent grant awards from prior years for new research activities. The language is as such:
1. “H.1. For grants awarded after July 1, 2004, the Commissioner shall require applicants to submit a plan to achieve self-sufficiency by the end of the grant award cycle in order to receive funding consideration.
2. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Commissioner to reallocate up to $500,000 from unexpended balances in the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund to fund new grant awards for research on traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.”
Dr. Ward stated that it was best to look at funds unexpended rather than take away carryover request options to meet the above amendment if passed.
Kristie Chamberlain, Staff to the CNI Advisory Board provided an overview of the seven pending carryover requests presented to the Board for approval:
- VCU: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s Option-B CNI Grant, “Needs Assessment of Virginians with Spinal Cord Injury” requested $25,063.57 in carryover funding from year one to year two. Approved.
- FREE: Foundation for Rehabilitation & Equipment’s Option-B CNI Grant requested $4,707.79 in carryover funds from year one to year two. Approved.
- HIGH Hopes, Option-B CNI Grant requested $5,000.00 in carryover funds from year one to year two. Approved, with the requirement that the grantee will present to the Board before the end of year two (in January or February of 2005).
- Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center’s Option B-CNI Grant, “Improving Community Based Spinal Cord Injury Follow-Up Clinic Services” requested $24,586.20 from year two to year three. Approved.
- VCU: Rehabilitation & Research Training Center’s Option B-CNI Grant, “Access to Post-secondary Education for Students with Neurotrauma: The VCU Academic Strategies for Success Program” requested $26,950.85 in carryover funds from year one to year two. Approved, with the requirement that grant staff schedule a meeting with CNI staff by May 1 and that the grantee presents to the Board before the end of year two.
- VCU: Partnership for People with Disabilities’ Option-B CNI Grant, “Commonwealth Consortium on Hand Held Technology” requested $32,881.00 in carryover funds from year one to year two. Approved, with the requirement that grantee submit a satisfactory explanation for the significant increase in rent for year two and the use of funds from year one to meet this increase (e.g., how will this increase be funded during year three?).
- VCU: Rehabilitation, Research & Training Center, Option-A grant, “Endogenous Neural Stem Cells and Brain Repair after Traumatic Brain Injury” requested $21,000 from year one to year two. Approved. (Dr. Ward abstained from voting on this grantee. Commissioner Rothrock made the motion to approve carryover funding. The motion passed unanimously.)
Kristie Chamberlain brought forth the question of allowing the CNI Program Specialist, in consultation with other CNI staff, to make decisions on carryover requests (complicated carryover requests will still be brought to the Chair for a decision on whether the request should go before the entire Board for approval). Allowing DRS administrative staff to approve or not approve carryover requests will expedite the process and also provide a means of appeal for grantees who are not satisfied with a carryover request decision (i.e., appeal to the full Advisory Board). It was consensus of the Board to approve DRS staff to make approve carryover requests.
Commissioner Rothrock provided an update of the recent legislation introduced by Senator Puller that was defeated in this General Assembly. Senator Linda “Toddy” Puller patroned a bill this year to amend and reenact 46.2-411 of the Code of Virginia. If passed, the bill would have increased the fee for reinstatement of a suspended or revoked driver's license from $30 to $60, thereby increasing the dollars transferred into the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund established pursuant to Chapter 3.1 ( 51.5-12.1 et seq.) http://legis.state.va.us/Laws/CodeofVa.htm of Title 51.5 from $25 to $55. This bill was defeated on both sides.
Commissioner Rothrock also provided information about a $1.4 million budget bill amendment introduced by Delegates Hamilton and Callahan in the House and Senator Lambert in the Senate. The $1.4 million budget bill if passed would provide funds for specialized brain injury services such as case management, day programs, clubhouses, regional resource centers, work adjustment and transitional employment programs, transportation, supported living, and continued development of additional service providers for individuals with brain injury. The status of the amendment is not known at this time.
Kristie Chamberlain provided an overview of the plans for the Tri-Annual Emily Couric Research Colloquium to be held April 22, 2004. Commissioner Rothrock sent the late Senator Couric’s husband a personal invitation to attend the Colloquium and permission to use her name as the title of the Colloquium. Dr. Beller’s responded with a letter saying that he was honored that we were holding the Colloquium in his wife’s name and he was sorry that he would not be able to attend. Approximately 15-20 individuals have RSVP'd, including all but four of the research grantees (there is a capacity for 50 people). Deputy Secretary Steve Harms will be addressing Colloquium attendees on behalf of Secretary Jane Woods who is unable to be there. Commissioner Rothrock will provide comments during a working lunch. All Board members except Jay McLaughlin responded that they will attend.
Doug Harris stated for the record that Dr. Stroube sends his regrets that he will be out of the state and cannot attend.
The Board
