The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission met March 18 to recommend 2017 meeting dates.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the commission:
March 18, 2016 Springfield, Illinois
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ILLINOIS BOARD OF INTERPRETERS The twenty-eight meeting of the Interpreter Licensure Board was held on Friday, March 18, 2016, at the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Office, 528 S. Fifth Street, Suite 209, Springfield, Illinois.
Call to Order:
IDHHC Director John Miller called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. Introductions were made of the new members to the Board: Laura Braucht and Laura Thompson. At this time, the position of the Interpreter Coordinator remains vacant.
Members Present: Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Debby Sampson No Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
IDHHC Staff Present: John Miller, Director Janet Lambert, Assistant Director
Visitors Present: Shelley Engstrom-Kestel
Interpreters: Tina Cannon Sheila Chapman
Election of Officers
Director Miller opened the nominations for elections:
Chairperson: Shelley Williams accepted the nomination. As no other nominations were
made, Shelley Williams was elected Chair by unanimous consent.
Vice-Chair: Lisa Caringer accepted the nomination. As no other nominations were made,
Lisa Caringer was elected Vice Chair by unanimous consent.
Secretary: Sue Sanders accepted the nomination. As no other nominations were made,
Sue Sanders was elected Secretary by unanimous consent.
Director Miller yielded the floor to newly elected Chairperson, Shelley Williams.
Approval of Minutes
Lisa Caringer moved to approve the October 30, 2015, minutes as presented; seconded by Laura Thompson. Motion passed.
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
Interpreter Coordinator Report Presented by Assistant Director Lambert
• The Interpreter Coordinator position remains vacant and duties are being completed by IDHHC staff. As the FY2016 budget still has not been approved, IDHHC is unable to fill the position at this time.
• Governor Rauner’s Office focusing on agency infrastructure and working to update technology and improving security of sensitive information such as social security numbers. IDHHC has removed the social security number from the internal database and only maintained on the original application which are kept in a secured file.
• As a result of RID’s moratorium on testing, IDHHC is seeing an increase in out-of-state testing candidates. IDHHC has been able to accommodate the increase and ensure adequate testing availability for in-state candidates.
• The BEI Deaf Interpreter Test is currently in pilot testing phase. Once the test is released, IDHHC will get further information about bringing the test to Illinois.
• The Annual Interpreter Conference is currently on hold. If the Budget is approved, it is the hope to host the conference in November.
• IDHHC made a presentation at the Illinois Teachers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Conference providing an overview of the process and procedures of the BEI interpreter certification program and guidance for both current and prospective BEI-certified interpreters in Illinois.
• The pass rate for the Illinois BEI is consistent with national rates since 2011. The TEP pass rate is 71% and BEI Performance is 31%.
• Currently, IDHHC has two teams of raters and needs to recruit more BEI raters. Once the budget is approved, hope to schedule a new rater training.
• IDHHC recommended the FY17 meeting dates of September 16, 2016; January 27, 2017; and April 28, 2017.
• Even though Illinois does not have budget, all agencies have been instructed to continue daily operations. Although IDHHC does not have the authority to process any payments for services/expenditures except for payroll per court order.
• Licensure Numbers
o As of March 16, 2016, there are 624 licensed interpreters.
• Master – 181
• Advanced – 197
• Intermediate – 216
• Provisional – 30 o As of January 20, 2016, the Commission processed a total of 573 renewal applications
and received one (1) new interpreter complaint.
Old Business:
• TechUnit Updates IDHHC is finalizing the contract. However, it cannot be submitted due to the budget impasses. It has been confirmed that all tests are sent to TechUnit for rating.
• Deaf Interpreter Educational Opportunities Everything is on hold including new BEI rater training and Deaf Interpreter training due to both the budget impasse and interpreter coordinator vacancy.
Will Lee moved for a 15 minute break; seconded by Lisa Caringer. Motion passed.
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
Meeting was recessed at 10:27 a.m. and reconvened at 10:46 a.m.
New Business:
• FY 17 Meeting Schedule
Will Lee moved to approve the FY 2017 meeting schedule: September 9, 2016; January 27, 2017; and April 28, 2017; seconded by Laura Braucht.
Discussion: Members discussed the required number of meetings the Licensure Board must
have a year. The Licensure Act requires a minimum of two. Motion passed.
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
• Continuing Ed Waiver Requests
Interpreter A – Interpreter A has submitted medical documentation supporting the request for a waiver of the 2016 Continuing Education requirements
Sue Sanders moved to approve Interpreter A’s request for waiver of the 2016 continuing education requirements; seconded by Laura Thompson. Motion passed
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
Interpreter B – While she has provided adequate documentation, this is her second year requesting a waiver. The documentation does not reflect she will be able to return to interpreting any time soon.
Will Lee moved to deny Interpreter B request for waiver of the 2016 continuing education requirements and move her to inactive status; seconded by Lisa Caringer. Motion passed
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
• Interpreter Complaint Cases
Due to IDHHC Legal Counsel being out on medical leave, there are no interpreter complaint cases to review.
Open Discussion/Announcements:
• Members discussed concerns related to the feasibility of hosting a Fall Interpreter Conference as IDHHC cannot proceed with planning until a budget is approved. Members will probably receive a lot of questions from area interpreters.
• Illinois has 2 new ITP programs: Moraine Valley Community College and College of DuPage. It was suggested a pre-conference track for Interpreter Educators be added to IDHHC state conference.
• IDHHC has received a sponsorship request for a 4 day Medical Interpreter Immersion workshop the end of October.
Meeting was recessed for lunch at 12:03 p.m. and resumed at 12:46 p.m.
• IDHHC has received a request to relocate the position of the Interpreter ID# on the license. Members discussed and agreed IDHHC did not need to make changes.
• Members discussed concerns about interpreters not being paid for services provided to the state due to the budget impasses and its impact on deaf consumers receiving services.
• Due to RID testing moratorium, discussion whether the Licensure Board need to discuss changes to the IL rules and review the accepted certifications.
• The Deaf Blind Advisory Council has not taken any recent action on its agenda due to funding issues.
• A meeting is scheduled for Deaf Interpreters in East Peoria.
Adjournment:
Will Lee moved to adjourn the meeting a 1:15p.m.; seconded by Laura Braucht. Motion passed.
Laura Braucht Yes Lisa Caringer Yes Will Lee Yes Sue Sanders Yes Laura Thompson Yes Shelley Williams Yes
.
(Signature on File) Chairperson Date
(Signature on File) Secretary Date
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