Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Council (VSCIC)

WHAT IS THE VSCIC?
THE VSCIC MISSION
VSCIC BYLAWS
THE VSCIC MEMBERS
THE VSCIC LEADERSHIP
GETTING INVOLVED
MINUTES FROM 1999 / 2000 VSCIC MEETINGS
LINKS OF INTEREST
EDUCATION
SEARCH THE LITERATURE
THE PVA SCI PRACTICE GUIDELINES
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
SELF-ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE - JUNE 5 - 6, 2001 - PDF Document
COMMENTS / QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE VSCIC?

The VSCIC represents a statewide collaborative effort between Virginians living with spinal cord injury, hospital and rehabilitation organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and interested individuals across the Commonwealth to improve the quality of life of those living with spinal cord injury. The VSCIC was established in 1997 at the initiative of members of the former Virginia Spinal Cord Injury System. In 1999, the Council formally established its role as an advisory body to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services.

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THE VSCIC MISSION

The mission of the VSCIC is to promote policies, programs, and services that improve the health, independence, productivity, and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries by serving as a statewide advisory body to the Department of Rehabilitative Services and other key decision-makers.

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VSCIC BY LAWS

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization is the Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Council, hereinafter called "VSCIC." VSCIC is comprised of Virginians living with spinal cord injury, rehabilitation provider organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and interested individuals living across the Commonwealth.

ARTICLE II. MISSION
The mission of the Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Council (VSCIC) is to promote policies, programs, and services that improve the health, independence, productivity, and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries by serving as a statewide advisory body to the Department of Rehabilitative Services and other key decision makers.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership. The thirteen (13) standing members of the Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Council include representatives from Eastern Virginia Medical School, VCU/Medical College of Virginia, University of Virginia Medical Center, McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital, Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Hospital, Fairfax Hospital, UVA/Kluge Childrens Rehabilitation Center, Paralyzed Veterans of America, a Center for Independent Living, Mt. Vernon Hospital, the Field Rehabilitation Services Division of the Department of Rehabilitative Services, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, and the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

The nine (9) at-large members are: four (4) service providers and five (5) other members. At-large members will serve a two-year term beginning at the first meeting of a calendar year.

Election of At-Large Members. In June of each year, a three-member Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Chair, and will recommend a slate of at-large members to be presented to the membership at the last meeting of the calendar year; additional nominations may be accepted from the floor to be voted upon at the meeting. Votes will be tallied by the Nominating Committee. Elections of at-large members will be effective during the first meeting of the following calendar year.

The Council may elect at-large members at any time during the year to fulfill a vacancy. The at-large member so elected will serve out the unexpired term.

No less than thirty percent (30%) of the total membership of the Council (standing and at-large) will be comprised of individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury and family members of individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury, with individuals with spinal cord injury occupying a majority of the positions.

Voting Rights. A member who attends at least two meetings per calendar year is eligible to vote. Each member eligible to vote is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Voting by proxy is permitted. The votes of a majority of members eligible to vote and present at a meeting will be necessary for the adoption of any proposal or resolution on which a vote is taken.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
The officers of the Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Council are the Chair, Vice Chair, Medical Services Liaison, and Consumer Services Liaison, who are elected from among the general membership; and the Secretary, who is assigned by the Department of Rehabilitative Services to provide staff support to the Council.

Election of Officers. Elections of officers will take place at the last meeting of the calendar year. In June of each year, a three-member Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Chair, and will recommend a slate of officers to be presented to the membership at the last meeting of the calendar year; additional nominations may be accepted from the floor to be voted upon at the meeting. Votes will be tallied by the Nominating Committee. Elections of officers will be effective during the first meeting of the following calendar year. Appointment to the Nominating Committee does not preclude an individual from being nominated for office.

Terms of Officers. The Chair and Vice Chair will serve two-year terms from the first meeting of the calendar year through the last meeting of the calendar year in even numbered years. The Chair and Vice Chair may be nominated to serve up to two consecutive terms.

The Medical Services Liaison and the Consumer Services Liaison will serve two-year terms from the first meeting of the calendar year through the last meeting of the calendar year in odd numbered years. The Medical Services Liaison and Consumer Services Liaison may be nominated to serve up to two consecutive terms.

Duties of Officers. The duties of officers are as follows:

The Chair shall be the principal executive officer of the Council and will in general oversee and guide its activities. He or she will preside at all meetings and will sign any correspondence related to the business of the Council.
The Vice Chair will perform the duties of the Chair in his or her absence or inability to act.
The Secretary will be responsible for all duties incident to the office of Secretary, including scheduling and notification of quarterly meetings, preparation of minutes, reports, and other written correspondence necessary to the business or activities of the Council. The Secretary will act as liaison with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services and will maintain ongoing communication with the DRS Commissioner and other staff as appropriate.
The Medical Services Liaison will ensure the technical accuracy of all work and recommendations related to the development and review of medical and rehabilitative related materials. The Medical Services Liaison is responsible for developing and maintaining reciprocal lines of communication with the medical community across the continuum of care. The position of Medical Services Liaison should be filled by a physician licensed in the state of Virginia.
The Consumer Services Liaison will ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of all work and recommendations related to community reintegration and advocacy for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The Consumer Services Liaison is responsible for developing and maintaining reciprocal lines of communication with persons with spinal cord injury and their support network, consumer advocacy groups, and the community. The position of Consumer Services Liaison should be filled by an individual with a spinal cord injury. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consist of all officers.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Meetings of the Council will be held on a quarterly basis, with notice of the date, time, and place mailed to the members at least two weeks in advance. For the conduct of business, a quorum shall be a simple majority of the total number of members eligible to vote.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
These by-laws may be amended or repealed. Changes to the by-laws may be adopted by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members eligible to vote and present at any regular meeting or special meeting, if at least thirty days written notice is given of the proposed change.

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THE VSCIC MEMBERS

Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Hospital
Eastern Virginia Medical School
VCU/Medical College of Virginia
University of Virginia Medical Center
Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center
Fairfax Hospital
Kluge Childrens Hospital
Mt. Vernon Hospital
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
Centers for Independent Living
National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Virginia Chapter
Persons and families living with spinal cord injury

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THE VSCIC LEADERSHIP

CHAIR
Kirsten Barrett PT, ATC

VICE CHAIR
Buzz Hicock

MEDICAL SERVICES LIAISON
Laurie Lindbloom, M.D.

CONSUMER SERVICES LIAISON
Quincy Dedes

SECRETARY
Ana Hernandez*

*Staff, Virginia Department of Rehablitative Services

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GETTING INVOLVED

The VSCIC meets on a quarterly basis at the Department of Rehabilitative Services in Richmond, VA. Meetings typically occur between the hours of 12:30 and 4:00. There is a predetermined agenda. The public is welcomed to attend.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
March 15, 2001
June 14, 2001
September 20, 2001
December 6, 200

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