PaRC FULL COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Zoom Virtual Platform – meeting moderator: Nichole Wade
On-site location: Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel
4650 Lindle Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111
MEETING AGENDA
10:00 AM WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS: Michelle Mitchell, Chair
• PaRC Mission Statement
• Roll Call of Council Members: Nichole Wade, Moderator
• Discussion of Agenda
• ACTION: Approval of meeting Agenda, August 13, 2025
• ACTION: Approval of Full Council meeting minutes, May 07, 2025
FISCAL REPORT (4th QUARTER): Julianna Rodrigues, Member at Large
CHAIR REPORT: Michelle Mitchell
• 2026 Full Council meeting dates
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - Virtual
Wednesday, May 06, 2026 - Hybrid (zoom & in person)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - Hybrid (zoom & in person)
November 2026 – Virtual
• PaRC 2024-2025 Annual Report - Julianna Rodrigues, Member at Large
• Business Enterprise Program (BEP) Ad Hoc Committee
OVR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Ryan Hyde, Executive Director
11:15 AM BREAK (10 minutes)
OVR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT CONTINUED
11:45 AM OVR REPORT
Update on the 2024-2028 Combined State Plan 2-year Modification - Jim Whitonis, VR Specialist
Overview of Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment – Jim Whitonis, VR Specialist
12:15 PM LUNCH (1 hour)
1:15 PM STAKEHOLDER UPDATES
• Client Assistance Program: Andrew Pennington, Co-Director
• Department of Education: Timothy Krushinski, Bureau of Special Education, Policy Advisor
• Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing: Melissa Hawkins, Director
• Statewide Independent Living Council: Susan Tomasic, SILC Board Chair
• State Workforce Development Board: James Martini, Executive Director
2:00 PM NEW BUSINESS
• ACTION / SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE: Joan Myers Goodman, Chair
PaRC Video Project/Documentary
• CAREERLINK COMMITTEE: Twana Jones, Chair
• GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE: Susan Tomasic, Chair
ACTION: Approval of submitting Ms. Ashley Norkus’ application to the Governor for consideration of appointment to the PaRC, representing the category of Sensory disabilities
2:20 PM BREAK (10 minutes)
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
• LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: Christie Cyktor, Chair
ACTION: Approval of draft letter regarding VR funding
ACTION: Approval of draft letter regarding accessible transportation and SEPTA audits
ACTION: Approval of draft letter regarding withdrawal of proposed rulemaking for phase out of 14(c) subminimum wages
ACTION: Approval of supporting State House Bill HB485: An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, providing for Office of Information Technology.
ACTION: Approval of renewing annual subscription to PA Legislative Services (PLS) Communication Connection
• POLICY COMMITTEE: Lynn Heitz, Chair
ACTION: Approval of description (a) for the 2-year modification of the 2024-2028 Combined State Plan
ACTION: Approval of description (c) for the 2-year modification of the 2024-2028 Combined State Plan
ACTION: Approval of Targeted Goals for the next cycle of the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) beginning January 1, 2026
ACTION: Approval of expanding the search of state certified Small Diverse Businesses to provide the Statement of Work for the Customer Satisfaction Survey Project
• TRANSITION COMMITTEE: Julia Barol, Chair
• AD HOC COMMITTEE: OVR HEARING OFFICERS / MEDIATORS: Andrew Pennington, Chair
• AD HOC COMMITTEE: PaRC / State Board: Lynn Heitz & Michelle Mitchell, Co-Chairs
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
• Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference – Julia Barol & Michelle Mitchell
3:10 PM PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes each)
3:30 PM ADJOURN
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