9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location:  BAMH Meeting Room

Chairperson:  Doug Woollard

Minutes:  Melinda Heidsma

 Introductions

Round the table introductions completed.  Attendance taken; see list attached.

 Agenda Review

Doug Walls added ‘Disclosure of Interest’.  Document was distributed via E-mail last night, and could be added under the agenda item, ‘Community Coalition Structure’.

 Laney Bryenton added ‘Governance Structure – where do we go next?’ under Other Agenda Items.

 Report from Conference Call with the Minister

Most of the initial group of Coalition members that met with Minister Hogg, participated in a conference call with him on January 24, 2002.  Minister Hogg also had Chris Haynes and his Minister’s Assistant with him, during the conference call.  All of those on the call reported that the Minister appeared to be much more reserved in his comments than at previous meetings.  The Coalition expressed concerns regarding the announced funding cutbacks, and participated in a lengthy discussion on where services to children belong.  Minister Hogg stated that the arguments regarding separating children from adults are quite compelling from both sides, and that the MCFD Executive does not support leaving them together.  There has also been some discussion of separating out services to children within Community Living Services from other children with ‘special needs’.  It was apparent that Minister Hogg is not prepared to make a decision on this, at this time. 

 Doug Woollard did speak with Elaine Murray and said there must be a discussion to define ‘special needs’.  Some Child Development Centers in the province are strongly supporting having children’s services separated from services to adults.  There is also some of the same support from Service Providers that provide generic services, but also serve children with special needs.

 The Coalition expressed concerns regarding plans to move into ‘congregate care’ arrangements for people who have complex needs.  This is a concern to many families who have children that may be identified as falling into this category. 

 It is anticipated the legislative changes made regarding the Accords attached to the Collective Agreements with Unions, will result in 300 – 400 million in savings. 

 Coalition members had a sense during the Conference Call that ‘others’ in the room were directing Minister Hogg’s responses.  They also commented that the Minister seemed to be less enthusiastic.  The Coalition expressed a need for a clear commitment from the Minister, to go ahead.  The Minister did not respond.

 The BCACL Federation and the IF Family Group support the Coalition’s position on keeping services to children with special needs, and adults who have a developmental disability together.  As this issue needs to be resolved, the next step may be to pursue an agreement to a ‘process’ perhaps by meeting with Elaine Murray and David Young.  The process could involve trying to connect with other groups, i.e.: Infant Development Provincial office, non-profit service providers, community representatives, MCFD staff to show the Minister that he is doing the ‘right’ thing.

 To ensure Coalition members are clear on the potential outcome, if children’s services move away, the funds will be gone.  They will not be available within the Community Living Corporation, and therefore not available to families through this process.  A small group of Coalition members were identified to look at this issue as a high priority, and include the following people:

 Laney Bryenton, Cathy Anthony, Tim Stainton, David Young / Elaine Murray, Jordan Thurston 

The BCACL Federation (Executive Directors and Presidents from across the Province) expressed concerns regarding the MCFD funding cutbacks and the fact that Minister Hogg publicly stated, on CBC radio, that BCACL had ‘asked’ for funding cutbacks.  The Federation expressed their support to proceed forward with the Coalition, and to continue to strive for the best outcomes for people receiving services. 

 There was a lengthy discussion on the planned ‘Transition’ and a general agreement on the Transition Team.  Laney conveyed that feelings were expressed during these meetings that the Coalition is not representative of the entire province (Community Living Community).  A document titled, ‘BCACL Recommendations’ was distributed during this meeting.  The Executive Director’s Network expressed their desire to choose who the Service Provider’s representatives would be, to sit on the Transition Team.  Feelings were also expressed during these meetings that the Coalition has been exclusive, rather than inclusive.

 The Federation recommended that BCACL sit independent of the actual Transition Team, however that BCACL needs to continue to be a part of the Coalition.

 There were an extensive number of comments made from the participants attending the Coalition meeting today.  Comments were solicited in the order the request to speak was received, therefore the comments made did not result in a discussion, per se, and there was no test of agreement on the comments stated. 

 However, the following motion was carried, prior to the conclusion of the Coalition meeting.

 MOTION:  That the community representatives on the Community Living Coalition Transition Team be exclusively chosen by the Community Living Coalition.

 First:               Al Etmanski

Second:          Pat Tesan

CARRIED

Report from IF Family Meeting - TABLED

 Report from Communications Committee - TABLED

 Community Coalition Structure - TABLED

 Selection process for Transition group – TABLED

 Governance Structure – where do we go next? - TABLED

 Next Meeting: Feb 4, 2002 at 4pm at BAMH