Location: BAMH

Co-chairs: Doug Woollard and Linda Perry

Minutes: Melinda Heidsma

1. Agenda Review:  Completed.
2. Introductions:  Completed. 
3. Report on meeting with Minister: Laney, Al and Doug met with Minister Hogg on March 12th to review the terms of reference of the Transition Steering Group.  Please see the MCFD Change website for a new posting that was just released today.

 Minister Hogg’s plan is to have the work of the Transition Steering Group completed by June 30^th, 2002.  The current composition of the Steering Group is expected to be a total of 25 people made up of the following groups:

 ü      13 family members and/or Self-Advocates
ü      1 BCACL representative
ü      7 senior staff from service providers around the province
ü      4 MCFD staff

The Minister will make all the appointments to the Group, including the two co-chairs.

4. Services for Children with Special Needs: There was a second meeting on March 11th with the working group that was attempting to define a place for Services for Children with Special Needs.    Concern was expressed by the MCFD representatives that removing special needs children from the F&CS governance, would leave a ‘weak’ system.  It is expected the governance for children will be modelled after the Health Authorities, with headquarters in Victoria, and five Regional Boards.  The coalition's position is that funding for those services for children with special needs will be seriously at risk if those services are placed with child protection services. 

 The Coalition has refused to support moving forward with a Transition Steering Group until the issue is resolved.

Laney met with David Young and Elaine Murray today to discuss whether there is a way to negotiate which services should go to community living, and which services could stay with Family & Child services.

 MOTION:  We don’t go forward with any transition process until this children’s issue is resolved.  But we recognize this is a critical element for the Ministry families not at this table and the Community Living movement, so keep talking.

 First: Laney Bryenton, Second: Doug Woollard: MOTION ACCEPTED

 Laney and Doug Woollard will meet with David Young and Elaine Murray.

5. Selection of representatives to the Transition Steering Group (if all issues are resolved):

It is anticipated that representatives will have to commit to meetings in Vancouver one or two days each week, dealing with very challenging issues, i.e.: political, financial, management.  People should provide their consent before their name is put forward as a nomination, and be clear on the amount of work they will be expected to take on.  We believe that travel and accommodation costs will be covered, but there was no final decision on covering child care related costs, or wage replacement costs.

The Self-Advocates will determine whose names will go forward as recommendations.  The family members will determine their selection process.

6. Conflict of Interest Guidelines:  Tabled.

7. Next Meetings:
The following Coalition meeting schedule has been agreed to:
 Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, April 2, 2002 – 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
 Wednesday, April 10, 2002 – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

All meetings will be held at the BAMH, 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, BC.

 Jules Hopkins requested that any coalition members, in particular service providers,  who would be willing to assist with the ongoing costs of the Community Living Coalition work, be asked to make a financial contribution to Jack Styan, Executive Director of the Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped.  This request will also be posted on the Community Living Coalition website.