Community Living Coalition Meeting

May 8, 2002 - 1pm to 4:30pm

1. Introductions were made around the room
2. Agenda was reviewed
3. Presentation on Individualized Funding: Brian Salisbury & Tim Stainton.  For more information, please visit www.individualizedfunding.com .  A video was shown, titled My Life... My Way.  A short question and answer period followed.
4. Update from Transition Steering Group (TSG) Members: An outline of the work that needs to be accomplished gave members some insight into the massive amount of work that will have to be tackled in a very short timeframe.  Two co-chairs - Dave Driscoll and Robin Syme (acting for Elaine Murray).  There needs to be a letter to Regional Executive Directors that the TSG is concerned about the deficit reduction strategies being floated across the province.  Individualized Funding was discussed, the need to be clear that it will be an option and it be developed as a positive addition to Community Living services.  Working groups for specific tasks were discussed. 
5. Alternate Representatives for TSG: Instead of exclusive assigned alternate representatives, other people who have joined working groups can attend TSG meetings, keep informed, speak at meetings, and be ready to step in if someone steps down from the TSG.  There will be no formal "alternate members".
6. There are two MCFD committees:  a Ministry Infrastructure committee, and a second committee on Accountability, that are outside of the TSG.  These committees will have have an impact on Community Living and we need to develop a strategy to respond to their work and clarify our work with them.  Moved by Jack, seconded by Claus: That the Coalition's position is that the relationship between the Authority and Government be developed by the Transition Steering Group or negotiated with the Transition Steering Group, but not imposed unilaterally.
7. Working Groups: Seven Groups proposed on handout.   Volunteers will be needed to accomplish the work of these groups.  www.communitylivingcoalition.bc.ca/committees.htm has a full list of the proposed working groups and a the volunteer process.  E-mail your nominations to communications@communitylivingcoalition.bc.ca . 
8. TSG Members that belong to the Coalition met this morning in advance of the Coalition meeting to debrief after the first TSG Meeting.  The biggest issue they want to address at the next TSG meeting (May 16 & 17th), is the Regional Deficits and Service Cuts issue.  Across the province, regions are embarking on a process of budget cuts to reduce deficits.  They are asking service providers to reduce contracts and to provide services to more people, without funding increases.  The Minister is on record on numerous occasions as saying there will be no service cuts this year.  Agencies are also struggling with increasing benefits costs which have been caused by Provincial policy changes, (Medical Service Plan, for example) yet have not received funding for these increased costs.  David Driscoll, co-chair of the TSG, has written a letter to the Deputy Minister asking for a review of the Regional Deficits strategy, given that the Ministry agreed to provide the TSG with oversight of all MCFD Community Living operations.  (David's Letter is linked here)  MOTION: Moved by Cathy Anthony, seconded by Roy, that CLC Members of the TSG bring a position to the next TSG Meeting that services will not be cut to meet regional deficits. CARRIED There needs to be a collective, unified stand among service providers to respond to the Ministry on this matter.  If some agencies are willing to make service cuts and budget cuts, there will be a divide and conquer strategy on behalf of the Ministry. BCACL will publish a bulletin to its members on Regional Deficit strategies.
9. Next Meetings:
   1. TSG Meetings are scheduled for May 16, 17 and May 29, 30 and June 13,14 and June 26,27.
   2. CLC Meetings are scheduled for May 31- 9:30am to 1:30pm, June 12th-1pm to 4:30pm and June 25th-1pm to 4:30pm.
10. Communication and Outreach: CLC Members are still attending meetings as invited to provide other groups with information on the Coalition and our proposals.  Melinda attended a meeting in Vernon, and Al attended a meeting in Vancouver.  Linda & Brian have attended meetings around the province in the last two months as well.  We still hear from many people that they don't know what is going on and need more information.  This will be a responsibility of the TSG and their communications committee in terms of what is happening with the Ministry Transition process, but the Coalition would also like to continue to build understanding and support for our priorities.  Suggestions included the introduction of a toll-free number that could provide information on a message service, and allow people to leave messages requesting further specific information.  Additional volunteers would be required to follow up on these messages and answer questions.  Ron Whittaker will approach Telus about providing this service.  Jack Styan will provide information on what resources have been collected by the Coalition.
11. Fred Hilderman talked from the perspective of Senior Parents in Vancouver.  They feel they and their families have invested heavily in the Community Living movement and have now been abandoned.  CLC Members asked what their priorities were and how we could help them.  Their priorities are:
    1. IF should be an option.  His feedback is that Senior Parents don't have the energy to learn a new system.
    2. Senior Families need services.  They have been waitlisted and abandoned.
    3. Employment Standards should be changed to allow their sons and daughters to return to the valuable work experiences that they had before 1999.
12. Meeting Adjourned at 4:30 pm.