Minutes - Community Living Coalition - May 13, 2003

1. Meeting called to order at 10:00am
2. Introductions were made around the room
3. General Updates: Cathy & Bryce talked about feedback from the Self-Advocates Sessions around the province.  Laney mentioned the upcoming conference of Canadian Association for Community Living in Vancouver in October 2nd to 4th, 2003. Jo Dickey mentioned that the Representation Agreement Resource Centre is having their annual meeting today and that the Coalition needs to spend some time addressing the proposed changes to representation agreements.
4. Letter from David Driscoll regarding request to have input on reference groups for the Interim Authority: Letter asks for Coalition support of the Interim Authority process of developing their own reference groups.  People discussed options for the Coalition:
   1. The letter gives us the freedom/independence to set our own objectives and keep the Interim Authority accountable to key principles of family leadership.
   2. The letter should be responded to, informing Mr. Driscoll that the Coalition is a province wide network built by developing a consensus on a vision for the future of community living. 
   3. It was suggested that we reply to Mr. Driscoll asking for clarification:
      1. What is happening with the reference group process?
      2. Are they intending to develop a reference group process without our assistance?
      3. Will they insure that senior parents are included on the family reference group?
5. Senior Families Presentation to Interim Authority Board: Mildred said they presented a brief to the board, but that the board didn't get a chance to read the brief in advance.  The brief was developed based on the input of eighty families at the Seniors Forum of April 8th, 2003.  The brief is available for review online.  Some of the board members' responses were not that satisfactory to the panel of presenters.  Motion: That the Chairs of the Coalition write a letter to the Board of the Interim Authority asking for a formal response to the Senior Family Members Brief and Presentation. Moved by Al Etmanski, seconded by Maria Glaze.  The intent is to keep the momentum moving to see these issues addressed by the Interim Authority. CARRIED.  The brief also asked the Interim Authority to attend a follow-up seniors' forum.  
6. Transitions Forum: May 31, 2003 - 10am to 2pm, 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby.  This forum will be patterned on the seniors forum.  Families will come together to discuss hopes and fears for their family members becoming adults/finishing school.  There will be some capacity to provide activities for family members who need an activity while their parents attend the meeting.  Call Family Support Institute if you need some assistance - 604-875-1119
7. Coalition Review:  where we have come from, and where we are going: We need to have an independent voice to advocate for families and individuals, especially looking forward to what might be coming.  Our uniqueness is our foundation of being an equal partnership of self-advocates, families and service providers.

   Five key objectives when we started:

   1. Preserve Community Living resources:
      1. Address waitlist issue
      2. Mental Health Services
   2. Change governance from "bureaucratic power" to "community power" for families and individuals. "Create a permanent seat for families and individuals at the table"
      1. Is new authority family-governed?
      2. What is the status of the legislation to create the new authority?
   3. Provide the option of Individualized Funding to those who want it
      1. Where is IF in next year's budget?
   4. Change the culture of the system - stronger appreciation of the gifts our children bring to the community -
      1. build a stronger community
      2. plain language required
      3. how to best use the CL $ to change culture and mindset
      4. how do we prevent current mindset in MCFD from flowing to new Authority?
      5. Change the language we use?
   5. A different kind of support to families and individuals - not just crisis focused.  A more wholesome support.
      1. How will planning supports be delivered?  Where will they be placed in the hierarchy of budget and authority?

   Suggestions for moving forward: 

   1. Motion: A working group be established to develop a set of questions that form the basis of a MidTerm Report card that measures our progress toward our five objectives - successes and failures. CARRIED
      1. A working group needs to be developed to gather questions that determine our success at achieving our five objectives.  The working group could gather questions through email, phone, fax and mail.  Contact info will be circulated soon. 
      2. Working Group volunteers: Bob Kiell, Mildred DeHaan, Sue Salter, Jackie Maniago, Jordan Thurston, Stan Remple, Athena and Al Etmanski.

      Other suggestions for moving forward:

   2. Urge I/A Board to conduct their own Mid Term Report Card
   3. Have a coalition meeting with I/A Board members
   4. Need meeting with the Minister, and perhaps the Premier
   5. Have a public meeting with the Interim Authority Chair / Board.
8. Request to have a microphone at the next meeting to assist members to hear speakers.
9. Next Coalition Meeting Dates:
   1. Coalition Meeting with Interim Authority Board Members who belong to the coalition: May 28, 2003: 12pm - 4pm
   2. Transition Forum - May 31, 2003 - 10am - 2pm.
   3. Coalition Meeting: June 11, 2003 - 1pm to 4pm.
10. Adjournment at 12:35pm