Community Living Coalition Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Time: 1p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: The Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, B.C.
Phone: (604) 299-7851

1. Introductions - approximately 45 people in attendance

2. Interim Authority for Community Living BC - Update:

   1. Laney addressed the issues around reference groups.  The board will hopefully be confirming a reference group process at their board meetings on May 29th and 30th.  There would then be a public call for nominations to three different reference groups - one for families, one for self-advocates and one for service providers.

   2. Tim reviewed the structure of the new Authority - There will be one CEO/Commissioner heading the organization.  Their will be a vice-president for planning and community development who will be responsible for the 17 community planning centres around the province.  There are a number of methods to assure independent planning:

      1. The legislation will set out requirements for independent planning.

      2. There will be a seven member commission that will provide community oversight of the VP Planning and the Commissioner.

      3. There will be a CHARTER in the ByLaws of the Authority that also sets out the requirements for independent planning.

      An overhead outlined how individuals and families would interact with Community Living BC.  Comox Community Living Centre was used as an example.  There will be17 such centers around the province with approximately 170 staff in those Centres.  The Comox centre would serve the communities of Port Hardy, Qualicum, Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River.  A principle being developed and maintained throughout the organization are limiting the levels of decision-making to two steps.  Currently, many MCFD offices have seven different decision making levels.  Contract Management and Resource Allocation will be centralized at the Head Office of Community Living BC, with staff working for a Vice President of Operations.  There will be a Safeguards Office that is semi-independent.  This safeguards office will provide families with an appeal process if the normal processes fail.  It is a successor to the Service Quality Advocate.   

   3. The legislation to create Community Living BC will be delayed until Fall 2003.  There is a revised tentative transfer date of November 1, 2003 to transfer all services to the new Authority. 

      1. There is some concern within government about "Family Governance".  Some MLA's are concerned that there isn't the capacity within the families to govern a large organization. 

      2. There is increasing resistance to the agreement of April 2002 regarding the division of services for children and families.

      3. There is a review by Treasury Board of the budget plan for 2004-2005.  The whole Ministry plan is up for review - the target of 23% cuts overall by the end of March 2005 is much in question.  Treasury Board is meeting tomorrow to hear a plan for a revised budget for 2004-05.  This plan will also be reviewed by Caucus Committee on Health.  The Interim Authority Board was clear that they were not able to implement the $40 Million in cuts for 2004-05.  The political response to the treasury board plan will not be known for the next 10 to 14 days.

   4. Willow Clinic / Tertiary Care

      1. Willow Clinic: 14 people are permanent residents and need new placements in the community and there are 11 places for people to come in for short term assessments and stabilization.   The plan is to hire a community placement coordinator and have the 14 people in to new community placements by March 31, 2004.  The plan is to maintain sufficient resources from Willow to continue to provide the tertiary care (11 places). 

      2. Steering Committee: Service Providers and Families from across the Province, Health representatives, Nancy Hall is the staff to the steering committee.  There has been one meeting of the steering committee - next committee meeting is June 18th, 2003, where final terms of reference will be confirmed and published.

   5. Individualized Funding: The plans as they have been developed to date include Individualized Funding as an option, but there are still many details that have not been finalized.  There has been no resistance to IF being included as an option.

   6. Children's services: During the Budget Review, there has been pressure to re-look at the division of children's programs - bringing more budget dollars back to the Children and Family Authorities.

   7. Concerns regarding plans to change services for people in existing services.  Families are being told their sons and daughters are going to be moved to family care, that they will have to go on individualized funding, etc.  The co-management process of service providers finding savings in collaboration with families and the Ministry.  Any changes to an individual's services must have the approval of the individual and their family. 

      1. There is a conflict resolution process through Jane Holland.  Families or individuals who are unhappy with a plan for changed services may call Jane Holland and she can intervene and stop plans.  She has increased resources available to her to review situations.  The Interim Authority was to release a full announcement in April but the Budget Review Process suspended all Ministry communications.

      2. Some families have been told that the Ministry will no longer be funding one-to-one services, regardless of the individual's needs. Ministry staff are making up guidelines that have not yet been approved by Treasury Board.  The best way to resolve these issues is to call Jane Holland and get the situation reviewed.

      3. Some families have been told that the Ministry cannot meet their needs and that they should contact the Interim Authority.  The Interim Authority is only responsible for planning the transition to the new Community Living BC Authority.  The Ministry is still responsible for planning and providing services for individuals in the community.

3. Discussion on Government action regarding Mid Point Ministry Spending Plan:

   1. How does the coalition support the Interim Authority Board Members yet still pursue our ideals for Community Living, advocating for a new way of doing things, keeping the Interim Authority and government accountable to our [mutual] vision?

   2. Community Facilitators of the Coalition have been frustrated by the lack of concrete information with which to work and share in the community.  The Yahoo group hasn't been a forum that has been used frequently for sharing information among facilitators.

   3. Board members said that the coalition is essential in terms of maintaining political pressure on the government.

   4. It was suggested that for the coalition to improve its communication and advocacy, we need money/staff to get things done: mailings, phone calls, meetings 

   5.  

4. General Updates:

   1. Transition Forum: May 31, 2003 - 10am to 2pm at Burnaby Association office - An event to outline the issues families and individuals face around transitions and develop some strategies and action plans.  Laney is attending the forum.  Other board members may also be able to attend.

5. Other Business:

   1. People want more information on Planning Centres, Accessing Services, Waitlists, Duplication of services - agencies and Interim Authority both providing planning...

6. Next Meeting: June 11th, 2003  1pm to 4pm at Burnaby Association - 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, BC

7. TRANSITIONS FORUM - May 31, 2003 - 10am to 2pm - Burnaby Association