CLC Meeting Minutes

1. Meeting called to order at 9:40am
2. Agenda was reviewed: Meeting times added, Accountability for families in new structure...
3. TSC Update:
   1. Legislative basis for the new Governance structure: There will be legislation this fall that creates governance authorities, but there is a government commitment to full legislation mandating the Community Living Authority by Spring 2003.
   2. Interim CEO: The Strategic Planning Group of the TSC is managing the process of recruiting an interim CEO.  The position is proposed to be a time-limited posting: From as soon as possible to  May 31, 2003.  The Interim CEO will not be allowed to apply for the permanent position.
   3. Governance Committee has made a draft proposal regarding an interim board.  They received feedback and will make final recommendations at an upcoming TSC meeting.  Feedback from the business community suggests a smaller board to be effective.  The counterproposal is to appoint the current TSC as the interim board (without government staff). 
   4. Regional Representation: We discussed the importance of regional representation.  The Kootenays and the North are feeling left out as it is so difficult to attend and participate in face-to-face discussions.  The communications committee is tasked with building provincial participation and information sharing.  The TSC also has a communications working group that is creating bulletins and hosting information sessions throughout the province.
   5. Working Group progress: Working Groups had full-day meetings on July 11th and also had a number of joint meetings to ensure their work is integrated and that issues are considered from many perspectives.
   6. Communications Advisory Group: Cathy, Ron & Ernie reported.  Website at www.cltsc.bc.ca.  Brochures have been created and will be distributed by as many channels as possible.  Regional presentations are being held - last night in Castlegar 70 people attended to hear Linda Perry explain the TSC process.  A video-conference session will be piloted in August with the Minister speaking to a number of regional sites.  Please forward handouts to anyone you know.
   7. Accountability Working Group: Looking at new accountability mechanisms to ensure service quality and accountability for public funding, given that there will be new funding mechanisms, and there was a perception in the past that we have over-monitored with bureaucratic, rigid standards that had little relation to people's quality of life.  As well, they are considering appeal mechanisms to ensure families and individuals feel that they can hold decision-makers accountable.
   8. Children and Families Working Group: They are developing guidelines for the Joint Policy Directorate and how the two governance authorities will work together. The Working Group has met with the Governance WG, the IF WG and the Finance/HR WG to share issues and concerns.  They are hoping, like the other working groups, to have a first draft report ready by July 31, and then working through August to flesh out the details.
   9. IF & Planning Working Group: They are gathering information from around the world and learning from their successes and failures in developing a proposal for Individualized Funding in the new Community Living Authority.
4. Feedback / Actions related to TSC update:
   1. People reported that they are hearing lots of misinformation from different sources.  Getting accurate information is difficult.  Ministry staff have received conflicting information internally and externally and sometimes pass on information that frightens families and individuals unnecessarily.  TSC Communications should target regional community living councils to ensure that groups that are cross-sectoral (families, MCFD, and agencies) get current information out to the community.  In Castlegar, Linda Perry met with the MCFD Community Living staff at a separate meeting to give them a chance to ask questions and hear the same info.
   2. People requested that the TSC working groups post their work plans on the website so people will know what issues are being addressed.
   3. Children and Families services Transition issues: Is there a current MCFD instruction/policy regarding children turning 19?  Should there be some provincial guidance to regions to ensure no people are left at risk?  Families with children turning 19 have been forced to quit jobs to become caregivers due to a lack of services for young people.  Specific issues around individuals can be forwarded through the TSC to the Ministry for resolution.  Previous MCFD policy (possibly existing policy) was that Children's Team Social Worker meet with Adult Team Social Worker around individuals when they turn 17 years old.
5. Other Business
   1. Disability Benefits II - Recent rumours from MHR suggest that the Ministry is hoping to move 10,000 people off of Disability Benefits by re-assessing them.  There are currently about 46,000 people on Continuing Disability Benefits.  Dental Benefits have also been reduced.  BCACL and self-advocates will be meeting with the Minister of HR in the next few weeks to get some resolution on this issue.  Failing any commitment from the Minister, there will have to be a public relations campaign to raise awareness of this issue and put pressure on the Minister.
   2. Role of the Coalition in the next three months - Keep working to get families, individuals and service providers informed about what is happening and to gather their feedback to improve the transition process.  Assist the TSC Communications effort by sharing information and publicizing events. The Coalition is an advocacy force for community living, separate from the TSC and the formal transition process.  In the fall, there will be renewed advocacy issues around MCFD budget impacts and the interim recommendations from the TSC. 
6. Next Meeting dates: July 26, 02 9:30am - 1pm - Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (new name for Burnaby Association for Mentally Handicapped). Tentative information meeting for families and new members - August 8th - 7pm - 9pm. Next full CLC Meeting: August 23rd, 9:30am to 1pm.