Laney reminded us that the TSC is well represented by families, as well as others who bring a passion to Community Living.

	Accountability Working Group: Committee is forwarding recommendations to the TSC   Recommendations were made about a number of issues – Community Licensing and Accreditation were highlighted. The committee was not in agreement about whether accreditation was a successful accountability measure. It is very costly to agencies.   The committee recommends that the functions of Licensing be taken over by the new board, and that Community Living have the option of opting out of the Licensing Act and the resources be allocated go to the new board.          Ultimately the Governance Board will be responsible for recommending an effective monitoring and accreditation process.
	Individualized Funding: This committee made 26 recommendations to the TSC. Highlights: The committee recommends that there be a Provincial Planning Authority made up of a 5 member commission. The commissioners would be appointed by the governance authority based on names forwarded by the five regions. The committee recommends that the planning function be legislated.
	Children’s Committee: This committee made 40 recommendations to the TSC, many of which are reflected in other committee reports.  The 40 recommendations are divided into phases - some applying to the immediate situation, some to the upcoming "interim phase" before a permanent authority is in place, and some to the later stage when the community governance body is up and running. From the 40 recommendations, the committee is presenting the TSC with 8 resolutions. Highlights are: All children presently eligible for services (Current eligibility for service – documented developmental disability, autism or eligible for AT Home program) would be part of Community Living After agonizing discussions, it was approved in principal, that all children in care who meet the criteria for Community Living, will be part of Community Living.  This will provide for alternate options for residential care, and mean addressing legality issues for options for guardianship other than the Director of MCF. Committee also recommends that 2 members of the new governance board be family members of minor children, and that there be a standing committee for issues for children and families. The committee also recommends that there be no income testing for services. The committee also recommends that the Joint Policy Directorate needs to get up and running.
	The members of CLC gave a round of applause for the work of the Children’s committee.
	HR & Finance Working Group: Two significant developments in the past week: 1) Treasury Board rejected the proposal to retain any surplus from the current year to assist with the budget next year.  2) The legislation being introduced in October to create the transition process to provincial governance will not create a formal, legal authority before March 31, 2003.  There will be no formal body that could retain a surplus even if it was allowed.  The CLTSC passed a motion on Sept 6, 02 to inform government that there was no way to reach MCFD budget targets with the restrictions being imposed by the Ministry & Treasury Board.  To manage service pressures in the current fiscal year, the CLTSC proposes: Agencies will find 6% increase in capacity to address waitlists Administration will be streamlined - savings will go to services Funding for MCFD headquarters must be fairly shared with community living Human Resource Facilities Act: Capital Grants should be returned to the Authority if/when group homes are sold. Woodlands assets should go to community living - pending input from Woodlands families on their preference for the use of those assets. Discussions focused on how cuts would impact existing services and how many agencies already have to make cuts due to cost pressures and have already changed staffing levels and program sizes to save money.  Other recommendations: 30% reduction in special needs children-in-care budget must be reversed. Mental Health Team funding in Ministry of Health must be returned to Community Living Authority - New authority would still ensure mental health services for people with developmental disabilities. Health Services for Community Living should stay in Ministry of Health - with mandate and funding protected All people in Community Living Authority be placed on DBII, removed from comforts and clothing grants. Income testing: review existing income testing in children's services and replace it with a fairer system that is revenue neutral.  In adult services, there is no recommendation for income testing.  The authority will be responsible for providing a standard level of care - if families want to enhance that support with additional clothing, furnishings, etc. they should be allowed to do so without penalty to the individual or program. Ministry must recognize hidden benefit costs - they say 22% benefits cost for MCFD staff that are being transferred to new Authority, we say 50% when the cost of centrally administered benefits are added in.  All ministry staff positions transferred will also be accompanied by the physical assets assigned to them (desk, phone, computer, BC Building Corp space allotment). No recommendation on how to actually transfer Ministry staff to the new authority - this should be determined in the next phase with direct negotiations between government, union and transition authority.  Proposal includes request for fair share of regional staff and resources and headquarters staff and resources Current payment systems be maintained until governance authority is ready to operate a new system Current government must be responsible for all actions until the new authority takes over. Current government responsible for all legal actions and claims that may be settled after the authority takes over. GST exempt status must be attained from federal government.
	Governance Working Group: These recommendations were compromises to create an entire package that would be acceptable to government. These recommendations all lead to a substantially new community living system with a significant emphasis on community development. Report Recommendations: A governance authority that empowers family and individuals to find solutions that work for them in the community New authority would have policy statements, reflected in legislation, that mandate how the authority will act (capacity development in community, promote creativity, provide Individualized Funding as an option). Name of new authority - Community Living Support Services BC Legislative mandate for the authority. Legal entity be a corporation - government must be embedded in the responsibility for community living - the Minister of Children and Family Development would be the sole shareholder / Owner of the corporation. Board of Directors - 13 people with 7 people at least being family and individuals - appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council - nominated by the Minister - from a slate developed by communities.  At least 2 people must be people with disabilities, at least 2 family members must have minor children.  At least one member must be from each of five MCFD regions of the province.  Board members will receive compensation and expenses in accordance with current Provincial Government policy.  The Board Chair will be appointed by the Board members. Board will have standing committees, including one standing committee for children's services.  Committees may include people outside of the board, and chairs of committees do not need to be board members. Governance report is stage 1 - a framework.  Stage 2 will require a more detailed analysis of functions and who must carry out these functions.  Attempt is to keep as many administrative functions central in a provincial office to avoid duplication.  Questions remain about who will provide services at the community level - which services need governance staff, and which can be contracted to community - to be creatively provided according to each community's unique capacities. The new provincial authority operate from one provincial office with no regional offices - additional text from Laney... A Community Capacity Commission will be appointed by the Authority to provide planning and information to families and individuals. All agencies will have community development responsibilities built into their contracts
	Where does Family & Individual Influence come from? IF will give families and individuals more influence Authority Board will have 50% plus 1 families and individuals Community Capacity Commission report will go directly to auditor general - Minister can attach his comments, but cannot alter the report.
	Legislative Framework:  Two pieces were offered in past, one to cover transition period with the creation of a Transition authority, and one to create permanent authority.  The first piece of legislation has disappeared - no transitional legislation and no transitional authority - the Minister has offered instead to develop a MOU to create a co-management agreement to manage the transition jointly with community and the Ministry to get to the Permanent Authority.   The co-management period would extend from October 1, 02 til the new authority is in place - sometime between March & May 2003.  Moved by Klaus Linemayr, seconded by Glen Campbell that the Coalition members of the TSC be supported in beginning to develop framework for a Memorandum of Understanding that can be reviewed at the next Coalition meeting. CARRIED
	Report from Communications Committee of Coalition: Committee met last week and agreed to develop a bulletin outlining Coalition benefits, build membership, clarifying purpose and agenda. Coalition must have regional contacts so families, individuals and agencies feel they are included People suggested that the bulletin needs to be developed and circulated immediately.  The TSC will be presenting a report that the Minister must know has broad community support.  The first challenge is to get Minister to accept the report of the TSC. The Coalition has a meeting set with the Minister on September 24th, 10am - people who met on November 30, 2001 will be invited, or people from similar stakeholder groups... It was agreed to bring a draft Bulletin to the next coalition meeting, to be held after the meeting with the minister, to discuss further strategy.