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Community Living Coalition Meeting Minutes September 30, 2004
1. Self-Introductions were made by all those in attendance. 2. Update on Budget Consultations Strategy – An Opportunity for Your Voice to be Heard. a. On-Line Survey. Those present were reminded that the BC Government has boasted a surplus now predicted to be over 1.2 billion dollars this year. The government is seeking input from BC citizens about what to do with these savings as they begin their budget planning for the coming year. The CLC believes that this surplus has been amassed by cutting back on social services. Community Living Services for adults with developmental disabilities were cut by $50 million over the last three years. Services to children and families, including children with special needs and their families, were cut by another $145 million. All CLC members are encouraged to complete the online government survey and to urge government to give this money back to Community Living. The survey can be found at http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/37thparl/session-5/fgs/questionnaire.htm. Please note: Time is of the essence. Your feedback must be received prior to October 15th, 2004 to be considered in the government’s budget considerations. Your voice will make a difference! b. Waitlists. When completing the online survey, CLC members were reminded that the issue of waitlists remains our priority issue. We know that families and individuals, in every community in this province, are on waitlists for vital services. · Pre-School age children and their families are not getting early intervention services. Children are remaining on waitlists beyond the age of service eligibility. · There is a true crisis for kids turning 19 years of age. There is no funding for any services once children with developmental disabilities become adults. · There is a very real crisis for aging parents who are 80 and 90 years of age. Their sons and daughters are still living at home with them and they are not receiving services until the parent is in crisis and must be hospitalized · There are families on waitlists for respite - the least expensive, most proactive support available for families. c. Public Hearings – Select Standing Committee on Finance. CLC Members were also reminded of the schedule and location of the hearings. CLC members are encouraged to show their concern by attending meetings in their communities. There will be an open mike period for the last half-hour of each hearing. Hearing locations we are aware of:
3. Meeting with the Premier. Anita Dadson advised that she will be meeting with the Premier, Gordon Campbell later today. Anita provided us with a summary of the issues she would be addressing with the Premier. She received support from the CLC membership based on the issues of budget cuts, waitlists, individualized funding as an option, family support and involvement of self advocates on the authority board. 4. Attendance by CLC Members at the Interim Authority Board Meetings. Beginning in October, a parent, a self-advocate and a service provider will be identified to attend every meeting of the IA Board. The CLC will create a Standing Committee which will be comprised of coalition members willing to commit to attend these meetings. By having a team of 9, it is expected that there will always be 3 people available to attend each meeting. The chair of the IA CLBC Board will always be contacted to confirm the names of the CLC members that will be attending a particular meeting. CLC members are invited to contact one of the co-chairs, Linda Perry or Jane Short, if they are willing to participate in this initiative. ( LindaPerry@microboard.org ) 5. Legislation. The Co-Chairs were asked to put legislation on the agenda of a future meeting. 6. Assessment of Current Events & Looking to the Future. Members present discussed ways that the CLC could revitalize their membership for the coming year of activity. It was agreed that we must be diligent observers of the community living transformation process. It was agreed that we will attempt to have meetings at different times / days. It was also agreed that our determination and our heart-driven commitment never fails! We will continue to have an action-oriented agenda with well-defined issues. It was suggested that CLC must be led by families and the parent heart. The CLC Communications Committee will be in contact with local associations to ensure that they know of our meeting dates. They will be asked to send representatives and to organize transportation for their members. 7. CLC Meeting Dates, Activities and Events in October and November, 2004.
8. Meeting adjourned |
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