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- 9:30 am - Meeting began at BACI - 2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby
- Introductions were made around the room
- Update on the TSC - Laney: The final report of the TSC went forward to the
Minister two days ago. The report is still a final draft until a final
TSC meeting on October 22, 02, when all TSC members will be able to have final
sign off. The document should be then be released on October 23, 02 on
the Ministry and TSC websites -
www.cltsc.bc.ca .
- Now, we are moving into a very risky transitional phase - interim
legislation provides support to a transition process, but does not create a
legal interim authority with clear mandate and guidelines.
- Still working on figuring out the budget issues... There is a budget
working group with five community members: Doug Woollard, Lorraine Ward,
Bill Fildes, Doug Walls, Klaus Linemayr and five Ministry folks. The
minister is expecting a report on October 20, 02.
- Minister Hogg's letter was read out. (Click
Here to Read)
- E-mail from Elaine Murray to
Community Living Managers was circulated - requesting that Community
Living managers wait for further directions before cutting budgets.
- The challenge for families is the balance between supporting the TSC
proposal, but risking significant budget cuts which will put many people at
risk. The Ministry has Plan B's that would assist the Ministry to
reach 2003-04 budget targets. These plans are rumored to be very blunt
instruments such as "cross the board" contract reductions, or massive
retendering of contracts. We need to campaign - educate MLA's about
the opportunity that exists with the TSC proposal.
- There is no support in the current system for change, or for
improvements to community living... Families are told that there is no
ability to plan by the Ministry because they are waiting for the new system.
There is very little leadership in the Ministry to their field staff about
the positive opportunities that will exist with a new authority.
- There was a panel of international experts who reviewed the Draft TSC
report - these reviews will be requested to be released for public
distribution.
- CSSEA Board Change: The CSSEA Board was replaced by a public administrator
to oversee the development of a new structure that meets the needs of regional
authorities and the provincial CL authority. The authorities will also
be employers and will need some sort of employers' association. Another
CSSEA issue concerning families is the hold up in releasing wage increases in
October 2002. This was explained as being separate from the Board issue,
and is being held up by arbitration over which positions are RCW equivalent.
For more information, check the CSSEA website at
www.cssea.bc.ca
- IF Family Coalition (IFFC): Linda Perry presented an update on the work of
the IFFC. The IFFC received a grant from the Vancouver Foundation for a
two year project to assist families in BC to facilitate the development of
family leadership in communities around the province. Through this
process, families will develop strategies to monitor and guide the
implementation process of the move to a new governance authority.
Opportunities available through the grant work are intended for all families
who agree that I.F. must be an option, even if they don't choose that option
for themselves. The IFFC can be contacted at
individualizedfunding@shaw.ca or contact Maria Glaze or Linda Perry at:
Phone 604-575-2588 & Fax: 604-575-2589, or website:
www.individualizedfunding.com
. The full IFFC overheads are linked here:
IFFC Presentation - October 10, 02
- Communications Committee Report: Ernie presented an update on the
creation of bulletins. Bulletin #1 is on the web and will be distributed
by BCACL. In it, we request the development of a network of community
facilitators. The draft bulletin #2 will be re-drafted to synchronize
with the IFFC project to build a provincial network of community facilitators.
- MOTION: In support of continuing to build the vision of community living, the
Coalition, in collaboration with the IFFC, will develop and support a network
of community facilitators throughout the province. Moved by Brian,
Seconded by Ron W.: CARRIED
- Inside Out: Mike Keating spoke
about the 4th annual
“Community Living Day Celebration”, 7 pm on October 15, 2002, at Coquitlam
Centre Shopping Mall. The event has been planned as a kick off for the week
long art display “FROM THE INSIDE/OUT”. It is an evening when the local
community is invited to discover the capacity and creativity of people who
live with a disability and to understand the meaning of community living. A
time to mark the breaking down of barriers and celebrate the varied and unique
contributions everyone brings to community.
"From the Inside/OUT!" is based on the experiences of 28 people
who lived in lived in one or more of BC's large institutions for people with
developmental disabilities. It celebrates their journey from institutional
living to community living. This Exhibit includes the works of many local
artists from the Tricities / New Westminster area.
“FROM THE INSIDE/OUT” is at the
Coquitlam Centre from October 15th through the 20th.
- Convention in Australia:
Brian Salisbury commented on the presentation on BC's system change
initiative that he, Al Etmanski and Linda Perry gave at the 13th World
Inclusion Congress in Melbourne, Australia in September. There were
approximately 55 people in attendance who, without exception, were very
impressed with the breadth and scope of the changes proposed for BC. People
issued two cautions however: 1) any deep budget cuts threaten to de rail a
very bold vision and 2) exercise care when importing staff from the current
systems, especially with the MCFD, into the new governance authority and
planning commission because many of these people will continue to subscribe
to an old vision of how people with disabilities should be supported. This
issue has significant implications for training and human resource
development.
- Next Meeting: Monday, October 21, 2002 from 1:00 - 4:30 PM
and Thursday, November 7, 2002 from 10 AM - 2 PM - venues will be announced
via email when they are finalized.
- Adjournment
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