Community Living Coalition

Meeting Minutes

October 22, 2004

1. Introductions were made around the room.
2. Update on the legislation:
   1. Final version is on the internet at: http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th5th/3rd_read/gov45-3.htm
   2. The legislation was given Royal Assent on October 21, 2004.
   3. Community Living Supports defined as:

      (a) support and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities;

      (b) support and services to families to assist them in caring for a child or an adult with a developmental disability;

      (c) support and services to adults, other than those described in paragraph (a) or (b), who, on the date that this Act comes into force, are receiving community living services under vote 16 in the estimates of revenue and expenditure approved for the Ministry of Children and Family Development in the Supply Act, 2004-2005;

      (d) support and services to other prescribed persons;

   4. Board Composition:

      1. Legislation was amended to add two members who must be persons with developmental disabilities.

      2. The board must include a majority of self advocates or individuals who have a significant connection to the individuals receiving community living services, including family members.

      3. There will now be up to 11 board members (previously up to 9 members).

   5. Surpluses - the Authority is able to retain surpluses and must apply those funds to community living services.  The authority may apply Unearned Revenue to the current service plan or may have to repay it to government.

   6. Definitions of Individualized Funding, Independent Planning were not included in the Act.  This is a weakness as government in the past has used the words inappropriately.

   7. Shared Responsibility: In the description of the Authority's service plan, it says "(c) encourage shared responsibility among families, service providers and community resources,".   People felt this was a little condescending and threatening to families who already have most or all of the responsibility.

   8. Authority reports to and is accountable to the Minister.  Coalition members felt that this provides good ongoing political accountability for Community Living Services.

   9. The Authority ownership will be one share - to be held by the Minister of Finance on behalf of the government.

   10. Much of the detail about how the Authority will work and services will be delivered will be defined by regulations.  It is important that these regulations get developed in an open process with community participation, the way the community governance process has been carried out over the past three years.

3. Attending Interim Authority Board Meetings:

   1. Sue Salter attended the board meeting on October 19th.  She was unable to recruit a self-advocate or service provider for that meeting but will get more people to call upon for the next meetings - Nov 23, Dec 7, Jan 12.

   2. Sue was welcomed as an observer - she was the only non-board member or staff there.  She reported on the agenda items covered - Phil Goodman's report, Governance, Audit, Information Systems.  There was also a report from Paula Grant on High Intensity Cases with numbers of people served and what their costs are.  In November 2003, there were 4 people who had services costing more than $300,000 per year and 9 people who had services costing between $200,000 and $300,000 per year.  Coalition members discussed the need for better collaboration with the Health authorities to ensure coordinated care for people with complex needs.

   3. There was some discussion about the Fred Milowsky report - who owns it and when it will be released to the public.  Coalition members thought it was important to get a copy of this report.

   4. There was much discussion about sorting out the interface between the Ministry and the Interim Authority.

   5. There was discussion about Individualized Funding, that the Interim Authority was waiting for more information from the Minister about where they should be going with individualized funding.

   6. More volunteers to attend meetings were recruited - Sue Salter, Jacquie Maniago, Tim Stainton,  Ernie Baatz, Cathy Grant, Mike Keating, Liz Barnett, Gerry Juzenas, Glen Campbell.

4. Update from Strategic Planning Committee - Invitations to Phil Goodman, Minister Hagen and Chair Lois Hollstedt to the Nov 4 Potluck were arranged.   Feedback on Finance Committee meetings was discussed. 

5. Update on the Potluck - November 4th 5pm - 9pm -

6. Waitlists - There needs to be better information on waitlists.  Motion: The coalition will make a request to MCFD for Waitlist numbers in each MCFD region and in particular, the number of children transitioning to adulthood.   Moved by Barb and seconded by Klaus. CARRIED

7. Respite Care - Revenue Canada has determined that dollars paid for respite care are taxable income.  The provincial government needs to be addressing with the Federal Government.  Families will be unable to find respite, and the respite they are able to buy will be reduced.

8. Individualized Funding - Phase One project of MCFD and the Interim Authority is stalled while the provincial government attempts to get a ruling on the tax handling of individualized funding.  Would funding provided to individuals or families be considered as income?  The Ministry is also challenged by the "unbundling" process.  When a person develops a plan that requires their funding to be separated from a globally funded contract

9. Meeting with Premier: Anita Dadson met with the premier and expressed her concerns about funding for community living, support to families, waitlists and the way our community has changed - people with disabilities are an integral part of our communities now and his government would be well-advised to increase funding to community living services.

10. Next Meetings: Potluck Meeting on November 4, 2004 5pm - 9pm, November 22, 2004 - 10am - Noon.

11. Meeting adjourned at 11:55am