December 3, 2003

1pm - 4pm

1. Introductions were made around the room - 40 people present
2. Key Issues Discussion
   1. Board Composition: The previous Interim Authority board was 25 people.  In November, an interim board was appointed to continue until the Board Resourcing office has selected the next Interim Authority board - which is also intended to be the first permanent board of CLBC.  The first board selected eight people from the 25 for the Minister to use as a pool to select four members for the permanent board - providing continuity while allowing fresh faces as well.  The Minister appointed all eight people, plus Robert Harry as the aboriginal community representative, David Driscoll as chair, and Chris Haynes, Deputy Minister to ensure strong communication with MCFD during the transition.  The Board Resourcing and Development Office is responsible for appointing the members to the next board.  There are no guarantees that the appointments will include any of the existing board members, or that the appointments will include any family members or self-advocates.
   2. Individualized Funding: Update from Brian Salisbury - 150 adults and 60 children in a first phase of Individualized Funding.  Criteria for selection include: Geographic diversity, the level of care required, the network of support present for the individuals, the level of change required for the person's care.  They hope to select participants who face a variety of circumstances to increase learning.  24 MCFD social workers were selected to get training as facilitators - this occurred in two groups at the end of October.  MCFD selected the participants based on their interest, collective agreement concerns, and budget issues.  Over 600 applications for Phase One were received - the screening process has been complex and time-consuming.  There will be a letter going out to applicants acknowledging their applications, and another letter going out to people whose applications have been rejected for this phase.  A plan is currently being explored which would see the facilitators going out to meet the applicants that have been short-listed to gather more information to assist in the final decision on participation in Phase One.  The process for the children's IF program has not been finalized but a letter and application are expected by the end of December.  There was an article in the last Transition Update - www.InterimAuthorityCLBC.ca/Documents/UpdateNov3003.htm that talks about two parallel projects in the US - Cash & Counselling, and the Self-Determination Project, that provide learning for BC as it proceeds with Individualized Funding.
   3. Community Living Budget Reductions - Interim Authority has been trying to work cooperatively with MCFD to meet 3 year budget targets. 
      1. First initiative was voluntary cost reduction - agencies were asked to look at restructuring some of their services to reduce costs and set a target for savings for this fiscal year.  They could also apply for restructuring funds to pay for one-time costs to assist in changing services.
      2. Second initiative came from MCFD - compensation overpayment - was a letter from MCFD requesting an arbitrary amount be reduced from compensation funding as of September 1, 2003.  MCFD's position is that the compensation funding is based on fully funding the collective agreement, and MCFD alleges that agencies do not need to have full funding.  (Eg. collective agreement specifies 18 days sick pay, but MCFD stated they would only fund 9 days as of Sept 1, 03.)  For some agencies, this works, but there is a wide variety actual experience for agencies.  If agencies are forced to give back more compensation funding than they can afford, their voluntary cost reduction initiatives may be scaled back.
      3. Last week, MCFD met with many agencies asking for a third level of savings - Dig deeper and Dig harder - to find savings to help them meet 2003-04 and 2004-05 budget targets.  Savings of about 6 Million are still being searched for this year and 23 Million next year.
         1. In discussions with agencies, a variety of threats were issued, including across-the- board cuts and re-tendering of all contracts.  Regional MCFD managers had different information and strategies that they discussed with service providers.
         2. Agencies report that additional cuts will cause reductions in service volumes or quality.  There are no more "voluntary" changes to make that protect service quality.
         3. Families are being told that changes must happen in spite of their concern or opposition.
         4. There was recognition that the targets, while substantial, are much less than two years ago, when the first target for the MCFD budget was a 35% reduction.
         5. There was also discussion that budget cuts for Community Living are not appropriate when there are long waiting lists and inadequate services for many individuals and families.
      4. The reality: The Sage Report said that budget stability must be attained before governance is addressed.  If the Ministry cannot meet its 2003-04 and 2004-05 budget targets, then there will be no transition to community governance.  The community agreed to work with MCFD on transition and on budget targets.  If we now say that there can be "no more budget cuts", there may be some reduction in budget cuts, but there will be no transition to community governance.
      5. Treasury Board is expecting a concrete plan to deliver 2004-05 budget targets by December 15, 2003.  If MCFD does not deliver an achievable plan, Treasury Board will force draconian cuts to ensure budget compliance.

         People discussed strategies for addressing the budget issues:

         1. Personal letters to Treasury Board outlining the cuts and the impacts on individuals.
         2. Agencies need to be open on the impact of budget cuts to their front-line services - how individuals' quality of life is affected.
         3. Is it time to draw a line in the sand - no more cuts? Or do we need to work cooperatively with MCFD to find ways to make the cuts in the safest, most collaborative way. 
         4. Health and Safety has always been a baseline requirement - not a negotiating tool.
         5. There needs to be discussion of strategies for the future - how will we be able to serve those on waitlists and those underserved?  We must have plans for continuing to find innovative, less expensive models of service.
         6. We face a Liberal government that cut $1.5 Billion in taxes and promised a balanced budget, and are committed to that as a re-election strategy in one year, so there is little room for negotiation.
         7. We need to be watching for people at risk and be able to stand up with these people to ensure their safety and point out to Treasury Board and MCFD the risks that people are facing through budget cuts.
         8. Families need to have support to stand up to unsafe cuts.
         9. If we agree to work with MCFD on achieving budget targets, then it is service providers that must find the savings and will have to make the tough decisions on direct service.  Community must stick together, not blaming service providers, but working with them and families to find ways to keep people safe.
         10. Once CLBC is created, the community can begin work on a re-investment strategy.  We worked together with government to help them achieve their goals, now they must work with us to achieve our goals.
         11. Both BCACL and the Safeguards Office - Jane Holland - have been swamped with calls for support and advocacy - is there some way to network families to ensure that families and individuals have support when faced with difficult decisions?
         12. Our commitment to participation in meeting budget targets is contingent on CLBC legislation being passed and CLBC being given control in 2004.  There should also be a renewal of the request for a commitment to 50% plus one on the CLBC board.
         13. MOTION: The CLC will write a letter to the Minister about  their concerns coming from the budget cuts, but supports the initiative of the service providers to work with MCFD to meet budget targets, if there is a commitment from MCFD to get the CLBC legislation passed and CLBC operational in June 2004.  The CLC also asks the Ministry to re-affirm its commitment to a board composition of 50% plus one of families and self-advocates.  CARRIED
         14. Next meeting: January 2004 - or December if collaborative budget strategies are unsuccessful and draconian strategies are introduced.
         15. Meeting adjourned at 4:50pm.