PDD NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING
Saturday,
December 14, 2002 8:45 am –3:15
pm
McArthur
Place, Lac La Biche, Alberta
APPROVED MINUTES
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair; Donna Desjardins, Vice-Chair; Carmela Levesque;
Dr. Doug Fleming, Ralph Gorrie; Laurel Morris-Duncan
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary.
Absent:
Johanne Hassey and Christine Botsford were away for personal reasons.
Guests:
Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services Authority Board:
Hansa Thaleshvar, Co-Chair, David Beale, Board Member, Shelley Dyck, Board Member, Karen Sliwkanich, Board Member, Tracy Cowden, Board Member
Gord Johnston, CEO, Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services, Bev Morrison, Executive Assistant to the CEO, and Farrel Palmer, Executive Director, CLALD
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 8:45 am, December 14, 2002.
#02-12-556 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board approve the
agenda.
Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#02-12-557 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board approve the
minutes. Carried unanimously.
Presentation by Farrel Palmer, A/CEO, Community Living Association for the
Little Divide (CLALD)
· Mr. Palmer mentioned that he has been with CLALD for a year. They have accomplished a variety of things during the year with great success.
· CLALD had a retreat recently where employees got together and did their operational plans. They were assisted by Allan Douglas and Heather Halpenny and did a phenomenal job.
· The CLALD Board will be going through some Board development, Board goals and Board governing process.
· CLALD has purchased a new van and is planning a new facility with new service opportunities for people.
· CLALD will be going through a CET review in March. Very optimistic about the process.
· May ask for the assistance of the Northeast Board CEO with recruitment of a new CEO for CLALD.
· The CEO confirmed that he would be happy to assist CLALD with recruitment.
· CLALD operates one residence in Lac La Biche. The individuals living there feel comfortable now. They feel that it is their home.
Presentation by Gord Johnston, CEO, Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services
· Services
· Child Protection – fostering, adoptions program
· Resources for Children with Disabilities
· Child Care Services
· Prevention of Family Violence – fund three women’s shelters
· Child Financial Services – financial program designed to offset costs for relatives who have been asked to take of relative’s children.
· Residential Services
· Early Intervention/Diversion Services
· Mission . . . Working to ensure that children and families are well cared for by providing community-based services as early as possible that are integrated and culturally appropriate.”
· Vision …
· Children and families are safe.
· Children are succeeding and have reached their potential.
· Sakaigun Asky Region is one in which all communities take care of their community members.
· Children and families live in nurturing and healthy homes.
· Children, women and men are free from the threat and fear of violence.
· Business and Performance Planning
· Sakaigun Asky CFSA works hard to ensure that communities have input into organizational direction setting and related business planning.
· Majority of budget is used up on the children’s side of the programs.
· The Alberta Response Model
· In the Fall of 2001 the Ministry of Children’s Services introduced a new case management system that described elements ranging from Intake, to Assessment Planning, to service provision to outcomes.
· Region 12 had been following this practice for some time.
· On the early intervention side Sakaigun Asky is building early childhood development and home visitation resources across the region to ensure supports are put into homes as early as possible.
· Sakaigun Asky has designed programming across the Region to focus on differential response to child and family issues, and rigorous diversion of non-protection issues.
1.1
Meeting with Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services
Authority:
Draft Governance Agreement
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and preparation for meeting
The Northeast Board and Sakaigun Asky Authority held a joint Board meeting to discuss the formation of a governance agreement in the Lakeland area for all Boards, Authorities and other potential partners providing health, education and specialized community supports to children and adults.
The CEO, Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services, gave a presentation and overview of their organization and services, Mission, and Vision.
Northeast Alberta PDD Community Board Chair, Don Schultz, Donna Desjardins, Vice Chair, and Ralph Gorrie, Board Member, gave a presentation and overview on PDD and what kind of services are available from PDD. The Northeast Board is committed to ensuring that individuals have choices in their communities.
The Northeast Board and Sakaigun Asky Board discussed regional demographics, the budget process for each Board, transition, and the wage issue, which is a common concern for both Boards.
The Boards also discussed the Family to Family Network that has been initiated by the Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL). The Northeast Board has partnered with AACL on a Family to Family pilot project in the Northeast Region.
Dr. Doug Fleming, Board member, gave an overview on the development of a current governance agreement to which the Northeast Board is a partner. Everyone involved in the governance agreement discussed and helped develop the agreement, which took a year. There is an administrative structure to support the agreement. There was community involvement in developing the structure.
After discussion of various aspects of a governance agreement, and how they can work together, the Northeast Board and the Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services Authority Board agreed to hold a joint Governance workshop early in the new year.
1.2
Role of Regional Service Centre: Presentation
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information
The Northeast Alberta Community Board receives a number of services from the Regional Service Centre (Ministry of Human Resources and Employment) in Lac La Biche.
Connie Zatorski, Director, Finance and Monitoring, from the Alberta Corporate Service Center in Lac La Biche gave the Board an overview of the services provided to the Children’s Authority, the Northeast Board, and the regional administration for Human Resources and Employment Ministry.
There are six Alberta Corporate Service Centers (ACSC) in Alberta, four rural and two city. ACSC in Lac La Biche provides a bit more service that other centres but is structured the same.
Examples of services provided are information technology, human resources, administration, contract assistance, internal audit function, and finance services.
#02-12-558 MOTION: Laurel Morris-Duncan moved the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.3
Northeast Alberta Community Board: Internal Audit
Reports
Recommendation: That the Board receive the Internal Audit Reports as
Information
Purpose of Report: Review and acceptance of internal audit reports
At the June 15, 2002 and September 15, 2002 Board meetings the administration presented information reports outlining the role of the internal audit team and a schedule of internal audits to be completed by March 31, 2002.
Thomas Porter, Audit Team Leader, Alberta Corporate Service Centre, gave the Board an overview of the audit process and the reports resulting from the audits done under the internal audit schedule.
The Audit Team looks a number of areas, Board governance, accounts payable, expense claims, hosting, funding agreements, contract management, assets, etc. Documents are examined to ensure they are properly authorized and the approvals are in place, then audit results are discussed with staff.
The Board discussed the concept of Risk Management with Mr. Porter and what steps are taken to manage areas of potential risk.
#02-12-559 MOTION: Carmela
Levesque moved the Board accept the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.4
Northeast Regional Conference 2002: Debrief
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion
The Northeast Regional Conference entitled “Building Community Capacity: Opening Our Hearts, Our Minds, and Our Doors” took place on November 22nd and 23rd in St. Paul, Alberta. The conference was well attended with approximately 260 people present for the opening sessions and dinner on Friday evening.
Board members will be talking to their communities about location and ideas for the next conference.
The Board reviewed and discussed the evaluations and written comments from the conference, with a view to future conferences. Overall the evaluations and comments were very positive.
A schedule will be developed for the Business Plan mural, which was unveiled at the conference, to be toured around the region to community councils, art galleries, malls, etc.
#02-12-560 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.1
Northeast Region Human Resources Framework:
Professional Development Initiatives
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and update on business plan objectives
and strategies
In support of the Provincial Board “Goal 3: Human resources are valued, from Service Provider staff within the community to government staff working in PDD”, the Northeast Board has identified several objectives and strategies for partnership with the Consortium of Service Providers.
The Board discussed some of the outcomes of their partnership with the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers, and plans for the future. The Board and the Consortium are working toward the same goals.
The Northeast Board is assisting the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers to develop their own Wordmark.
#02-12-561 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.2
Natural Supports Model: Northeast Regional Initiative
(deferred)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information on initiative and revised timeline
The administration introduced the Board to the concept of Natural Community Supports at the August 17, 2002 Board meeting. The Board endorsed this initiative as part of an overall approach to building the capacity of local communities to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Cheryl Crocker will give a presentation on Natural Supports at the January Board meeting. A similar presentation will also be given at the next meeting of the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers.
The Board discussed the need for natural supports and ways to enhance community understanding and awareness of the concept of natural supports.
#02-12-562 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept
the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.3
Employment Initiatives: Regional Update (deferred)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and update on this initiative
The Board reviewed a report on the National Supported Employment, Eighth Annual Conference was held in Calgary, November 13 – 15, 2002.
The Northeast Region was represented by Tim Bear, Executive Director, St. Paul Abilities Network, James Challman, Executive Director, Blue Heron Vocational Training Centre, and Bill Tidsbury, Community Service Coordinator, Northeast Alberta Community Board. Mr. Tidsbury gave a presentation on the power and promise inherent in the partnerships that are being developed across the region.
Tim Bear and James Challman gave a presentation around many of the concrete examples in the Northeast of post secondary education, employment, and entrepreneurial activities.
The Northeast Board will be looking for potential employers to sit on an advisory committee to provide perspective on employment initiatives in the region.
#02-12-563 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.4
Alberta Government’s Aboriginal Policy Framework:
Northeast Board Strategy Update
(deferred)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and update on this initiative
The Provincial Board business plan under goal 5, “Work with entities at federal, provincial, regional and local levels to address community inclusion for persons with developmental disabilities,” has a strategy 5.2.1 “Implement a PDD action plan to respond to the Alberta Government’s Aboriginal Policy Framework.”
The Northeast Board has developed an approach and action plan to address the Alberta Government’s Aboriginal Policy Framework.
In support of this objective, the Board reviewed a training proposal from Blue Quills College, for Service Provider Agencies.
This training proposal is modeled on the first training session completed by the Board, their administration, and Service Provider CEOs.
#02-12-564 MOTION: Laurel Morris-Duncan moved the Board
accept the
report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.5
Human Resource Forum, October 23 and 24, 2002:
Discussion Paper
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and update
On October 23rd and 24th, 2002 a regional Human Resource Forum was held with the Consortium of Service Providers. The purpose of the forum was to review the framework and directions established at the Human Resource Forum in 2000, along with accomplishments and events that have taken place since that time. A second major purpose was to identify new priorities, initiatives and directions, which will frame the Regional Human Resource Framework and Strategy for the next two years (2003-2005).
The Board reviewed the proceedings of the Human Resource Forum, noting that the Northeast Board and the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers are working toward the same end.
#02-12-565 MOTION: Carmela Levesque moved the Board accept
the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.6
Provincial Funding Review: Regional Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information
At the November 24th Board meeting, the administration presented a report entitled Provincial Funding Review: Northeast Region Initiative. This report outlined the pilot projects undertaken by the Northeast Board and their partners to implement and evaluate strategies designed to address the Provincial Funding Review Recommendations.
The Board reviewed a report from the Provincial Funding Review Committee regarding potential areas of Administrative Burdens. These items will be reviewed again later in light of current and proposed practices in the Northeast Region.
#02-12-566 MOTION: Carmela Levesque moved the Board accept
the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
#02-12-567 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved that the Board send a
thank you
letter to Mr.
Danyluk. Carried unanimously.
02-12-568 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved that the Board direct
their
administration to send a list of Agency Board
Chairs to the Provincial Board administration to be added to their mailing list
for Provincial Board publications.
Carried unanimously.
02-12-569 Doug Fleming moved the Board adjourn at 3:15 pm.
Carried unanimously.
________________________________ ________________________________
Don Schultz, Chairman Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO