PDD NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING
Saturday,
December 11th, 2004 8:00 am
to 2:50 pm
Conference
Room, MacArthur Place
Lac La Biche, Alberta
APPROVED MINUTES
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair, Donna Desjardins, Vice Chair, Ralph Gorrie, Glenn Hennig, Carmela Levesque, Colleen Marks, Caren Mueller, Floyd Thompson
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Dr. Doug Fleming was absent for personal reasons.
Guests:
Ray Danyluk, MLA Lac La
Biche-St. Paul, Nancy Richard, Portage College, Dr. Susan Moisey, Athabasca
University, Joan Pattison, Co-Chair, Lac La Biche Community Council, Freda
Phillips, Member, CLALD Board, Don Bollinger, Member, CLALD Board, Jennifer
Gauthier, Board Member, CLALD, John and Brenda Elias, CLR Consultants Inc,
Wendy McDonald, AACL, Lori Adamchick, AACL, Barb Schultz
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 8:00 am, December 11, 2004.
#04-12-849 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board approve the agenda.
Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#04-12-850 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board approve the
minutes as presented. Carried unanimously.
Caren Mueller, Vimy
·
Athabasca
Community Council Meeting – November 16, 2004. Twelve people attended.
There were two guest speakers: Don Potti from AACL and Laurdel –
community kitchen.
·
Community
Kitchen
·
Laurdel
explained how the process would work. She has worked and helped set up over
fifty community kitchens in Calgary. The budget for the community kitchen is
being worked on. Diet needs for individuals will be taken in account when the
“menus” are being setup. The meals are pre-planned the week before so that food
can be purchased. People must bring their own containers. Laurdel suggested
that zip-lock bags work great, as they up less room in small freezer
compartments. The registration fee for each family is $10.00; the cost for a
family of 4 is $25.00 or approximately $6.25 per person. This is for fourteen
meals. The next stage is also to look at bulk purchases, such as a bulk food
box (20 pounds for $10.00) this would be for fruits and vegetables.
·
Don Pottie –
Family Voices (AACL)
·
Don said that
he is speaking to all the community councils in the Northeast PDD region.
Individuals that have problems can speak to someone at Family Voices, and
Family Voices brings issues to AACL and then it can be lobbied for. Another
worker is Sandra Hardy who is a Teachers Assistant at Fox Creek School. Both
Don and Sandra work ¼ time for Family Voices.
·
Don said there
are about 1,000 families throughout Alberta.
·
Blue Heron
·
Arno Birkigt
was not in attendance, however, it was brought to our attention that house #2
is moving to a new location.
·
December 10th
is the Blue Heron Christmas Party for residents.
·
Linda is the
new liaison for the Special Olympics group.
·
WJS Alberta
·
CET
accreditation is completed.
·
Audit of books
is completed.
·
Colinton is now
its own affiliation.
·
EPC
·
In-service for
the Alpha Smart computers is taking place November 17, 2004. This is an
invaluable tool for staff.
·
Conference
·
Everyone who
attended the conference had nothing but good things to say. Everyone enjoyed
themselves immensely and is now looking forward to next year’s conference.
·
Transportation
·
Transportation
has now been arranged with the local cab company to pick up individuals for the
meetings. This was a barrier for some who attended meetings and now seem to be
regulars.
·
Next meeting
·
No meeting will
take place in December, however a Christmas dinner and gathering is scheduled
for December 14th at 5:00 pm at the Golden Fountain Restaurant.
Ralph Gorrie,
Vegreville
·
Community
Council Meeting, October 1, 2004
·
Eleven members
attended.
·
Meeting
selected the Community Individual Awards and the Community Individual Award.
·
News from PDD
by Ralph Gorrie and Glenn Hennig
·
Continued to
emphasize the need to personally write letters regarding the need to improve
the AISH program.
·
Letter for the
Honourable Ed Stelmach acknowledging the letter on AISH improvement and that it
is being reviewed.
·
Informed the
members of the new happenings regarding the need for all of us to be careful in
how we account for the use of funds provided by the government.
·
Briefly
discussed the nature of the Northeast Conference in Cold Lake so that the group
would have some notion of the arrangement for the conference.
·
Affordable
Housing will be introduced as a topic at the next meeting in November.
·
Concern was
expressed regarding the cost of memberships to the Library. The meeting was
unanimous that the $15.00 annual fee was too much for the people with
developmental disabilities. I will follow this up for the next meeting.
·
We are pleased
that the new mayor of Vegreville will be a friend of PDD and we look forward to
working with him and the new council.
·
Next meeting of
Community Council is scheduled for the new year.
·
Town Council
has approved the 2.5 million dollar library and the land has been prepared for
this. On the same property will be a new Care Centre of 100 spaces to commence
in the spring.
·
Vegreville
Transportation Services Society
·
After six
months operation the system has proven to be successful financially as well as
functional.
·
The bulk (50%+)
of vouchers are used for medical reasons, which is significant.
·
The cost of
operation has been identified as less than projected at this point in time,
which will make the program sustainable.
·
This operation
is now very functionally successful with the next step to provide
transportation for the physically disabled with the operation of a Handivan in
the future.
·
VALID Meeting
of December 7, 2004
·
The Board
members who attended the Risk Management Session in Westlock were very pleased
with the presentation and expressed thanks for the opportunity. The management
of risks as presented brought a new significant dimension to the Board table.
·
We briefly
discussed the Second Century Strategies recognizing the shift from government
go governance operations and the need for a broader understanding of the
“inclusive community”.
Carmela Levesque,
Bonnyville
·
Attended the
Bonnyville Community Council Pizza Night
·
awards were
presented to Michael Marchuk and the Junior Pontiacs.
·
30 people
attended the meeting including the media.
·
The newspaper
published a very good article in the paper along with a picture of Michael at
work.
·
The new Mayor
attended, he will be a good friend of PDD.
·
Lawrence Noel
is still the Co-Chair, they are looking for another Co-Chair.
·
Some families
mentioned lack of parents getting together – directed them to Family Voices.
Will be asking someone from Family Voices to come to a meeting and give a
presentation.
·
Unable to
attend the Cold Lake Community Council meeting in November.
·
CSS and Dove
had a Christmas party on December 10.
·
Attended a
wrap-up meeting with the conference committee in Cold Lake.
Colleen Marks, Legal
·
Whitecourt
Community Council
·
I was unable to
attend the November 2004 meeting due to the Northeast PDD Board meeting. I did
attend their December 2, 2004 meeting.
·
The council
decided to start a new process and give everyone the opportunity to practice
speaking in front of a group. Each person will be able to speak for two minutes
at the beginning of the meeting on a topic chosen at the previous meeting. In
January 2005, they will talk about the favourite Christmas memory. The Community
Council felt that they would benefit from more opportunities to do public
speaking so that they could gain more confidence in this area.
·
The individuals
that attended the Northeast PDD Conference enjoyed themselves and gave lots of
positive feedback about it.
·
Most of the
individuals responded to the AISH review questionnaire.
·
They all voted
in both elections.
·
The council is
still interested in persuing the housing initiative. They feel that it has been
put off for too long. Some attended the housing workshop at the conference and
want to see more things happen in Whitecourt for low cost housing.
·
Community
capacity was discussed and they talked about what they could do to help open
hearts, minds and doors.
·
It was noted
that Arlene was unable to attend the Whitecourt community council meeting as
Barrhead’s Community Council meeting was scheduled for the same day.
·
I gave ECHOS a
Christmas card and fruit basket on December 2, 2004 in Whitecourt.
·
I plan to
attend the community council meeting in Westlock on December 13, 2004. I
planned to attend the meeting on November 1, 2004 but Bonnie Soloway informed
me that it had been cancelled due to the Conference.
·
I attended the
WJS Christmas party on December 9. 2004.
·
Attended the
VALID Board meeting with Ralph Gorrie. They were very appreciative of the Risk
Management Session.
·
Talked to the
Mayor of Mundare – let him know that someone would like to come and talk to him
and the town council about community capacity.
·
The Mayor
mentioned that he knows a couple of things in his community that need improving
at the arena and local businesses.
·
Inclusive
Library Project
·
Brought
greetings from the Board at the Training Seminar that was offered in St. Paul
for librarians in the region interested in the assistive software. Very
exciting. When you are next in St. Paul, I would recommend that you visit the
St. Paul Library and see the various software/hardware that is available.
·
Last night, I
presented a special gift to Mary Grace, a volunteer at the St. Paul Library who
has supported and helped “make happen” the e-mail Tuesdays in St. Paul over the
summer months. This presentation was at the Library Board meeting. Recognition
should certainly be given to the St. Paul Library Board for believing in making
the Library a place for all community members, and also to the Friends of the
St. Paul Library Society who spent many hours working bingos to help support
the project.
·
Small Sparks
·
Members of the
interagency committee for the Town and the County got together this month and
formed a “Small Sparks” committee with representation from both the Town and
the County. I am attending these meetings, along with Bill Tidsbury and other
PDD staff. The next meeting is on Monday, December 13, 2004.
·
Risk Management
Seminar in Westlock – November 15, 2004.
·
Excellent
presentation by Linda Graff. A very positive direction for community
governance.
·
Community
Council Meeting – November 17, 2004
·
I was unable to
attend the Community Council meeting because I was at a Provincial Board
retreat. I have been told that the most part of the night’s discussion was
around the Conference. Everyone seemed to be happy with the weekend. There was
a suggestion that the evaluations also be available in plain language.
Floyd Thompson, Lac
La Biche
·
Thanked the Lac
La Biche Community Council members and CLALD Board members for attending the
Board meeting.
·
Introduced Joan
Pattison, the new Co-Chair for the Lac La Biche Community Council and expressed
appreciation for the service Albert Cloutier has given over the past three
years as Co-Chair. Albert will continue public relations work on behalf of the
council.
·
Joan is very
active in Special Olympics and signed up five new bowlers – the bowling team
will be attending the Summer Olympics this year.
·
A ramp is being
built for the bowling alley.
·
Albert Cloutier
and Linda Dwyer attended the Frontline Staff Conference and presented what
frontline staff means to them.
·
Jody Nicholson
attended the John McKnight session in Fort McMurray.
·
Candy Lewis was
hired as the new FASD outreach worker in Lac La Biche. Her office is at the
CLALD offices.
·
The Lac La
Biche banner that was displayed at the conference is now in the CLALD office as
a work of art.
Jennifer Gauthier, Board Member, CLALD
· Thanked the Board for the Christmas basket given to CLALD.
· Mentioned that their agency has been quite busy with a focus on employment activities.
· Two individuals are now in paid employment and three more soon will be. Many others have volunteer positions.
· Looking at community capacity – several individuals are not able or willing to look at employment options but want to contribute to their community – some volunteer at the extended care.
· The CLALD Board has been busy, looking at business planning, more board development activity, risk assessment and planning for risk management.
· Jennifer thanked the Board and administration for the support they have given CLALD.
Ray Danyluk, MLA, Lac La Biche-St. Paul
· The initiatives and the directions that the Northeast takes are ones to be modeled in other parts of the province.
· Will be meeting with the new Minister of Seniors and Community Supports informally on December 12 and formally on December 13, 2004. Would like to tell her about some of the work and initiatives that the Northeast Board has undertaken. Think it will be positive.
Presentations by Dr. Susan Moisey, Associate Professor, Athabasca
University and Mr. John Elias, CLR Consultants, are reported under Agenda Items
2.1 and 2.2.
F. Reports
1.
Board Communications & Operations
1.1 Northeast
Board Planning Cycle for 2005/2008 Business Plan
Recommendation: That the Board receive the report for information.
Purpose of Report: Discussion and direction to the administration on the 2005/2008 Business Planning Process
The Provincial Board has distributed the Provincial Business Plan for the period 2005/2006 to 2007/2008. The new plan has some adjustments in the five provincial goals and strategies.
The Northeast Board will be responsible for submitting their business plan to the Provincial Board administration on February 25 with a presentation of the plan to the Provincial Board on March 5, 2005.
The Board discussed changes to the goals, priorities, and a measurement system to help the Board determine if they are achieving their goals.
#04-12-851 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.2 Sixth
Annual Northeast Alberta Regional Conference
November 5th
and 6th, 2004: Debrief and Evaluation Summary
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information
The Board reviewed and discussed a summary of the Sixth Annual Regional Conference evaluations. As in previous years, the response rate was low (approximately 25%) and the results were outstanding. The conference appears to have been a major success and appreciated by many.
A number of new people attended the conference. This helped open doors that had not been there before for employment, etc.
#04-12-852 MOTION: Caren
Mueller moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.3 Seventh
Annual Northeast Regional Conference:
November 4th,
5th and 6th, 2005, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Discussion and input.
The Seventh Annual Conference is approximately eleven months away and the first meeting of the Fort McMurray conference planning committee and representatives from the administration is scheduled for January 19th at 7:00 pm in Fort McMurray.
Glenn Hennig will be the Board representative on the conference planning committee.
#04-12-853 MOTION: Colleen
Marks moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.4 Northeast
Board Visual Image: Update
Recommendation: That the Board approve the changes to their visual identity
as presented by the administration at the December 11, 2004 Board meeting.
Purpose of Report: Information and approval
The Board reviewed and discussed images to be included in the Northeast Board’s current visual identity.
The images on the letterhead will remain the same but the images on the business cards, note cards, folders, etc. will change.
The Board uses images of people they provide services to. The images speak to the values of community, family, leisure, work, recreation, and some of the values the Board has in its Business Plan.
#04-12-854 MOTION: Colleen Marks moved the Board approved the changes to the
images as presented. Carried unanimously.
1.5
Board Development Session on Risk Management: Debrief
and Follow-up
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
On November 15th and 16th, 2004 the Northeast Board held a Board development session on risk management. The Board discussed their thoughts and reactions to the session.
Risk Management will be scheduled for further discussion at the January Board meeting.
#04-12-855 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.6
Board Development Session: Inclusive Communities – Role
of the Board
(Scheduled for 1:15 pm)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and Board Development – Session II
On September 18, 2004 the Northeast Board participated in an Information and Board Development Session to explore the concepts outlined in the Second Centuries Communities paper, “In pursuit of a Vision: Leadership, Assurance, Roles and Responsibilities in Second Century Communities”. Wendy McDonald, Vice-president of AACL and a parent and Lori Adamchick Director, Family Advocacy for AACL and a parent facilitated the Session.
At this meeting, the Board members also participated in a Board development activity facilitated by Wendy and Lori, on Inclusive Communities.
The knowledge gained from these Board development sessions will enable the Board to further refine its roles, responsibilities and action plans in advancing community inclusion.
1.7 New Ministry of Seniors and Community
Services
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information.
The Premier, Ralph Klein, announced the new Alberta Government Cabinet on November 24th, 2004. A new Ministry of Seniors and Community Supports was also announced with the Honourable Yvonne Fritz, MLA for Calgary-Cross, as Minister.
The areas of responsibility for the new Ministry include:
· Seniors
· Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
· Persons with Developmental Disabilities
· Community Supports (Premiers Council, Acquired Brain Injury, GAP)
The Deputy Minister assigned to the new Ministry is Mr. Ken Wilson.
The Board will send the Minister and MLAs from the Northeast Region an invitation for the 7th Annual Northeast Regional conference.
#04-12-856 MOTION: Floyd Thompson moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2. Administration
2.1 Person Centered Planning Resource for Families (CD ROM and Guide)
(Scheduled
for 11:15 am)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: For information and input from the Board.
A project was initiated to produce a CD-ROM and Manual on the topic of Person-Centered Planning, as a resource for families.
The Board received a copy of the CD-ROM and Manual for review and comments back to John Elias and Dr. Susan Moisey, who will do another set of revision to the CD-ROM and Manual if required.
John Elias of CLR Consultants presented the CE-ROM version of the Person Centered Manual showing how to use the manual, menu, etc.
It is anticipated that both resources will be ready for distribution in January 2005.
2.2 TechnAbilities: Project Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: For information and input from the Board.
Dr. Susan Moisey, Associate Professor, Athabasca University gave the Board a presentation on the TechnAbilities – Inclusive Libraries Initiative in St. Paul.
· The goal of the TechnAbilities project is to increase individual and community capacity through the use of technology. It has been underway for about two years.
· Very important to have natural community supports – want people involved in information technology as this leads to independence.
· St. Paul Library is working a lot on its own, with successful Library Board engagement.
· A grant was acquired to buy a new computer and assistive devices, etc. so it can be used by people with different disabilities.
· In the summer of 2004, the St. Paul Library hosted an 8-week pilot project, “E-mail Tuesday,” a program designed to enhance the email skills of individuals with developmental disabilities.
· A training package was developed for the library volunteers and training was conducted to prepare them for the “E-mail Tuesday” program.
· An outreach worker was hired under the Community Access Program (CAP) – they have been going to local groups and talking about promoting the library services.
· Trying to use St. Paul as a model for other libraries.
2.3 Provincial Funding Policy (Draft)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion of roles.
At the November 4th, 2004 public Board meeting, the administration presented a report introducing the draft Provincial Funding Policy along with the plan for introducing the policy within the Northeast Region. A number of groups are reviewing the draft policy in accordance with the regional plan.
The Northeast Board, as part of this review, reviewed and discussed the following sections of the draft policy. The remaining sections of the policy will be reviewed at the January Board meeting.
· Preamble
· Purpose and Intent
· Funding Options
· Planning for Supports
#04-12-857 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board accept the report as
information. Carried unanimously.
2.4 Service Provider Performance Evaluation Questionnaire
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Auditor General of Alberta’s 2004 Annual Report recommended that the Provincial PDD Board perform a risk-based assessment for Service Providers. A further recommendation was to complete audits in situations where the risk assessments indicated that a Service Provider may be in jeopardy of breeching their contract.
A Service Provider Performance Evaluation Questionnaire was developed to begin the first stage of the risk-based assessment. Service Providers were asked to complete this twenty-page questionnaire and return it to the Provincial Board by December 17th, 2004. The areas evaluated by the questionnaire are a) Governance b) Financial Matters c) Operational Matters d) Human Resources and e) General matters and Certification.
The information provided through the completed questionnaire will assist in determining the next stage of the Provincial audit plan, scheduled to begin in January 2005.
The administration and Service Providers will need to meet collectively to assess and design programs to ensure that the Northeast Region has the viable programs that are needed.
#04-12-858 MOTION: Carmela
Levesque moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.5 Bereavements
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information
It was with sadness that the administration informed the Board of the passing of two individuals within the Northeast Region who were receiving funded supports.
Melvin Paulson passed away on November 15, 2004 at 5:00 a.m. in the Barrhead Hospital following complications resulting from a stroke. Melvin’s family was with him at the time of his passing.
Lawrence Fontaine passed away on November 21, 2004 from pneumonia at the Elk Point Health Centre. Lawrence had moved from Edmonton to St. Paul in April of 2001 to be closer to his family.
PDD staff attended both funerals and cards and flowers were sent on behalf of the Board and CEO.
#04-12-859 MOTION: Colleen
Marks moved the Board accept the Report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
C.
Communications from Board Chair
December 14th, 2004, St. Paul
·
The Board
struck a regional committee to look at a framework.
·
The committee
is designed to give feedback.
·
Will be meeting
on December 14th, 2004.
·
The intended
outcomes of the assurance framework are:
·
Understand key
aspects of good governance and how best to assess that from a fiduciary
responsibility.
·
Also look at
the governance structure.
·
Once the
framework and assessment process has been designed, the Northeast Board will be
the first to go through the accountability framework.
·
Requesting a
meeting with the Board.
·
A response will
be sent proposing a meeting with the Community Council Chairs and Co-Chairs at
the April or May Board meeting.
·
Satisfaction
Survey – eighty percent of individuals surveyed are happy with the services
they receive and process.
·
The Northeast
Region has the lowest appeals in the province. Appeals usually stop at a lower
level than in the rest of the province.
·
This is due to
the individuals being understanding and reasonable and the agencies being so
adaptable with working with families. The agencies in our region do a wonderful
job to try and accommodate and work with families.
·
There are 10-20
percent that, through our mandate, we cannot provide services to. We cannot
expand our mandate but have been instructed bring down a new definition.
·
There was a
motion on the floor to change the wording of eligibility and define
eligibility; it was pulled off the floor for further consideration.
·
The Audit
Committee has a big task but it is going ahead well.
H. Communications
from CEO
· Conversation with Al Pierog – he passed on his formal thanks to the Board for their letter of congratulations on his new position.
· Wrap Around Services Sessions were held November 29th and 30th in Westlock.
· Attended a Mental Health Services PDD Input Session
November 30th, Westlock
“The Capacity of Northeast Alberta Libraries to Support Individuals with Developmental Disabilities”
Dr. Moisey has been invited to join "eLearning and Accessibility in Postsecondary Education" as a Research Associate.
I. In-Camera Session
(Review organizational issues)
#04-12-860 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board go In-Camera at 8:00 am
to discuss organizational issues.
#04-12-861 MOTION: Colleen Marks moved the Board come out of Camera
at 9:00 am. Carried unanimously.
J. Notice of
Motion/Request for Information
K. Proposed Meeting Dates
#04-12-862 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board adjourn at 2:50 pm.
Carried unanimously.