NORTHEAST ALBERTA COMMUNITY BOARD
PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
PUBLIC MEETING
Saturday, June
18th, 2005 9:00 am to 3:00
pm
Conference
Room, Clearwater Suite Hotel
#4 Haineault Street, Fort McMurray, Alberta
APPROVED MINUTES
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair, Donna Desjardins, Vice Chair, Ralph Gorrie, Caren Mueller,
Floyd Thompson, Dr. Doug Fleming
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese,
Recording Secretary
Regrets:
Glenn Hennig and Colleen Marks were absent for personal reasons.
Guests:
Geoff Wright and Philip Mackin, Co-Chairs, Fort McMurray Community Council, Niki Lou Mackin, Fort McMurray Community Council, Cory Wheating, Secretary, Self-Advisory Group.
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 9:00 am, June 18th, 2005.
#05-06-925 MOTION: Floyd Thompson moved the Board approve the agenda
with addition. Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
Change brochurde on page 2 to brochure.
#05-06-926 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board approve the
minutes as changed. Carried unanimously.
· Athabasca Community Council Meeting, June 14, 2005
· Special Guest Speaker – Tim MacDonald, Office of the Public Guardian, North Region.
· Guardianship must in someway significantly make their life better
· Who is eligible
· Must be 18 years old
· Will act in best interest of the individual
· Not in conflict of interest
· Suitable and able
· Determines/decides if an individual is dependent
· Parents are not automatically guardians w/o guardian order
· Application Info Summary, along with report from physician, and functional assessment.
· Areas of Guardianship
· This will determine what the guardian will look after, i.e.: where to live, licenses and permits, with whom to live and consort, legal matters, social activities, health care, etc. The guardian can have one or all of the above areas. The guardian must make decisions in the best interests of the dependent, in such a way as to encourage independence and in the least restrictive manner.
· A service provider must be aware of the areas of guardianship. Alternate guardian will make decision on a temporary basis with written authority of the guardian. The alternate must be identified in the guardianship order. This order is to be reviewed every 6 years. If a guardian must be discharged, there are a number of procedures as well. If an alternate is not named, then the Public Guardian is named.
· Legislation
· Dependent Adults Act
· Mental Health Act
· Personal Directive Act
· In the province of Alberta, there is approximately an 80/20 split for Private/Public Guardians. A legislative review is scheduled for the fall of 2005. The guardians can go through a lawyer or through SPAN for help in completing the forms. For more info go to the website at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca.
· Blue Heron
· 4 athletes going to Lethbridge for bowling
· 2 teams will be going to St. Paul in August for baseball
· Bowling was completed until September
· Annual meeting of Blue Heron will take place June 28, 2005 at the seniors centre at 5:30 pm – cost of $10.00, contact Blue Heron for tickets.
· Edwin Parr
· Kirsti Giacobbo didn’t have much as the year is winding down. School is complete on June 29th.
· Northeast Regional Board
· Caren spoke about the last meeting in Bonnyville, and told the group about the meeting with all the community chairs and co-chairs. Everyone was pleased that this was taking place and they look forward to continued communications.
· Conference Awards
· Service Award – Maureen Reimer – Community Kitchen
· Maureen was instrumental in making this happen, when the lady who started this concept could not complete the task. They had a couple of cooking sessions and will restart in September.
· Merit Award – Grace Couterier – local resident
· Grace had moved many times over her life and at one point was in Michener Centre. She came to Athabasca in 1998. She has grown and blossomed and is known locally as a Butterfly, because she knows everyone and has emerged from this solitary cocoon to a wonderful lady.
· Other:
· Suggestions were made to make use of the local media for free advertising of the Community meetings, i.e. both radio and newspaper.
· A community wiener roast is tentatively scheduled for July 20th pending confirmation of location availability.
Adjourned: 8:40 pm. Next meeting scheduled for the second Tuesday in September, at EPC.
Ralph Gorrie, Vegreville
·
The Vegreville Community
Council continues to have excellent turnouts. They are looking for a bigger
meeting place for next fall.
·
Vegreville
Transportation System Society (VTSS) – the lease agreement is before us. It
looks like that will be in place next week. Hoping to get the taxi company to
be a partner in this.
·
The town has
given a grant for $15,000 for a subsidy program.
·
Wheels in
motion raised $5,700 dollars – half of that came to VTSS.
·
A wiener roast
is being planned for the end of the year.
·
There was no
VALID Board meeting this month because they are holding their AGM.
·
Will attend a
Policy Development Committee meeting on June 22, 2005.
Floyd Thompson, Lac La Biche
·
There was no
Lac La Biche Community Council meeting in June.
Don Schultz, Barrhead
·
Attended a
joint barbecue held by the Barrhead Community Council for families with
children with developmental disabilities in the Barrhead community.
· St. Paul Community Council – June 15, 2005
· The meeting was a happy celebration of Randy Jacobson’s accomplishments and Norm McLeod award. The DVD that had been presented at the Award Ceremony was shown for the community members to enjoy.
· The “Financial Planning and AISH” meeting has been postponed until the September 2005, meeting.
· A committee was formed to select the Service and Merit Awards for the conference.
·
Positive People Society of St. Paul
· Six members of the Society are traveling to Edmonton this weekend for the Leadership Today annual meeting. Daniel Desjardins is running for a position on the board.
· They will be having a barbecue at the end of the month.
·
St. Paul Abilities Network
· 20 acres of the large parcel of land that the Association purchased to build a mall has been sold to a shopping centre developer.
·
Special Olympics St. Paul
· 29 athletes are traveling to Lethbridge at the end of the month for the Provincial Games. They will be participating in bowling and baseball.
· St. Paul is on the “short list” as far as who will host the 2007 Winter Games. The announcement will be made at the Provincial Games in Lethbridge.
· Reminder for a good time – the 19th annual ball tournament will be held on August 27 and 28, 2005. Invitations have already gone out to Special Olympians across the province, as well as Saskatchewan.
· Audit Committees:
· I attended the regional exit committee meeting with the Auditor General’s office on June 8, 2005. The Provincial exit committee meeting will be on June 30, 2005.
· Provincial Symposium and Norm McLeod Awards Celebration:
· Attended on June 8 and 9, 2005
Geoff Wright passed on regrets on behalf of some of the people from START and WJS who would like to have attended the Board meeting.
Sonya King brought up the problem of transportation in Fort McMurray. There is a public transit system but it cannot always be used properly because of distance and bus routes.
Niki Lou Mackin explained the extreme distances people have to travel within Fort McMurray, using a map to demonstrate some of the problems with the bus system - length of time to get from one part of Fort McMurray to another, etc. The cost for a taxi is high and the handibus has to be booked ahead of time. When it is snowing or raining a handibus is needed but people do not know far enough ahead.
Some people cannot take the bus alone and the cost for two people to take the bus every day is prohibitive. A petition has been started to try to get some bus routes changed and representation has been made to the Fort McMurray City Council.
Fort McMurray has the highest housing costs in Alberta. This makes it very difficult for everyone to live on their own.
I would like to talk about our workers, something needs to be done to attract new people and keep the ones we have. I feel that northern living allowance would help a great deal.
A large portion of the workforce in Fort McMurray does get it.
The other problem with keeping our workers is that when they take us to work, many of us are making more money that they are, so many of them will quit and get a higher paying job. Something needs to be done. We can’t get enough workers to use up the time we have. How can we attract new people to fill in the gaps.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this matter.
1. Board
Communications & Operations
1.1
Report from the Auditor General for the year ending
March 31, 2005
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information and
approve the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2005 as presented in Appendix III.
Purpose of Report: Information on the findings of the audit for the year ended
March 31, 2005 and approval of the financial statements for the same period.
The Auditor General has completed the review of the financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2005 in relation to the audit plan that was presented on March 4, 2005.
The Board reviewed a copy of the Report from the Auditor General and approved the financial statements as presented. All recommendations that came out of the audits of all the Service Providers that can be addressed by the region have been. Some areas around the use of surplus dollars and policy around administrative practice need to be discussed further.
The Northeast Region is putting together a family directed manual to assist families who want to manage their own services and will be reviewing and setting up an audit structure for them. This is not in response to the audit but because the Board would like to see services in the region enhanced.
#05-06-927 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the
report as
information. Carried unanimously.
#05-06-928 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board approve
the financial
statements as
presented. Carried unanimously.
1.2
Northeast Alberta Regional Conference
November 4th, 5th,
and 6th in Fort McMurray: Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information.
The Board has selected Fort McMurray as the site for the 7th Annual Regional Conference.
The local conference organizing committee is chaired by Geoff Wright and includes representation from the City of Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray Community Council, Self-Advocates, Service Providers (START, Fort McMurray Association for Community Living, WJS, and Fort McMurray Child and Family Services Authority.
The Board reviewed and discussed a conference planning update as well as a draft outline of the agenda for the conference.
· The conference theme this year will be “Building Community Capacity: Together We Can”.
· Letters of invitation will be sent out to Ministers and MLAs.
· The names of the Service and Merit award recipients are being received at this time.
#05-06-929 MOTION: Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.3 Northeast Alberta Community Board 2004/05 Annual Report (Draft)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Input and discussion.
The Provincial PDD Board completes an annual report each year which includes a section from each of the six community Boards.
The Board reviewed and discussed a draft of the Northeast Board submission. A noted change from previous years is the requirement that the submission be limited to 1,200 words. Previously the limit was 1,500.
The following sections of the report remain the same: Message from the Chair, People Served, Opportunities and Challenges, Highlights, Regional Profile.
Board members will review the draft further and provide input to the administration on the content and tone of submission.
#05-06-930 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the
Annual Report
as presented.
Carried unanimously.
1.4
Meeting of
Community Council Chairs and Co-Chairs
With the Northeast Board, May
28, 2005: Follow-up Discussion
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
On May 28th, 2005 a group of Chairs and Co-Chairs from Community Councils across the region met with the Board. The purpose of the meeting was to have a general dialogue around two questions provided by the community council representatives.
· What should Community Councils be?
· What are the Board’s expectations of Community Councils?
One of the results of this meeting is a plan for representation on the community board by individuals and families. The Board is proposing to look at a board advisory program, however, details are not outlined yet.
· It is not yet determined how the selection process will work.
· The Board wants involvement and wants it to work.
The Board members and guests also discussed other concerns brought forward by the Community Council representatives at the May 28, 2005 meeting – ongoing meetings between the Board and community councils, communication from self-advocates, transportation, housing, recruitment and retention of staff.
Each community is different. What does each community do and what can the Board do to help them?
2.
Administration
2.1 Regional Staff Committee and Follow-up to Government of Alberta
2004
Employee Survey Results
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and update on activities.
At the April 16th, 2005 Board meeting the administration presented a report outlining the results of the Alberta Government Annual Corporate Employee Survey. Overall satisfaction was down by 19%.
A staff committee was formed and has developed a Terms of Reference, which outlines purpose, activities and timelines for the committee. The committee is conducting interviews with all staff.
The Board reviewed and discussed the Terms of Reference for the committee and a list of Staff Satisfaction Survey Questions developed by the committee.
#05-06-931 MOTION: Doug
Fleming moved the Board accept the report as
information. Carried unanimously.
2.2 Family Managed Services
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Northeast Board is committed to ensuring
that families have the option of Family Managed Services available to them when
deciding how services will be provided for a family member. At present
approximately 25 families are choosing to manage supports on behalf of a family
member.
In February 2005 the Board endorsed an
initiative that would see the development of resources to assist families to
manage supports on behalf of their family member thus making it a more viable
option.
To assist with the creation of PDD based resources, two guides will be developed. One is the “Family Managed Supports Guide”, which will inform families of the option of managing supports for their family member.
A second resource, the “Individual Service
Planning Guide”, will be available to assist families in defining the types of
supports required and the outcomes related to these supports.
The Board reviewed and discussed the
development of this initiative including operational policy,
infra-structure/PDD based resources and community based resources and a draft
outline of a table of contents for the Family Managed Supports Guide.
The Northeast region is consulting with AACL in the development of these manuals.
#05-06-932 MOTION: Floyd
Thompson moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.3 Provincial PDD Board Service Provider Risk Review Final Report
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
In October 2004, the Auditor General tabled a report of recommendations for improvements in Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD). One of the recommendations was:
Recommendation No. 8
We recommend that the Persons
with Developmental Disabilities Provincial Board, in conjunction with the six
Community Boards, reduce the risk of service providers breaching contracts by:
·
Performing a risk assessment to identify service
providers with a high risk of breaching contracts; and
·
Auditing high-risk service providers to ensure that
they spend funding according to their contracts and that they meet the other
terms of their contracts.
In response to the recommendation from the Auditor General, the Provincial Board undertook a Service Provider Risk Review to assess the risk of Service Providers and to identify those who were potentially at high risk of breaching contract.
The Board reviewed and discussed the Service Provider Risk Review Final Report which outlined the results of the risk review completed with PDD funded Service Providers.
Administration provided an overview of the report outlining the Background and Rationale for Risk Review, Development of the Risk Review Approach, Screening of Results, Recommendations.
#05-06-933 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.4 Northeast Alberta Inclusive Libraries Initiative: Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information
The project, “Inclusive
Libraries Initiative: Fostering Online Communications and e-Learning in
Marginalized Populations: Phase 2” received a second year of funding through the Community Capacity
Development program. This project involves Athabasca University and the
Libraries Branch of Alberta Community Development.
There are a number of parts to this project:
· Building an Inclusive Library website – this website is well underway. Expect to have it up and running by the end of July.
· St. Paul Library – has an assistive workstation and assists for patrons on its use. They are also continuing the weekly e-mail support program (“E-mail Thursday”). A larger number of people are coming into the library as a result of the new technology.
· Westlock Library – now has an assistive workstation.
· Professional Development Series – the first Assistive Libraries professional development event was held on May 16th, 2005 in Westlock. The next event is scheduled for June 20.
· Conference Presentation – in May 2005, a presentation on this project was made to the Alberta Library Association conference in Jasper, Alberta.
· Writing Workshop - In a related project involving the continuing development of the website, NorthEast Community Online, a “Writers’ Workshop” was held in Athabasca, at the May 2005 Community Council meeting
#05-06-934 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.5 Bereavement
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information.
It is with sadness that the administration informed the Board of the
passing of an individual from the Northeast Region who was receiving funded
supports.
Mr. Allan Baggett passed away on June 7, 2005 at the Cadzow Health
Care Centre in Lac La Biche. Allen was
afflicted with Mytonic Muscular Dystrophy, which is a degenerative disease that
also prematurely claimed the life of his sister and his mother. Allan was 55
years of age at his passing.
Don Schultz, Chair, presented a plaque to Doug Fleming, on behalf of the Board, in appreciation of his years of service as a Board member. Dr. Fleming will complete his term with the Northeast Board at the end of June.
H. Communications from CEO
Caren Mueller, Board Member, and Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO will attend.
Don Schultz, Chair, and Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO, will attend.
I. In-Camera Session (Review organizational issues)
#05-06-935 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board go In-Camera
to discuss
organizational issues at 9:00
am. Carried unanimously.
#05-06-936 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board come out of Camera at
10:15 am. Carried unanimously.
· July 16, 2005 At the call of the Chair
· August 20, 2005 Vegreville
· September 17, 2005 Barrhead
· October 15, 2005 Westlock
· November 6, 2005 Fort McMurray
· December 17, 2005 Lac La Biche
#05-06-935 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board adjourn at 3:00 pm.
Carried
unanimously.
______________________________ ______________________________
Don Schultz, Chair Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO