Present:
Don Schultz, Chair; Donna Desjardins, Vice-Chair; Christine Botsford; Dr. Douglas Fleming; Ralph Gorrie; Johanne Hassey; Carmela Levesque; Laurel Morris-Duncan
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, C.E.O.; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary.

Guests:
Frank Schoenberger, Member-at-Large, Provincial PDD Board; Iris Pasareno, Program Administrator, Fort McMurray Salvation Army START Program; Peter Farnden, Vice President, WJS Alberta; Chandra Otterson, Behavioral Consultant, WJS; Gilles Huizinger, Wood Buffalo Development Corp; Mike Noon, Co-Chair, Awasak Child and Family Services; Norma Shaw, Project Coordinator for Community Planning on Homelessness, City of Fort McMurray; Robert Duncan.

• Presentation by Iris Pasareno, Program Administrator, Fort McMurray Salvation Army START Program

Iris congratulated Robert Duncan on completing the Leadership Today course and introduced Gilles Huizinger from the Wood Buffalo Development Corporation and Mike Noon, Co-Chair, Awasak Child and Family Services Authority.

Iris also gave each Board member a thank you card in appreciation for the initiatives that the Board has implemented. Some examples: pilot project around employment supports, provincial workforce initiative, staff development support and enhanced human resource initiatives. These have sent a message to staff that they are valued and supported and that there are dollars around to help them do their jobs.

START has had a terrific year as a result of the Employment Outcomes pilot project. Twenty individuals are now in competitive employment and a lot of employers are interested in participating. An employment coordinator has been hired to assist both individuals and employers in securing employment placements in the community.

Housing is a huge challenge in the Fort McMurray area. Do not want to be tied into one type of housing.

• the agency is embarking on a project to build a new wheel chair accessible home. This is in the developmental stage and is definitely needed in the community.
• private market housing is limited and very expensive. Rents will only come down when there is growth in the housing supply in the community and this will take some time.
• Some families have expressed interest in purchasing a home for their son or daughter but the cost makes this difficult. Agency and relevant partners are working in partnership to explore options for families to assist with financial support options.
• support homes provide a certain amount of support under contract.
• some individuals still reside with their families within their family home.
• Presentation by Gilles Huizinger, Wood Buffalo Development Corporation.

There is not a lot of development in terms of support for lower echelon of income earners. The Wood Buffalo Development Corporation was established to take on and expand the role of the Fort McMurray Housing Authority which manages housing on behalf of the provincial government, looks after social housing, affordable housing, property management to look after facilities and will be taking on responsibility for homelessness.

A current project is River Lot 13, a piece of property owned by the Wood Buffalo Development Corporation through the municipality. Plans are to build 120 housing units then another 60 housing units. Economic rents could be as low as $900 for each unit.

Social Housing includes single moms who can't get daycare and some PDD clients. There are currently 170 people on the waiting list for housing including some PDD clients and a homelessness group who are in desperate straits. Would like to create partnership with PDD in building on River Lot 13; partnership is needed to cut down costs.

Looking for a way to balance competing needs and create partnerships. By working hard with groups like PDD can find sources of funds other that the provincial government.

• Presentation by Chandra Otterson, Behavioral Consultant, WJS Alberta and Peter Farnden, Vice President, WJS Alberta

Chandra Otterson

WJS Alberta provides behavioral services to individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. Referrals come through PDD and Children's Services. Do individual consultation as well as direct work with the clients or the agency. Anything developed has to be approved by the family.

WJS Alberta also offers informal consultation, agency consultation, community education and training in areas such as restrictive procedures, behavior management, anger management, etc.

Peter Farnden

WJS does a lot of training on behavior management and restrictive procedures that came out of CET. A lot of work has been done to ensure that front line staff have the knowledge they need to do their jobs.

As well as being heavily involved in Outcomes projects, WJS is also involved in administering regional training, program and development writing courses, train the trainer, and individualized behavior outreach.

WJS also has a home in Two Hills to work with individuals in the region who, for one reason or another, do not have a place in the community.

Mr. Farnden also gave a presentation on the development of Community Governance in the Northeast Region between 1987 and 1997.

1.1 Board Governance Policies: Category II Board Operations: Approval

The Board reviewed their Governance policies, Category II: Board Operations at the April 21^st, 2001 Board meeting. The administration revised the policies in keeping with the Boards direction.

Additional changes to individual policies:

"Page 16 - change it's to its"

"Change all C.E.O. to CEO for consistency"

"Page 22 - change to reflect the TOR, mandate, membership, etc.)"

The current Board Governance Policies a) III.1 - Chief Executive Officer Work Description; b) III.1.5 - Delegation of Authority to the CEO and c) III.1.6 - Monitoring Organization Performance collectively set out the areas in which the Board holds the CEO accountable to ensure the work of the Board is completed in an ethical, fiduciary responsible and effective manner.

In addition, the Board will establish annual CEO outcomes in keeping with these Board policies and annual operating business/service plan. The purpose of establishing annual CEO outcomes is to identify the role of the CEO in the attainment of the Board's outcomes and to evaluate the CEO's performance in the achievement of these outcomes.

The following CEO outcomes are identified in relationship to the Board's Governance Policies, Three-Year Business/Service Plan and Provincial Board CEO outcomes.

1. Board Governance Policies

The CEO will ensure that in the course of his duties on behalf of the Board that the following policies are adhered to:

• Chief Executive Officer work description
• Delegation of Authority to the CEO
• Monitoring Organizational Performance

   II.   Three Year Business/Service Plan (2001 - 2002)

1. The goals presented are the overall responsibility of the CEO to ensure they are achieved by the indicators stated, or to identify the level of attainment with an accompanying rationale.

The accomplishment of these goals and progress towards them is used as part of the annual CEO evaluation. In the past the Board's evaluation of the CEO has centered on the following areas:

1. Board and CEO relations
2. CEO relations with the staff
3. Government and other external relations
4. Community and public relations
5. Fiscal responsibility and budget planning
6. Demonstrative administrative skills
7. Leadership

The Northeast Alberta Community Board is responsible to ensure that Provincial Board initiatives and outcomes are addressed in an appropriate manner within the region. To this end another consideration in the Board's determination of CEO outcomes is to review parallel outcomes of the Provincial Board's CEO as they are addressed in the Northeast Region.

After discussion on the policies, the Board requested the following changes:

"Page 33 - change wording to reflect that intent is that CEO, within this framework, reports to the Board as a whole".

"Page 36 - 'to consult' is duplicated, take one out".

1.3 Northeast Alberta Community Board CEO Outcomes for 2001-2002

The administration presented a set of CEO Outcomes for the Board's consideration. These annual outcomes for the Northeast Alberta Community Board CEO were presented in concert with the approved Provincial Board CEO outcomes.

The Board reviewed the CEO Outcomes and requested the following changes:

"Page 5, second bullet- add Premier's Council on the Status of People with Disabilities"

1.4 Third Annual Northeast Alberta Regional Conference for Individuals with
      Developmental Disabilities, Families and Community Partners

The Board has requested that the major cities and towns within the Northeast Region be given an opportunity to submit a proposal to host the Third Annual Conference on November 16^th & 17^th, 2001.

Key Elements of the Conference (additions)

1.  Pre-Conference Sessions (Friday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm)

• Topics a) Virtual Learning Community b) Self-directed Planing for Life Transitions c) Housing

2.  Friday Evening Program

• Add Grand Opening of Virtual Learning Community
• Key note speaker (Dr. Bob Gall)

3.  Saturday morning session

• Opening comments by key note speaker (Dr. Bob Gall)

The Board reviewed and approved a draft letter to the Mayors of various towns and cities in the Northeast region and requested that the letter be copied to the Chamber of Commerce, Community Council, County Reeve and Service Provider Board Chair for each community.

1.5  Northeast Alberta Community Board: Annual Retreat

The Board held their annual planning retreat for the year 2000-2001 on June 24, 2000 to coincide with their Board meeting in Lac La Biche. Invited participants were representatives from Alberta Association for Community Living (Board and administration) and PDD staff members (Community Service Coordinators).

The purpose of the retreat was to review the Board's Three-Year Business Plan inclusive of Vision, Mission and operating values. The results of the retreat provided the Board with input to the direction of their service planning for the 2000-2003 budget cycle and specifically for their 2000-2001 year plan.

The Board was assisted during the retreat by a facilitator (Peter Faid). The process followed during the day was as follows:

1. Voicing expectations for the day
2. Framing a vision of our achievements for the year 2004 (Expectations).
3. Identification of our Opportunities and Challenges
4. Review of the Board Business plan goals and strategies under each of the Provincial Board's three strategic directions.
5. Considerations for adjustments to the Board's Vision, Mission, Values and Beliefs.

As a result of the retreat the administration presented a revised service plan (2000-2001) including vision, mission, values and beliefs to the Board which was approved in September. This revised service plan became the basis for the Board's 2000-2001 plan reviewed at the 2^nd Annual Regional Conference in Westlock 2000 along with input sessions with Community Councils and Service Providers.

The Board's annual report submission to the Provincial Board for 2000-2001 is based on achievements resulting from this plan.

Board Annual Retreat for 2001-2002

The Board identified an annual retreat in their annual calendar of events and activities. The Provincial Board held a strategic forum on May 8^th, 9^th, 2001 for initial planning for the Provincial Board 2002-2005 Budget plan. In discussions regarding the Board's planning of an annual retreat the Board took into account the Provincial Board Strategic Forum along with the following topics:

1.  Date: June 16^th, 2001 Lac La Biche

2.  Focus of Retreat

1. Review Provincial Board Strategy Forum results
2. Initiate input on Board's 2002-2005 Budget preparation
3. Identify adjustments and priorities within Board's annual 2001-2002 Business Plan

3.  Invited participants

• AACL (Board and administration representatives)
• AARC (representation)
• Service Provider Boards and Executive Directors
• Community Council Chairs
• P.D.D. staff
• Provincial P.D.D. Board
• Aboriginal representative

4.  Location and Concurrent Board meeting

• The Board meeting is rescheduled for June 15^th in Lac La Biche
• The Annual Retreat is scheduled for June 16^th in Lac La Biche

5.  Facilitator and Process

     The Board discussed use of a facilitator and the general process for the retreat.

1.6 Northeast Alberta Community Board Annual Report Submission: 2000-2001

Each year the Board is required to submit information in accordance with Provincial Board requirements for inclusion in the Provincial Board annual report.

1.  Message from the Chair

In preparation for the 2000-2001 message the administration identified a number of highlights from the past year for the Board’s consideration for inclusion or deletion.

2.  Provincial Highlights: Goals 1, 2, 3

These items are presented for consideration by the Provincial Board administration for inclusion in the body of the report. They are areas where the Northeast Alberta Community Board has supported and contributed to the Provincial directions.

3.  Provincial Results: Goal 4 (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4)

These statements are also presented to the Provincial Board administration for their consideration, for inclusion within the main body of the annual report. Activities, events and directions initiated by the Northeast Board in support of the goal are presented under each sub goal.

4.  Profile of Individuals

The Board has been requested to identify the names to be profiled in the Provincial annual report. Names and a brief background have been requested from the following groups.

• Individuals with a developmental disability
• Service Provider staff
• PDD staff

The Provincial Board administration will interview individuals selected and a profile will appear in the annual report.

Input for names in each category was requested from the Board, P.D.D. staff and Service Providers.

Timeline for Submission

May 30, 2001  Submissions from the Community/Facility Boards received
June 14, 2001  1^st Draft completed, forwarded to Communications for review
June 28, 2001  Revised draft reviewed by the Annual Report Committee*
July 12, 2001  Draft reviewed by Executive Committee
August 9, 2001  tabled with the Provincial Board
August 17, 2001  Annual Report submitted to the Minister

Administration provided the Board with a draft of the submission for comments. Board members will provide comments on the submission to the Chair by May 23^rd, 2001 or a nil report if they do not have comments.

2.2  Aboriginal Culture Awareness and Education Initiative: 2001-2004 Service Plan

In keeping with the 2001-2004 Business Plan goal related to services to aboriginals, the administration has been developing contacts with the aboriginal community.

The administration is developing an awareness and educational initiative to further develop an understanding and knowledge of the type of partnerships required in the Region to ensure that appropriate supports for aboriginal individuals with developmental disabilities are available.

Initial discussions have progressed to the point where Blue Quills First Nations College has submitted a proposal at the request of the administration, to provide a series of educational and cultural awareness sessions in September 2001. Blue Quills has been involved in providing similar services to both the Edmonton region Children's Services as well as the school district in Cold Lake.

The target audiences for these sessions are PDD staff and Service Provider staff. The first step in this initiative will be to increase our knowledge and understanding of the aboriginal culture and secondly to engage this community to ensure appropriate services are available to their unique needs when off reserve.

The administration will provide a further report on the specific dates, progress and curriculum once it is finalized. The representatives from Blue Quills First Nations College were pleased that this request originated from the Northeast Board as it speaks well of the Board's vision statement for all individuals with a developmental disability in the region.

2.3  Working with Mature Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

This initiative is one of the ongoing strategies to support the Business Plan goal for ensuring quality services for mature individuals. The Big Bag of Life Workshop series along with the Issues and Ideas interest group explores current information service models and ideas for community inclusion with this group of individuals.

Following the 2^nd annual Big Bag of Life Workshop (a one-day forum with a focus on mature persons with a developmental disability) and at the initiative of Robin Dermo, a St Paul Abilities staff member, the Issues and Ideas group was formed. The administration has provided facilitation to the group and communication to the Northeast Alberta Consortium of Service Providers. Topics to be discussed or presented at meetings come from those in attendance.

The Issues and Ideas interest group provides support and an ongoing forum for staff of the Northeast Alberta Consortium of Service Providers working with mature persons with developmental disabilities. Meetings are held quarterly with the last meeting March 28 and the next meeting scheduled for September 18 (Smoky Lake).

Participation: Big Bag of Life (40)
Quarterly meetings average 12-15
Past Meeting Topics:
- September/2000 "Sex and the Older Client" – M. Clark, St Paul Health Unit
- January/2001 "When a Client Dies" – wills - testamentary capacity,
         S. Plupek, Public Guardian’s Office – Personal Directives;
         T. MacDonald, Public Guardian’s Representative.
- March/2001 When a Client Dies –
  Marq Jeffrey - advance planning (funeral service) S. Plupek a follow-up on personal directives

Future Meeting Topic
- September 2001 Using BASOLL – a functional assessment tool

While each meeting has a specific topic or topics there is also time for sharing of general information, ideas and sometime, printed resources.

Members of the Issues/Ideas group have volunteered to plan the 3^rd annual Big Bag of Life on June 7 (Senior Citizen’s week) in Bonnyville

The planning committee representing three communities and service providers consists of the following individuals:

Diane Metrunec, DOVE Centre - Bonnyville
Lianne Kitchen, VALID – Vegreville
Leona Heisler, CSS – Bonnyville
Pat Hlady, BHSSA – Barrhead
Diane Magill, BHSSA – Barrhead

2.4 Northeast Alberta Virtual Learning Community for Individuals with Developmental
       Disabilities and Their Families: Update

In January 2001, a presentation was made to the Board outlining the above project, which involves Athabasca University, the Northeast Alberta PDD Community Board, the Alberta Association for Community Living, and Alberta North. This project involves the development of a web site and associated community support structure to enhance information and communication capabilities among adults with developmental disabilities in the Northeast Region and their families. Since that time, the following developments have occurred.

1. Contractual Arrangements -- A contract between Athabasca University and Office of Learning Technologies, Human Resources Development Canada has been signed, operationalizing a grant in the amount of $78,740.00. The official start date of the project was April 2, 2001. A further contract has been signed between Athabasca University and the Northeast PDD Community Board for $10,000 in support of the project.
   
2. Public Relations – A press release is currently being drafted by AACL, with input from the Northeast Board (including a quote from Don Schultz, Board Chairman).
   
3. Focus Groups – Five of eight focus group have been completed. Community Councils in the following areas have participated in this process: Fort McMurray (February 26^th, 2001 – 21 participants); Bonnyville (February 27^th, 2001 – 14 participants); Vegreville (March 28^th, 2001 – 29 participants); Westlock (April 2^nd, 2001 – 15 participants); Athabasca (April 10^th, 2001 – 7 participants). The remaining three groups will occur in St. Paul (April 18), White court (April 24), and Barrhead (May 10). Emerging themes support current PDD priorities of housing, employment, and transition planning. A report on the findings of the focus groups will be available for the Board to review at their June meeting.
   
4. Advisory Committee – Letters of invitation to serve on the Project Advisory Committee have been sent to the following individuals:

• Dr. Bob Gall, Executive Director, Learning Disabilities Association
• Mr. Don Schultz, Chairman, and Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO
• Mr. Tony Hudson, Executive Director, Premier’s Council
• Ms. Robin Acton, President, AACL and Mr. Bruce Uditsky, Executive Director
• Mr. Shaun Murphy, Fort McMurray, Alberta
• Mr. Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament, Yellowhead District
• Ms. Brenda Moore, Office for Access for Students with Disabilities, Athabasca University

Additional invitations will be sent to ensure representation from parents (families) and community partners in the Northeast Region.

• Attended an awards presentation in Grande Prairie with Frank Schoenberger and three other Provincial Board members. Got some good ideas for the Board to consider.
• May 8th and 9th - Attended the Provincial Board Strategic Forum
• May 10th - Attended the Barrhead Community Council meeting. Dr. Susan Moisey gave a presentation on the Virtual Learning Community which was very well received.
• May 10th - Provincial Board meeting
• The Provincial Board is looking for a format for information gathering. Board Chairs will be responsible for ensuring that this is sent in.
• Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Community Development, is planning a visit to Fort McMurray at the end of May.
• The Board will be responsible for coordination and planning if the Minister has an opportunity to meet with people in Fort McMurray.

• Northeast Region Video Production Schedule
• Copies of the Video Production Schedule were distributed
• The filming video crew will be in each community. Individuals and families have been contacted and staff are involved.
• A 10 minute video will be used for public awareness
• Still shots will be used in an of themselves
• There will be a portfolio for the region
• Public Awareness Campaign: Advertisements for local papers in the Northeast Region
• One-half page ads will be appearing a week before the FAS conference in St. Paul
• The week after the FAS conference there will be pictures and stories from the conference
• October 2000 Community Awareness Month - there will be a Public Awareness Campaign in partnership with AACL
• November there will be a Public Awareness Campaign with the Virtual Learning Community
• January there will be another Public Awareness Campaign
• Aspen Region Governance Agreement Meeting, May 14, 2001
• Attempts are being made to obtain the same level of governance agreements and working relationships with other Children’s Authorities
• This governance agreement is working very well
• Bonnyville and Cold Lake Needs Assessment
• This document will be revised and brought back to a later Board meeting.
• FAS Conference, May 31 and June 1, 2001
• Donna Desjardins will open the conference
• Photographers will be on site to take pictures for interest stories that can go back to the communities
• Conference is part of the partnership with PDD and the Lakeland FAS Committee
• MLA’s – administration is contacting the offices of the MLAs to arrange meetings with the MLAs for the Board members.

The Board discussed the requirement for Board members to have business insurance on their vehicles when travelling on Board business.

• There has been no meeting of the St. Paul Community Council since the last Board meeting
• The next Community Council meeting is on May 23, 2001. There will be an Options After 18 Transitions Workshop. Everyone is welcome to attend.
• All school representatives, teachers etc. from grade 9 up have been invited to attend, as well as parents or individuals who might be coming into the adult community in the next two or three years. Topics will include:
• Presentation on Choices
• Discussion on AISH; and review of PDD and Guardianship
• Will attend the SPAN Annual General meeting scheduled for May 22, 2001
• Attended the WJS grand opening in St. Paul on May 2, 2001 – they have a beautiful office.
• The FAS conference will be held in St. Paul on May 31 and June 1, 2001

• April 24, 2001 – attended the Vegreville Community Council meeting
• 25 people attended. Looking for larger meeting facilities due to increasing numbers
• May 9^th, 2001 – VALID Board meeting
• The second Wednesday of every month has been established as the meeting date
• Discussed the We Are video – people are excited with the concept and that we are moving in that direction
• Talked about the Needs Assessment report – it was an excellent job and will be useful in the community – a model to learn from.
• There was discussion relative to how we identify the people we serve as clients – the discussion clearly stated that the matter be carefully reviewed with input from people with developmental disabilities and the people who work with them really have to pursue this.

• Both Community Councils chose not to meet this month
• Attended the AARC Conference in Calgary – will file a report for the next Board meeting
• Attended a meeting with 25 Service Providers in the Mayerthorpe area – there are a lot of services there that people did not know about.

• Represented the Art Committee in Calgary on April 24^th, 2001
• Very interesting
• Unfortunately 30 portraits from Mexico were held at Customs and did not arrive in time
• Brought back puzzle cards as examples and pictures of the displays taken by a gentleman from St. Albert, Mr. Arnold Zoprogies.
• Excellent display of pottery which would be good for token gifts

• There has been no meeting of the Fort McMurray Community Council since the last Board meeting
• May 8 and 9, 2001 - attended the Provincial PDD Strategic Forum in Edmonton which was very informative
• With Laurel Morris-Duncan helped coordinate delivery of letters of invitation for Board meeting
• June 7, 2001 - will attend the Big Bag of Life 3 seniors workshop in St. Paul

• There was no Bonnyville/Cold Lake Community Council meeting in April
• May 26, 2001 - will attend the No Place Like (My) Home housing workshop in Bonnyville. The Mayor, Reeve and MLA are unable to attend but would like to be kept up to date.
• May 31 and June 1, 2001 - will attend the FAS Conference in St. Paul
• June 7, 2001 - will attend the Big Bag of Life 3 seniors workshop in Bonnyville

• There was no meeting of the Fort McMurray Community Council
• May 11 and 12, 2001 - Attended first day of the Working with People with Challenging Behavior workshop in Fort McMurray
• May 29^th, 2001 - will attend an FAS all day planning meeting - people from the area are being brought together to do some planning.

• Child and Family Services Board is currently being reconstituted - Minister will be choosing new Board members this summer.
• One of the primary causes of problems for the Children's Authority is cost of living - the high cost of living in Fort McMurray is caused by housing.