PDD NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING
Saturday,
October 19, 2002 8:30 am –2:30 pm
Lakeland Inn
Boardroom, Cold Lake, Alberta
APPROVED
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair; Donna Desjardins, Vice-Chair; Christine Botsford; Dr. Doug Fleming, Ralph Gorrie; Johanne Hassey; Carmela Levesque, Laurel Morris-Duncan,
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary.
Guests:
Nancy Schneider, Adult Service Coordinator, Lakeland Centre for FAS; Audrey McFarlane, Co-Chair, Cold Lake Community Council; Darlene Eager, Councilor, Town of Cold Lake.
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 8:30 am, October 19th, 2002.
#02-10-537 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board approve the
agenda.
Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#02-10-538 MOTION: Carmela
Levesque moved the Board approve the
minutes. Carried unanimously.
Johanne Hassey, Vilna
· October 15, 2002 - attended the Community Council meeting in Lac La Biche.
· A Special Olympics Committee was organized; Members volunteered for executive positions, they are not elected.
· Nancy Schneider, Adult Service Coordinator, Lakeland Centre for FAS, gave a presentation to the Council.
· A committee was struck to determine representation at the 4th Annual Northeast Regional Conference in St. Paul. The committee will let administration know who will attend.
· It is hoped that Anna Bubel, Alberta Real Estate Association, will be able to attend the next community council meeting.
Doug Fleming, Westlock
· The Westlock Community Council is very active. There are two co-chairs and lots of adults attend.
· A number of people are making significant changes in their lives.
· Two members of the community council are completing a transportation survey.
· Participated on a Board committee to review a decision by the administration regarding eligibility.
· Attended the Westlock Independence Network (WIN) AGM, along with the Board Chair.
· Several adults talked about their experiences in the last year and their lives.
· Dorothy Baker is the new Chair of the WIN Board.
Laurel Morris-Duncan, Fort McMurray
· The next Fort McMurray Community Council Meeting is October 22, 2002.
· Keyano College is running a program where people come in for 8 months to learn life skills. However, there may not be sufficient students for the program to continue beyond the end of October.
Donna Desjardins, St. Paul
· St. Paul Community Council
· St. Paul Abilities Network
· Is experiencing a tremendous turnover in staff presently
· Is expanding the Brain Injury initiative
· Is starting the accreditation procedure for CET standards again. Hope to be ready by the spring of 2003
· Is exploring alternatives for additional space
· St. Paul Special Olympics
· The organization is very short of board members, coaches and other volunteers, and could actually be forced to cease operations. A publicity drive is presently underway, recruiting new community members.
· Portage College
· Is now offering an inclusive educational setting for a first year psychology course from Athabasca University for may individual with developmental disabilities in St. Paul. I would like to recognize the tremendous support that Portage College is offering in this venture.
· NorthEast Community Online
· The library has indicated that they should be able to get the computers available for use by the end of October, 2002. Plans are now underway to have the “Pizza Party” in January, 2002.
Christine Botsford, Fort McMurray
· Nothing to add.
Ralph Gorrie, Vegreville
· September 17, 2002 – Attended Lac La Biche Community Council – enjoyed my time with the group. Very impressed with the interest and activity of the Council. Made the following presentations:
· Reviewed the Emerging Statement of Community Councils in “plain language” format, which the members understood to be their objectives.
· Informed the group concerning the AREA program on the Affordable Housing Initiative. As with other groups, the concept was entirely new and created considerable interest and discussion.
· Reviewed the matter of “The Challenge of Discerning The Real Foundations of Sustainability”. The key concept of the alternative of spending more money rather than looking at community capacity and making the family the center of programming and not money. The concept was understood and was well received.
· Brought to their attention the need to select members to attend and to also select individuals for the awards. The group felt the theme of the Conference was apropos “Building on Community Capacity for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities “Opening Our Hearts, Our Minds, and Our Doors”.
· A presentation by Patti Barret and Sarah Lavin of Special Olympics Alberta created much interest as the group wants to revitalize the movement.
· Attended along with Don Schultz, Donna Desjardins, and Johanne Hassey and our CEO the 10th Anniversary of VALID. A large turnout of public support was evident as the venue was virtually filled to capacity with approximately 250 guests.
· Local Community Council meeting was reasonably attended on September 24. We have arranged for co-chairs with Cathy Beer. I presented much the same material as Lac La Biche. Brenda Lockhart assumed the position of secretary and I agreed to prepare a final copy on the computer. So we have a group response. The matter of the Research Project on Community Councils is slowly moving ahead but time is of the essence. We brainstormed on possible candidates for Project Coordinator. Cathy will be following this up.
· I have been preparing for our Rotary Club presentation on Monday noon, October 21.
Don Schultz, Barrhead
· September 24, 2002 – attended the Whitecourt Community Council meeting. Will attend again next month.
· Presented a report on the Board meeting with the Community Council Chairs, which will be discussed at the next meeting. Whitecourt has a very active Community Council.
· In January volunteers from the Westlock Community Council will be attending a community council meeting in Barrhead.
· Attended the AACL Community Living Awareness Month kickoff with my daughter,
Kyley-Jo.
· Kyley-Jo put a copy of the video “The Courage To Dream, The Right To Become” in the time capsule.
· Lots of videos and pictures were taken.
· The Provincial Board handed out their new brochure “Connecting To The Community”. Some of the pictures in the brochure are of people from the Northeast Region.
Carmela Levesque, Bonnyville
· Heather Halpenny gave a presentation on On Line Training and the Board Leadership Initiative.
· Lori Skinner gave a presentation on the AACL partnership and Transition Planning.
· Reviewed the Emerging Statements from the Westlock workshop.
· There is a new Service Provider in Cold Lake called ALI.
· September 25, 2002 – attended the Bonnyville Community Council meeting.
· There will be a housing workshop in October called “Not In My Backyard”, regarding low-income housing. This will be facilitated by the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA).
· Heather Halpenny gave a presentation on OnLine Training and the Board Leadership Initiative.
· Lori Skinner gave a presentation on the AACL partnership and Transition Planning.
· Reviewed the Emerging Statements from the Westlock workshop.
· October 9, 2002 – the Dove Centre will be having an open meeting to invite input from the community and participants, to the Board. They want to incorporate this feedback into their annual retreat.
· The Community Council received no response from the Provincial Board, regarding their Research Grant application.
· The next meeting will be on November 12, 2002.
· October 9, 2002 – attended the Cold Lake Community Council meeting.
· Community Options reported that they have more jobs than participants.
· The Alberta Real Estate Association Housing Initiative held a workshop in Cold Lake on October 3, 2002.
· The Alberta Brain Injury (ABI) network is holding a workshop in Cold Lake on October 17, 2002.This is a new initiative that will provide coordination and outreach services to adults with ABI.
· November 12, 2002 will be Pizza Night and NorthEast Community Online orientation training in Cold Lake, as well as the next Community Council meeting.
· October 13, 2002 sent a letter to the Mayor of Cold Lake requesting a time to make our presentation to the City Council.
· Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a medical diagnosis that describes a pattern of physical and behavioural abnormalities that can affect a child born to a mother who drinks alcohol during her pregnancy.
· The Lakeland Centre for FAS works with the regional health authority and offers diagnostic services to adults and children who have been referred to the clinic.
· Anyone can make a referral: An Agency, An Advocate, A Physician, A Client, A Parent, or A Family Member.
· Ms Schneider described how the clinic works and who makes up clinic members, as well as the diagnostic process and follow-up support.
· People with FASD require a diagnosis in order to receive the support and assistance they need.
· Cold Lake Community Council is new, with about 20 people.
· The Community Council is very energetic and interested in getting together and supporting one another.
· Met with caregivers of persons with acquired brain injury, they would like to join the Community Council.
· Everyone is very excited about the PDD Conference. Award recipients have been nominated.
· The Cold Lake Community Council is a very active group.
1.1
Draft Governance Agreement between Authorities and Boards
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion
The Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services Authority has taken a leadership role in the development of a draft governance agreement between partners that function under Community Board Structure, and are responsible for the delivery of services to families and individuals in the Lakeland Regional Health Authority and surrounding areas.
This draft agreement is modeled on the current Governance Agreement between the Boards and Authorities providing services to children, families and adults in the Aspen Health Authority area.
The Board has identified community partnerships of this type as a priority in their current business plan along with a specific outcome to create and maintain such governance agreements with all Children’s Authorities, School Boards and Health Authorities within the service boundaries of the Northeast Board.
The Board discussed the draft agreement and reviewed the past three years of the current governance agreement in the Aspen area.
The Northeast Board will meet with the Sakaigun Asky Child and Family Services Authority Board on December 14, 2002 in Lac La Biche to discuss the draft governance agreement.
#02-10-538 MOTION: Carmela
Levesque moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.2
Results of the Strategic Planning Forum
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and input to the 2003/06 Business Plan
The Northeast Alberta Community Board and Partners Strategic Planning Forum took place on September 14th, 2002 in Westlock. It was very successful and identified a number of things for the business plan.
The Board reviewed and discussed the summary of the results of the Forum.
This summary document is the basis and structure for preparing the Boards 2003/04 - 2005/06 Business Plan, which will be presented to the Provincial PDD Board for approval in February 2003. Any additions or suggested changes as a result of ongoing community involvement will be brought to the attention of the Board.
The Board will incorporate an “Opportunities and Challenges” section in the Business Plan, in a format similar to the Provincial Board “Strategic Challenges”, under the title Strategic Opportunities and Challenges.
Copies of the results of the Forum have been sent to all participants to be shared with community councils, Board meetings and community members.
1.3
4th Annual Northeast Regional Conference:
Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information
The Northeast Alberta 4th Annual Regional Conference will be held in St. Paul on
November 22nd and 23rd, 2002 at the St. Paul Regional High School.
Donna Desjardins, Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, provided an update on conference activities and scheduled events.
· Invitations have been sent out and have received an enthusiastic response.
· Registration for the conference will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 22nd.
Board members will be participating in the conference in various capacities.
#02-10-539 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.4
Reallocation of Current Year Budgets for all PDD Boards
Recommendation: That the Board approve the following motion:
That the Northeast Alberta Community Board for Persons with Developmental Disabilities approve an increase of $320,000 to the Board’s 2002/03 budget and the additional expenditures of a) $322,000 for Alberta Corporate Service Centre Costs (Lac La Biche) and b) $2,000 transferred to the Provincial Board Administration for Leadership Today.
Purpose of Report: Board approval of motion
The Provincial Board approved a reallocation of the current year budget, which resulted in an increase of $320,000 to the Northeast Board.
After discussion, the Board approved the following motion in order to ensure there is Board approval of the budget increase, along with related expenditures, in preparation of an audit by the office of the Auditor General.
That the Northeast Alberta Community Board for Persons with Developmental Disabilities approve an increase of $320,000 to the Board’s 2002/03 budget and the additional expenditures of a) $322,000 for Alberta Corporate Service Centre Costs (Lac La Biche) and b) $2,000 transferred to the Provincial Board Administration for Leadership Today.
#02-10-540 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the
Motion as
presented.
Carried unanimously.
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for
information
Purpose of Report: Information
on Implications for 2003/04
The Board reviewed and discussed their monthly financial report and year-end forecast as of August 31, 2002, which was presented to the Provincial Board at the October 10, 2002 public Board meeting.
The Board is forecasting a balanced budget by March 31, 2003.
#02-10-541 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board accept this
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.2
Support Home Model Initiative
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion
In March 2002 the board completed a survey in the Northeast Region to investigate the Housing Status of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. This survey, while indicating an overall high level of satisfaction with the current housing arrangements for many individuals, also showed that there was very little available choice for additional housing or independent living arrangements, including home ownership.
The Board discussed various aspects of a Support Home Model Initiative and the possibility of developing this model with the Service Provider Consortium as a housing alternative in some communities
Support Homes offer the option of either short term or long term living arrangements.
#02-10-542 MOTION: Christine Botsford moved the Board accept
the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.3
Service Development for Seniors
Recommendation: That the Board consider the addition of future direction for
services to seniors to the business plan.
Purpose of Report: To provide information on initiatives and current activities
in the area of services to seniors.
A Service Provider group called “Issues and Ideas” was formed as a response to a goal in PDD’s business plan from 2001 to 2002 related to aging. The goal was to “Facilitate transition to community based retirement options”.
A secondary goal was to increase the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of younger staff working with older individuals in services.
The Issues and Ideas group meets every 2-3 months to discuss issues related to the provision of services to seniors, research options and strategies for community inclusion for seniors currently receiving support from PDD, and issues related to aging and retirement planning for older individuals.
The Board reviewed the events and activities undertaken by the group as well as plans for future meetings and another conference.
The Board will include future direction for services to seniors in their 2003/04-2005/06 Business Plan to continue a community initiative identified in the original three year business plan developed in 1999/01.
#02-10-543 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board add to the
business plan the
future direction for services
to seniors as identified in agenda item 2.3. Carried Unanimously.
2.4
Building Community Capacity: Board and Leadership
Development
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information
Purpose of Report: Information and update on activities
The Board received an update on the Board and Leadership Development initiative and reviewed a summary of the findings of the Leadership Development Survey.
The initial phase of this project on leadership development for Service Provider CEOs has been completed.
The survey results and implementation phase of the project will be discussed with the CEOs at the Human Resource Forum on October 23rd and 24th in Westlock.
A report on the next stages and phases of this project, resulting from the discussion at the Human Resource Forum, will be brought to the November Board meeting.
A survey form identifying Board development needs previously seen by the Board has been forwarded to all Service Provider Board members. The survey is a self-assessment tool that will be used for the individual board members own awareness of their training needs but also will assist in planning a board development strategy for the Service Provider Boards.
#02-10-544 MOTION: Johanne Hassey moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
· Nomination forms for the Norm McLeod Community Inclusion Awards have been given out.
· Chaired a Board committee to review a decision by the administration regarding eligibility. Upheld the decision of the administration.
· Attended the VALID 10th Anniversary Celebration on September 20th. It was a very nice evening.
· Provincial Board Business Plan has been approved in principle.
· All goals of the Provincial Board are now to be adopted by the regional boards, as they are written. The Boards can have their own goals in addition.
· Had the privilege of accepting, on behalf of the Board, the Public Discussion Guide Legislative Review of the Protection for Persons in Care Act.
#02-10-545 MOTION: Don Schultz moved his verbal report. Carried unanimously.
· A Northeast Strategic Forum on Human Resource Issues was held on October 23rd and 24th, 2002, in Westlock, Alberta
· Employment Brochure for Community Use – handed out copies of two brochures.
· “We take pride in a job well done” – a brochure developed along with the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers, to be given to employers in the region.
· “Finding the Right Fit” – from the same project, this is for Service Providers to give to their staff.
#02-10-546 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board go In Camera to
discuss a
Board issue at 8:30 am. Carried unanimously.
#02-10-547 MOTION: Laurel Morris-Duncan moved the Board come
out of Camera
at 10:00 am.
Carried unanimously.
#02-10-548 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board adjourn at 2:30 pm.
Carried unanimously.
________________________________ ________________________________
Don Schultz, Chair Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO