NORTHEAST ALBERTA COMMUNITY BOARD
PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
PUBLIC MEETING
Saturday,
January 21st, 2006 9:00 am
to 1:50 pm
Conference
Room, Athabasca Friendship Centre
Athabasca, Alberta
APPROVED MINUTES
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair, Donna Desjardins, Vice Chair, Ralph Gorrie, Glenn Hennig, Colleen Marks,
Caren Mueller
Administration: Dale Drummond, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Colleen Marks and Floyd Thompson were absent for personal reasons.
Guests:
Greg Aasen, Board Chair, Blue Heron
Vocational Training Centre; Arno Birkigt, CEO, Blue Heron Vocational Training
Centre; Doug Kariel, Co-Chair, Athabasca Community Council; Steve Hrachy,
Athabasca Community Council; Marilyn Schroderus, Athabasca Community Council, Paula
Evans, Town of Athabasca; Michael Mountford, PDD.
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 9:00 am, January 21, 2006.
#06-01-1005 MOTION: Caren Mueller moved the Board approve the agenda.
Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#06-01-1006 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board approve the
minutes as presented. Carried unanimously.
Glenn Hennig,
Hilliard
·
Have not had
any communication with Fort McMurray this month.
·
Vegreville
Community Council had their last meeting prior to the December Board meeting;
the next community council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2006.
·
The council is
trying to move to a larger space.
·
Nothing to
report from the community council as there has been no activity.
·
The
transportation system has had some difficulty because the taxi company had
difficulty getting drivers. We are looking at a volunteer system and will have
the van back in operation in a week.
·
St. Paul
Community Council
·
The Council met
on January 17, 2006 with about 30 people in attendance. Some of the highlights
of the evening were:
·
Pictures were
taken of the Award recipients from the 2005 NEPDD Conference. The pictures plus
articles about the award winners have been submitted to the St. Paul Journal
for publication. We are anticipating that they will be in next week’s paper.
·
An animated
discussion was held regarding the goals discussed at the conference. It was
decided that Housing would be the first priority. Directors from the St. Paul
Affordable Housing Society are going to be invited to a future Council meeting
to discuss various options for folk to own their own home.
·
As well, the
Council recognized that there is a desperate problem for those individuals that
are forced into remaining in the same apartment because of the freeze on
subsidized housing. One individual spoke of the fact that the landlord knows
that she can’t afford to move, and as a consequence, has not done any
improvements (paint, floor, etc.) to her apartment for 23 years. The Council is
approaching our MLA to ask what would be the best way to advocate for these
individuals.
·
Co-Chair Sherry
Young announced that there is going to be a Community Council Co-Chairs meeting
in Athabasca in March 2006. St. Paul Community Council now has a co-chair that
rotates every three months. A decision on who will attend with her will be made
next month.
·
Two families at
the meeting indicated that they wanted to attend the AACL Family Conference.
·
St. Paul
Small Sparks Committee
·
Two individuals
from the St. Paul Community Council now sit on the St. Paul Small Sparks
Committee. They are Randy Jacobsen and Don Rook. The committee is very active
now, as there is a large celebration planned in town for the Family Day
Weekend.
·
Positive
People Society of St. Paul
·
The society
will be holding its annual meeting on January 26, 2006. At that meeting, they
will also discuss if anybody would like to attend the PDD “Learn How to Do Good
Projects” workshop on March 4 and 5, 2006. I have already had two individuals
ask if they could attend.
·
Special
Olympics St. Paul
·
Bowling and
floor hockey continues to keep everyone very active. There are a lot of
tournaments coming up. Eight of our Olympians will be attending the Provincial
Winter Games in Hinton in February.
·
St. Paul
Abilities Network
·
SPAN continues
to consult and discuss exactly how to redevelop the new building.
·
They are having
a Retreat on March 10 and 11, 2006 at the Fantasyland Hotel, where board
members, self-advocates and family members will have an opportunity to team
build and discuss the new building development.
·
Provincial
Audit Committee
·
I now chair the
Provincial Audit Committee.
·
Barrhead has
been quiet since the Community Council and People First Christmas party and
supper. Participants brought things for the food bank.
·
Individuals and
families are being encouraged to go out and vote.
·
I will be going
to St. Paul on January 31 to meet with the SPAN Board and to Lac La Biche on
February 28 to meet with the CLALD Board.
·
I will try to
attend meetings with agency boards in Athabasca, Bonnyville and Vegreville
between those dates.
·
Athabasca
Community Council meeting, January 10, 2006. Time 7:00 pm-8:45 pm at EPC.
Eighteen people attended.
·
Correspondence
·
Board package
for hosting conference – a heated discussion took place but the majority
thought it was best to take more time and look at possibly hosting the 2007
conference.
·
November 6,
2005 Board minutes were passed around and also the synopsis of the December
meeting.
·
Invitation to
the January 21st meeting was read and everyone was invited to attend
(4-6 people should be in attendance).
·
Information on
the self-advocate session, March 4 and 5. It will be about “Learn How to Do
Good Projects”.
·
AACL Conference
March 17 and 18 in Edmonton. (Names are being gathered and will be forwarded to
Dale by Patty)
·
Elections
·
Elections took
place with three people putting their names forward. Arlene Brost, Doug Kariel,
and Steve Hrachy. The results of the election has Arlene and Doug remaining as
co-chairs, with Steve being an alternative if Arlene cannot attend some
important function. Lorraine will remain as recording secretary.
·
Blue Heron
·
The staff
expressed their thank-you for the dollars given out as bonuses. They continue
to be short staffed. Also, the Special Olympic groups are busy with bowling,
floor hockey and looking forward to Bandon, Manitoba in the summer for the
baseball team.
·
WJS
·
Barb reported
that they are offering new services, in field services.
·
Edwin Parr
·
Kirsti Giacobbo
advised the group that the EPC is taking part in a Multi-Sensory workshop that
will be a two-day training session. They expect four locations to be opened in
the future to the community. Also, Aspen School Division is undergoing a
Special Ed Provincial Review.
·
Northeast
Regional Board
·
I did an update
on events and issues taking place. I gave further information about our
December meeting. Also, again extended an open invitation to everyone to come
and join us for the up and coming meeting in January in Athabasca.
·
Other Business
·
FCSS is going
to continue to look after the Community Capacity Grant. Also, they have looked
into starting a second Community Kitchen; this is also made possible because of
grant dollars that come from the Parent Link group. It is progressing to
becoming very much a community project!
·
Library – the
assistive workstation should be installed in January and may look at having a
meeting at the library to show this off to everyone.
·
Overview of the
November meeting – discussion and planning session that took place. Attached is
a copy of process and results. Three areas are being looked at.
·
Transportation
– Subcommittee will be made up of Doug, Steve, Barb, Suzanne, Audrey. They are
to meet and bring information forward to the next meeting.
·
Social –
subcommittee will be made up of Barb, Marilyn, Brenda, and Debbie. They will
meet and see what “Free” things are available in the community for people to
access. (i.e. volleyball, badminton, etc.)
·
Presentations –
subcommittee will be made up of Linda, Arlene, Beverly, and Catherine. They
will meet and see what type of presentation could be brought to our monthly
meetings.
·
Conference
Committee – so far is Doug and Marilyn. They will start setting forth a plan.
·
The categories
identified in discussion and planning session are to be revisited every 3 to 4
months to ensure that everyone stays on task and that some actions are being
done.
·
Whitecourt Community Council
· I attended the January 5, 2006 Whitecourt Community Council meeting. We began the meeting with a grounding circle, with people talking about their Christmas.
·
Westlock Community Council
The secretary job will be shared by Lisa Duteau and Clayton
E.
Delegations/Presentations
Paula Evans, Town of Athabasca, welcomed the Board to Athabasca.
Doug Kariel, Co-Chair, and Steve Hrachy, Athabasca Community Council.
·
Marlene Brost,
Co-Chair, sent her regrets. Steve Hrachy attended on her behalf.
·
The Athabasca
Community Kitchen has been a successful pilot project – the support from
community capacity dollars was appreciated.
·
A second
community kitchen is being planned with assistance from a grant proposal put
forward to the Parent Link organization.
·
Participants in
the community kitchen pay $25.00 and they get fourteen main courses. In
general, fourteen people attended each time during the initial pilot.
·
A planning
session in November put emphasis on trying to work on transportation, social
activities, and continuing our educational sessions.
·
Dr. Susan
Moisey came and presented a session on people writing their own stories. She
took some to be put on the NorthEast Community Online website.
·
The Public
Guardian’s Office gave us an overview on what they do.
·
Marilyn
Schroderous gave an overview on what persons with developmental disabilities
should be looking at when doing their taxes.
·
One gentleman
who came to our community ten years ago and was a client with Blue Heron – now
independent and no longer a PDD client. He has a job and is quite involved in
the community. He shared his story of how he started and where he is now –
quite an inspiration for others.
·
Held an awards
banquet in December, which was covered by the media. Pictures were in the
newspaper the following week.
·
The radio
station reporter came to our last community council meeting in January and will
be doing a report on being a radio station reporter.
·
Get reports
from Blue Heron – let them know what the community council has been doing and
how we can work together.
·
Sending people
to the AACL conference and self-advocate meeting. Also looking forward to
hosting the community council co-chair meeting in March. Looking at a date of
March 25, 2006.
·
Community
council co-chairs would like more time to meet at the annual conference. The
meeting in November was very productive but needs to be at least two hours.
·
Steve Hrachy
will be attending the self-advocate workshop. Hoping to bring back lots of
information to the community council.
·
Self-advocates
would like better housing, more AISH – how can PDD help.
Greg Aasen, Board Chair, Blue Heron Vocational Training Centre
·
Have been with
Blue Heron for fifteen years.
·
First thirteen
years – kind of cocooned with Blue Heron on and own community.
·
When given
opportunity to be part of the Board Governance Accountability and Review
Framework – decided to expand my horizons. It has been a very educational
process.
·
Extended an invitation to the Town Council, through
Paula Evans, to have a representative on the Blue Heron Board.
·
Talked to NADC
on transportation – took the opportunity to suggest that perhaps, in
communities like Athabasca, some kind of token system could be developed for
moving around the community.
·
Staffing is a
challenge – had three new hires this year, all young people. Competition for
employees is extreme – very difficult to get people to move for the kind of
dollars that are paid.
·
The transition
planning that is beginning to happen in the region – we have undertaken a small
fee for service contract to undertake that.
·
All the
Northeast Service Providers are members of AARC. Looking at best practices,
etc. This is different than a consortium that is directed by PDD.
·
When there are
larger issues we will send out invites to others. Other regions have similar
groups – Chairs may be getting together. We are working through this.
·
I am
Secretary-Treasurer for the group. Look forward to some of the challenges.
Marilyn Schroderous, Community Member
·
Son worked on
heavy equipment all summer and lost AISH funding for a large portion of the
year also lost his medical.
·
Children should
be encouraged to fly free.
Don Schultz, Chair
·
When the review
of AISH was done, they did look at the AISH scenarios.
·
Need to keep
writing letters about your concerns. No one wants to hinder someone’s growth.
There are individuals who have got off AISH.
·
The Northeast
Board is not going to lobby for AISH.
C.
Reports
1. Board
Communications & Operations
1.1
Northeast Board Quarterly Report for the Period
October 1, 2005 to December
31, 2005
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Northeast Board provides a report to the Provincial Board each quarter, which outlines the activities and events undertaken by the Board and the results achieved in relation to the 2005-2006 business plan.
The Board discussed highlights of the Third Quarter Report.
· The Board wants to ensure capacity dollars are used throughout the region.
· Growth – the number of individuals coming into service is not quite as high this quarter as projected.
· A new system of reporting on cost per case to the Provincial Board is being initiated, to give a more accurate picture.
The second section of the report summarizes the activities and results associated with the regional strategies for each of the provincial Goals 1 through 5.
· Individuals with disabilities are now sitting on the Small Sparks committee.
· Self-advocates were very active in the Northeast Region during this quarter.
The Board reviewed and approved the Second Quarter Report as presented.
#06-01-1007 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.2
Annual AACL Family Conference March 17 and 18, 2006
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Alberta Association for Community Living Annual Family Conference is scheduled for March 17 and 18, 2006 in Edmonton at the Fantasyland Hotel. This year AACL is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
The Board approved sponsorship of 25 to 30 individuals and families to attend the AACL Family Conference in Edmonton in March. Two individuals or two families will be sponsored from each community.
The Board will pay travel, conference registration fees, and accommodation for the individuals and families being sponsored by the Board to attend the conference.
Hard copies of the conference information and registration forms will be sent to each community council.
#06-01-1008 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board fund two
individuals (or two
families) from each community
to attend the AACL Family conference in Edmonton on March 17 and 18, 2006.
Carried
unanimously.
1.3
Risk Management (Board Report Changes)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
As part of the follow up to the Audit Summit the concept of Risk Management has been discussed by the PDD provincial board, the Northeast Alberta Community Board Audit committee and at the last regular board meeting December 17, 2005.
At the last Board meeting the Board asked the administration to draft, for discussion, a document outlining a possible way to link a risk assessment process to the board decision-making process.
The Board reviewed a preliminary Board Assessment Process. A revised draft will be brought to a later meeting for further discussion.
#06-01-1009 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.4
BOS Contract Proposal
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information.
The administration formed a Regional Review Committee in August 2004 to undertake a review of the Regional Behavioral Outreach Services, to analyze the current situation and to identify emerging issues and recommendations for enhancement of the program.
Findings and recommendations for changes were presented to the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers October 2004. The Review Committee was requested to remain in place to develop and implement a six-month follow-up evaluation process.
The Committee presented the results from the follow-up review September 2005 to the Business Table. In response to the findings, the Northeast PDD Administration made the decision to tender the services.
No
recommendations for tender have been made at this time. A recommendation will
be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
#06-01-1010 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.5
Northeast Alberta Community Board Financial Report:
December 31, 2005
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Board reviewed the financial report for the period ending December 31st, 2005. This report was forwarded to the Provincial Board on January 17, 2006.
The Board is expecting a balanced budget for the year ending March 31st, 2006.
#06-01-1011 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.6
Annual Northeast Regional Conference Cost Breakdown
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
At the regular Northeast Alberta Community Board meeting on December 17, 2005 the Board reviewed a preliminary cost comparison report of the 6th and 7th Annual Regional Conferences.
The Board reviewed a revised cost comparison with additional information reflecting the number of registered delegates and a cost per delegate calculation.
#06-01-1012 MOTION: Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.7
Northeast Alberta Community Board Governance Review -
Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
At the regular Northeast Alberta Community Board meeting on December 17, 2005 a report of the Governance Assurance Team presented a report of their findings of the Northeast Alberta Community Board review.
A second phase review of a service provider agency board is almost complete. Athabasca Blue Heron Vocational Training Centre Association Board volunteered to have a review conducted on their organization.
The third phase of this project involves the Advisory Committee reviewing the results and recommendations of the project team and making final recommendations and comments for the final report. This report will be brought back to the Board at a later meeting.
When the process has been completed, administration will see if there is interest from other agencies in going through a similar process.
#06-01-1013 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.8
2006/07 Northeast Business Planning Process – Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: For information and discussion.
As part of the preparation for the 2005/06 Northeast Alberta Community Board Business Plan a stakeholder meeting was held in Westlock in February 2005.
Given the great information gathered at the regional conference in Fort McMurray and utilizing other stakeholder feedback mechanisms the preparation of the 2006/07 Northeast Alberta Community Board Business plan a modified approach will be followed this year.
The Board reviewed a breakdown of key dates for the annual business planning process.
The Board will review a draft of the Business Plan before it is sent to the PDD Provincial Board. The deadline for submission of the approved Business Plan to the PDD Provincial Board is February 27, 2006.
A long-term goal of the administration is to start the consultation process in September.
#06-01-1014 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.9
Legislative Review of Dependent Adults Act
And Personal Directives Act
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
In June 2005, The Government of Alberta announced a review of the Dependant Adults Act and the Personal Directives Act to make sure this legislation meets the needs of Albertans now and in the future. This Legislative Review consists of a public survey, community consultations, and stakeholder consultations.
The public survey is complete and the public consultations were completed in the fall of 2005. Community consultations were conducted in Fort McMurray and St. Paul in the Northeast region.
The current stakeholder consultation process is underway and everyone is encouraged to complete a Questionnaire (available upon request or at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca).
Jody-Lynn Dunlop is compiling a submission representing our regional staff input.
The Board reviewed a copy of the Community Consultations Summary and discussed process for a submission from the Board
#06-01-1015 MOTION: Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.
Administration
2.1 AACL/Rotary Pilot Project
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Northeast Alberta Community Board for
Persons with Developmental Disabilities has identified increasing employment
opportunities for individuals as a priority in the 2005/2006 Business
Plan.
The Rotary Employment Partnership Project is
currently a collaboration among Rotary Clubs, the Alberta Association for
Community Living and Persons with Developmental Disabilities Alberta Provincial
and Community Boards. This has been done very successfully in other areas of
the province and some good employment opportunities came of this.
Bruce Uditsky, Executive Director, AACL, will
be going to Barrhead to make a presentation at the Barrhead Rotary next week.
The Board would like to arrange for a presentation on this project to GROWTH – a Regional Economic Development group that takes in Westlock and Barrhead.
#06-01-1016 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.2 Family Managed Supports
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Northeast Alberta Community Board for
Persons with Developmental Disabilities has committed to the development of
resources for families choosing to manage their own services.
As part of the family managed services in the
Northeast, the administration has initiated the development of a draft manual
to assist families who manage their own services, with family input and
consultation through the involvement of AACL. The consultation process has now
been expanded to families across the province as other regions are being
consulted.
The manual is expected to be complete by the end of the fiscal year.
#06-01-1017 MOTION: Glenn
Hennig moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.3 Human Resource Strategy
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
#06-01-1018 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board accept this proposal and
direct administration to proceed. Carried unanimously.
2.4 Audit Committee
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
Donna Desjardins has assumed the Chair of the Provincial Audit Committee and Caren Mueller accepted the position of Chair of the Northeast Board Audit Committee.
Donna Desjardins advised the Board that the Office of the Chief Internal Auditor is in a process of disbanding. The Ministry of Seniors will have their own Internal Auditors and PDD will be part of them.
#06-01-1019 MOTION: Don
Schultz moved that Caren Mueller be appointed as Chair
of the
Northeast Board Audit Committee.
Carried
unanimously.
D.
Communications from Board Chair
·
Provincial Board
meeting
·
Caren Mueller
attended the Provincial Board meeting with Don Schultz.
·
Similar in
structure to Northeast Board meetings.
·
The process was
very good. Unique to see some of the issues with regard to the other areas.
·
Some members of
the public were in attendance. A couple were from AUPE – they come to the
meetings regularly.
·
The next
provincial Board meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2006, if any other Board
members want to attend.
·
Handled five
arbitrations on appeals for the province – resolved two.
·
Have not heard
anything with regard to the Minister’s request to Treasury for additional funds
for wages.
·
Northwest
Region has no new uptake. They are not taking anyone new on unless it is an
emergency. South is the same.
·
Calgary is
doing tremendously better with their new CEO.
·
Central has an
underutilization. Some of the Michener site has been sold. They will be
renovating and building their administration site on part of Michener and
letting go of their rented property downtown. The long-range plan is to phase
out Michener.
H. Communications
from CEO
· Bids for 8th Annual Regional Conference
· Two communities have expressed an interesting in hosting the Conference. The deadline for proposals is February 17, 2006.
· Staffing Update
· The competition has closed for the Executive Assistant position. Interviews will be held on January 31st, 2006.
· With Arlene Ehl moving to the position of Manager, Community Integration, there will be some changes to contacts for communities – Patty Chizma will be looking after Barrhead.
· A competition for a part time Community Service Coordinator for St. Paul is being run.
· Jody-Lynn Dunlop will be continuing as a Service Coordinator – do not know when Brenda Carlson will be back.
· Michelle Fuernkranz will not be coming back after maternity leave - Jodi Young will be continuing as Service Coordinator in Michelle’s place.
· Community Council Co-Chairs Meeting
· A community council co-chair meeting is scheduled for March in Athabasca.
· St. Paul Abilities Network – Planning Retreat
· SPAN has advised that they are having a planning retreat on March 10 and 11, 2006 at Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. They asked for a Northeast Board member to attend.
· Don Schultz, Board Chair, will attend on March 11th.
· Self-Advocate Summit Planning Committee – the Northeast representatives are Gladys Bingham, Fort McMurray, Donald Rook, St. Paul, Jason Huish, Westlock, and Irene Shelp – PDD, will be meeting to discuss planning.
I. In-Camera Session
(Review organizational issues)
#06-01-1020 Glenn Hennig moved the Board go
In-Camera at 9:02 am to discuss an
organizational issue. Carried unanimously.
#06-01-1021 Ralph Gorrie moved the Board come
out of Camera at 10:00 am.
Carried unanimously.
#06-01-1022 Ralph Gorrie moved to go In-Camera
at 1:30 pm to discuss an organizational
issue. Carried unanimously.
#06-01-1023 Donna Desjardins moved to come out
of camera at 1:45 pm.
Carried unanimously.
· February 25, 2006 Cold Lake
· March 19, 2006 Edmonton
· April 22, 2006 St. Paul
· May 27, 2006 Bonnyville
· June 24, 2006 Fort McMurray
· July 15, 2006 At the call of the Chair
· August 19, 2006 Vegreville
· September 16, 2006 Westlock
· October 21, 2006 Barrhead
· November 18, 2006 Whitecourt
· December 16, 2006 Lac La Biche
#06-01-1024 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board adjourn at
1:50 pm.
Carried
unanimously.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Don Schultz, Chair Dale
Drummond, CEO