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Official Minutes
May 9, 2001
In attendance: Joanne Fuhrman- Provider rep., Paul Gregory- provider rep, Tom Giles-Parent, Joe Carroll-Parent, Jana Starr-OCDD, Nancy Hazelett-Parent, Pam Ring-ARC rep, Dana Davis-SAAL, Laurie Lindberg-ODDS, James Toews-ODDS, Kristin Ahiran-Brokerage rep., Judy
Cunio-ODDC, Marsha Clark-County MD Directors rep., Tim Kral-Provider rep., Roger Stanton-provider rep., Beverly Harrin-OTAC, Sandra Stewart-MCMH, Cindy Stockton-SDS, Howand Klink,Cty DD rep., Mike Maley-ODDS, Cythia Owens-ARC, Kathryn Weit-OCDD, Cindy Helvingon-Self Advocate, Frank and Sharry Quan-Parents Bill Lynch - Facilitator
Process-How is it working?-(feedback from group)
· General consensus of group is that the process has been working well.
· This process has provided broader input and a diversity of input to State decision making process.
· Concern expressed that local government representatives feel they cannot express their issues. The counties have felt like an outsider in this process. They are not feeling like they are a full partner in the process.
· Could make some processes simpler, but over all it is great. A thank-you expressed for putting self-advocates on equal ground.
· Some concern that the recommendations from the subcommittees are not being implemented. We need to continue to work on this process issue.
· The process works, even though it will never be a smooth process due to the complexity of the work to do. Currently the issues are heating up.
Raising Issues with the UA Committee - Perception of anti-county bias James Toews brought up the point that different groups will discuss concerns about topics in this group and outside the Universal Access workgroup. It was his feeling that this was not necessarily a bad thing.
· We need to remember this an advisory group. The state may have to make decisions that are in conflict with the desire of this group.
When this occurs they will try to be clear as to why , but the reality is it will happen, and if families and self advocates or other groups strongly disagree, they will have to go to other groups to advocate for their concerns. James stated that this is just the process and
something that no one needs to feel bad about.
· Representatives can only represent the group process to their constitutents. The actions these separate groups may take should not cast a shadow of doubt or distrust on the process.
· It is important for representatives to this group to try to anticipate the concerns of those we represent. We need to attempt to work issues through the UA group and then take back the decisions and perspectives to the groups we represent. .
· Conclusion to this discussion: The group agreed to speak up and make sure that concerns are clearly heard before moving on. It was also requested that the UA group receive a recap regarding the issues that County reps feel have not been completely addressed or they continue to have concerns about.
Committee update-Laurie Lindberg-A group has reconvened to look at the role of the
broker, what they will do and what the Title 19 case manager will do. This group will also look at what it means to approve a plan and advise on training activities that need to occur. This committee will bring the final product back to the UA group for review. Next subcommittee meeting is May 18th. Sandy Stuart from this group will join this subcommittee.
Communication sub-committee- A representative from this subcommittee handed out a draft brochure that explains the basics of universal access to Self-Directed Supports and asked the group to review the content and get feedback to them by the end of the meeting. Next
meeting will be May 24 at 8:30 prior to UA meeting
Employment subcommittee-This report was given via notes from sub-committee meetings.
Kids meeting- Meetings to discuss family support for kids and families have been scheduled. This group will act as a "rule making" advisory group (RAC) for Family Support Services. The group has 8 full day meetings scheduled and will operate much like the larger UA group over
the next few months. Vicki Storie is the Division staff assigned to this group. Questions can be directed to Vicki.
New Hampshire- MaryLee gave a report on a national conference on progress of Self-Determination around the country. It seems that many states are grappling with the same issues.
RFP update-
James reports that the RFP should be on the street any day.
MaryLee explained the RFP review process- This only a preliminary discussion to get input from the group
Level One- Proposals are reviewed for minimum qualifications.
Level two - Review will occur at the Regional Level and will include the following participants:
- A statewide review panel(including MaryLee and Mike) of approx. eight unbiased individuals who will travel around the state and review the proposals.
- A regional panel will be selected to participate in the review of the responses for each region. If a proposal crosses a region then it will be reviewed by both regions. This panel will score proposals. Members of the state panel will participate in the process with each
regional group. The regional level may include county government, SDS groups, local members of the community, etc.
Proposed Level three- Local boards will review proposals in their area send scoring to be included in the Level Two Review,
All participants in the review process will have to be free of conflict of interest in regards to the proposal.
Questions from the group-
Q-Will the state review all RFPs and narrow the pool before sending them on to the region? A- The answer was no, except to review for minimum qualifications. i.e.-did the respondent follow all instruction, did they attend the bidders conference.
Q-How many proposals per region will be approved? A--this is not known until proposals are received.
Q-If the SDS group is responding, can other family and individual names from these communities be put forward to be part of decision making process? A- yes, send names to Mike Maley.
Q-Will there be a clear process for the role of the SDS groups? A-yes, when this is done, details will be given out, along with a clear definition of what a conflict of interest is. Additionally those participating in the process will have to sign a statement declaring they are free of a conflict of interest.
Q-How will participants in the regional groups be decided? A-First the state will ask for representative from each stakeholder group in communities to participate. The state will request those who are free of conflict and want to be involved to let them know they would like
to participate.
Question to the UA group-Is there consensus that we need involve the SDS groups in scoring process?-
Comments back about this questions- Concerns expressed resulted in three possible participation options.
1. SDS groups themselves score the proposals and submit comments and scores to the regional panel
2. The SDS groups are accommodated in the scoring process by having the representation from SDS groups participating at the regional level.
3.Encourage the state to make sure that our values are part of the process, that there be involvement at the local level and that the representation is meaningful. It was decided that rather than making a final decision about one option, the group will submit all the suggestions for the states consideration.
James reminded the group that these are just recommendations. The process itself will be defined by law, and may not be able to include all the desires of the Universal Access Committee.
Waiver discussion-
The Waiver subcommittee reported that Deanna has worked to accommodate the recommendations from the group in the Waiver. James mentioned that the Waiver will contain a proposed geographic roll out of services.
This not set in stone and will be able to be changed in the actual implementation.
Ways and Means discussion-
With the budget process in Ways and Means, do we have concerns that there will be an attempt to use the savings from the delay in the startup of universal access to Self-Directed Supports to address other budget issues? James said this is an issue. There will be some
delays and they are having to redo some budget figures. It is estimated that there may be 3-4months of delays in implementation. The savings from this delay will be "offered up." However this will not effect the number of individuals served in the first year. The
increase in case management and other allocations will start as projected on July 1, 2001
Rule Making-
There is a need to start a rule making process for the implementationof support services including how brokerages will be governed and how plans will be implemented. The proposal is that we create an overall Support Services Rule, an overall Comprehensive Service Rule, and then a third rule for Administrative aspects of the service delivery system The time lines are as follows: (note these days are adoption dates.
Rules must be finished by these dates)
1. Support Services rule-Sept 2001(Mike Maley- lead from ODDS staff)
2. Administration- Oct. 2001(Jack Morgon/Laurie Lindberg -lead from ODDS staff)
3. Comprehensive services rule-December 2001(Jessie Martin- lead from ODDS staff)
The state is making a recommendation that rather than having a Rule making committee on each rule, that the existing Universal Access Committee act as one large rule advisory Committee. ( RAC)
The Kids group that is looking at Family Support issues will act as the Rule making Advisory Committee(RAC) for the rule making process for Family Support. It was agreed that the Universal Access Planning Group will be the overall RAC for the above listed rule making
processes. Members of the group will give information to Bill if they are interested in participating on the various subcommittees for the three rules processes that will be reviewed by the RAC.
Implementation Issues-
A) Pooling resources- Can families and individuals share resources to create cooperative living situations, job coaching, etc? MaryLee clarified that support services could not be pooled together to move people into comprehensive services, or used to buy anything that is
illegal. The idea that individuals can't share services was questioned by the group. It was decided that the group recommends that in the Rule making process there is a significant attempt to be as flexible as possible when it comes to the issue of individuals sharing resources in the development of plans.
B. Ability to pay families to provide support services- The current waiver language states that family members can be paid. MaryLee clarified that you can pay families if not a spouse, parent or guardian of a minor child. It will be important to look at the safeguards that assure the individual has opportunity to make choices when we get into these type of situations. This may be addressed through a good planning process that continues to ask the question; is
this still the best for the person being served?.
Other burning issues-
Employment issues-It was brought up that there are some employment providers who believe that as of July 1, 2001 all their employment only "slots" are going away. MaryLee assured the group that this is not the case. The message is that everyone should, "stay the course"
until they hear differently. It was also brought up that the idea that someone can say "I would like to buy my services somewhere else.", is not the same as a "slot going away".
Does SDS go away July 2001? The answer is similar to above, as James has said in his letter to SDS boards, SDS will stay until June 2002. The message to give is that until they hear differently they should "stay the course."
How will the Brokerages appoint their boards?-MaryLee reminded the group that the state has said that the boards will have to be 51% family and self advocates. There are no guidelines as to how the boards will be chosen. This will depend on the different brokerages.
What is Universal Access, and where do I get my $800 per month? The communication subcommittee has drafted a flyer that we hope will address this type of question.
How will people be prioritized to be part of the 50 families per year? Discussion still to occur.
Kathryn is collecting a list of other burning issues and questions.
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