Family Care Council - Draft

District 12

December 14, 2006

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                            STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT:

 

Ray Sylvestre, Co Vice-chair                                      Ed DeBardeleben, APD

Phil Pearson, Co Vice-chair                                         Shawna Retallack, FCC Secretary

Linda Peterson                                                            Sandra Mills, APD

                                                                                    Susan Tanner, LAC

                                                                                    Jimmy Perrin

                                                                                    Sheila Harlacher, Palm Terrace Elem.

MEMBERS ABSENT:                                            

 

Edith Kegle, Chair

                                                                                                                                 

I. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS:

The meeting was called to order at 3:04 PM. Roll call established a quorum. The FCC Secretary, Jennifer Stevens, is no longer employed at Easter Seals.  Former Secretary, Shawna Retallack, will continue to perform secretarial duties for Family Care Council Area 12 until a replacement is found.  Sandra Mills has replaced Michelle Beauregard as the new FCC Liaison from Agency for Persons with Disabilities. 

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes from the meeting on October 12th, 2006 meeting were reviewed and discussed by members and guests present.  Member Sylvestre made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 12, 2006 meeting.  Motion seconded by member Peterson.  Motion carried. 

III. OLD BUSINESS:

Member Pearson mentioned previous discussion regarding revision of the bylaws to change the number of members necessary to make a quorum.  Currently the bylaws state that a quorum is achieved when 50 % of the members are present.  After some discussion between member Pearson and member Sylvestre it was decided not to change the bylaws regarding this issue.

Member Pearson would like to change the bylaws regarding nomination of officers.  He proposes that member nomination should occur in December.  This change would allow FCC Area 12 to operate in a more time efficient manner.  Member Pearson made a motion to change the bylaws regarding nomination of officers in which officers will be nominated in December of each year.  Motion seconded by member Sylvestre.  Motion carried.  Member Pearson initiated discussion of nominating members to the Council.  He asked Ed from the APD the status of Irene Gallo’s application for membership to the FCC Area 12.  Ed reported that all applications are on hold until the new Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, takes office in January of 2007.  Member Sylvestre made a motion to nominate member Phil Pearson as Chairperson of Family Care Council Area 12.  Member Peterson seconded.  Member Pearson accepted nomination.  Chairperson Pearson mentioned that member Kegle has expressed interest in being the Vice Chair.  Therefore, Chairperson Pearson made a motion to nominate Edith Kegle as Vice Chair.  Member Sylvestre seconded.  Chairperson Pearson mentioned that member Sylvestre has expressed interest in holding the position of Treasurer in the Council.  Chairperson Pearson made a motion to nominate Ray Sylvestre as Treasurer of Family Care Council Area 12.  Motion seconded by member Peterson.  Member Sylvestre accepted nomination.  Ed mentioned that a transfer of equipment and the responsibilities of the equipment will need to be done between Vice Chair Kegle and Chairperson Pearson.  All members, staff and guests congratulated Chairperson Pearson regarding his new position in the Council.  Chairperson Pearson stated that he will attend the next Family Care Council Florida meeting in January of 2007.

There was a delay in renewing the Service Agreement between Easter Seals and Family Care Council Area 12.  The Agreement should have been signed in August.  The Agreement has been signed but an exception will have to be done because the agreement wasn’t signed or dated by either party. During this time bills from Easter Seals have not been paid. 

Chairperson Pearson provided a copy of the FCC 12 Budget for Fiscal Year July 2006 through June of 2007.  Each item on the Budget was explained and discussed.  A master copy of the Budget will be kept with the meeting minutes.

IV. AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UPDATE:

Ed reported that 337 persons statewide were identified to be transitioned to one of the waivers.  Out of the 337 persons identified 13 persons are from Area 12.  Out of the 13 persons from Area 12 that were identified 11 persons have been enrolled for services.  In the past when MedWaiver services were reduced or denied fair hearings took place.  Advocates have requested a change which will result in hearings being conducted by G.O.A.

The Director of APD, Shelley Brantley, has resigned.  Ed stated that this is very common when a new governor takes office.  The governor’s transition team will appoint a new director.  The APD Deputy Director has resigned as well.  Matt McKee is acting Director until a new Deputy Director is found.  Cliff Robertson from the APD has retired.  His replacement will assume Cliff’s job responsibilities as well other responsibilities that Ed will add to that job position.  Sandra Mills has been promoted to Area Quality Liaison.

In January of 2007 an electronic Support Plan will be put on the APD website.  Support Plans can then be updated online as needed.  This change will be much cleaner and easier than the former paper version of the Support Plan.  Susan Tanner had concerns regarding whether this would affect the current procedure which includes meeting with a Support Coordinator to discuss the Support Plan.  Ed explained that this change will not affect the meeting with a Support Coordinator to discuss the Support Plan.

Ed reported that currently there is no formal process to recoup money for support coordinator services when providers don’t provide the services they were supposed to provide.  There will be a policy finalized in early 2007 to implement this process. 

At the last meeting Chairperson Pearson requested demographics for Area 12.  Ed provided the following statistics.  As of October 31st 1,401 individuals are being served by APD.  Of that 334 individuals are on the statewide waiting list.  Of the 1,401 individuals 1,030 are receiving funded services.  Of the 1,401 individuals 853 are receiving MedWaiver services, 154 individuals are on the FSL Waiver, and 23 individuals are on the CBC Plus Plan.   As of October 31st 13,140 individuals are on the statewide wait list.  Also, there are 60 licensed group homes in Area 12 that have a capacity of 387 beds.  Of the 387 beds 317 are occupied.  Ed clarified that just because the beds are not occupied that doesn’t mean that they are available.  As of October 31st 72 people are in Supported Living arrangements and 151 people are in Supported Employment.  According to APD 5 year plan the goal is to have 180 individuals in Supported Employment.  Chairperson Pearson inquired about the number of people statewide that are receiving services.  Ed replied that he would try to get that information.  

V. OPEN DISCUSSION

Chairperson Pearson opened discussion regarding changing the meeting time which is currently the second Thursday of every month from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  It was decided to table this issue until there is an increase in FCC12 membership and meeting attendance.  Ed stated that ultimately there is no ideal time because everyone’s schedule is different.  It would be impossible to accommodate everyone.  The Council decided to focus on increasing FCC12 membership and meeting attendance.  Ed suggested advertising in the newspaper to increase membership in FCC12.  Chairperson Pearson asked Ed about the training that is supposed to take place for FCC12 members.  Ed replied that the training will occur at the January 11th meeting.  This training will include educating FCC12 members regarding their roles and responsibilities as FCC members.  Ed instructed Sandra to provide a copy of the training schedule for providers so FCC12 members can attend which will further assist them in their role as a FCC12 member. Phil expressed concerns that FCC12 needs a plan for 2007.  Training the FCC12 members will help and a plan can be designed after that training occurs.  Phil would to see FCC12 doing more.  For example, writing letters to legislatures and giving feedback regarding the delivery of services provided by APD.  FCC12 needs input from parents and family members of persons with developmental disabilities. 

VI. ADJOURN:

With no further business to come before the Council the meeting adjourned at 4:28 PM.