DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES

GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES

October 16, 2007 – 1:00 p.m.

A meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council to the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services was held on October 16, 2007, Woodbrook Conference Room, Dover.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Timothy F. Brooks, Ed.D.

Cheryl Coffin

Gloria Duffy

Anthony Horstman

Robert Osgood

Thomas Rust

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Ernestine Brittingham

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Marianne Smith

Roy Lafontaine, Ph.D.

Mary Anderson

Betty Savin

GUEST: Brian Hartman

Vicki Haschak

CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes stand approved.

NEXT MEETING November 20, 1:00 p.m., Woodbrook Conference Room, Dover

Additions to the Agenda

1.  Future events of all agencies under Health and Social Services

2.  Should the Governor’s Advisory Council participate in the Budget Hearings?

·  Major Goals that the Council should emphasize.

·  List of a group that meets every year to formulate an agenda for disability issues.

Budget

Marianne reported there is no information available since her submission of the
DDDS Budget Request to the Secretary.

Reduction Deficit Act/Rehabilitation

This issue remains “real” and continues to be a concern for future services. In a most recent meeting with DMMA, the concern regarding this issue was of mutual concern. Harry Hill of DMMA agreed that the approval and implementation of the Family Support Waiver would serve as a solution.

Duffy Lawsuit

The State lost the lawsuit and is in the process of appealing the decision.

Emergency Preparedness Update

Roy reported the Emergency Operations Committee continues to meet making sure that our Emergency Operations Plan is up to date and all the contractors are current. We continue to work with provider agencies to, hopefully, improve their plans. The most recent activity DDDS is involved with is our COOP (Continuity of Operations Plan). That is a plan developed for after the emergency has passed and you are past the point of stabilization and recovery, how do you maintain operations of the services. Staff has attended a two-day training followed by an overview for Secretary Meconi’s Senior Management Team. The Division is one of a select few that is going to be on the cutting edge of developing and implementing two plans for the Department. Rich Irvine will be the lead person for DDDS on this project. It is a very complex process.

Construction Projects

Fox Run

Marianne visited the new Fox Run facility for DDDS and the anticipated completion date January 2008. Stockton staff will be on the second floor of this facility and the combined Hudson and Edgemoor Centers will be on the first floor of Fox Run.

Laurel Day Program

DDDS is in the process of renovating the building which will be used for Day Programs when completed.

Judge Rotenberg Center

Dr. Kelly passed out copies of the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) Procedures followed by JRC’s Human Rights Committee and JRC Policy and Procedure on Peer Review Committee and discussed the procedures with the Advisory Council.

Future Events for all agencies under Health and Social Services

Mr. Osgood noted when going through this Future Events for all agencies under Health and Social Services document, he noted that the Governor’s Advisory Council is not listed under DDDS. Roy reported the Governor’s Advisory Council is listed on the State Calendar and he will look into why the Council is not listed on the Future Events for all agencies under Health and Social Services.

Should the Governor’s Advisory Council participate in the Budget Hearings?

Mr. Horstman noted there is a group that meets every year to formulate an agenda for disability issues and a Draft 2008 Legislative Agenda list was shared with the Council members.

After a general discussion was held, it was recommended for Mr. Horstman to present at the November 13th Budget Hearings. It was also recommended for Mr. Horstman to emphasize three issues: (1) the Family Support Waiver, (2) Reduction Deficit Act/Rehabilitation and (3) provider increase in his presentation representing the Governor’s Advisory Council.

Announcements and Informational Items

Marianne passed out the Monthly Executive Activity Report for July and August, 2007.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Osgood

Secretary

Future Agenda Items:

(1)  Strategic Plan Update

(2)  Applicant Services Process

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