34 Peachtree Street
M I N U T E S
/ July 10, 200710:00 a.m.
Agenda Item / Discussion / Action Items
Attendees /
Board Members (p) present (a) absent
President: Mike Angstadt (p)
Vice President: Karl Lehman (p)
Treasurer: Phil Kouns (p)
Secretary: Doug Mead (p)
Immediate Past President: Vacant ( )
Child Caring Institution: Rutha Green(p)
Child Placing Agency: Pat Showell (p)ESAC: Greg Sterchi (p)
Family Preservation: Hugo Mullins (p)
Intermediate Institutional: Ralph Comerford (a)
Outdoor Child Caring : Cindy Simpson (a)
PRTF: Mario Bolivar (a)
Specialty Foster Care: Gary Stout(p)
GAHSC Staff: Normer Adams (p)
Carolyn Fjeran (p)
Introduction / Mike Angstadt called the meeting to order. Opportunity was extended to board members to introduce themselves and provide brief information describing their agencies.
Recognition of Jan Jones, Outstanding Legislator of the Year / Normer Adams and Mike Angstadt presented the Outstanding Legislator Award to Representative Jan Jones for her work on Education Funding for Residential Treatment Facilities.Representative Jones addressed the good work that GAHSC is doing and noted Normer Adams’ vigilance in lobbying for children and providers.
Minutes Review and Approval / Minutes from the May 17th Board meeting were distributed. / Phil Kouns motion; Karl Lehman second; approved.
REPORTS
Finance Committee -Phil Kouns / Phil Kouns reported on the transferof financial responsibilities from outgoing Treasurer, Brian Evans and provided a status report. A Profit and Loss Budget Analysis report was distributed. Request was made for additional reports to be provided at the next Board meeting to include YTD Budget, Balance Sheet, and Cash on Hand. / Pat Showell motion; Hugo Mullins second; approved.
Provide Balance Sheet, and YTD Budget and Cash on hand reports at the September Board Meeting.
Next Meeting: September 10, 3:00 p.m.
Nomination Committee -
Steve Rumford, acting Chair / No Report
ORS/GAHSC Liaison Committee, Phil Kouns / See minutes to ORS/GAHSC Liaison Meeting / Next Meeting: August 20, 1:00 p.m. and November 13 at 1:00
Conference Committee, Karl Lehman /
Karl Lehman reported on the 2007 GAHSC Annual Conference. The conference was well attended and received favorable feedback. The theme of the conference was on point with providers. The executive leadership track and specialty needs track were well received. The conference generated approximately $3,000 for the GAHSC Foundation, Catalyst for CARE. The conference was a success on all points.
/ Next Meeting: July 12, 10:00 a.m.Quality/Best Practice Committee – Ralph Comerford /
Normer Adams reported. The committee has not yet formally met. Committee members include Ralph Comerford –Chair, Brian Evans, Debbie Atkins, and Sister Mary Alvin. The GAHSC members were surveyed and we have received 31 responses. NOSAC was surveyed for accreditation requirement for membership; Two states responded affirmatively – North Carolina and California.
/ Meeting scheduled October 26 at 1:00Research Committee – Normer Adams /
Minutes of meeting. Normer Adams reported. The committee met and discussed several important aspects of research informing practice, policy and accountability.Along with the CCI Chapter, the Research Committee is looking at legislation that will require DFCS to adopt outcome driven practices.
/ Next Meeting: September 18, 10:00 a.m.Child Caring Institutions Chapter (CCI) - Ralph Comerford and Rutha Greene /
See minutes of Chapter Meeting dated June 22, 2007. Rutha Greene reported.
The chapter is discussing accreditation/best practice requirement for GAHSC membership. Resources are being explored to help smaller agencies.
Rutha noted that clarification is needed from DFCS regarding training and certification relative to Kenny A requirements. It was noted that changing language from Case Manager to Case Support Personnel might circumvent additional training requirements.
/ Next meeting: August 24, 10:00 a.m. and October 26 at 10:00Emergency Stabilization and AssessmentCenters (ESAC) -Greg Sterchi / Greg Sterchi reported that the GESAC met three to four weeks ago. Some ESACs are struggling and some are not. There does not seem to be a common denominator to this status.
Family Preservation -Hugo Mullins / See minutes, fp20070614mtgminutes.doc
Hugo Mullins reported. Family Preservation providers are anticipating increased competition. Hugo noted challenges for agencies that are transitioning for the Medicaid model. The chapter is looking at trends. GAHSC will identify key people at the State level to address issues. / Next meeting: August 10, 10:30 a.m. and September 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Foster Care Chapter - Doug Mead and Pat Showell /
See minutes to the Foster Care Chapter.
Doug Mead reported on the implementation of SB188. Foster Parent Bill of Rights application to private providers.
He also noted that ORS has been invited to meet with the chapter.
The Embrace initiative was discussed. Doug noted that Sylvia Mundy and Bobbi Cleveland understand the concern of the private sector. Goals include recruitment, training, and support of foster families. They acknowledge the need to involve the community and understand that GAHSC wants to be included in the process. Pat Showell noted that Families First has been part of the pilot program. She noted that they have been instructed not to use the term Embrace; The Family Foster Care Foundation is doing this work. According to Pat, under DHR ‘Embrace’ does not exist.
Doug noted that the Foster Parent Advisory Council recently met with MarkTrail. Carolyn Fjeran noted that the foster parents received valuable information and clarification on many of their questions and concerns.
/ Next Meeting: July 12 10:00 a.m. and August 8, 10:00 a.m.Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Chapter (PRTF) - Mario Bolivar /
No Report
NEW BUSINESSFoundation (Catalyst for Care) Update / Normer Adamsreported.
- Celebration of Excellence (COE) was awarded $80,000 in scholarships this year. Normer noted that Catalyst for CARE (CfC) is considering relinquishing their contract for COE graduation event. The CfC will continue the Excellence in Education scholarship program.
- CfC is working with GSU to develop sponsored research
- CfC is providing assistance grants to foster children who have aged out of the system.
- GAHSC members who are serving on the CfC Board include Larry Freels, Mike Angstadt, and Rick Langford.
- Rutha Greene thanked CfC for its assistance in helping a young lady from Tapestry travel to Japan as a participant in the People to People program.
Executive Director’s Report – Normer Adams / Normer reported on the following:
- Normer reported on recent staff changes. Carolyn Fjeran has assumed responsibilities of GAHSC Deputy Director, Jessica Cole will replace Carolyn as the Catalyst for CARE Professional Development Director and Angie Mosley will serve both organizations as program assistant. Cara Fox is serving as Catalyst for CARE (CfC) COO.
- Normer will be out of country on a mission trip toPapua New Guinea beginning July 13. He will return to the office the first of August. Carolyn will contact Board members as needed in Normer’s absence.
- The Commissioner created a Family Integration Unit within Public Health to be headed by Kenneth Joe. He has been tasked with integrating families into the whole work of DHR.
- Normer deferred the report on legislative priorities. Board members were directed to information on the GAHSC website. Normer noted that GAHSC is seeking legislation that will provide research/data driven practice.
- A grant by the Department of Mental Health wasoffered to build infrastructure around Systems of Care, now called KidsNet. Under this system, those needing services will come through one door. Dianne Sacks is providing leadership.
- Years ago, Community Living Arrangements (CLA) included children and adults. Advocates worked with legislators to remove language that would allow provision of services to children in CLAs. The language to allow children in CLAs remains a concern to child welfare providers. GAHSC staff and Whitney Fuchs met with Gwen Skinner and Cheryl Dresser to propose a change to policy that would exclude serving children in CLA. Gwen and Cheryl were in agreement to the proposal and GAHSC submitted in writing the requested changes. Rutha Greene inquired about legislating permanent change.
- Normer announced recent changes in the Office of the Child Advocate. Tom Rawlins has replaced Dee Simms as Juvenile Court Judge.
- Normer reiterated that in working with DCH and CMOs, non-Medicaid services will need to run through the CMO.
Executive Retreat Planning / Normer solicited feedback on suggestions for the Executive Retreat. The retreat is designed to build relationships, share information and provide networking opportunities. GAHSC staff identified Emerging Trends as the focus of the retreat. Topics of discussion and possible key speakers were identified. Rutha Greene requested that GAHSC considering holding the retreat in the Atlanta area. Staff will request additional RFP for the Atlanta area. The consensus of the Board is to schedule the retreat for September 20 & 21. / Secure location for Sept 20-21
Next Scheduled Mtgs.
- Board
- General Membership
- Sept 20, 2007 at 10 am at Executive Retreat
- Dec 11, 2007 at 1 pm at GAHSC
- Feb 12, 2007 at 1 pm at GAHSC
Handouts /
- Minutes from the May 17th Board Meeting
- Embracing the Community Paper
- Budget Report
Georgia Association of Homes & Services for Children
34 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 1710
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Tel: 404.572.6170 Fax: 404.572.6171