MPAS Board of Directors
Annual Meeting
September 20, 2016
Present: Tom Landry, John McCulloch, Pam Bellamy, Mark Stephenson, Hansen Clarke, Doug Olsen, Terri Land, Kate Wolters, Mark Lezotte, Veda Sharp, Alethia Brinkerhoff, Paul Palmer
Absent: Travar Pettway, Jane Shank, Selena Schmidt
Staff: Elmer Cerano, Mark XXX, Mark XXX, Michelle XXX, Brian XXX, Mary XXX, Michele XXX, Camilia XXX
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President, Tom Landry.
II. Introductions
Introductions were made.
III. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was presented for approval.
MOTION BY John McCulloch TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED. SECOND BY Kate Wolters.
IV. President's Report
Tom Landry asked that members complete the Conflict of Interest form that was included in the board packet. The Conflict of Interest form is a yearly form that the board completes to show that they have recognized that in their position as board members there may be conflicts that could arise and have a duty to notify the board and staff of potential conflicts.
Tom Landry reported on the 298 Fact Finding Committee meetings. Tom's work on the committee is done. Elmer will give more details in his report.
V. Executive Director's Report
Reorganization
Elmer Cerano reported on the reorganization of the agency. With the budget issues it was decided to not fill the Information and Referral director position and reorganize the physical agency structure. We are looking for an October 1st start up date.
Elmer gave a shout-out to the management team who have worked extremely hard on the goals and objectives and work product. An all staff meeting was held to go over the new agency structure. Staff reviewed actual case samples to see how they will work with the new structure. The basic change was one manager was eliminated and theI&R staff were reorganized by moving them over to the three program teams: Employment Team, Legal Team and CAIR (Community and Institutional Rights) Team.
John McCulloch asked if the reorganization affects the funding. Elmer noted that it helps as we have reduced one manager position and have some vacancies that have not been filled.
Elmer noted that the budget for 2017 will be ok. The 2018 and beyond may be problematic due to the formula allocation for the PADD program. The formula allocations have been phased in over five year.
The agency applied for a guardianship grant and have not heard back whether we have received the grant.
Kate Wolters asked how often managers and staff will be reviewing the nature of the intake calls to be able to assess whether things are going in the right direction. Cerano noted that intakes are reviewed every quarter to see how the priorities are addressed and are we getting the calls we thought we would and the results.
Kate Wolters asked if there is a pattern where calls don't fit in any category. We have talked about fundraising opportunities and possible private grant dollars which could be used to serve individuals in those categories.
HCBS
Cerano gave an update on Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). HCBS is a Medicaid regulation final rule. The state has 30 months to implement it. It impacts all residential and non-residential services for people who are eligible under the B & C waiver.
Section 298 - the Governor put language that by the end of 2017 the public mental system would be turned over to the private health care. When the language came out the group insisted that it not be privatized and made clear to the public mental health system that we are not defending them to maintain the status quo, they too have to start providing quality services.
The groups agreed to a set of core values:
-Person Centered planning with integrity
-Full community inclusion
-Self-determination
To make them come to reality there were 29 Design Elements put together. The advocacy groups have been meeting together to make sure the advocacy community is together on what they want to see.
Rep Payee
Cerano reported that the Representative payee program has ended. The program was a set fee contract and lasted about three years. NDRN put in a bid and the contract was awarded to another organization.
Staff updates
Mark XXX reported for the Legal Team. Staff is currently litigating an issue regarding community living supports. The records access litigation case was argued in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges said to go to mediation and come up with a settlement agreement.
Michelle XXX reported for the CAIR Team. The team is trying to shift focus on bigger more systemic type of activities to ensure some permanent resolution. With the nursing home work the team has been filing individual complaints against professionally licensed staff to either licenses being sanctioned or removed. There has been some success but it has not impacted the rate of abuse and neglect. In the state psychiatric facilities the team will look at active treatment and individualized person center plans, the use of restraint and seclusion and discharge planning.
Mark XXX reported that staff is out in the field meeting with individuals at events to increase participation and voting registration. MPAS will be working with the group on election day called "Election Protection Hotline". They will staff phones and websites around the country looking for problems individuals are having voting, particularly voting access. Elmer noted that we will be doing a candidates forum with Peckham.
Brian XXX gave an update on WIOA which was signed in 2014. The final regulations have now been published. In the vocational rehab system, the goal of the VR was to help individuals with disabilities to prepare for and secure employment. They have added "advance" in employment, which will allow an individual to advance in employment and education. VR must help an individual to obtain employment that is competitive and integrated.
Mary XXX reported on the computer system upgrades. We have currently migrated to a new email system and will be moving to Windows 10 and will be doing some training.
VI. Public Comment
No public comment
VII. PAIMI Advisory Council
Elmer Cerano reported for the Council. The Council met and will be beginning their process for Program Performance Report at the next meeting.
Michelle XXX noted the PAIMI application has been successfully submitted.
VIII. Review and Reaffirm FY 2017 Agency Priorities
Michelle XXX presented the proposed priorities for 2017 in the board packet. Based upon the types of cases we work on, the types of calls, the stakeholder input provided in response of our priority survey and the input from staff we took the information in consideration while reviewing our agency priorities and objectives. The PAIMI Advisory Council had the opportunity to review the priorities and gave their suggestions.
Priority 1: Eliminate abuse and neglect - there are no changes proposed for this objective.
Priority 2: Increase the protection of individual rights, independence and self-determination.
This objective includes voting access and advocacy. We propose to broaden the language to change to "Individuals with disabilities will not be deprived of their rights (related to guardianship, advance directives, funeral representatives and voting).
Kate Wolters feels it seems more restrictive, the proposed language delineates specific things. Doug Olsen noted it should say "for example". Tom Landry suggested to read, "Including those or for example.
Michelle XXX noted that we can change the language. While looking at the types of cases over the years and what we had been able to accomplish, we felt we needed to broaden the language.
Priority3: Eliminate employment barriers and protect rights
Objective 3A - there are no proposed changes
Objective 3B - changed the objective to incorporate some of the changes with the subminimum wage efforts and in response to WIOA and low numbers of cases and calls we have received under the existing language.
Proposed language: Individuals with disabilities will have employment options in the competitive and integrated workforce.
Objective 3C - there are no proposed changes
Objective 3D - proposed change to delete objective due to loss of the Rep Payee program
Priority 4: Improve Access to Services – there are no proposed changes
There are changes to the activities and work that will be done.
Priority 5: Ensure the right to a high quality education – there are no proposed changes
MOTION BY Kate Wolters TO ACCEPT THE PRIORITIES AS SUBMITTED.
Tom Landry noted with the stipulation that there is a revision of objective 2 language. SUPPORT BY Mark Lezotte AS REVISED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IX. Board Development Committee
Kate Wolters RECOMMENDS FOR RE-ELECTION FOR THE CLASS OF 2019 FOR A SECOND THIRD YEAR TERM: VEDA SHARP, TERRI LAND AND JANE SHANK. SUPPORT BY John McCulloch. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Kate Wolters RECOMMENDATION FOR RE-ELECTION OF OFFICERSFOR A SECOND ONE YEAR TERM: TOM LANDRY, PRESIDENT; JOHN MCCULLOCH, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT; VEDA SHARP, 2ND VICE PRESIDENT; TERRI LAND, SECRETARY; JANE SHANK, SECRETARY; IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, KATE WOLTERS. SECOND BY Paul Palmer. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
X. Budget and Finance Committee
Michele XXXreported for the Committee in absence of Jane Shank, Treasurer.
Michele XXX reviewed the budget revision request to recategorize the monies from equipment and put into supplies. The super circular now says that computers are now supplies.
MOTION BY John McCulloch TO APPROVE THE 2016 BUDGET REVISION AS SUBMITTED. SECOND BY Paul Palmer. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Financial statements - the July financial statements and balance sheet are included. There is nothing major to report.
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE JULY 3 FINANCIAL AND BALANCE SHEET BY John McCulloch. SECOND BY Kate Wolters. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Proposed budget FY 2017
Budget & Finance Committee met to discuss and reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2017. The change in benefits has been a good change and has saved the agency money. The estimated revenue
MOTION BY Paul Palmer TO APPROVE THE 2017 PROPOSED BUDGET. SECOND BY Kate Wolters. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
XI. Public Policy Committee
Terri Land thanked the Committee for their participation. Elmer and Terri met with the Arcs and CongressmenTrott and talked about what is going on in Washington. The Arcs will follow-up with the Congressman.
Terri Land talked with Cong Huizenga's office regarding restraint and seclusion and will Congressman Bishop.
Terri Land provided information on Susan Demas who does writing for organizations that do not have full-time public relations and non-profits. Ms. Demas would do free lance writing and focus on 3 items and get personal stories and get our message out there. Ms. Land suggested that we try her out until December and do as a private board donation function. John McCulloch asked who will coordinate what goes to the paper and how many. Terri Land noted that we would sit down and come up with a plan.
Terri Land gave an update on the November 15th public policy meeting followed by a meet and greet with and new legislators. The reception will be at the Hospital Association. All members are invited to join and invite their legislators.
Mark XXX gave an update on the restraint and seclusion bills. The bills are back on agenda.
XII. Old Business
None
XIII. New Business
Executive Session
MOTION BY Terri Land TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. SECOND BY John McCulloch. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION BY John McCulloch and Kate Wolters TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION. SECOND BY Paul Palmer. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING BY Terri Land. SECOND BY Paul Palmer. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.