CPPC Mission

Together, we keep children and their families healthy, engaged, and thriving.

PracticeCommittee MeetingNotes

May 8, 2015

Attendance: Brian Clark (Conscious Fathers), Kane Loukas (Spurwink), Nate Oliver (DHHS), Linda Barker (South Portland PD), Karen Small (DHHS), Abby Alfred (CPPC), Deb Dunlap (CPPC)

Stakeholders Meeting Feedback:

  • Small groups were valuable, specifically because they provided opportunities to connect with each other and to engage in answering questions together
  • Request was made to have lived experience panel in the morning. Committee discussed the strategy behind the end of the day position (encouraging full-day attendance; ensuring safety for the presenters with an engaged audience)
  • Some used the Shared Decision Making activity as a networking opportunity as well
  • Hearing different points of view was a challenge and eye opening; though some noted the activity may have been “too smooth” compared to real-life interactions when partners are being “less careful” with one another
  • Law enforcement and resident attendance were both positive

Committee also discussed sensitivity issues that were raised by a participant attending in a professional capacity but who has personal experience with recovery and child safety. This participant had a strong emotional reaction to a conversation among other professionals in small group, and felt that because the personal experience was “hidden,” there was an expectation by group members that it would be okay to use judgmental language. Committee discussed the need for all partners to be mindful that we don’t know everyone’s story, and also to know our own triggers and be prepared to take care of ourselves. Group agreed this should be a disclaimer at the beginning of all our gatherings:

  • Be mindful that we don’t know everyone’s story
  • Some of the topics that we discuss can be triggering; please take good care of yourself

CPPC Backbone Contract

Deb shared that the contract between DHHS and Opportunity Alliance that provides funding for CPPC “backbone organization” services will be going out to competitive bid sometime in early summer. The current contract has been extended through December 30th. As trusting relationships between partner organizations is the foundation of CPPC, Governance Committee will be engaging the services of an outside facilitator (Carole Martin) and inviting all partners and interested parties to participate in a transparent conversation about backbone role, needs and opportunities. Deb and Governance members will be meeting with leaders from organizations to explain the philosophy and process, and may ask for Practice member support to schedule these conversations. The goal is to begin this dialogue before the RFP is issued, so the first meeting will likely be scheduled toward the end of June.

Training Workgroup

Committee discussed the need to revitalize the training workgroup, and the confusion over whether the training group that planned and implemented the substance abuse series this past year was intended to be a workgroup or a longer-term committee. Reviewing the notes it appears we have referred to this group as both “workgroup” and “committee,” and there is general confusion among all partners about what level of responsibility and commitment is expected of this group of people. Group suggested we send an email to both Practice and Training members to pull together a meeting of interested partners to discuss and clearly define the needs, role, and responsibilities.

Group discussed the success of the substance abuse theme last year, and reviewed feedback from partners collected at Stakeholders. Because there isn’t one specific theme showing up as a priority, group agreed to hold a series of different topics. Following topics were discussed as possible training focus areas in the coming fiscal year:

  • Housing as a community dialogue (including impact of mental health on housing)
  • Trauma
  • Adverse Childhood Effects (ACES) and resilience through connection to Maine Resilience Building Network
  • Domestic Violence

Formalizing Practice Recommendations:

Group continued the discussion about how to formalize and share practice recommendations and tools that are developed by this committee. Discussed the question: should these be in one document? Participants agreed that all tools/recommendations should be contained in separate, single documents so they can be easily pulled and printed by partners. All agreed that these should be included in Practice Tools and Practice Recommendations sections on the webpage, and this should include an index that supports searching and ease of reading/printing/sharing.

Next Steps:

Action / Lead
Send email to current Training group and other involved Practice members to schedule a conversation about role/responsibilities/structure / Abby
Create Practice Committee web page / Abby

MEETINGS HELD ON 2ND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD

FRIDAY, JUNE 12th, 8:30-10:00 @ DHHS

151 JETPORT BLVD SOUTH PORTLAND