January 24, 2001 Work Group Meeting Minutes
The William S. Cohen Community Center, Hallowell, Maine

Present: Chris Zukas-Lessard, Helen Bailey, John Baillargeon, Cynthia Sudheimer, Alice Conway, Margaret Forbes, Susan Wygal, Stuart Bratesman (staff, Muskie), Christine Bartlett, Deb Parker Wolfenden, Nat Hussey, Eileen Griffin (staff, Muskie)

Not Present: Jane O’Loughlin French, Drew Bolduc, Tracy Piantoni, Tonya Labbe, Lora Perry, Kathryn Kazenski, Stephanie Crystal (alternate with Margaret Forbes), Deborah Williams, Helen Bailey, John Shattuck, Ron Welch, Kat Douin, Jane Gallivan, Tom Bancroft, Chandra Murphy, Steve Maxwell

Chris Zukas-Lessard chaired the meeting. Eileen Griffin facilitated the meeting.

1. Check-in and Introductions

2. Vision Statement
Chris Zukas-Lessard read the Vision Statement: "All of us together, in community, happy, fulfilled, and equal in dignity and rights."

3. Minutes
Chris suggested the Work Group postpone review of the January 18 meeting minutes until the February meeting, since people had not had an opportunity to review them.

4. Ranking of Needs Statements
Eileen reported that, because of the short time between the January 18 and January 24 meeting, she had received only 4 responses to the survey. The goal of the survey had been to rank all of the needs statements produced through the SNOW analysis by four criteria. She suggested, and the Work Group agreed, to postpone applying the four criteria until the Work Group had identified the 3 priorities.

5. Deciding on Priorities
Eileen proposed the Work Group restate the list of 48 needs identified in the SNOW analysis into a smaller group of needs statements. Eileen stated that many of the 48 needs are different parts of the same problem. Ranking the problem, not its separate pieces, is more likely to capture the Work Group’s sense of priority. Eileen proposed a set of nine restatements. After some discussion and revision the Work Group agreed to a set of 8 needs statements. The eight restatements also list all of the ideas that the Work Group had identified through the SNOW analysis and wanted to remember. A copy of these restatements can be found here. The Work Group also agreed that at least three ideas applied to all of the needs statements. In particular, it is assumed that funding and waiting lists apply to all needs statements. Also, it was suggested that the Work Group needed to consider how to monitor whether the State was complying with the Olmstead decision. It was agreed that a system for monitoring performance needed to be built into the plan produced by the Work Group. Work Group members present agreed that not enough people were in attendance to reflect Work Group consensus on which of these needs were priorities. As a result, the Work Group asked Eileen to distribute the list to all Work Group members who were unable to attend and ask them to identify their top three priorities. At the next meeting Work Group members would break into small groups to develop action plans for each of these three priorities.

6. Values and Principles
The Work Group was asked to review the revised Values and Principles. A subgroup of Helen Bailey, Deb Parker Wolfenden, Donna Lerman and Eileen Griffin had revised the Values and Principles based on the input of Work Group members at the November 29 meeting. This item was on the agenda for the January 18 meeting but the Work Group had not had time to address it. After some revisions, the Work Group approved the Values and Principles. They agreed that, because so many people were absent from this meeting, including all people representing a parent’s perspective, their approval was conditioned on further input from other Work Group members.

7. Other Business
Margaret asked that we have large versions of the Vision Statement, the Work Group’s mission, and Value and Principles posted on the wall at each meeting. Margaret also suggested that we change "check-in" to "roll call" on the agenda. It was also suggested that Eileen finalize the brochure for distribution. The Work Group also discussed what materials were appropriate for distribution outside of the Work Group. Eileen stated that most Work Group materials are posted on the website as part of the minutes and are therefore public.

8. Moment of Silence for Ron Hanson
Alice Conway asked that the Work Group observe a moment of silence in memory of Ron Hanson, who had devoted his life to making access a reality for people with disabilities.

9. Next Meeting
The agenda for the February 28 meeting will be devoted to developing an action plan for each of the three priority areas. The February meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28^th from 1:00-to-4:00pm at the Cohen Center. Deb Parker Wolfenden is the chair of this meeting.