June 26, 2002 Work Group Meeting Minutes
The William S. Cohen Community Center, Hallowell, Maine

Present:  Helen Bailey, Stirling Kendall (Muskie staff), John Baillargeon, Chris Zukas-Lessard, Stephanie Crystal (chair), Deb Parker-Wolfenden, Kate Brogan, Peter Driscoll, Steve Hoad, Linda Jariz, Danny Westcott (Muskie staff), Linda Kennedy (Muskie staff)

Not Present:  Tom Bancroft, Ron Welch, Cynthia Sudheimer, Jane Gallivan, Alice Conway, Lora Perry, Tom Bancroft, Drew Bolduc, Chandra Murphy, Tonya Labbe, Shirley Bastien, Drew Bolduc, Debbie Rogers, Jonathan Connick, Myra Champagne, Kathryn Kazenski, Christine Bartlett, and Nat Hussey.

The afternoon session began at noon with lunch. Stephanie Crystal was chair.  Stirling Kendall facilitated the meeting.

1.  Check-in and Roll Call
Stirling introduced Linda Kennedy from IPSI. She kindly agreed to help Danny take notes at the meeting. 

2.  Mission Statement and Vision Statement
Chris Zukas-Lessard read the Work Group’s  vision statement: “Together in community with equality in rights and dignity, in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.” 

3.   Meeting Minutes
The Work Group approved the May 22, 2002 meeting minutes as written.

4.  Review of Agenda
Stirling reviewed the agenda, pointing out the new system for numbering and color-coding reports and reminding everyone to focus attention only on the edited, underlined sections of previously reviewed reports.  Stirling announced that financial support of the Work Group’s monthly meetings, including payment for interpreters, CART services, room rental, food, stipends and travel reimbursement, would end in August and Muskie’s role would shift from writing and editing to supporting the Work Group’s public communications effort.

5.  Documents for Brief Review and Final Approval
The Work Group reviewed, edited and commented on the three revised drafts of the Services Sub-Group, and the revised Employment draft.  Since most of what was discussed is now contained in the reports, only the final dispositions of the subgroup reports and the employment report are noted. 

• Flexible Funding to Promote Integrated Services and Choice and Control.  The Work Group reviewed the final edits from the May meeting and voted to approve the report. 
• Using Data to Make Sure Needed Services Are Funded.  The Work Group reviewed the final edits from the May meeting and voted to approve the report.  
• Employment Draft.  The Work Group reviewed the edits from the March 27^th meeting and voted to approve the report, stipulating that the following addition be made:
  • Wait list.  This section will be rewritten to explain that waiting lists are sometimes necessary given the broad spectrum of services BRS offers and to describe how those waiting lists are undertaken. 
• Advocacy, Self-Advocacy, and Quality Monitoring.  The Advocacy draft was edited and the Work Group voted to approve the report with the understanding that the recommended revisions would be made.

 
6.  Drafts for Review and Comment
Since the meeting was drawing to a close, the Work Group decided to defer its review and comment of the three remaining drafts: Coordination of Services and the two housing drafts (Housing, the descriptive piece, and Affordable, Appropriate, Integrated Housing) until the July meeting.  Stephanie suggested that Work Group members read the drafts and send comments to Danny by July 12^th.

7.  Vision Statement Revisited
The Work Group discussed revising the vision statement so that it would be more inclusive.  Three options were pursued: (1) keeping the current statement; (2) adopting an earlier version which said: “All of us together, happy and fulfilled, equal in dignity and rights,” or (3) creating a new one that combines both thoughts.  After considerable discussion, the Work Group decided to adopt the following combined statement: “All of us together in community, with equality in rights and dignity, in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.”

8.  Announcements
Danny announced that Justin Dart, a disabilities rights advocate, well known for his work in promoting the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act, died on June 22nd.  The Work Group shared a moment of silence, as is customary when a person whose life and works were important to Work Group members dies.

Deb Parker-Wolfenden announced that the Public Communication Team’s poster and brochure are ready for distribution to consumers, advocates, provider agencies and others. Helen and Steve asked for electronic versions of the brochure to post on their websites.

Peter Driscoll proudly announced that he and his wife are in the final stage of a process leading to the adoption of a 4-month old boy from Nicaragua, named Rafino.

9.  Next Meeting
The August Work Group meeting at the Cohen Center is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.  Helen Bailey will chair the meeting.