July 28, 2004 Work Group Meeting Minutes
Cohen Center, Hallowell, Maine

Present:  Stirling Kendall (facilitator), Deb Parker Wolfenden, Christine Bartlett, Lisa Collins, Linda Huff, Sherry Gildard (Muskie), John Baillargeon, Barbara Donovan, Danny Westcott (Muskie), Chris Zukas Lessard, Linda Huff, Chandra Murphy, Kathryn Kazenski, Helen Bailey, Georgette Berube, Bill Burney, David Hutchins 

The meeting began at 1:30 p.m.  Stirling Kendall chaired the meeting.

1. Check-In and Roll Call
Stirling invited participants to introduce themselves.

2. Mission Statement and Vision Statement
Stirling read the Work Group’s revised vision statement: “All of us together, in community with equality in rights and dignity, in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.”

3. Meeting Minutes
The Work Group approved the minutes of April 28, 2004.

4.  Review of the Agenda
Stirling reviewed the agenda and checked in with members about their impressions of the April meeting, specifically what the meeting was like for them, what in their view is working and what is not.  The Work Group members discussed at length their impressions of recent meetings and their struggle now with defining a clear purpose for meeting and a focus of activities.

5.  Report on Recent Events and Activities
Danny reported on the following events and activities:               

Quality Choices Evaluation.  Danny received a proposal from two women associated with the University of Utah to conduct an evaluation of project activities under the Quality Choices grant.  If funding is available, DHHS will pursue it.  The three components of the evaluation include: (1) key informant interviews with policy makers and partners, (2) a web-based survey targeted to all people participating in Quality Choices activities, and (3) a confidential group interview with Work Group members using focus techniques. 

DHHS Grant Applications to CMS.   In late July, the Department submitted three applications under the 2004 Real Choice Systems Change Initiative:  Comprehensive Systems Reform; Integrating Long Term Supports with Affordable Housing, and Mental Health Systems Transformation. The Work Group inquired about access to application material and who the designated Principal Investigator was for each of the applications. 

Update on Work Group Membership.  New members present at this meeting include David Hutchins from BDS, replacing Linda Jariz; and Georgette Berube referred by BEAS to represent seniors.  Jill Duson of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services in DOL was invited but could not attend.  Deb Williams, a consumer representing adults with disabilities has stepped down because of health problems. 

Request for No-Cost Extension from CMS.   Maine’s Quality Choices CMS project officer has been notified that DHHS will request in writing a no-cost extension to complete work in several project areas, including FEA, Collaborative Quality Improvement, the AccessMaine website, Housing, MePASA, and TAG/Work Group advisory groups.

6. Reflection on Past Activities and Accomplishments
Stirling asked Work Group members to reflect on and celebrate what it has accomplished and to say how they see their accomplishments as significant and successful over the time they’ve been involved in the Work Group.  Following are samples of Work Group responses to this question.

The Work Group represents diverse perspectives.  With potential for real conflict, Work Group members developed genuine respect for each other’s differences, and found places to reach consensus.  The Work Group has a sense of belonging and of value in the work, as well as pride in the unique accomplishment of the Roadmap created through the contributions from consumers and people working for state agencies.

The Roadmap and other related documents are hugely valuable resources from a policy perspective.  The Work Group is fearful that this “book” will be put on the shelf and its vision not implemented.

The Roadmap is a good document and a good start but it lacks the authority to require adoption of recommendations that could decrease reliance on institutions and increase inclusiveness. 

The Roadmap is a big picture of opportunities, but just a beginning.  Going forward, it’s important to keep things simple, pick a few priorities at a time, and get something accomplished before moving on.

It’s up to Work Group members to do whatever they can to move Roadmap recommendations forward by taking pieces and applying them to the groups they represent.

7. Performance Measures and Other Activities
For selecting performance measures, Stirling proposed that the Work Group pick a few areas in which to focus and then use a technique called “Fly On the Wall” to describe what good performance would look like.   The Work Group discussed this approach and provided these reactions:

No need to do more “visioning”.  What’s missing is functional next step for implementing recommendations, and a way of assessing impact (positive or negative).  Need to focus beyond government—to business and civic community--in meeting goals of inclusion.  

Need to influence merger activities through education, promotion of Roadmap, monitoring of merger activities—looking for specific intersections.

Introduce Roadmap to those unfamiliar with it; find out what agencies, business, communities are doing to further Roadmap recommendations, applaud them; focus on areas not addressed.

Concern about MaineCare cuts and need to follow (randomly or entirely) the lives of people impacted.  Get handle on displacement (economic impact) and impact on health and independence.  Need data.  No state resources for obtaining and analyzing data.  Question of whether Work Group has will and resources to seek research funds (public or private grant) to establish data set and analyze data. 

Finding ways to narrow areas of focus, such as wait lists, no wrong door, surveying consumers about whether they are participating on boards, and whether accommodated to do so. 

Investigate activities of merger committee to determine points of agreement and priority (e.g., integrating services, improving Information and Referral).  

8. Other Business
Christine Bartlett, a Work Group and Steering Committee member since the beginning, is retiring in September.  This was her last Work Group meeting. The Work Group bid her farewell and thanked her for her keen interest and active participation. 

9. Next Meeting
The next two Work Group meetings are scheduled for Wednesday September 22 and October 27, 2004 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cohen Center in Hallowell.