Family Care Council Minutes

January 6, 2010

Members Present:

Tracy Stewart, Chairperson  via phone

Nan Stewart (arrived 11:55 a.m.)

Lou Ogburn, Secretary

Jennifer Morgan-Byrd via phone

Members Absent:

Janet Graham

Others in Attendance:

Kristina Holmen-Mohr – Applying member to Council

Beth Burr – Applying member to Council

Vince Giglio – Applying member to Council

Lynne Daw, Area 2 Administrator

Eldalee Cook and daughter, Jo - visitors

The meeting was called to order at 1135 a.m. by Tracy Stewart, Chairperson.

The minutes of the meeting of December 9 were approved with a motion by Lou Ogburn, seconded by Jennifer Morgan-Byrd.

  . 

Old Business

The CDC+ program was discussed by Lynne Daw.  This program would allow 2,500 current waiver consumers statewide to participate, thereby freeing up med-waiver slots.  At this time, all 2500 slots have not been filled so additional individuals may still choose to participate. Those choosing to participate will need to attend a training session.  There will be training sessions for those interested both in Panama City and Tallahassee this month.  Area 2 already has 2 new people enrolled in the CDC+ expansion.

New Business

The FCC accomplishments report was discussed.  This report is due at the end of each fiscal year which is June 30.  Tracy Stewart suggested that from now on it be done close to the end of the FY so memories are fresh.

The main accomplishment has been to increase the size of the FCC from two to five members.  Also a Legislative Workshop was sponsored in conjunction with the Area 2 Steering Committee.  One person was sponsored to the Family Café in Orlando and another to the FSU Autism Workshop. 

Tracy Stewart asked Lynne Daw to send copies of all minutes during the 08-09 FY along with a spreadsheet of the expenditures so this report can be completed.

Jennifer Morgan-Byrd moved, seconded by Lou Ogburn, that Tracy Stewart be authorized to write a letter to waiver participants and wait list folks which will explain the FCC and bring them up to date on current happenings, tying this into the FCC Area 2 Family Support Plan.  She will e-mail the letter to members for editing before a final copy is sent out.

Lynne Daw discussed the upcoming iBudget Workshop.  During the last Legislative session, APD was mandated to develop a concept to ensure that the agency remains within budget allocation.  The iBudget concept provides flexibility within the current service delivery system and more control for families and self- advocates with regard to how their budget is developed. Using an algorithm to predict costs, the budget for each person would be identified first and then the families and self- advocates would work with their waiver support coordinator to develop a support plan within this budget allocation.

Eldalee Cook expressed concern that if the QSI instrument is used as part of the algorithm, she does not feel it accurately captures the specific needs of her son.  Tracy Stewart said that she has heard similar concerns about the QSI instrument  from others and asked her to send her comments to Lynne so they could be sent to other members.  Tracy asked that this be added to next month’s agenda.

Lynne Daw also said that a draft of the iBudget is on the APD website and the Agency is seeking comments on the draft plan.  The hearing will be held January 29 from 9a.m. until 12 noon, CST  in Panama City at Gulf Coast Community College.  Other hearings will be in Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami. Ms. Cook asked if there was a way for there to be a conference call in number for those people who were unable to attend in person.  Lynne said she would be glad to ask this question to those who were coordinating the event.  Jennifer Morgan-Byrd stated that she felt the FCC Area 2 should look into the cost of paying for a means for future workshops to have this capacity.  

The quarterly meetings for waitlist families are scheduled for this month.  The first will be held  January 19, from 5:30 – 7:30 at Gretchen Everhart School in Tallahassee.  An attorney will  be there discussing Special Needs Trusts.

On Jan 25 a waitlist meeting will be held in Panama City from 5:30 – 7:30 CST at Gulf Coast Community College and on January 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 CST  in Marianna at Jackson County Hospital. Both of these meetings with have a guest speaker from VR to talk about Vocational Rehabilitation services.

Woodbury, Inc. a consumable medical supply company, are partnering with the Family Care Councils in offering a free case of adult size diapers or pull-ups to individuals on the waitilst.  Woodbury will be making this donation to 50 families in each Area..  The families chosen will contact Woodbury directly to arrangement shipment.  This opportunity should begin within the next week.

The next meeting of the FCC will be held on February 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Area 2 office at Cedars Executive Center.  PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE IN TIME.  New members and those applying for membership to the Council are asked to come 1 hour early for an orientation to the Family Care Council.

The meeting ended at 12:30 p.m.