THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT

MCSSA DISTRICT IV MEETING

September 23, 2004

Hosted by Eaton County

At Eaton County Family Independence Agency, Charlotte, MI

Susan Bailey-Carman welcomed District IV MCSSA/MCSSW representatives, directors, and board members. The two groups conducted business meetings in the morning and reconvened for a tour of the Eaton County Medical Care Facility, which was followed by lunch. Mike Connell joined the combined District IV meeting in the afternoon to present information on staffing standards.

PARTICIPANTS: Susan Bailey-Carman, Don Rewa, Shaun Ancona, Susan Hoffman, Linda Appling, William LeFevere, B. Jay Bortz, Ellen Speckman-Randall, Liz Krause, Wayne Peterson, Mel Haga, Phil Larson, Loren Snippe, Pat Simmons, and Guest Speaker: Mike Connell, Manager of Staffing Standards and Allocation Section, FIA

I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 10:15 a.m. by President Susan Bailey-Carman.

II. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES – There were no minutes from June 2004 to be approved. Connie Dykman sent her apologies.

A schedule was distributed for the 2004 – 2009 District IV meetings. A copy of that schedule is attached. Discussion was held that the host is responsible for taking the minutes, arranging for a guest speaker, and making catering arrangements.

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Adult & Health Services: No report.

Automated Systems/Local Management: No report

Board Member Development: Sue Hoffman

The summer conference provided three training opportunities for board member development. Sharon Christensen conducted the first training on FIA issues; Susan-Bailey-Carman and Jay Bortz presented the second training session on making board meetings relevant, and the third session provided an opportunity for round table discussion. The Board Member Development Committee plans to meet soon.

Child & Family Services: B. Jay Bortz

There are several pieces of legislation coming up for consideration. The bills have been printed and the committee will be reviewing the legislation to make recommendations in the near future.

Ellen Speckman-Randall commented that at the last meeting there was a large number of attendees from Central Office. She believes that Central Office will continue to support committees that generate good outcomes.

THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT

Conference Planning: Phil Larson

Summer Conference was held August 16, 17, and 18 in Mt. Pleasant at the Holiday Inn. In May, the MCMCFC Spring Conference was held at Boyne Highlands. A list of tasks is being developed for conference planning, and some tasks will be delegated to the Board of Directors. The Conference Committee will make recommendations to the Board, and information must be provided early to the delegates so that input can be gathered from the individual districts. Discussion was held on the host sites for these conferences. Per the by-laws, these sites are to be determined by the Board. It is difficult for the conferences to be geographically scheduled throughout the entire state. Since the funds generated by the conferences are needed, it is important to maximize attendance. Attendance is also dependent on whether FIA allows travel reimbursement for the conference. Attendance is higher at resorts that are convenient for participants, and it was suggested that the locations and attendance for the last five conferences be reviewed to assist in the planning process. Jay Bortz will request this information from Shelley Jipson-Lomax. Rotating conference sites with three or four hotels that meet all of the established criteria was suggested. Ellen Speckman-Randall will add this topic to the Advisory Committee agenda and recommend that FIA support attendance at the summer conference. She will also recommend that the Director’s Recognition Awards be presented at the conference, and that the award recipients and their families be allowed to attend the conference.

Training Updates

The following training topics are being discussed or presented at various locations: maximizing federal reimbursement for Medicaid, the Title IV-E Assessment tool, and localized Board Member training. It was proposed that the Board Member Development Committee look at what types of trainings are needed and what should be offered. One member suggested that emphasis be given to promoting Board Member’s interest in state issues. Information was provided on a training session that encouraged women to be legislative advocates on behalf of FIA and our mission. It was felt that there are individuals in the community who would be advocates, if we reached out to them.

Standard of Living/Employment Programs/Housing: No report

This meeting conflicts with the MCSSA Board meeting so the representative is unable to attend. Ellen Speckman-Randall reports the committee has had good participation from outside agencies. Recommendation for the clothing allowance came from this committee.

Constitution, Bylaws & Platform: No Report

Planning and Development: Loren Snippe

No recent meetings have been held. Members discussed reviewing MCSSA and FIA’s plans to ensure they are compatible. Work is being done to arrange a meeting date, and the Executive Committee requested the committee move forward on the Medical Care Facility Strategic Plan.

Nominating Committee: No Report

THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT

Executive Committee and Report from the Board of Directors: Jay Bortz

A cover letter with the data obtained from the membership survey was developed at the last meeting. One resolution was received, however, the committee passed on taking action since all the information needed was not included with the resolution.

Legislative Committee: Susan Bailey-Carman, B. Jay Bortz, and Sue Hoffman

Discussion was held on the appropriate process for submitting bills. Two options are available, a representative should attend the meeting or appropriate documentation should be attached to the bill. It was discussed that a letter clarifying the procedure should be sent to committees/members. Recently, a bill was submitted without the appropriate documentation and no one was present at the meeting to support the bill. Therefore, the committee was unable to take any action on this bill.

Discussion was held on the State Budget, and it was felt that the current solution is based on one-time changes and will not be a long term correction. It was discussed that the Medicaid funds were underestimated. Discussion was held regarding Department of Management & Budget hiring a consultant to conduct a study to evaluate efficiency. Concerns were expressed that the real problem is limited staffing. The value of the consultant was questioned since the outcome appears predictable. The cost savings discussion continued with two issues being raised surrounding DMB Contracts and Leasing Agreement Negotiations. Additional savings could be realized if local offices were more involved in decisions impacting purchases. Ellen Speckman-Randall will take these concerns to the Advisory Committee and ask for input from other County Directors and District Managers for additional ways to save money.

It was reported that the FIA budget will experience a $2 million reduction, and several options are being considered for cost reductions.

FIA will be placing increased priority on collecting Child Support.

The Governor will be appointing a Task Force to look at the disproportionate number of minority children in foster care, and this report will be due in December of 2005.

The Before and After School program has been opened up to a limited number of counties, and a 20% match of local funds is needed to participate in this initiative.

There are two House Bills that are being opposed; HB 6009 to transfer Michigan Children’s Institute to Department of Management and Budget, and HB 6010 that was sent back to the originators due to a lack of information.

MCSSW made a change in the number needed to establish a quorum. Now, a quorum will be achieved if there is more than 50% participation from the counties that regularly send a representative present at the meeting. Directors are asked to encourage their staff to attend meetings to increase attendance.

HB 6161 was introduced in September and this bill would allow drug testing

THESE MINUTES ARE IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT

for recipients if there is a preponderance of evidence for substance abuse.

There were no amendments, no provisions for treatment, and no funding to support this legislation. The current status of this HB is unknown, and Ellen has sent a letter in opposition to this bill to all legislators.

Advisory Committee: Did not meet

Round Table Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 A.M.

The next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2004. Ionia County will be hosting.

Respectfully submitted,

Shaun Ancona, Eaton County FIA