Personal Independence Commission

August 8 , 2005

Hearing Room 3, State Capitol Building
MINUTES

Kirsten Dunham called the meeting to order.  PIC members present were Kirsten Dunham, Bill Fix (for Lt. Governor Peter Kinder), Kelly Flaugher (for Jeanne Loyd), Brenda Campbell, Kay Green (for Tony Casey), Sherl Taylor (for Sandra Levels), Anne Jackson, Neva Thurston, Robin Reed, Wendy Hays, Roger Garlich, and Martha Hicks.  A quorum was established.

Approval of Minutes:

Ms. Hicks made a motion to approve the PIC meeting minutes for November 8th, 2004, February 14th, April 11th and June 17th, 2005 meetings.  Ms. Hays seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

Co-Chair Reports:

Ms. Dunham passed out a list of recommendations for the PIC to present to the Government Review Commission., and asked members to review them to be discussed later.  These would go through the Governor’s Office.

Medicaid Health Care Issues:

Medicaid Reform Commission – The Medicaid Reform Commission has scheduled public hearings around the state.  The schedule is on their web site, house.mo.gov/medicaidreform.  Seems to be interest in long-term care issues.  Ms. Dunham encouraged all those who could to attend and give testimony.
MASW Town Hall meetings – The Missouri Association for Social Welfare is holding town hall meetings around the state.  Are looking at the health care system and where changes need to be made.  Taking testimony from those who are uninsured, small businesses and from those who are insured but have trouble making co-pays. Information can be accessed on the MASW web site at www.masw.org under Health Care Access Project. 

Housing Committee Report:

Karia Bastia – A second printing of the “Missouri’s Guide to Housing Assistance Programs” will be printed using funds from the Real Choice Systems Change Grant.  They are asking for 25,000 copies to be printed, with a number of these in alternate format (large print, Braille, CD and Spanish).  Copies will be distributed to the original list of recipients as well as to all libraries in the state and Wolfener Library will have Braille copies available.  The booklet is also available on the DMH and Governor’s Council web sites.  Discussion followed as to the number of copies needed and how they would be distributed.  Ms. Hays made a motion to print 25,000 to include the different media types and to distribute per recommendations.  Ms. Hicks seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

Informed Choice Discussion:

 Rob Honan, Governor’s Council on Disability – Need to continue the work of the Office for Community Independence and the Informed Choice Trainings.  Informed Choice is important to people with disabilities.  OCI had four goals:

• Identify individuals with interest and potential for transition or diversion from long term care
• Inform individuals about home and community-based options
• Assist in the coordination of resources needed
• Monitor the transition process

The Governor’s Council on Disability staff can take on the responsibility of providing the Informed Choice training but the GCD cannot provide any direct services.  Mr. Honan asked for input and assistance in providing the Informed Choice Training and getting the word out. 

Real Choice Systems Change Grant Update:

INA Database has been implemented through the Area Agencies on Aging Offices and those using the database are being surveyed as to their satisfaction with the database.  Report will be presented at the October PIC meeting.
School Based Services Committee Survey.  Sent our over 500 surveys and have received 300 back.  Data has not been compiled yet.  Will give report at October PIC meeting.
Home and Community-Based Services Guide.  Would like to reprint this guide with changes due to SB 539.  Original printing was 40,000 copies.  This included copies in alternate formats.  Will need to find location to store copies of the guide.  Ms. Hicks made a motion to reprint the Home and Community-Based Services Guides within the next 40 days.  Ms Hays seconded the motion.  Motion passed.  A discussion took place on how to use the remaining grant money within the time frame allowed. 
Funding for PIC meeting.  With the grant ending there will be no funding for the PIC meetings.  This would include the cost of travel expenses, food and real time captioning. 
The work of the PIC is not completed so they need to continue to meet.  Possible funding sources could be other grants or splitting the meeting expenses up between the four departments (DHSS, DMH, DSS and DESE/VR).

Government Review Commission:

Ms. Dunham asked for input on the information handed out earlier concerning the PIC and the Government Review Commission.  The two main areas of work done by the PIC that relate to government structure are the inter-agency coordination such as universal application forms, shared data bases, and case management and also the funding issues.  The recommendations are:

1. One department or entity should take leadership in developing effective assessment outcome measures.
2. Measure the rate of community placements yearly, as well as barriers to placements.
3. Improve pre institutionalization assessment, screening and staff training processes.
4. Information should be available through a toll-free hotline marketed to the public.
5. Informed choice information and confirmation forms should be given to all consumers.
6. State agencies should develop verification processes to assure informed choice is given.
7. Increase consumer controlled options and train people with disabilities to be attendants.
8. Explore with the Missouri Housing Development Commission methods to encourage local governments to address home accessibility needs.
9. State agencies should have data linkages and shared information.
10. Where multiple agencies serve a consumer, a lead agency should be named.
11. Develop a universal application form for home and community services across agencies.
12. Allow for blended funding streams between all programs and agencies.
13. Monitor waiting lists and document why someone is on one longer than 90 days.
14. Person centered planning should be implemented for everyone transitioning from an institution to the community.

Public Comment:

Wayne Lee – It is very important that people attend the Medicaid Reform Commission meetings and give testimony.  Need to make sure people have transportation to these meetings.  Also, need to be sure people fill out the surveys on health care and Medicaid.  Need to make sure people with disabilities are a part of the process and serve on sub-committees for the Medicaid Reform Commission.

Dolores Hampton, MO Planning Council – Commenting as a citizen.  Very sick that the state is returning $500,000 in grant money when there are people in nursing homes who would like to transition out into the community.  Informed Choice Trainings need to be continued. 

The next PIC meeting is October 17, 2005.

Meeting adjourned.