Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council One Ashburton Place, Room 1109 Boston, MA 02108 Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108 General Council Meeting Minutes April 17, 2008 3:00 P.M. 21st floor, Conference Room 3 COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Joe Bellil, Eileen Brewster, Liz Casey, Jean McGuire, Paul Spooner, Joe Tringali STAFF ATTENDING Jack Boesen, John Jesensky, Karen Langley COMMITTEE CHAIR Assistant Secretary Jean McGuire NOTE TAKER Jack Boesen AGENDA SETTING No issues were added to previously-issued agenda The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:09 pm and welcomed the public attending the meeting. Approval of Meeting Minutes Paul Spooner made a motion to accept the meeting minutes from the February meeting as written; Joe Tringali seconded the motion. Eileen Brewster noted that the reference to the MRC workshop in June said it was a two day event when it is only being held for one day. The minutes were unanimously approved with that correction. Paul then made a motion that the minutes from the executive session of the February meeting be approved. Joe Tringali seconded the motion and those minutes were unanimously approved. Springfield Outreach Meeting Joe Tringali reported that the event was very successful. More than fifty persons attended. John Jesensky gave a presentation on how consumer control of important areas such as hiring would not be affected by the fact that PCAs were now unionized. Liz Casey said there was a good mix of PCAs and consumers in attendance. Paul, who also attended, spoke about the Council’s mission. He said he sensed that people were looking for answers on a range of issues. Jack Boesen noted for the record the extensive amount of work that Joe Tringali and the staff at Stavros did to organize and promote this event. He said its success was a direct result of their effort. Consumer Survey Jack introduced Jim Maxwell from the John Snow Institute (JSI). JSI was selected to conduct this survey. Jim introduced other staff from JSI and summarized for the Council the activities that JSI was undertaking to prepare for the survey. The survey will be conducted by phone and will be complemented by several focus groups. Jim said that JSI had already gained valuable information through an extended telephone conversation with Eileen Brewster. Jim responded to questions from Council members and the general audience. Joe Tringali asked if the survey was including questions about possible PCA abuse of consumers. Jim replied that it was. PCA Work Improvement Group Paul Spooner reported that the group met on 3/26. Discussion began around the agency model for delivering PCA services. Handouts distributed at the meeting covered the range of options available under the term “agency model”. There was also discussion of re-evaluations, 2 year renewals and the need for new service agreements. Some in attendance thought that more core issues should be addressed but mentioned that having prior authorization staff attend this meeting was helpful. Director’s Report Jack reported that Michelle Byrd had been hired as Executive Assistant and would begin on 4/29. The posting for a Recruitment, Training and Outreach Coordinator has gone out and interviews should begin by mid-May. Jack said that in outreach meetings the issue of a regular newsletter was raised. He thought it was a good idea and recommended to the Council that they commence publishing a newsletter. Jack also recommended mailing a letter or brochure to consumers, informing them of the protections afforded them in the collective bargaining process. Paul moved that both publications proceed. His motion was seconded by Liz and unanimously passed. Jack also mentioned that he would be attending the Direct Service Worker Resource Center Conference in Baltimore. Funds are available to pay for a Council member to attend. Anyone interested should contact Jack. Finally, Jack noted that this meeting had been postponed several weeks due to a conflict. Because the scheduled meeting for May is only 2 weeks away and the council does not have to meet monthly, he is recommending canceling the May meeting. Paul moved in favor of canceling the May meeting, with Joe Tringali seconding. The motion passed unanimously. Council Retreat Liz Casey introduced Julie Bernardin, facilitator for the Council retreat, scheduled for May 21 in Marlborough. Julie spoke briefly to say how much she was looking forward to the retreat. She said she would contact each Council member individually in order to prepare an agenda. Council Budget Joe Bellil briefly addressed the budget report distributed to Council members. He noted that the House W&M report reduced the FY09 Council budget by approximately $20,000 to $705,000. The Chair said that they were trying to address this as well as secure carrying over start up funding for the Directory as it looked increasingly likely that this project would not begin in FY08. Paul moved to accept the budget report, Liz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Motion RE: Collective Bargaining Paul asked to be recognized by the Chair. Paul said that he was proposing a motion (a copy of the motion is attached), to be sent to the Governor and Secretary of Administration & Finance A&F), proposing that the administration agree to a larger wage increase for PCAs, as well as health care coverage and paid time off. After reading the motion Paul said that he thought it was important that the consumer members of the Council go on record supporting the need for the increase and benefits as a necessary part of the Council’s mission to stabilize the PCA workforce. Joe Bellil seconded the motion and discussion ensued. The Chair asked Paul how this motion would affect the Council’s responsibility to bargain on behalf of the Commonwealth. Paul said that, as a member of the bargaining committee, he would continue to diligently present the parameters authorized by A&F, even though he felt the council had not been meaningfully consulted regarding the development of those parameters. Paul said he felt that his Council membership carried other, separate responsibilities that are reflected in this motion. Other members of the Council voiced support for this motion, stating that something on this order is needed to move matters forward. Paul asked for a roll call vote, which yielded the following tally: AYE ABSTAINING Paul Spooner Jean McGuire Eileen Brewster Joe Tringali Liz Casey Joe Bellil Joe Tringali made a motion to move into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Joe Bellil, and approved unanimously.