Personal Care Attendant Quality
Home Care Workforce Council
600 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA  02111 

DEVAL L. PATRICK
Governor

TIMOTHY P. MURRAY
Lieutenant Governor

JUDYANN BIGBY, M.D.
Secretary

Tel.:  617-210-5715
www.mass.gov/pca

		

Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108

Council Meeting

Minutes	February 10, 2009	2:00 P.M.	21st floor, 1 Ashburton Place 	
 	
coUNCIL
 members in attendance	Joe Bellil, Liz Casey, Eileen Brewster, Jean McGuire, George Noel and Joe Tringali (telephonically)	
 Staff attending	Jack Boesen, Michelle Byrd	
 chair	Jean McGuire	
Note taker	Michelle Byrd	
agenda setting	No issues were added to previously-issued agenda	

The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:10 pm.

Approval of Meeting Minutes
Joe Bellil made a motion to approve the January minutes.  George Noel seconded, and the minutes were unanimously approved.   

Directory Development
Karen Langley reported web-site content is currently being reviewed by Council Members, Rachel Richards and Lois Aldrich.  A teleconference with Sharon Wright of MassHealth IT and Verndale regarding site architecture has taken place.  Outreach materials to existing PCAs regarding the directory are being developed including the mailing of a postcard informing them of the process for registering as a PCA.  The PCA council website will also contain a link to Rewarding Work Resources on-line employment application. Joe Tringali suggested that this information be made available to PCM’s and F.I.’s.

Karen reported that a brochure will be available to PCM’s, ILC’s and ASAP’s regarding the directory.  The council is awaiting approval of a Mass.Gov URL. When the I.P. address is established it should be 3-4 weeks before the brochure is ready for mailing.    Additional outreach efforts being developed include an outreach poster and possible Public Service Announcements (PSA) created for radio.  A Teleconference is scheduled for February 27th to collaborate with PCM’s, Masshealth, and other stake-holders to address other outreach issues.

MRC Conference
Eileen Brewster reported that the MRC conference is scheduled for June 18, 2009 at the Curry Center, Northeastern University.  Eileen recommends that the Council present a workshop at the conference.  Jack Boesen asked the council to decide if they will present at the conference.  George Noel made a motion to accept, it was seconded by Joe Bellil, and approved unanimously.

Changing council meeting schedule
The issue of changing the council meetings to every other month had previously been tabled. Joe Bellil made a motion to change the schedule.  It was seconded by Liz Casey and was passed unanimously.

Update on health care options study
Liz Casey reported that data indicated that many PCAs have some health care coverage from a variety of health plans.  A complete scope of work from the University of Massachusetts’ Center for Health Policy and Research to conduct the study of health care options is expected in March.  

Labor Management Committee
Liz Casey reported on the Labor Management committee meeting.  Priorities for the committee were discussed and a general consensus reached that primary concerns centered on communication between consumers and PCAs and issues of timely payments to PCAs.  Liz Casey and Rebecca Gutman of SEIU were elected as co-chairs and the committee will meet monthly.

LTC financing advisory committee
Joe Bellil reported on the first meeting held at the Landmark Center. A link will be established on the Community First website concerning long-term financing options.  

PAS coalition report
Joe Bellil and Jack Boesen attended the meeting where denied claims were discussed as well as issues regarding PCAs not being paid for services.  Joe Bellil will request that a written report be provided to the council. Jack Boesen provided a summary of council activities to the coalition.

NCIL organizational membership
Jack Boesen suggests that the Council consider an organizational membership to the National Council on Independent Living.  Joe Bellil makes a motion to join NCIL, and it was seconded by Eileen Brewster.  The motion was passed unanimously.

Council Budget Report
Joe Bellil reported on expenses as of 2/4/09 including a review of expenditure categories.

Council Retreat
Jack Boesen proposed dates for a second council retreat and will confirm with Council members.

FY10 budget
Jack Boesen informed the council that the budget allocation for 2010 is $290,000 and reflects a $10,000 9C cut.
A motion was made by George Noel to move to executive session at 3:30 p.m., Joe 
Bellil seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
The Council came out of executive session.  A motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Byrd