Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council One Ashburton Place, Room 1109 Boston, MA 02108 DEVAL L. PATRICK Governor TIMOTHY P. MURRAY Lieutenant Governor JUDYANN BIGBY, M.D. Secretary Tel.: 617-573-1786 Fax: 617-573-1890 www.mass.gov/eohhs Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108 General Council Meeting Minutes-September 8, 2008-2:00 P.M.-21st floor, Conference Room 2 COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE-Joe Bellil, Liz Casey, Paul Spooner, Larry Braman, Joe Tringali, Jean McGuire STAFF ATTENDING-Jack Boesen, Michelle Byrd CHAIR-Jean McGuire, Chair 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. Acknowledgement of National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week Jean McGuire informed the Council Members of Senate resolution 613 which designated the week of September 8, 2008 as the National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. The Council members were provided with the text of the resolution. It was suggested that the announcement be posted on the EOHHS website. Approval of Meeting Minutes Paul Spooner made a motion to approve the August general session minutes. The motion was seconded and those minutes were unanimously approved. Joe Bellil made a motion to approve the August Executive session minutes. The motion was seconded and those minutes were unanimously approved. SILC Conference Workshop Jack Boesen provided the Council with updates on the preparation of agenda items and materials for the September 16th Workshop. The Council’s workshop presentation will consist of a summary of projects the Council is currently working on. The second half will be an open forum to hear from persons working with PCA consumers. The forum will address two specific issues: What steps the Council can recommend to the Governor and legislature to promote the well being of consumers and secondly, how Massachusetts can more efficiently deliver the services to PCA consumers. Paul Spooner asked if the Council could provide copies of the MassHealth PCA Consumer Handbook at the conference. Michelle Byrd will provide council members with the web-site link to the electronic version of the handbook. Jean McGuire asked if any activities were planned for PCA’s attending the conference. She suggested the Council take the initiative to plan informational activities for PCA’s at upcoming conferences. Council Task Force on the Biannual Report Joe Bellil reported to the Council on the conference call he had with Jack Boesen and Michelle Byrd on September 2, 2008. Joe shared that findings from the PCA survey will provide key data on Section I of the report, dealing with evaluation of health, welfare and satisfaction with services of MassHealth consumers. Joe Tringali asked how the council will address the third section of the report concerning council recommendations and findings. Jack Boesen suggested that the Council address these items at the October meeting. Jack indicated that he has initiated regularly scheduled meetings with Lois Aldrich and that he has already received program cost data that is required in section II of the report. Jack will also ask Lois to provide regular reports from MassHealth to the council. Joe Tringali asked about the status of the PCA work improvement group and if any suggestions from the group could be incorporated into the report. Jean indicated that the last scheduled meeting was cancelled and was not sure if the meeting could be re-scheduled in time to provide useful information for the report. Joe Bellil suggested that the Task Force provide the council with a first draft of the report for review by the next council meeting on October 14th. Jean suggested a “drop dead” due date for the report; she indicated that a date sometime around November 3rd should allow enough time for review by the Secretary prior to its submission to the Governor and legislature. Council Budget Joe Bellil reported on the FY09 Council budget. Joe reviewed the budget categories with council members. Jean McGuire explained the purpose of the PAC funding, included in the budget, was for start up costs for the referral directory. Joe Bellil directed the council’s attention to the current year- to-date expenditures. Jean explained that while the current spending amounts are low, the expenses for the referral directory will significantly increase expenditures in subsequent reports. With no other questions from the council, Paul Spooner asked the Council for a motion to accept the budget report. Joe Tringali seconded and the report was accepted unanimously. Non-agenda items Jean McGuire asked if there were any other issues for discussion before the council went into executive session. Paul Spooner asked about the status of the replacement of council member Patricia Johnston, who has resigned. By statute, this seat is appointed through the Office of the Attorney General from three names submitted by Massachusetts Home Care (MHC). Jack Boesen reported that that Al Norman of MHC has e-mailed members asking for volunteers for this position. Rebecca Malberg from SEIU indicated that SEIU in California is undergoing an internal investigation, however, it does not impact on the Massachusetts office. She informed the council that she would be available to answer any questions members may have on the investigation. With no other items to be discussed, Paul Spooner made a motion to move to Executive Session and Joe Bellil seconded, the motion was approved unanimously. The council meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.