ELARC VAC MEETING MINUTES: 10/25/07

OPENING ROUND-Introductions



CLARIFY/MINUTES

RE: VAC-driven issues discussed on 9/27/07

Decide on which one of the 6 VAC-driven issues (Listed on 9-27-07 agenda/minutes) the VAC will take to the AD HOC meeting in Dec. 07.

VAC will send out a ballot to pick one concern.

Patricia, Mercede, and Yvette will develop and mail a flyer to all vendors to vote on VAC-driven issue of most concern. that takes into account the 3 Joint Themes Generated from the Retreat. Ballot/checklist can be emailed, faxed, or mailed back to ELARC. Results will be discussed at the next VAC meeting Nov.15, 2007.



REPORT ON ELARC BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S AD HOC COMMITTEE

Three Joint Themes Generated from the Retreat (CAC, FAC, VAC, Board)

1. Inclusion: Choice, self-direction, participation and partnership as defined at the ELARC Board Retreat with services and supports that increase opportunities for independence, relationships, jobs and affordable housing.

2. Connection: Increase collaboration between advisory committees and Board of Directors, to fulfill ELARC's governance vision.

3. Transformation of the Committee: A proactive governance community that facilitates involvement, communication, partnerships that lead to greater choice and self-direction for the people it serves.


Discussion: Alignment of VAC concerns and Retreat Debriefing

Group 1:
Connect VAC agenda items with AD HOC committee;
Having natural dialogue between vendors and consumers;
Structured trainings to develop awareness;
Address Transportation issues;
Develop stronger relationships to transform.

Group 2:
Inclusion from a Vendor's perspective
There is desire to relate to themes and meet needs, but it is a challenge for providers to do so due to rules, staffing, money issues, etc. Overcoming challenges is a very difficult situation. We need the other groups to be able to help us.

Propose to have advisory committees and the Board to meet and collaborate, every 3-6 months.



GUEST SPEAKER for Nov. VAC - MIGUEL LUGO (CHAIR OR ELARC CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)



WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE?

Frances Jacobs:

Vendors can be reimbursed for absences that are a direct result of the fires. Notice posted on ELARC website. Please contact is Karina Gonzalez for if you have any questions.

ELARC Staff Development:
Recommended reading for ELARC STaff
First Break All the Rules
The Fifth Discipline

ELARC Training: Person-centered thinking, etc.


Yvette Baptiste
Housing Advocates Needed in the Eastern Los Angeles and Whitter areas to develop a leadership team of volunteer housing advocates in Eastern Los Angeles to promote the development of affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. Flyer available. Please contact Yvette at Family Resource Library (FRC) 626-300-9171.

Book recommendation for Sexual Behavior for people with disabilities:
The Rules of Sex (Hot Pink Book): Social and legal Guidelines for those who have Never Been Told
Written for Young Adults with Johnny Numez and Dr. Nora J. Baladerian. Available for purchase at the FRC.



NOMINATION FOR NEW CHAIR
Cathay Liu
Teresa Groak
Tammy Bachrach

VICE CHAIR
Joe Donofrio

Teresa Groak will coordinate the flyer and send to Francis Jacobs to be mailed.



REVIEW/ISSUES
Nov. 07 Agenda: Propose Teleconference meeting (TV) for January 08 VAC meeting.



CLOSING ROUND
Hospitality: Patricia De Los Santos (Easter Seals)
Mentor: Teresa Groak

ELARC VAC MEETING MINUTES: 10/25/07

Planning Ahead

September 24, 2007 the Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center Vendor Advisory Committee sponsored a training on planning and supporting individuals with planning ahead and end of life wishes.

This one-day overview provided an introduction on how to establish communication of end of life wishes for people with developmental disabilities.
We learned about:
Ø Why we need to have this conversation
Ø What role person-centered planning has in this topic
Ø The difference between competency and capacity
Ø Help people look at learning from their efforts and focusing on improving the future.
Ø Decision making ability of people with developmental disabilities in health care decisions
Ø The difference between a living will and an advanced directive and when they are needed
Ø Health care powers of attorney
Ø The role providers and staff play in end of life situations

Ø How to talk with someone you support about end of life
Ø The grieving process of people with developmental disabilities
Ø What to do when you are faced with this situation
And lots more . . .

Leigh Ann Kingsbury has been working in the field of developmental disabilities for almost 30 years; starting her career as a summer camp counselor in the late 70’s. Since that time, she has worked for several non-profit agencies and several states, helping people with disabilities leave institutional settings, return to their communities, and establish the lives they want. She founded a small supported living agency in Wilmington North Carolina and has worked on several systems change projects in North Carolina and other states, including projects that support people with psychiatric disabilities. She is the former director of the NC Person-Centered Planning Initiative.
Currently Leigh Ann is the lead consultant on an End of Life project in Washington, DC, and in Toronto, Canada. She is also the Regional Director of Arc Services, Inc. in New Bern, NC. She is consulting in several other states on person-centered planning and/or communication of end of life wishes. She is an Essential Lifestyle Planning Mentor Trainer, a PATH trainer and a Respecting Choices End of Life Planning Facilitator.
Leigh Ann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Maryland, and Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.



After a morning of understanding all the legal terms associated with planning ahead we spent the afternoon practicing real life scenarios in small groups. We then discussed all the options collectively with all who attended to learn from each other. We would like to thank Leigh Ann for all of her insights and experience and look forward to future learning in the area of supporting individuals and families to bring planning full circle and create a end of life that one desires.

I would like to thank all of the agencies that attended and hope that we can all share our learning to others and continue to provide and share resources in the areas of end of life.