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Consumer Advisory Board
Newsletter
July 2008
NEWS FROM THE CHAIR
The Consumer Advisory Board has been very busy over the last several months. In addition to our monthly meetings at 99 Western Avenue in Augusta, our nine (9) volunteer members are involved in a number to CAB committees and special projects on top of their every day lives! We held an Open Forum for guardians and correspondents at the Senator Inn in Augusta with well over 100 people in attendance. We heard about a number of concerns about issues including the rate setting system, waiting time in emergency rooms and the person-centered planning system as well as worries about the cut back in hours of services in the employment and day supports (community supports) area. We also heard families express how appreciative they are for the services that their sons and daughters have been receiving over the last few years. We encourage anyone who is unhappy with services to use the DHHS Grievance process to try to resolve issues. You may contact your ISC or the CAB Office for help in completing a grievance. The CAB continues to work with the department toward compliance with the Community Consent Decree. While this is a very collegial relationship, the budgetary environment certainly poses challenges for coming into compliance with certain elements of the decree. Representatives of the department and the CAB meet with Special Master Clarence Sundram one day a month to work on "next steps" for compliance. Correspondent News:
What a fantastic year we are having. I am amazed at the number of matches that we have made so far in 2008. Region 1- 6
Region 2A- 9
Region 2L- 11
Region 2R- 0
Region 3B-17
Region 3C- 1 These look like great numbers but when you compare them to the numbers that we still have left of people who need a correspondent they are still depressing. Could you imagine only having paid staff in your life? If you know of anyone who would like to become a correspondent please have them contact Marje Albert. Currently we have many people who are in need of a correspondent and the numbers are as follows: Region 1- 26
Region 2A- 24
Region 2L-21
Region 2R-16
Region 3B-6
Region 3C- 13 This list is compiled by the Consumer Advisory Board Regional Committees, the Office of Advocacy and the Department in addition to person centered plan referrals. We all work together to determine who needs a correspondent.
---Marje Albert Thank You, Correspondents We held our first annual Apprication Picnic on July 10, 2008 at Camp CaPella in Holden to recognize the commitment of volunteer correspondents. We are planning other appreciation activities during the summer. 
Ann Hayes received her certificate for serving 28 years as a volunteer correspondent from Bonnie Brooks, Chair of the CAB and the Region 3B Committee. Congratulations Ann! Currently there are 234 correspondents, and 3 people have been correspondents for over 25 years! Others have been part of the program as follows: 25-28 years - 3 people
20-24 years - 4 people
15-19 years - 11 people
10-14 years - 13 people
5-9 years - 56 people
1-4 years - 121 people We are thrilled to join with Independence Association, the department, and families and consumers of Freeport Towne Square in celebrating the final closure of this state facility. CAB Executive Director Nancy Thomas attended an Open House for the new Baribeau home on June 20, joining with others to visit this beautiful new home. It has taken a great deal of time, thought and negotiation on the part of many partners to finally close FTS from the time the Legislature voted to do so. We welcome public comments at our meetings either by telephone or in person. You may also call our office at any time during the week if you have exciting news or concerns and our Executive Director or Volunteer Correspondent Coordinator will be very pleased to assist you. Have a wonderful summer!!! Respectfully,
Bonnie-Jean Brooks, Chair Chairperson
Bonnie Jean Brooks
25 Freedom Parkway
Hermon, Maine 04401
Office: 207-848-5804 ext. 126
Email:
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Executive Director
Nancy Thomas
P.O. Box 5704
Augusta, Maine 04332
Office: 207-622-5370
Email:
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Volunteer Coordinator
P.O. Box 5704
Augusta, Maine 04332
Office: 207-622-2891
Email:
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Fax: 207-512-2128 Person-Centered Planning Person-centered planning has been available to all class members since the Community Consent Decree became effective in 1994. In 2007, a law was passed that requires that it be offered to all adults eligible for services from the Office of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities (OACPD). This law defines personal planning as a process that assists and supports a person in creating a vision for how to live in and be a part of the community. It must focus on the person's choices and "reflect and support the goals and aspirations of that person", and it must be offered at least annually. The planning process must include at least the person, the person's guardian, if any, and the person's case manager. And unless the person or guardian objects, the correspondent must be included. Sometimes the correspondent is the only person at the planning meeting other than the consumer who is not paid to be there, so attendance is very important. In fact, if the correspondent is unable to be there on the planned date, the correspondent has every right to ask that the time be changed so he or she can go to the meeting. With the assistance of a facilitator, the team's job is to identify all the needs and desires of the person, regardless of whether they are reasonably achievable or presently capable of being addressed. Action plans will be developed to describe what steps will be taken to meet the need and who will make sure the steps are carried out. If the resources needed to address a need or desire are not available, the team must develop an interim plan that will come as close as possible and then identify steps toward meeting the identified need. The correspondent is the person who can speak up and insist that a need be documented even when there isn't enough money to meet it right away. The team can decide how often the plan needs to be reviewed. But sometimes there are events that require a review right away. These events include use of crisis intervention services, use of restraints, and events that could lead to the loss of the person's home, job or program. The CAB will be happy to talk with any correspondent who has questions about the planning process.
CAB Welcomes Correspondent Input
The CAB would like to hear from more class members or correspondents and how they have a relationship with someone who lived at Pineland. If you would like to be featured in our next newsletter, please send information and a letter to Marje Albert, Volunteer Coordinator, P.O. Box 5704, Augusta, Maine 04332. Or you may email her at
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Correspondents Be Aware!
Big changes are happening in the service system. It is the job of the CAB to protect the rights of class members, and as correspondents you are the "boots on the ground" of the CAB. Over the next year, it will be particularly important for you to attend any and all planning meetings and monitor the services your friend receives. We had 6 grievances that were filed in Region 3B alone in January. These grievances were filed for a number of reasons, some of them being loss of day programming or sheltered workshops, loss of transportation, needing modifications to their homes, loss of homes, and loss of hours provided. Since then more grievances have been filed., Some have been resolved, but some of them have gone all the way to the Commissioner. If you have grievance questions, please call the office!
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The language of friendship is not words but meanings.
-Henry David Thoreau Actions speak louder than words, but not nearly as often. Correspondent Letter My name is Nancy Ouellette and I live in Holden with my husband Gary. We have a special needs son that is 23 years old, he lives on his own and does very well with little supervision. I became very interested in a great program like this as Gary was already a Volunteer Correspondent with the Consumer Advisory Board as well as a Committee Member for Region 3B. I was approved back in March to join the CAB[as a correspondent]. This has been a total delight for me and the people that I am matched with. I am matched with a gentleman who unfortunately I can not take out of his home, but I do make phone calls to his home to check up on him. I also go and visit for awhile. The other person that I am matched with is a wonderful lady. I visit with her once per week and take her out to lunch and out for an ice cream, or we just sit with her at her home. She and I connected from the very beginning. She has phoned me a few times, just checking to make sure that I did not forget that I was going to pick her up the next day. What a little devil she is. But I don't mind at all. I am so glad that I chose to do this in my spare time. It has been very rewarding for me as well as her. I would like to think that I am making a difference in her life, I know that she has in mine. As the old saying goes, "Everyone needs someone" and with these special people they certainly do need a friend that they can count on. I know I count on her for my special smiles and she counts on me for hers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this note from me. Have a great day,
Nancy Changes Are Coming !!!!!! A couple of years ago I wrote an article for this newsletter in which I explored the role of the correspondent as delineated by the Community Consent Decree. Since then, the CAB has had frequent discussions on the subject, and we have tried a couple of training sessions with correspondents to explore some different ideas. Now, in the next few months, the Board will be working to review and renew policies, procedures and practices for the Correspondent Program. Major issues will include things like expectations and training, as well as supervision and additional support for correspondents. So stay tuned! Most important, if you have any suggestions for ways to improve the Correspondent Program (or any critique of the current program), please let us know. Remember, the program exists for the benefit of the consumers, to protect their rights under law and improve their quality of life. We want to help you help them in the best possible way. Send your comments to Marje Albert at
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or Nancy Thomas at
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--Steve DeMaio Newsletter Information If there is any news or an update you would like to have included in the newsletter, please send the information to Marje Albert, at
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. We are trying to get the newsletter out quarterly and would need all information for the next newsletter no later than September 1, 2008. We always try to put new and helpful information in our newsletters so any suggestions you have to make our newsletters better would be helpful. Regional Committee Updates Region 1- Cumberland, York
Rory Robb 282-7113
Next meeting is August 1st at 3:30 p.m. at Community Partners in Biddeford. Region 1 will hold its 3rd annual Correspondent Appreciation Barbecue on August 1st at 5 p.m. at Community Partners in Biddeford. If you would like to attend, please contact Marje Albert at 207-622-2891 or Rory Robb at 282-7113. All correspondents and Consumers are invited to attend. Let's make this our biggest turnout ever. Region 2A- Kennebec, Somerset
Region 2R- Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Sagadahoc
Region 2L- Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford Currently 2A, 2L and 2R do not have a Chairperson. If you are interested in being on one of these committees please contact Marje Albert. Our goal is to have active committees all over the state. Region 3B- Hanacock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington
Bonnie Brooks - 848-5804
Next meeting is July 10th at Camp CaPella. The committee has been very active in calling all correspondents. Training for correspondents was held in Bangor on April 22, 2008. The turnout was great, but people asked if we could hold another one near Ellsworth. We are looking for a location to hold that training. If you are interested in attending or know of a location where training could be held, please contact Marje Albert. Our 1st Annual Correspondent and Consumer Picnic was held on July 10, 2008 at Camp CaPella in Holden. Region 3C-Aroostook
Steve Richard 764-0134 Next meeting is July 16th at noon at Opportunity Training Center in Presque Isle. Training will be planned for sometime in September.
Employment Services Update
After the employment services cap of 600 hours was implemented, some people had to cut back their time at work. Now OACPD has agreed to fund additional hours for class members who have a need for more than 600 hours identified in their plans. It is very important for teams to determine any needs in time to put contracts into place for hours that exceed the cap. Please call Nancy at 622-5370 if you have questions. Website Update Marje is working with Northern Aroostook Internet Services to get the website up and running again. It is possible now to read the correspondent manual or print a correspondent application form online. When it is fully functional, we will let you know. You can check it out at: www.consumeradvisoryboard.org. New Members We are still trying to locate new members to serve on the CAB. If you are interested in being on the board, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact a current board member or call us at the main office at 622-2891 or 622-5370. ******
Hope is the feeling that you will succeed tomorrow in what you failed at today.
-- Unknown
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