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M.A.C. Meeting Minutes
October 26, 2011 – Petoskey Club
Greetings & Roll Call:
A Place Of Our Own–4 / Club Cadillac–3 / Crossroads-Warren–5 / Dreams Unlimited-3 / Gathering Place-4 / Heartland House-4 / Light Of Hope-4 / New Directions-6 / Our House-4 / New Horizons-11 / Petoskey Club-10 / Traverse House-4 / Visions-2 / MDCH-1 (Marty Alward)
Coalition Business:
Recovery Council letter to MDCH – Not yet attained. Ongoing discussion re. use of the term “behavioral health” and the associated stigma. Marty offered to help Tom get a copy of the letter and Tom will bring it to the next MAC meeting. Addendum – Recovery Council received a response to their letter from Olga Dazzo. Maybe we could also review that.
International TE List – Not attained (therefore no input from Mich. re. not being accurately included).
Dual Eligables – Raymond gave explanation of the issue and the deadline for input having been extended. Lee and Andy provided overview of potential concerns for clubhouses. RFI has been utilized for feedback as well as a letter sent to MDCH representing the MAC. If any clubs are participating in the work groups, please keep the MAC apprised. Marty reported on town hall meetings that have taken place around the state. The Center for Medicare/caid will ultimately make determinations. 30% of dual eligibles are citizens with disabilities. 70% are the over age 65 population – a powerful voice. Dreams Unlimited attended a stakeholder town hall mtg. to voice concerns, and many other service providers were there. It would be simpler for consumers to have one card for their providers. Linda Zeller of MDCH has given assurance that clubhouse services are not to be affected. Input can still be e-mailed: integratedcare@michigan.gov
Senate Bill 564 – Freedom To Work Amendment – Andy (Club Cadillac) reported that a comparable bill was passed in Indiana. The sliding fee scale was more reasonable; $30 premium on average. Marty reported that the bill needs to be proven to be “cost neutral” (not cost the state additional funding). There are 36 different categories of Medicaid, of which this is one. An individual can have up to $75,000 in cash and still be eligible. Marty helped draft the original Freedom To Work and is now working on this project, so feel free to discuss this with him. Marty is willing to visit clubs to answer questions re. Freedom To Work. Copies were made of a fact sheet on 2012 Social Security changes. Additional info. re. bill and a sample letter distributed by Raymond. Nobody likes having a spend-down, so contact your representative. We need to have the bill moved into committee.
6/23/11 MAC meeting minutes reviewed and approved without any changes.
Announcements:
Power Day Report – Crossroads-Warren reported that there were six speakers and senators were available.
Committee Reports:
Membership Committee (Gathering Place)
Savings account status – $5,529.49 currently. Letter going out re. paying annual dues.
501-C update – Raymond introduced Web Martin, Attorney, to the group. Mr. Martin spoke about what would be involved to create an organization to represent our clubhouses. Maintaining the organization can be more work than creating it, as the organization must continue to qualify for this tax status. 501-c3 allows for contributions to be tax deductable. Such an organization can advocate for, but not literally lobby for legislation. We could have samples of our advocacy activities professionally assessed for a determination as to whether such activities would be considered lobbying. Example: requesting how specific pieces of legislation be voted on would be considered lobbying, whereas educating about how something may effect a service population would not be. Must have officers and terms of office. The organization can either be a public charity or private foundation. If an organization is not a 501-c3, they may “piggy back” with a 501-c3 to apply for grants. The MAC could be the master organization, and indiv. clubs could be chapters. The MAC would remain a membership organization and clubs would not be considered stakeholders. Non-profit examples are trade associations and condominium councils, which are support organizations but not “public charities”. The MAC could raise funds, but not accept “charitable contributions”. Non-profits can have fees or dues but not fund-raise as an n organization. But, we could support club members to fundraise. An organization must have a license for the state to solicit funds. If a clubhouse wanted to “piggy-back” to use the MAC’s non-profit status, it would need to fund raise “on behalf of” the MAC. The MAC could decide to use funds in the club’s demographic area; or that “chapter” of the MAC. It would take approximately 6 to 12 professional attorney hours to set up our 501-c3. We need to research how established coalitions maintain their 501-c3’s.
Website Committee (A Place of Our Own)
Summer reported that we have 90 club contact e-mail addresses thus far, and she sent around a sheet for folks to provide any additions/updates. Reminder that e-mail updates can be facilitated via the MAC website. Our clubhouse directory is now on the website. A goal is to have links to individual club’s websites via the “resources” link. Let APOOO know if your club has a site that you want to have linked. Andy – “Websites 101” would be a great topic for a conference workshop, i.e. how to build a website.
Genesis House reported that training grant funds have been secured by Marty to enhance the MAC website. MDCH contracted with “Turtle Hut” to accomplish web site updating. Marty said that the intention is to make our website a user-friendly and a robust tool for all clubs. $25,000 will also be used to provide a link to the Benefits-To-Work Calculator. You can then print out a 5 year plan for managing benefits.
Training Committee (Genesis House)
Outcomes Measures – Goals are aligning with MDCH initiatives and priorities. The measurement tools for wellness and employment have e been completed. The employment tool will a part of next year’s state-wide clubhouse survey. Survey Monkey could be used to collect club’s data. This will be established. Next, we need to determine how to measure WOD Relationship outcomes. We are having conference calls every two weeks to collaborate. Meeting Wizard will be attempted to determine a schedule for the calls. Marty will also use these calls to strengthen clubs toward influencing the Medicaid Provider Manual. This is our big chance to directly impact best practices in Michigan. Clubs are having more input than ever before. A work group will be established to work on the Provider Manual, perhaps 2 hours per month. We could invite an ICCD representative to consult. The Provider Manual should align with the International Clubhouse Standards. Andy suggested that it would be good to have a flow chart to outline the process. Marty can inquire from those who have experienced the process. Following a draft being written, Judy Webb has put out proposed manuals for public comment (to CMH boards) for 30, 60 or 90 days. This is being done with ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) protocols currently.
There is some opinion, including within MDCH and MACMHB, that clubs are over-scrutinized. By using a “deemed status”, ICCD Accreditation would preclude the need for DCH site reviews (which determine whether clubs can bill Medicaid). Marty would help clubs whether or not they choose to be ICCD Accredited. Debbie inquired as to whether the state may help with ICCD Accreditation costs via block grants. There is a $50,000 training budget.
Conference feedback & planning for next year – Don’t have the conference in the middle of the summer. Include some technology workshops (i.e. website development and maintenance); wellness; recovery focus. Need to form a steering committee.
Meetings Committee (Petoskey Club)
Think about whether your Club wants to host a MAC meeting over the next year.
Refer to the MAC Bylaws (on the website) to assure that your club understands guidelines for determining meeting locations/schedule.
New Business:
Camping Trip Campers shared their recovery stories around the campfire and there were many fun activities. At the next MAC meeting we will talk about choosing a host club for the 2012 camping trip. The question was posed as to whether the MAC would again fund the picnic. Over 135 colleagues participated this year, at a cost of approx. $300. Consensus was reached to fund to picnic. Traverse House is willing to take leadership for the planning.
Fountain House visiting Club Cadillac Fountain House will be coming to conduct their 3-week Colleague Training follow-up site visit, Nov. 7-11. They are sending 3 people for 4 or 5 days to pilot a more extensive type of site visit which can include a 2 day TE training. Club Cadillac is inviting other clubs to join in. Call Andy if you are interested in a “TE Fast Track” training.
Becoming a Recognized Coalition Petoskey Club would like to take time to discuss this in depth at the net meeting.
Voting Raymond passed out an information sheet and challenged all clubs to get members registered to vote in the 2012 presidential election.
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