LA CROSSE COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING

NOTICES FAXED/MAILED TO:

        MEMBERS:  If unable to attend, call Pete Eide at (608) 789-4800.  

        PERSONS WITH DISABILITY:  If you need accommodation to attend this meeting, please contact:  Doug Mormann at   (608) 785-9807 as soon as possible.

       DATE NOTICE FAXED/MAILED AND POSTED:       

 LONG TERM CARE COUNCIL

FRIDAY, 12-01-06

COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

ROOM 3220

400 N 4^TH ST.

LA CROSSE, WI  54601

CALL TO ORDER

Tara Johnson called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M.

INTRODUCTIONS

Round table introductions were done.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM 10-06-06

MOTION by Wells/S. Johnson to approve the minutes, including correction of motion to adjourn by Rand/Bina (not Pinger/Bina). Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

-   Tara Johnson reported the Long Term Care Council resolution to support continuation of long term care services was presented to the Health and Human Services Board at its October meeting where it was passed unanimously.  It was then forwarded to the County Board where it was received and put on file.

-   Feedback was positive regarding October 10, 2006 orientation.  Steve Johnson suggested that future meetings have an educational presentation regarding a certain area of long-term care.   This was agreed upon and the February meeting will focus on the CMO’s RAD (Resource Allocation Decision Making Method.

CARE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION APPEAL AND GRIEVANCE REPORT

Nancy Schmidt, Care Management Organization Member Relations Coordinator, explained the CMO appeal and grievance process for its clients/providers.  Following a brief discussion and review of the Council’s responsibilities it was agreed that action should be taken on grievances and appeals annually.

MANAGED CARE REFORM AND EXPANSION

-   Jerry Huber distributed the agenda for the Supplemental Security Income Managed Care Town Hall Meeting on December 15, 2006 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the La Crosse Public Library Auditorium and encouraged attendance.

-   Melissa Gilbert distributed the West Central Consortium for Long-Term Support and Health Care Reform Status Report dated December 2006.  The Consortium is putting together a “tool kit” that will aid in educating the public in what is occurring in the planning process so they can help the Consortium make good decisions. 

REPORT FROM WISCONSIN COUNCIL ON LONG TERM CARE REFORM

Steve Johnson stated that during the past year the council has been educating persons around the state about long-term care and family care.  The  council will continue to look at ways to inform and reach persons throughout the state.

TRANSPORTATION UPDATE

-   Noreen Kuroski stated that the Aging Unit has applied for a planning grant that would increase the transportation options in the rural parts of the county.  If they get the planning grant, they can then apply for a larger grant, which would provide 3-5 years of funding to increase transportation options.  The Laidlaw minibus contract has been renewed and changes in the volunteer drivers program are being discussed.

-   Human Services Contract Supervisor, Chris Sanders, reported that, following a thorough Request for Proposal Process, Laidlaw will provide urban services and Abbey Vans will provide service for the rural areas for the next 5 years.

MEDICARE PART D PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Noreen Kuroski encouraged those who are eligible for Medicare Part D to review their options and check, present plans to be sure the plan has not changed.  If anyone has questions regarding Medicare Part D, they should contact Tina Johnson or Larry White at the County Aging Unit.

INFLUENZA VACCINE AVAILABILITY

Doug Mormann reported that although there were delays in the distribution of the influenza vaccine, La Crosse County now has received its entire order.

NEW BUSINESS

Long Term Care Council meetings will continue to be held the first Friday of every other month through 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Starting February 2, 2007, time will be made available at each meeting for Council education, with the February meeting devoted to Resource Allocation Decision Making Method.

POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS

-    Transportation Update

-    Will take action at the April meeting on the final 2006 CMO grievance report

-    UW Extension’s training responsibility for long term care councils

ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION by Pinger/Rand to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m.

Next meeting February 2, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next Committee meeting.

Darlene Kissel, Recorder

TIPS for Effective Techniques for Consumer Input at Task Force Meetings

Overview

You are the Expert.

You are the Expert. You are the expert on your own experiences. You know what works well for you and your peers. You also know what the problems are and what needs to be improved. This very important knowledge that the "experts" don't have makes you an expert; an expert on living with a disability or long term illness and using services and supports. As "consumer experts", it is not our job to offer medical advice or therapy. It is not the purpose of the Real Choice Systems Change grants to treat or cure health conditions - to fix what's "wrong" with people. The purpose is to "fix" the systems to meet people's needs.

Share your Expertise.

Your job is to share your expertise with the rest of the Task Force so that state programs and services can be improved to better meet everyone's needs and to promote independence of people, and the openness, usefulness and accessibility of the communities we live in and belong in.

Before the Meetings

·         Come prepared. Read the minutes and other materials before the meeting and jot down any questions or issues about the materials. Stay in touch with other taskforce members to see what they are thinking, share ideas, problems and strategies in between meetings.

·         Contact the meeting facilitator / coordinator in between, or before, meetings to ask complicated questions or to get more in depth explanations. Ask for issues and problems to be put onto the agenda before the meeting starts

·         Don't worry so much if you're not a "policy wonk" and if you don't know all of the rules and regulations. Your expertise is your experience. Know and be assertive about what needs to be improved and what you want. The policy expert's job is to figure out the way to make the system meet your needs.

·         Think of your role on the task force as that of a representative of a group - IL, Aging, DD, Mental Health, etc. Ask others from your group to give ideas and buy-in to guide your advocacy.

Now that you are ready for the meeting, here are some ideas to keep in mind

At the Meeting

·         Show up on time. Be ready to work.

·         Be brief and clear in your remarks. Consider writing up notes and practicing what you need to say. If you ramble on and on, you may lose other people's interest in your important issues.

·         Ask that jargon and acronyms not be used. Insist on "people first" language that avoids complicated sentences and big, unusual words.

·         Be respectful of other people and opinions. Let others speak. Take turns. Don't let any one person (s) "filibuster" the meeting by talking all time and "hogging" the show.

·         Insist on everyone having a chance to voice an opinion.

·         Don't be rushed. If an issue or problem needs more time to get resolved, ask for more time. Consider writing down important issues or information and sharing them with the group in writing.

·         Don't take "no" for the first answer. If there is a will, there is a way! Most state and federal systems are more flexible now than ever in the past. The problem is almost always political will and enough money in the state budget.

·         Never agree to something that doesn't feel or sound right. Don't be pressured to go along.

You have prepared for the meeting and just finished participating in it. What next -

After or in between meetings:

If you have volunteered to do something, make sure and finish your assignment. Others are counting on you. Ask for help from other task force members and the coordinator if needed.

Stay in touch with the "advocacy group" you represent. Share the minutes, notes, etc. with others in the community so they are included. Many times this is an excellent way to get good ideas and issues or problems you may not have thought of yourself.

Read all materials that you can and think about your issues and ideas. Jot down notes so you don't forget your great ideas. Sometimes it is hard to be thorough and careful when under pressure at a meeting when people are watching, waiting, and time is short. Use the time in between meetings for creative thinking when you are not under pressure.

General tips for sharing ideas or presenting to a group

·         Don't attack people with name calling that is off target.

·         Stick to one issue at a time. Solving all the problems of the world in one speech will be too confusing and lose people.

·         Avoid arguing. Take turns. Don't interrupt others or let them interrupt you.

·         Don't bluff. If you don't know something, say so.

·         If you bring written materials to share, don't overload people with tons of paper. Too much paper sometimes makes people not want to read any of it.

·         Remember to represent others. It is much more powerful when you can share many people's or an organization's ideas and issues than just your own personal opinion.

·         Never give up. The purpose of the project is to give real people a real voice and real choices and real control over real lives. This is your project. Make the needed changes happen!