January 10, 2006

SUMMARY & LINKS TO DOCUMENTS AND RELATED WEB SITES

1. Introductions and clarifications and questions from the November 8 Seminar began at 9:10am at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.
2. Next, Michael Head from the Michigan Department of Community Health provided an overview of the      definitions used to describe the Supports Broker role.

• His handout is a copy of some of the pages from the Center for Medicaid-Medicare Studies (CMS) policy.
• His handout:

Need more information?

• For an overview of the national picture on Self-Determination, visit http://new.cms.hhs.gov/IndependencePlus/
• For Cash & Counseling information http://www.cashandcounseling.org/index.html
• For a summary of the December 5 CMS conference of the Fiscal Agent (Intermediary) role, visit http://www.cashandcounseling.org/events
• Link to MDCH page for Pathways Dialog and Self-Determination Policy and Practice Guidelines http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4868---,00.html
   

3. Maureen Sheahan from the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute described PHI’s www.paraprofessional.org services and announced that they would be working with MDCH to offer a Train the Trainer course in their curriculum on Supporting Consumers as Employers.  Pam Werner of MDCH will prepare a brief Request for Proposals for CMH’s to describe their desire to participate in this process.  Local Boards will be expected to commit staff time to support consumer involvement in this process.  The RFP will be released in late January. 

• Her handouts: PHI Training Handout, Consumer as Employer

PHI also manages the National Clearinghouse for the Direct Care Workforce http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/index.jsp   This organization provides reliable up-to-date information for people working to improve direct care jobs.

4. Then, Pat Carver from the Center for Self-Determination www.self-determination.com  spoke on Supporting the Promise of Freedom: The New Broker. 

• Her slides/handout: The New Broker
• Graphic of the New Broker
• Bibliography on Support Brokering Resources

5. Next, Annette Downey, Lisa Ballien, David Taylor and Jim Kelly from the Community Living Services Oakland County program provided an overview of how the program is organized and uses Independent Supports Brokers.

• The presentation:  Oakland CLS Supports Broker

6. Carol Wallace and Beth Keenan-Oldenberg for the Community Support Services program from Midland Community Mental Health described their use of Supports Brokers.

• The handouts:  Consumer/Family Assessment; Person, Family Centered Plan; Release of Information; Progress Note

7. Michael Head provided and update on the Choice Voucher System

• The handout

9. Tammy Fin from Michigan Partners for Freedom described MPF’s current activities and their purpose.
   • The presentation slides
   • Flyers for regional training events sponsored by MPF.