The meeting was called to order by Freda Cowart and roll was called by Nina Honeyman.  Present were: Marcellius Bell, Freda Cowart, Lance Davis, Wanda Felty, Theresa Flannery, John Gajda, Nina Honeyman, Cassell Lawson, Melissa Middleton, Debi Sufficool, David Svedman, Carol Thompson, Terry Trego, Valerie Williams.  Absent from this meeting were: Dyann Arnett, Dee Blose, Janette Carver, John Corpolongo, Teri Egner, Cindy Gould, Gay McMillin, eddie Miller and Willard Watkins.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved, with corrections to roll being called by Nina Honeyman, and the spelling of Dee’s last name.

Comments from Jim Nicholson, DDSD Director
Gwen McClain gave updates for Jim, who was on vacation.  She gave an update on the 2010 budget, stating we will be looking at cuts in professional contracts, overtime at the resource centers, hiring freeze, restricted travel, and canceling the annual DDSD Fall Conference. 

Gwen announced that there will be two interim studies initiated by the legislature.  One interim study will be regarding a proposed provider fee tax and the other will be regarding the College of Direct Support.

Policy Sub-Committee
Terry Trego, chair of the Policy Sub-Committee presented the following slate of policies that the sub-committee met with DDSD regarding prior to the meeting.  He stated they had received a fax from former Senator Herb Rozell, but it was not pertinent to any policy being reviewed today.  The sub-committee recommended the following proposed policies for approval:

OHCA Policies

OAC 317:40-5-114  Self Directed Services (SDS)
OAC 317:35-9-5.1  Home and Community Based Waiver Services for individuals with mental retardation and related conditions  --  Was withdrawn for review at this time.
OAC 317:40-5-153  Daily Living Supports for the Homeward Bound Waiver
OAC 317:40-5-110  Authorization for Habilitation Training Specialist services

OKDHS Policies

OAC 340:100-5-22  Residential Services
OAC 340:100-5-21  Family Training and Counseling
OAC 340:100-5-2  Service Safeguards  -- Amended to provide reference of Personal Support Team by citing policy that defines the Team; and amended (b) (3) to read, “Less restrictive alternatives are considered by the Team.”
OAC 340:100-5-22.6  Alternative Group Homes
 
 

All were approved with noted amendments by the committee.

Guardianship Presentation – Rebecca Palmer, DDSD Guardianship Coordinator
Rebecca Palmer gave a presentation about the DDSD Guardianship program.  After the presentation, she accepted questions from the committee.

Committee History and Orientation – Sheree Powell, John Gajda and Terry Trego provided a brief orientation to the committee that included an historical overview, purpose, and legislative mandates of the committee.

Public Comment
There was one visiting member of the public that attended the meeting and asked questions throughout the meting about the process but nothing related directly to any subject the committee was voting upon. 

Open Discussion and Announcements
Sheree announced that the next meeting will be the last of the year, and we will set dates for 2010 at that meeting.  She also stated we will discuss the committee’s annual presentation to the Human Services Commission.

The next meeting of this committee will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in room C-47 of the Sequoyah Memorial Office Building, Oklahoma City, OK.