Maine's Expanding Inclusive Opportunities Initiative

 for Children, Families and Communities

Core Team Meeting Minutes

November 12, 2010

Present: Kim Keiser, Patti Woolley, Debra Hannigan, Janna Gregory, Kris Michaud, Cindy Brown, Allyson Dean, Jenn Wiles, Ann O’Brien, Linda Labas, and Kathy Whaley.

Kathy & Kim facilitated. Linda took notes.
Welcome & Introductions

Agenda distributed

Part of the day will include a review and update of the MEIO initiative.

1. Where we are and how do we continue to do the work?
2. How do we embed the work and how do we continue to keep the focus of this work (inclusion) in the forefront?

General Updates:

• Kathy shared in formation about SpecialQuest. This initiative is no longer funded through Head Start. They are offering consultation and training as a fee for service. Kathy will post to our listserve.

Goal 1 Update: Linda

Finished the activities on the current workplan:

• Survey is in draft format – developed by Linda and Kathy and will be reviewed by the Goal 1 workgroup.

• Linda continues to add information and links when resources seem relevant.

• DHHS is providing funding to CCIDS to continue to update and add to the toolkit and to merge or align the current Growing Ideas Tipsheet toolkit to expand on this resource to the field.

• Goal 1 workgroup needs to review the workplan activity related to disseminating this information to the field.

• Linda provided a “show and tell” to the RDC and other DHHS TA network providers in October and the CC+ME staff is using the toolkit to support their TA work in the field.

• Reviewed the list of groups to be notified or receive a “show and tell” suggestion to add – Janine and 4 year old programs and CDS provider group

• Shared MEIO toolkit flyer info sheet. Group liked the flyer and Linda will finalize and get out to the group to use to disseminate information. Linda has circulated this at the CCAC meeting

• Linda shared that the CC+ME Inclusion Consultants have been working on a reflection sheet to use with consultees in supporting their understanding of inclusive practices. This form or a general reflection form can be posted to the webpage.

• If additional funding is available, there has been a request to expand on the toolkit to include specific links for families, a section for consultants and information that relates to the after school or school age child care population.

• CCIDS has committed to continue to manage the toolkit and website to keep the information updated and the links working.

• Discussed whether the current toolkit website collects data about the number of visitors to the site.

Next steps / To do Goal 1:

• Goal 1 workgroup will meet in December.

• Cindy Brown will provide a show and tell of the toolkit during an upcoming CDS Lunch and Learn

• Cindy Brown will talk with Janine about how best to provide information or a show and tell to the collaborative coaches and / or the 4-year-old programs.

• Linda will contact Lori Fried Moses about scheduling a show and tell at an upcoming CCAC meeting.

• Linda will finalize the PR flyer and send out to all members to disseminate across the system including the MRTQ registry & accreditation cohorts, ECE Accountability Team and the new PD initiative, etc.

• Linda will check about whether the current toolkit link counts visitors and locations.

• The Goal 1 workgroup will finalize the survey and Linda will have CCIDS webmaster design it and post it to the website.

Goal 2 update: Patti & Debra

• Update form provided as a handout.

• Grant secured by Maine DOE. Our needs have been included in the addendum to the DOE longitudinal data system and we are included in pertinent discussions.

• Ongoing work continues.

Next steps:

• Individuals now working on a matrix for the aggregate data for referrals from DHHS to CDS.

• Patti and Debra will continue to keep the group informed.

Goal 3 update: Debra, Ann and Patti

• Group met and the update form provided as a handout.

• Continue to be pockets of difficulties for CDS itinerate teachers going into inclusive settings across public and private settings.

• MOU between DHHS and DOE/ CDS developed signed and finalized and there will be a monitoring team to review this document.

• MaineCare sections 28 and 65 – meeting with DOE/ DHHS every Thursday – trying to connect departments by putting mutual forms on each other’s websites. Documents are written to be sure language is consistent and accurate across departments – very collaborative and productive meetings.

• Continued work between CDS and CBHS in the area of assessments and screenings between CDS and CBHS – trying establish some consistency with appropriate screenings and assessment tools to ensure the process is family-friendly and coordinated.

• CDS central referral number is now in place – Janna distributed the information.

• Autism grant – Nancy Cronin is the lead. She is meeting with a variety of folks – she is working with CDS pilot sites on screenings and with others on different pilot outcomes – discussed the best way to coordinate this and connect the dots. Debra and Patti will talk with Nancy.

• CDS provides parents with info regarding access to MaineCare per KS v Harvey settlement at team meetings.

• Challenges continue with MaineCare rule changes and adequate funding (ARRA funds are done).

• Jill Downs from CCIDS shared the results of the RELATE / CDS pilot project – – good information about the pilot in Hancock and Washington Counties through the use of CDS ARRA funds. Debra thought it would be helpful for Jill to present this at a CDS Lunch and Learn session. Discussed how to cross walk or connect the RELATE Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) pilot and the RTI.

• Goal 3 workgroup discussed how best to keep doing this work as a group without duplicating efforts that are being done elsewhere.

Next Steps:

• Debra will send the DOE/DHHS MOU to the listserve.

• Group will work on an MOU between Head Start and CDS.

• Cindy will contact Jill Downs about presenting info to the CDS system/ sites about RELATE. Part of the presentation will be to brainstorm potential ways to collaborate across the departments to support the early childhood mental health consultation model.

• Goal 3 workgroup will continue to meet.

Goal 4 update: Janna & Jenn

Calendar update:

• Data on usage is regularly collected. Jenn will get the number count to the committee.

• Will change how college work is displayed – Jenn described how this will change.

• RDC’s will be entering their own course work – Jenn will be training folks in this process.

• Scholarship and higher education pages will be linked to the calendar.

• Any calendar feedback/ input or questions should be directed to Jenn.

• Cindy Brown and Gail Donahue will connect with Jenn with any updates or feedback from the DOE/ CDS perspective.

• Other items discussed during the Goal 4 workgroup meeting:

• Articulation between 2 and 4 year is an issue and Allyson will be putting together a work group

• Courses need to be approved through DOE certification to count for CDS and the 282, 081, Ed Tech - Janna working on this with certification.

• Career counseling is needed – discussed ideas such as web based options – self initiated tools – group felt this is an idea worth exploring.

• Crosswalk being developed with MRTQ career lattice to look at where Ed Techs fit.

Next steps:

• Goal 4 workgroup will continue to meet.

• DOE certification staff will be invited to the next Goal 4 meeting.

• Group will research further the idea of a web-based career counseling option.

Future directions discussion lead by Kathy and Kim:

• Reviewed page 2 of the work plan to look at what we wanted to do back in 2008.

• Discuss and share the results of our work from the workplan.

Questions discussed/ decisions made about the future of MEIO:

• What was our original charge/purpose that resulted in the establishment of the Core Team and Steering Committee?

• Now that we have accomplished most of our original Strategic Plan, have we met the established charge/purpose?

• Is there more for us to do, an ongoing reason for us to continue to exist?

• If yes, what are the most pressing areas for next steps?

• Do they require the Core Team and Steering Committee to continue to exist?

• Are the Core Team and Steering Committee the right teams to take them on?

• Who is missing or should be included?

• If no to the question about need for ongoing existence, how do we wind down and dissolve as a group?

Decision:

• The Core Team should continue to function.

• Invite Margaret Degon (parent representation) and Janine Blatt to the Core Team. – Debra H will do this.

• A formal meeting structure for the Steering Committee does not seem to be needed at this time. Input from a broader group like the Steering Committee can continue on issues and activities as needed through forums like the listserve or web site or direct goal activity participation.

• Connect MEIO with groups like Children’s Growth Council and the Early Childhood Accountability Team.

• Way to provide information about broader recommendations – like common standards.

• Kathy can continue as the TA support doing what she has with paperwork and process – until end of Sept – their T & TA will also be going out to bid.

• Kim – can continue to support this initiative as the TA person from Child Care through the Spring. Her T & TA system is also going out to bid then.

Brainstormed ideas to add to the workplan:

Goal 1:

• Refine the PR plan.

• Finalize the MEIO toolkit flyer or bookmark and disseminate.

• Post the on-line survey and collect data to share with the Core Team.

• Discuss funding for other uses or expansions of the toolkit.

• Continue management of website – links / new resources.

Goal 2:

• Continue monitoring and update the Core Team.

Goal 3:

• Continue regular Goal 3 meetings.

• Establish ECE connection.

• Explore ways to pilot the RELATE ECMHC model in other CDS regions to develop coordinated systems of support across CDS and DHHS ECD/ Child Care.

• Connect with Nancy Cronin and the Autism Grant – to ensure a coordinated focus on all activities across systems.

Goal 4:

• Meet with DOE Certification.

• Crosswalk Ed Tech and MRTQ career lattice.

• Continue to track data use.

• Explore the development of a career counseling or checklist option to support practitioners (081, 282 and Ed techs in particular).

• Add to the MEIO On-line National Training listing to the resources link for the calendar .

• Add an on-line survey to the calendar

• Add on the RDC training surveys a question – how did you hear about this training?

• Collect information from CDS personnel about their awareness of and use of training calendar (Janna will bring to the CDS training committee).

• Gather similar information from Janine related to the 4 year-old program personnel use of the calendar.

• Add a question about use to the CDS personnel survey being developed by MRTQ.

• Explore ways to support personnel through scholarship money for trainings such as the Behavioral Health Professional training.

Brainstormed areas that we hear continues to be needed in the area of building quality inclusive early care and education settings:

• Parent communication – understanding, education – inclusion, LRE, options, programs, accessible and how to access timely services/ supports.

• Providers what are “reasonable accommodations” and how do they accommodate children when resources are limited.

• More direct technical assistance and consultation to providers in the field.

• Support to providers like OT, ST, PT about providing therapy in natural settings – lots of pull out still happens.

• Supporting parents to navigate the system: education and MaineCare

• Contracted and employed employees who don’t support inclusion and are in a position to inform and support parents.

• Access to child care for children in particular areas of the state and for particular ages of children.

• Factual, accurate info to parents – make things user friendly.

• Supportive awareness around inclusion, ADA, accommodations.

• Benchmarks/ indicators for quality inclusive settings.

• Common core program standards across systems and sectors. What is quality? Do standards explicitly address inclusion? What are the ways these can be highlighted?

• Quality standards for inclusion that add to the existing QI standards.

No Steering Committee members joined the meeting. No Steering Committee meeting took place.

Discussed how to inform members of the Steering Committee about these decisions, including the decision to sunset the group.

• Since no Steering Committee members attended and attendance of this group has been spotty, it seems that the meetings are not working for members either.

• Patti will draft the email and send to Linda for input. Linda will post to the Steering Committee listserve.

Next meeting:

Feb 2, 2011 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon – Janna will reserve a room at the DOE.

• Updates on goal activities

• Create work plan for new activities

Future meetings:

June 8, 2011 – 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon

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