Welcome and Introductions

The meeting of January 22, 2002, convened at 10:10 a.m.  Introductions were made and a welcome extended to guests.

Review of Agenda and Approval of Minutes

One correction was made to the minutes of November 27, 2001.  The date under “Review and Approval of Minutes” should be November 27, 2001 instead of October 23, 2001.  The minutes were approved as amended.

Presentation

Eaton County MPCB

This item will be deferred to another meeting since the presenter was not present.

Standing Committee Reports

PIT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:  (Virginia Harmon) At the January 15 EC PIT meeting, the group discussed the Communications Committee Report and is beginning to act on the recommendations.  EC questioned the recommendations under “All Communications” and asked the committee to clarify what was meant by those recommendations.  It seems that we are already listing a contact person on all advisories.  Sheri Falvay clarified that, when this recommendation was made, we were not consistently providing the name of a contact person on all advisories.  EC will be discussing the recommendations under “Barrier Busters’ further.  For the recommendations under “PIT Web Page,” we will explore what is possible given the change over to new software and the new requirements to conform to the e-Michigan format.

In light of the Executive Order reductions for this year and the expected $1.4 billion shortfall for next year, EC decided to give a brief update on the budget status.  In DCH, approximately $1 million was eliminated in pilot projects and the prevention line item that funded staff positions and contracts with local collaborative bodies.  Sheri Falvay will provide the names of those agencies that are affected by these reductions.  There were six contracts for staff positions and nine contracts for infant mental health.  Funding will not be available this year for Innovation awards.

In Education, the department lost funding for 2002 for Early Childhood programs.  Those programs are continuing to operate, for now, on 2001 funds.  School Readiness grants were reduced for this year.  There are three funding streams for school readiness - wraparound, formula grants and competitive grants.  Wraparound funding has already been eliminated.  The Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP) serves at-risk children who do not qualify for Head Start and may be at risk for cuts for 2003.  26,000 children are served per year by the MSRP program.  An evaluation report indicates that approximately 25% of children participating in the program show improvements in test scores.  A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23 to announce the results of that evaluation.  All categories of school aid are at risk for reductions for 2003.  Some new federal funding may be coming but will be targeted to specific schools.

The Department of Career Development has mostly federal funding.  No specific proposals for reductions are known at this point.

In FIA, the department sustained a $25 million reduction this year.  Child Advocacy Centers have been eliminated and reductions were made in special line item contracts and emergency relief.  The challenge will be to meet maintenance of effort requirements for TANF.

The Executive Committee has added membership representing housing interests.  Chuck Kieffer has agreed to join EC as the housing representative.  EC will continue to review membership needs as new issues are identified.

BARRIER BUSTERS: (Jocelyn Vanda) There has been very little activity with barrier busters.  Some locals have indicated that they do not believe that they are getting the kind of responses that are helpful. Not all issues that have been submitted as “barrier busters” requests have, in fact, been barrier issues.  Also, some of the barrier busters are beyond our span of control.  The Barrier Busters group will be discussing the recommendations made by the Communications Committee.

TAG:  (Renee De Mars-Johnson) The Guidelines for Member Participation, as previously approved by PIT, are being distributed as an attachment to Information Advisory “Tools for MPCBs: Benefits of Parent/Consumer Members on the MPCB/Workgroups.”  This advisory is ready to be posted on the web page.  A draft advisory regarding Innovations Awards was presented for comment.  Although no monetary awards can be made this year, it was felt that it is important to recognize the efforts of the MPCBs.  The draft tries to make clear that there is no monetary award. One award is proposed along with five honorable mentions.  It is recommended that recognition should come from the Governor.  After discussion, it was agreed that one award and 2-3 honorable mentions will be made.  It was also suggested that the awardee be invited to present their innovation to PIT Crew at a future meeting and be reimbursed for their expenses for attending the meeting.

TAG is looking into the possibility for foundation funding for Innovations Grants.  TAG is also discussing the addition of cross-systems training to the PIT web page.

HOUSING: (Chick Kieffer) An information advisory was recently distributed inviting MPCB participation on the newly-established Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness.  Requests for Proposals for statewide Continuum of Care funding will be mailed shortly.  Funding priority will be given to those projects that could be replicated statewide.  The mailing will go to all Continuum of Care bodies.  It was suggested that the mailing should also go to MPCBs.  It was felt that this RFP packet might be too confusing for those agencies that have not been involved with housing planning and there are limited funds available for new projects.  Many local agencies apply directly to HUD, rather than going through the state.  Sheri Falvay indicated that historically we did send an information advisory to MPCBs advising them of the availability of this funding and encouraging them to collaborate with their local continuum of care group.  Sheri will pull last year’s advisory and forward to Chuck to be updated and sent to MPCBs.

INFORMATION AND ACTION ADVISORIES: (Sheri Falvay) An updated listing was distributed.  Three new advisories have been distributed in January.  Three advisories are pending. 

Other Reports

A. The next Joint MPCB/PIT Crew Meeting will be April 23 at the Grand Tower (FIA).  Because of limited space, participation may have to be limited.  Letters of invitation will be sent soon.  The agenda includes an update on activities since the last joint meeting, Communications Committee Report, introduction of the Standing Housing Committee, and discussion focusing on flexible funding.  Discussion will be in small groups which will bring their results back to the larger group.  The next task for the planning group is to develop some questions for the small groups to consider.

B. Family Centered Guidelines were developed a couple years ago and referred to TAG to incorporate into their work plan.  TAG is reviewing the guidelines for any necessary changes and will bring those back to PIT.

Public Comment

No public comments were made.

Issues/Presentations for Future PIT Agendas

February:  2-1-1 Project - Jocelyn Vanda

                South Africa Delegation Report (Virginia Harmon/Sharon Peters)

March:      Integrating Communities and Schools Task Force Report - Carol Wolenberg

                Robert Wood Johnson Family Centered Practice Project - Sheri Falvay

Adjournment

The regular business meeting of PIT Crew adjourned at 12:00 p.m. 

Future Meeting Dates

The next PIT CREW meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2002, from 10:00 AM to

12:00 PM, Room 1B at the Baker-Olin West Building. 

Documents referenced in these minutes may be obtained from Carol Ogan, DCH. She can be reached at (517) 335-8904.

The WEBPAGE for the PIT CREW is located at:  http://www.mdch.state.mi.us/pit/