Minutes September 8, 2004

•  Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items

Present: Judy Pelt, Karen Wilson, Sheri Slater, C. Ed Moss, Susan York, Pamela Nelms, Bill Duke, Suzanne Merrill, Vicky Church, Phyllis Stewart, Jackie Williams, Nancy Warren, Rosalyn Pettyford, Deborah Chavis

Conclusion: Motion made by Bill Duke and seconded by Karen Wilson to accept the minutes

Action Items:

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Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  DHHS Transportation Initiative – Suzanne Merrill/Phyllis Stewart

Discussion: DHHS is working on a change in transportation policy. The department has been working for 18 months attempting to gather information to determine how much DHHS spends on transportation services. The Secretary of DHHS has authorized the department to come up with uniform transportation polices and tracking which will be more cost efficient. The Department is attempting to develop one manual for transportation regardless of the funding source. This project will be called TRIP – transportation report information project. The department will be looking at transportation policy in each division and revising or changing policy to be in included in the new policy. The department will be writing draft policy through November then meet with a team of individuals to review. A meeting will be held on December 17, 2004 to review the draft policy and the division would like representation from the Adult Services Committee at this meeting. The Department plans to implement the new policy in July, 2005.

Conclusion: The Division will keep the Committee informed of the progress. Representation from the Adult Services Committee will be sought to attend the December 17, 2004 meeting.

Action Items:

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Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  Guardianship/APS Administrative Letter – Suzanne Merrill, Rosalyn Pettyford, Nancy Warren

Discussion: A technical bill passed by the Legislature had issues that will necessitate policy changes in guardianship and adult protective services policy. An Administrative Letter will be sent out addressing the changes. The changes relate to the clerk of court's authority to appoint nonresident guardians of the estate and nonresident general guardians, the removal of nonresident guardians by the clerk, and the emergency removal of guardians without a hearing when the clerk finds reasonable cause. A copy of the Administrative Letter was shared with the Committee. The Committee felt that the changes were positive but discussed the importance of the Clerks receiving training regarding their new responsibilities. The Committee was told that the Administrative Office of the Courts would be sending out guidance to the Clerks. The Committee discussed the need to put guidance in policy regarding the responsibilities of resident agents.

Conclusion: None

Action Items:

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Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  Mental Health Issue in Adult Care Homes – John Wasson

Discussion: This item will be discussed at the November meeting, as John Wasson was unable to attend today's meeting.

Conclusion:

Action Items:

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Person Responsible:

Deadline:

None

•  Adjournment