External Program Review Committee (EPRC) minutes
Date: Oct. 3, 2024
DSD liaisons: Stacie Enders and Ari Dionisopoulos
Type: Whole committee
Attendees: Dan Baker, Kim Frost, Jodi Greenstein, Laura Daire and Antonina (Toni) Puente
Not present: Danielle Bishop, Victoria Anderson, Susie Haben, Melanie Eidsmoe and Lindsay Nash
Public comments
There were no public comments at this meeting.
Vote
The committee did not have quorum so will need to vote on the September minutes at their next meeting.
Discussion
Annual goals
The committee reviewed their 2024 goals, which are listed in no particular order:
Provide resources and guidance for improving communication skills.
· The training resource the committee worked on continues to be delayed for publication due to a backlog of technical support requests. However, DHS is hopeful work will start on it within a few months. · A training organization recently reached out to DHS to learn more about what training needs providers may have. The committee and DHS could consider coordinating with the many training entities throughout Minnesota on an annual basis to share what training needs they are seeing, as the training organizations might also be interested in creating materials for providers. · While it is important for DHS to offer training resources, it can also be helpful for providers to have multiple options for training needs. Everyone does training a little differently, so while one training might work well for many people, a different training might work better for others. Simplify and organize online DHS materials and training resources related to positive supports or intervention services.
· MNPSP.org covers some training needs related to positive support practices and is funded by the state. There are other organizations as well that offer trainings on this topic. · DHS also offers many trainings on the topic of positive supports and related policies, statutes, and rules.· There are pros and cons to relying on an external vendor to provide trainings. For example:Trainings can be developed more quickly because there are fewer regulations that need to be followed. There is less oversight by the state when an external group provides training. Relying on one vendor doesn’t necessarily meet the training needs of all populations. Managing a website takes a lot of time but often is not well compensated. Some people prefer to get their training from DHS instead of external groups. · We need to keep in mind that training isn’t always the answer to problems people are experiencing. Good training doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes, as many other factors might influence a person’s circumstances. Explore ways to improve access to positive support services.
· The contract was not completed by the deadline so the vendor was offered a five week extension. Closing
Victoria Anderson has decided to step down from the committee on Oct. 11, 2024. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for the time she spent supporting others.
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