Call to Order and Roll Call
The second meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare was held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. CDT/ 12:00 p.m. EDT, at The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky. Senator Julie Denton, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order 12:30 p.m. CDT, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Julie Denton, Co-Chair; Representative Tom Burch, Co-Chair; Senators Perry B. Clark, Denise Harper Angel, Joey Pendleton, and Jack Westwood; Representative Brent Housman.
Guests: Roger F. Murtie, President, Dr. Tracey Gaslin, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, The Center for Courageous Kids; Dr. Whit Boone, pediatric cardiologist, Pediatrics Heart Care Partners, and found of the Camp Braveheart; Berlinda Bazzell, Vice President of Parent Group at Oakwood; Jackie Marquette, parent; Steve Johnson, Owensboro Medical Healthcare Systems; Terry Brownson, Wendell Foster’s Campus, Owensboro; Bobby Young, Allen County Judge; Jay Blanks, Director, Community Development; Nancy West, Chamber of Commerce, Allen County Economic Development Office; Ritchie Sanders, Allen County Economic Development Office; and Beth Jurek, Executive Director, Office of Policy and Budget, Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Guest Legislator: Representative Wilson Stone.
LRC Staff: DeeAnn Mansfield, CSA; Miriam Fordham, Ben Payne, Jonathan Scott, Gina Rigsby, and Cindy Smith.
The Center for Courageous Kids
Roger F. Murtie, President, The Center for Courageous Kids, welcomed the committee members and conducted a tour of the facility grounds. The mission of the center is to uplift children who have life-threatening illnesses by creating experiences year-round that are memorable, exciting, fun, build self-esteem, are physically safe, and medically sound. At the center, chronically ill children can participate in fun activities at absolutely no cost to the children or their families. It is a multi-disease therapeutic camp program that provides medically supervised, recreational activities for children ages 7 to 15 with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Dr. Tracey Gaslin, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and medical director, stated that one goal of the camp is to teach children life skills and help have life changing experiences. All children at the camp are safe, loved, and respected. The medical and program staffs are highly trained pediatric professionals with expertise in medicine and therapeutic programs and are able to conduct continuing care while the children are at camp. Dr. Whit Boone, pediatric cardiologist, Pediatrics Heart Care Partners, and found of the Camp Braveheart, said that all children deserve a chance to have fun and experience life-changing events and help them recognize their abilities.
Approximately 128 seriously ill children with the same illness attend one of the nine weeks of summer camp. While the ill children are at camp, their parents enjoy a week of respite from caregiving and are able to focus on each other and their well children. Approximately 4,500 children and family members from 22 states and Canada have attended the summer camps. During the school year, family retreat weekends are designed to provide respite, recreation, and support programs for families dealing with a child suffering from a chronic illness. The three biggest needs of the center are camper referrals, financial contributions, and volunteers. The Center remains open due to the generous contributions of individuals, foundations, and corporations with a heart for seriously ill children. Additional information about the center can be found at www.courageouskids.org.
Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations
The committee considered referred administrative regulations, 201 KAR 22:045 - establishes continued competency requirements and procedures as a condition of licensure by the Board of Physical Therapy; and 201 KAR 22:135 – establishes the fees required to apply for a credential by application, reinstatement, or renewal of licenses for physical therapists. A motion to accept the administrative regulations was made by Senator Westwood, seconded by Senator Clark, and accepted by voice vote.
Legislative Review of Executive Order 2010-431 relating to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Beth Jurek, Executive Director, Office of Policy and Budget, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, was present to answer questions. Marie Allison and Jackie Marquette, parents of children with disabilities, expressed their concerns about moving the Hart Supported Living Program from the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities to the Department for Aging and Independent Living. There was a motion by Senator Westwood, seconded by Representative Housman, and approved by voice vote.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.