CAG Interim Meeting 1.5
Before I get started on updating the public, I need to disclose that the information below represents my own views -- Dr. Mike Kaiser -- one of the CAG members serving presently on the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study.
The purpose of this special meeting was to review the original Community Advisory Group (CAG) Charter which was originated from the CAG over the last few weeks. Specifically, CAG members wanted the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LA DPH) to not only recognize the document but to incorporate the document into their existing CAG Guidelines. Which was completely reasonable in the search for transparency moving forward.
Originally, LA DPH gave the CAG members their version of 'guidelines' in the form of a handout -- which can be accessed by clicking the linked here. As I stated earlier, in the beginning, during the formation of a Community Advisory Group (CAG), the early CAG members came up with a Charter -- a mission statement.
The document created by the CAG was a guiding document that could be presented to the public at large. A statement that would instill public confidence in the CAG to perform their duties in regard to the Aliso Canyon Health Study. During the first meeting, LA DPH gave us their version of the guidelines. At that time, the need for further meetings looking into the future to resolve the two different documents was expressed by the CAG. In good faith moving forward with the Health Study.
The first page of the LA DPH Guidance document is shown below:
The above document was devised by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health to guide the Community Advisory Group. During the time that LA DPH came up with the document above, the Community Advisory Group -- independently came up with their own version of a charter document which can be found by clicking here.
The Community Advisory Group's Charter is shown below:
The meeting on the 19th of September was aimed at negotiating the differences in language between the two documents. Specifically, looking at each document provided by the LA DPH and the CAG while negotiating (or clarifying) the language in the document.
In the image below, a page noting the differences between the LA DPH Guidance document and the CAG Charter is shown:
The three boxes represent the first three items that need to have a common language adopted or need clarification between the two parties (CAG and LADPH). As an example, I will show the respective parts of the first box in the document above. See the images below.
The part of the CAG under discussion in box number 1 above is shown below:
Equivalently, the portion of the LA DPH Guidance document with similar language is shown below:
Between the two documents, a third document needs to emerge. The personnel at Los Angeles Department of Public Health would incorporate the negotiated changes into their Guidance document. Each member of the CAG will be required to sign the final document to participate in moving forward with the Aliso Canyon Health Study.
Three main topics consumed the hour set aside for the meeting. As usual, the meeting ran for nearly two hours. You may be asking why the meetings run so long? A tremendous amount of work will be needed in the short term in order to make the long term work turn out well. With that being said, the work moves at a slow pace due to the fact that both parties are coming up with neutral language which will suit the Department of Public Health and the community.
The topics covered in the hour at LA DPH in detail were:
1) Composition/function of the Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC)
2) Trust issues
3) Process for outreach events
4) Legal liability
A lengthy discussion could ensue by covering the four topics above. What resulted from the meeting was that an open channel of communication between the CAG and LA DPH was critical toward moving forward with the Aliso Canyon Health Study. Each side has its respective boundary conditions under which to work with moving forward.
Trust Issues
There are deep trust issues that remain and will remain throughout the Aliso Canyon Health Study. In future meetings, the topic of trust will continue to arise and be addressed in pieces -- with the hope of arriving at a solution to move forward. Of course, trust (the psychology behind) can be incorporated into the Aliso Canyon Health Study too.
Process for Outreach Events
Members of the CAG were specifically concerned with the outreach events. During the meeting, questions were raised on how the actual method of seeking funding for outreach events was covered. LA DPH stated that further investigation was necessary to accommodate the need for and timing of scheduling intended outreach events. On our part, the CAG was just wondering how to go about seeking funding for outreach events. Timing, scheduling, paperwork which would be required.
Legal Liability
LA DPH initially stated that there would be no legal exposure to the CAG members while carrying out their function within the Aliso Canyon Health Study. Although, members from LA DPH did state that more legal advice would be sought on their part for assurance to the CAG members. We are still waiting for that assurance or notification on legal exposure.
Meeting Documents:
1) There was no Agenda for this sub-meeting
2) There were no minutes taken at the meeting
3) Results will be stated in the updated LA DPH Guidance Document (as soon as I receive it, I will hyperlink the document).
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