Date/time
October 13, 2020, 11:00 a.m.
TELECONFERENCE:
1-888-494-4032
Access Code: 8725035698
Present
Peter B. Neumer, Inspector General; Bill Diggins, Interim Deputy Inspector General; Brian Dunn, Chairperson; Jae Jin Pak, Board Member; Shirley Perez, Board Member; Megan Norlin, Board Member; Pamela Oller, Administrative Assistant
Absent
Angela Hearts-Glass, Board Member
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m.
Approval of July 14, 2020, Minutes
Minutes amended to include reason for member's absence.
Motion to Approve Amended minutes as proposed - Jae Jin Pak
Motion Seconded - Shirley Perez
All in favor, no opposed - August 11, 2020, minutes approved
Monthly Update on OIG Operations
Inspector General Neumer reported that the OIG office continues to operate remotely and will perform on-site investigations on an as-needed basis. Safety precautions (sanitation, social distancing, and PPE) have been put in place for OIG employees that are reporting to the work site, in accordance with the COVID19 guidelines set forth by the Department.
Technology Update - Laptops have been ordered for staff to use at remote work sites.
Allegation Statistics - The number of allegations received by OIG in 2020 is somewhat lower than in 2019. This is a possible result of COVID19 and the closure of day programs.
Board Member Concerns
There was discussion regarding the following topics:
- The type of a situation that would result in an on-site interview versus doing a virtual or teleconference interview for an investigation
- OIG's recommendations to facilities/agencies
- The reporting of allegations, and importance that individuals feel comfortable reporting allegations
- Facility/Agency written responses to OIG's recommendations and the quality control aspects of OIG's recommendations process
- Written response format
- OIG's follow-up process with respect to the written responses it receives
- Tracking of trends and/or patterns found with allegations
- Internal review process of investigation reports and/or recommendations
- OIG's zero-tolerance stance regarding retaliation against individuals as a result of an allegation
- OIG's reconsideration Process
- Potential conflicts of interest regarding Facilities/Agencies performing investigations of their own employees
- OIG's Website and how it could be used
- Best practices and investigator training
Other Business
Next scheduled board meeting is December 8, 2020, at 11 a.m. via teleconference. Chairperson Dunn and Megan Norlin, Board Member will finalize the meeting agenda and will include topics not covered in today's meeting.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
