DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD

 MINUTES OF MEETING

                February 18, 2008                

                                                                                                Approved                               

Board Members Present:  Charles Rose, Doug Fraley, Eileen Dubin, Robert Krogman, Cynthia Luxton,

                                              Donna Schoenfeld                         

Board Members -Excused Absence:  Janice Abizaid, Thomas Kirts

Board Members - Absent:  None. 

Other Persons Present:  None

Office Staff Present:  Elizabeth Carney (arrived 7:40 pm), Kathy Ostdick                                                                          

I.  CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Rose, at 7:02 p.m.

Mr. Rose asked for a moment of silence for the NIU Tragedy.

II.  AGENDA

The agenda was approved on consensus.

III.  INTRODUCTIONS

Mr. Rose introduced Joel Cowen of Health Systems Research and his associate Jim Powers.  Mr. Cowen proceeded to give a synopsis of their proposal for a Community Assessment.  There was a question and answer period after Mr. Cowen’s presentation.  Mr. Cowen thanked the Board for the opportunity to present his proposal.

IV.  MINUTES 

Mr. Fraley moved to approve the minutes of the January 2008 Board meeting; seconded by Ms. Luxton. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

V.  COMMUNITY INPUT

There was no community input.

VI.  CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no correspondence or announcements.

VII.  FINANCE REPORTS

Mr. Fraley moved to approve the February 2008 agency claims in the amount of $130,160.61; seconded by Ms. Dubin.  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Mr. Fraley moved to approve the February 2008 office claims in the amount of $1,900.26; seconded by Ms. Dubin.  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. 

VIII.  BOARD MEMBER ISSUES

The Board discussed writing a letter to the agencies expressing the Board’s understanding that they may incur unanticipated expenses in providing services to NIU students, faculty, and community members that are related to the event at NIU.   As the governor had declared an emergency, the possibility of federal funds to assist with these expenses was also discussed.  This is being explored by the community mental health center and also by the Illinois Division of Mental Health which has a representative on campus. 

Concern was also expressed about the possibility of the long-term effects of a situation like this, especially PTSD. 

Ms. Luxton moved to draft a letter to the agencies that have responded, recognizing their strength in stepping forward and offering support, and indicating that the Board would welcome their approaching us if they have incurred unanticipated or unbudgeted costs through their responses; seconded by Mr. Rose.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Ms. Dubin volunteered to call the State to see if there were any resources available for this crisis.

IX.  DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Ms. Carney gave a recap of the NIU situation saying that they are doing a wonderful job in meeting the mental health needs of the students, staff, and faculty in this trying time.  Ms. Carney has been at NIU helping to recruit and coordinate crisis intervention counselors since the incident happened.   

The Board asked about the history of the Mental Health Board disaster plan and how we got involved in disaster preparedness.   Ms. Carney stated that the previous director and the Board recognized some time ago that as the Board is the mental health authority in the county, it is the role of the Board to ensure that appropriate planning and coordination are done for the provision of mental health services in a disaster/crisis situation.   She also noted that the Board’s mental health disaster plan is a section of the DeKalb County Disaster Plan.

There was also discussion about the specific role of the Board when the plan is activated.  Ms. Carney

noted that in a disaster/crisis situation there are very specific procedures established by federal and

state emergency management agencies that local agencies and entities have to follow.   Within the requirements of that type of system, the Board is responsible to see that appropriate mental health disaster/crisis services are available and to coordinate the provision of those services.  As the event occurred on the NIU campus, and not in the community, Ms. Carney’s involvement on campus was modified to fit the situation, i.e. to provide support and linkage with not only local community services, but also to assist NIU with linkage to volunteers and services in the broader community. 

Local agencies that have, or will send, staff to NIU as crisis intervention volunteers include Hope Haven, Family Service Agency, Ben Gordon Center, Youth Service Bureau, and Safe Passage.  Local private practitioners have also volunteered. 

X.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

Executive Committee: 

Community Assessment RFP: Mr. Rose said that this was discussed as stated earlier.

Board opening:  Mr. Rose stated that the candidate could not be present at that evening’s Board meeting, but will be coming to the March meeting.

Letter of Support from DeKalb School District:  The DeKalb School District recently requested that the Board write a letter of support for their grant application for funding for increased mental health services in the schools.  Ms. Carney contacted the Board President who decided that the Board should respond positively to the request.  Ms. Carney sent a letter but has asked that the Board develop a procedure for responding to such requests that require a response before the Board meets and can discuss it.  The Board discussed some options. 

2008 Annual plan:  The annual plan time line implementation was discussed.

Finance Committee: 

County Auditor:  The Board’s auditor from Sikich, Aurora, Illinois, made an on-site visit to the Board office.   He had favorable comments about the internal controls of the Board’s finances and will

send a report. 

Funding applications:  Almost all of the funding applications have been received. 

Mental Illness and Criminal Justice Taskforce:  Ms. Carney set up a meeting with Lt. Klein, DeKalb County Jail, and Michael Flora, Ben Gordon Center to discuss improving the numbers of inmates with mental health and substance needs that receive out-patient services after release from the jail.   A draft continuity of care plan was developed and Mr. Flora is to submit a proposal to the Board for funding. 

Personnel and Nominations Committee: 

The committee did not meet this month.

XI.  OLD BUSINESS

Community Assessment proposal: Joel Cowen of Health Systems Research presented his proposal earlier in the meeting.

Ms. Luxton moved to accept the proposal for the Community Assessment project from Health Systems Research in the amount of $36,000 out of line item 8201; seconded by Mr. Fraley.  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Board openings:  Mr. Rose encouraged Board members to continue to recruit.

Outcomes Training proposal: As not all members of the Finance Committee have been able to review the proposal, it will be sent back to the Committee for further consideration.

Annual plan:  This was tabled.

XII.  NEW BUSINESS

Committee assignments:  Doug Fraley and Donna Schoenfeld have been appointed to the Personnel and Nominations Committee.  Dr. Kirts has been appointed to the Finance Committee.

Requests for letter of support process:  Discussed earlier in the meeting.

XIII.  ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________

Charles G. Rose, President

_________________________________                                                              

Kathy Ostdick, Recording Secretary

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