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DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
April 20, 2009
Approved
Board Members Present: Charles G. Rose, Cynthia Luxton, Eileen Dubin, Bob Krogman,
Donna Schoenfeld, Doug Fraley, Thomas Kirts, John Rogalin
Board Members -Excused Absence: None
Board Members - Absent: None
Other Persons Present: Barry Schrader
Office Staff Present: Kathy Ostdick
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. Rose, at 7:05 p.m.
2. AGENDA
Dr. Kirts moved to amend the agenda by adding a resolution discussion under old business, letter D; seconded by Ms. Dubin. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Mr. Fraley moved to approve the amended agenda; seconded by Mr. Rogalin. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
3. INTRODUCTIONS
There were no introductions at this time.
4. MINUTES
Ms. Dubin moved to approve the amended minutes of the March 2009 Board meeting; seconded by Mr. Fraley. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
5. COMMUNITY INPUT
Barry Schrader gave a short speech stating that the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board has a new chair that has been appointed by Governor Quinn. The May 8th hearing in DeKalb will not be attended by any IHFPB members, but rather by a staffer from the Chicago office who will take notes and report back to their Board. Barry also stated that once the IHFP Board acts on this issue on July 15, there would be no new testimony allowed. The only thing that people can do is to react to the written report that is submitted to the Board by their staff. The staff will make a formal recommendation to approve or disapprove the closure. At that time, the public will see the recommendation two weeks ahead of time on line and then they will have a chance to go to Springfield and comment on the specifics in the recommendation. No new testimony will be accepted after May 8th except in writing until June 25. Mr. Schrader thanked the Board for having the first forum and said he is stepping down as the spokesperson for Citizens for Better Mental Health Care and letting Jerry Lane take over the role. He will still be on the committee. Mr. Schrader asked that the Mental Health Board please not drop the ball.
DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau representatives:
Jason Nicol, Executive Director, and Krys Sarkady, Program Director, were asked to attend the meeting to discuss their financial request for funding for their Alternative to Suspension program. This is a program for youth that are suspended from school for 5 or more days (actually they have relaxed that number to include less than 5 day suspensions). This is the only program of its kind in the county. From January to date, there have been 35 participants, with only 1 repeat suspension, from 9 different schools; 5 high schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 elementary school. The majority of suspensions are for substance found on them or for fighting. After the “Alternative to Suspension” program, the participants are referred to YSB’s Early Intervention Program. YSB sends recommendations for follow-up treatment to the parents. Mr. Nicol felt that this process opens up avenues to parents that they would not normally encounter and who would not have heard about YSB. Transportation is always an issue. If the student completes this program, they will maintain their academic progress and the suspension will not be on their record. Right now, the program allows 30 hours per week, which is the number of hours that Krys spends with the students. Some time is needed for paperwork, so the budget presented would be for 35 hours per week.
Safe Passage: Pam Wiseman, Executive Director, and Deanna Hacker, Finance Manager, were asked to attend the meeting to discuss their funding request for the medical on-call program. Ms. Wiseman thanked the Board for past funding, stating that if they had not had assistance from the Board, they would have lost their crisis intervention program. The medical on-call program provides a 24/7 crisis line and 24 hour response to hospital requests for assistance with sexual assault and domestic violence cases. In addition to the crisis response, the clients are offered other Safe Passage opportunities for shelter, etc. 75% of people being seen in a crisis situation become Safe Passage clients. This is an unusual program and they have a hard time finding standard funding. They did have federal funding, but last year that was cut. There is a possibility that they will be getting back about $10,000 of the money that they have lost for this program. With that $10,000 and the money being requested of the CMHB, they would have enough to fund the program. Mr. Rogalin requested an explanation of the 37 hours of service for 25 clients, as stated in the funding application. Ms. Wiseman stated that documentation of the actual hours of client time is a problem, and that this is a 24-hour emergency on-call program. Safe Passage is training volunteers for the on-call crisis line positions.
Ms. Luxton asked how calls are triaged and said that she is concerned with how agencies collaborate. How does Safe Passage collaborate with the Gordon Center, who probably have a key role in providing support for Safe Passage clients? Ms. Wiseman said that regarding this program, they do not collaborate because state law requires that in order to remain confidential, these services have to be preformed by someone who has been trained for 40 hours. And in this case, they have to be trained for 68 hours, for confidentiality. The Gordon Center personnel would have to be trained in sexual assault and domestic violence. In order to get sexual assault funding from the state, Safe Passage is required to have this program. If they do not have this program, they would lose their status as a rape crisis center, and then the courts would not protect their files. Ben Gordon Center originally had this program, but they were not able to get state funding, believed to be because of confidentiality issues, etc. Jim Graves, Executive Director of the Gordon Center at that time, suggested that Safe Passage take over the program.
Mr. Fraley was concerned that the County has two crisis hot lines. However, Safe Passage has to have one in order to receive state funding. Also, due to the nature of the domestic violence and sexual assault calls, an immediate response is important.
Ms. Wiseman said that Safe Passage runs groups at the Gordon Center in their Discovery House and a sexual assault group at Hope Haven. When asked if the current economic situation has affected their services, Ms. Wiseman stated that the shelter numbers had been the same for about 15 years and then in the last year they have doubled. Sexual assault numbers have increased by 174%.
6. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Ostdick pointed out two different announcements of gatherings for Ron Matekitis’ new judicial position.
7. FINANCE REPORTS
Mr. Fraley moved to approve the April 2009 agency claims in the amount of $152,357.92; seconded by Mr. Rogalin. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mr. Fraley moved to approve the April 2009 office claims in the amount of $1,568.41; seconded by Ms. Dubin. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
8. BOARD MEMBER ISSUES
Mr. Fraley commented that the Sandwich Veterans group is still meeting on a regular basis and has been for almost a year. He has heard that good progress is being made.
9. OFFICE REPORT
Ms. Ostdick asked for volunteers for the COB Open House on May 12. Mr. Rogalin and Dr. Kirts had volunteered previously and Mr. Fraley is checking his availability. Mr. Krogman volunteered this evening.
A request for $435 for support of a program from the Association for Individual Development was discussed. This program is called a “Parent University” and is intended to educate parents on teen alcohol abuse. This request will be voted on later in the meeting.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive Committee:
Mr. Rose sent a letter to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board telling them that Mr. Fraley will be attending their hearing on May 8 and that if they need any information from us to please call.
Also discussed was the June board meeting being held in Sandwich at Open Door. The Board will meet first at the Ben Gordon Center’s Sandwich facility for a tour. We will then go to Open Door for a tour and hold our meeting there. Mr. Rose suggested that we meet at the board office at 5:15 that day and car pool. Ms. Ostdick will invite Jeff Metzger, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, to join us.
The Executive Director position was discussed. Mr. Rose asked the board members to make a list of what qualities and characteristics they are looking for. The position description is included in the binder. Ms. Luxton said we need a vision of what we want this person to do. Ms. Luxton asked the members to give this some thought and a discussion will take place at a later date.
The Slate of Officers was discussed. It has been suggested that the officers will remain the same, after the by-law change vote.
Finance Committee:
The Finance Committee recommended that we continue our ACMHAI membership. Funding for Psychiatry was also discussed. An overview is in the binder.
11. OLD BUSINESS
A. GY10 Allocations: We are not approving the allocations until the May Board meeting. The Psych eval/Medication monitoring proposal was discussed. Ms. Luxton and Ms. Ostdick had discussed earlier that during this trial year a more creative way to support psychiatry services could be looked at. This proposal would be an expansion of an existing program.
B. GY10 Allocations, DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau and Safe Passage: These two agencies were discussed earlier. Ms. Luxton brought up concerns about collaboration in the community. Upon further thought, Safe Passage will be asked to attend the next Finance Committee meeting.
C. Vote on By-law change: By-law changes were reviewed at the March Board meeting.
Mr. Fraley moved to change the by-laws as presented at the March Board meeting; seconded by Ms. Schoenfeld. The motion passed on a voice vote.
D. Discussion of resolution regarding the closing of the behavioral health unit: Ms. Dubin asked what role the Board should or should not take on the closing of the unit? Ms. Dubin brought up this resolution at the County Board meeting and no one responded, no one seconded, and the Executive Board said they didn’t see why the County Board should be interfering. The County Board said that they were unwilling to take a position and that Ms. Dubin should write a letter to the Health Facilities Planning Board. Mr. Rose asked if Ms. Dubin had asked the Health and Human Services committee to take a stand on the issue? She said she had not. Mr. Krogman asked what had happened to the task force that was mentioned at the forum? Mr. Rose said that he would be meeting with Michael Flora of the Ben Gordon Center and Joe Dante from the Hospital on Thursday.
Dr. Kirts stated that he would like this Board to make a statement that we would like the unit kept open at least until it can be thoroughly investigated and the community allowed to have some input. Mr. Rogalin said that a properly composed letter would cause the Planning Board to delay the decision until the community could meet. The Mental Health Board is a constituted statutory body to provide leadership and planning in the County. The Hospital did not consult with the Mental Health Board. The Hospital should have waited until after our Community Assessment to take action. This Board could take a stand with the Health Facilities Planning Board. Ms. Luxton did not feel that it was the County Board’s role to take a stand. Mr. Rose said that they are the elected officials and should take a stand. Ms. Luxton said that the leadership in this County comes from this Board. Mr. Fraley was fearful that this Board would become the scapegoat if we take a position. Mr. Rose said that he sees two ways to go; take a stand against the hospital and ask them to keep the unit open, and then we lose our leadership role; or the second option is the task force option which is to find a way to be deal with that population in the event that the unit closed. If this Board comes out with a stand that we want the unit kept open and that is all we want, then we are out. Mr. Rose also stated that he has already sent 3 letters to the Planning Board and they have not recognized us.
Dr. Kirts said that the hospital decision was made without any input except from hospital administration and that he wants time for a reasonable amount of study and input from people in the community. It may be that it should be closed, but no one seems to have any information. Neither Dr. Dennison or Dr. Kirts had been contacted prior to the decision to close, and Dr. Kirts did not believe that any of the other psychiatrists in the County had been contacted either. Dr. Kirts believes that the hospital did not talk to other hospitals with functioning psych units, to see what they are doing right. Mr. Fraley also suggestedthat the decision to close be postponed to study the issue. Ms. Luxton suggested that when Mr. Rose meets with Michael Flora and Joe Dante on Thursday, he recommends that before the Board goes public with the stand that this decision is too soon, that the hospital postpone their closing of the unit. Mr. Rose stated that the Mental Health Board is not part of the hearing on May 8th. Ms. Dubin said that she spoke to someone who does a lot of work with hospitals in the political field who said that the main thing is that the letters from the forum should be restated at the hearing because the Planning board members receive an entire packet. The forum letters may not have gotten to the planning board members. Mr. Rogalin said that while we are not part of the hearing, we can be part of the Planning board staff report. Mr. Rogalin stated that because of the state statute of the 708 board, the Planning board has to pay attention to what we say. Mr. Rose said he only sees two things to be done; try to get the planning board to hold off on their decision or to get Kish to withdraw their application. Mr. Rogalin said the hospital could ask for an extension. Mr. Rose stated that as far as he could see, the only thing for the hospital to do would be to withdraw their application because the process has already started. Mr. Rogalin said that they could request a postponement or continuance. Mr. Rose said that he didn’t think so.
Ms. Luxton thought that the hospital would look great if they did withdraw their application. Ms. Dubin said that the hospital mishandled the situation. Mr. Fraley said that asking the hospital to keep the unit open is too general and we would lose on that. However, we could ask them to hold off the closing until our Community Assessment is completed and the Mental Health Board has a better idea of what services are needed in our community. Mr. Fraley also said that if we ask to have the unit left open, we would lose our leadership role in the eyes of the hospital. Mr. Krogman said we would lose our leverage. Ms. Dubin said that the community would think that the board stands for something. Ms. Luxton said she did not believe that the groundwork had been proposed as to how we would move people in and out of the community for services.
After further discussion, Mr. Rogalin suggested that when Mr. Rose meets with the hospital on Thursday he ask them to put the closing on hold or we will send a letter to the Planning Board. Mr. Rose said that the purpose of his meeting on is to find ways to deal with that population without shipping them out of county. If we threaten the hospital, we will lose our leadership role in this. State Representative Pritchard called Mr. Rose and said it was his hope, based on what he had heard, that our Board would sit down with the hospital and come up with other options. Dr. Kirts said that the hospital couldn’t do away with in-patient treatment, which means that they will have to send people out of county. So we can explore other options, but there are still going to have to be in-patient care out of county, but at least they could have a process in place where people go to the same place when they need care. The hospital told Dr. Kirts that they are going to try to increase outpatient care. Ms. Luxton said that if we get the politicians involved, then the power brokers would be making decisions for the rest of us.
When Mr. Rose meets with the hospital on Thursday, he will convey the feelings of the Board.
12. NEW BUSINESS
Slate of Officers: This was discussed in the Executive Committee report.
Vote on funding the Association of Individual Development program: < This was discussed earlier.
Mr. Fraley moved to fund the Association of Individual Development program on teens and alcohol at the cost of $435; seconded by Mr. Rogalin. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Ms. Dubin, yes; Mr. Fraley, yes; Dr. Kirts, yes; Mr. Krogman, yes; Ms. Luxton, yes; Mr. Rogalin, yes; Ms. Schoenfeld, yes; Mr. Rose, no.
13. NEXT BOARD MEETING: 5/18/09
14. CLOSED SESSION
There was no need for a closed session.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m. by consensus.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________________ _________________________________
Charles G. Rose, President Kathy Ostdick, Recording Secretary |
