Board Members Present:  Doug Fraley, Julia Fullerton, Norm Gilbert, Robert Krogman, Jeannette Vaupel.

Board Members Absent:  Regina Parker.

Other Persons Present:  Community Members – Richard Salazar, John Froom. 

                                       Office Staff – Elizabeth Carney. 

      I.  The DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order by the Board     

           President, Doug Fraley, at 7:03 p.m.

    II.  AGENDA

            Mr. Fraley moved that the agenda be amended by moving “Community Input” to the beginning

            of the meeting to facilitate a presentation by two community members; seconded  by Ms. Fullerton. 

            On a voice vote, the motion passed. 

Ms. Vaupel moved to approve the agenda as amended; seconded by Mr. Krogman.  The motion

passed.

  III.  INTRODUCTIONS

            Mr. Richard Salazar and Mr. John Froom were introduced to the Board members. 

  IV.  COMMUNITY INPUT

Mr. Salazar and Mr. Froom gave a presentation on the Peer-to-Peer support group that they have

have been co-facilitating.  They distributed copies of the group’s syllabus to the Board members

and discussed the “strengths perspective” of the book that is being used by the group, “Pathways

to Recovery: A Strengths Recovery Self-Help Workbook,” published by the University of Kansas

School of Social Welfare.  They expressed their appreciation for the Board having purchased the

books for the group’s use as the members did not have the personal funds to do this. 

They reported that 6 to 10 participants have attended each meeting, the group is a closed group, and

they are about halfway though the workbook.  The local National Alliance for the Mentally

Ill support group facilitator has assisted this group by sharing materials on issues such as

confidentiality within support groups.  Mr. Salazar reported that feedback from the participants has

been very positive.  The group has discussed the possibility of continuing to meet after the workbook

is completed or perhaps offering the group in the southern part of the county.  Mr. Salazar and Mr.

Froom asked if there was the possibility of Board funding for projects involving peer support.  The Board members affirmed their interest in reviewing requests for funding and it was decided that the Executive Director would provide technical assistance in the application process.             

    V.  MINUTES

After several members noted corrections, Mr. Gilbert moved that the minutes of the June 2005

Board meeting be approved as corrected; seconded by Ms. Vaupel.  The motion  passed. 

   VI.  CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Carney reported that Eileen Dubin, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee

of the County Board has expressed concern about the overall funding picture for mental health and

social services.   To possibly assist agencies with this she compiled information on potential grant

resources which will be distributed by the Board office to the agencies.  Ms. Carney expressed

appreciation to Ms. Dubin for her efforts.

Ms. Carney reported that she has contacted the local suicide prevention group and will be attending

their meetings to represent the Board.  The group’s goals include assessing what prevention services

are in place in the community and then establishing plans to fill any gaps in services.  The agencies

and groups involved in this endeavor to date are the Suicide Prevention Services of Batavia, Family Service Agency, Sycamore School District, One Body in Christ, and Streamwood Behavioral Center

of Elgin.  

            Ms. Carney reported that the contract with the Board’s attorney was revised according to the Board’s

            instructions and was reviewed by Ms. Fullerton prior to the Board president, Mr. Krogman, signing

            it.  It was mailed to the law firm; we have not received a statement from them. 

            Ms. Carney reported that Heidi Muntjanoff, the new Administrative Assistant, would be starting

            her position August 18. 

 VII.  FINANCE REPORTS

            Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the June 2005 agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mr.
            Krogman.          

            On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

            Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the June 2005 office claims as submitted; seconded by Ms. Vaupel.      

            On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. 

            Ms. Carney reported that we are awaiting information from the Ben Gordon Center and the Family

            Services agency regarding service indicators prior to disbursing funds allocated from the Special

            Projects fund. 

            Ms. Carney noted that the Board’s membership in the DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall National Association

for the Mentally Ill has expired.  The Board requested that the membership continue at the corporate

level and Mr. Gilbert moved that the Board continue the annual  membership at the corporate level of $75 per year; seconded by Mr. Krogman.  On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.    

            Ms. Carney reported that the Family Service Agency notified the Board office that they have

            discontinued the Developmental Disability Respite program as the cost of upgrading staff’s credentials

to meet DCFS requirements was prohibitive.  Sue Plote from FSA has requested that the Board

consider granting the DD Respite funds that were allocated for this grant year be given to the

Children’s Advocacy Center.  The Board will take this under advisement. 

VIII.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

            There were no committee reports.

            The Board reviewed its committee structure and discussed the possibility of having only one standing

committee, the Nominations and Personnel Committee.  Mr. Gilbert suggested that ad hoc committees

be created as needed to address specific issues.  After discussion, Ms. Fullerton moved to table

further discussion until the new Board members are present; seconded by Mr. Gilbert.  The motion

            passed. 

            As the current committee structure will continue until a decision is made about this, Ms. Vaupel

            requested to be taken off the Special Projects committee due to the number of committees on

            which she serves.  The President, Mr. Fraley, agreed to this request.

   IX.   OLD BUSINESS

            Recruitment of new board members was discussed.  Mr. Krogman, Ms. Fullerton, and Mr.

            Fraley met with three prospective members.  Mr. Fraley reported that the committee recommends

            appointment of all three.  By unanimous agreement the Board directed the Executive Director to

            communicate the recommendation to the County Board Chairman for the members’ appointment.

            Mr. Fraley requested that the Executive Director prepare an orientation for the new Board members

            that can also be attended by any current member, too.   He also suggested that the new members

            be welcomed with a dinner served prior to their first meeting.  The Board agreed. 

   X.  NEW BUSINESS

After discussion, the Board decided to not meet in August as there are anticipated to be only a few agenda items, all of which can be addressed in a timely manner at the September meeting.   Mr.

Gilbert moved to cancel the August meeting; seconded by Mr. Fraley.  The motion passed.

The Board discussed the need to review its By-Laws.  Mr. Fraley and Mr. Krogman volunteered to

review them and make recommendations to the Board at a future meeting.

As the July meeting is the annual meeting of the Board, the regular meeting date was reviewed. 

After discussion, Ms. Fullerton moved to continue Board meetings on the third Monday evening

of the month; seconded by Ms. Vaupel.  The motion passed. 

Ms. Carney presented two possible budgets for Fiscal Year 2006 with a recommendation for adopting

the budget with an increase of 6.5%.  After extensive discussion, Mr. Krogman moved that the

Board adopt the Fiscal Year 2006 budget with an increase of 6.5% as presented; seconded by

Mr. Gilbert.  On a voice vote the motion passed. 

  XI.  ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Krogman moved to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.     

_____________________________________________

Regina Parker, Secretary/Treasurer

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