Board Members Present:  Doug Fraley, Julia Fullerton, Norm Gilbert, Bob Krogman, Regina Parker, Jeannette Vaupel.

Board Members Absent:  none.

Other Persons Present: Office Staff – Elizabeth Carney, Heidi Muntjanoff.

I.  CALL TO ORDER

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

             President, Doug Fraley, at 7:09 p.m.

   II.  AGENDA

Mr. Gilbert  moved that the agenda be approved as presented; seconded by Mr. Fraley.  The motion passed.            

  III.  INTRODUCTIONS

            Ms. Carney introduced the Board’s new administrative assistant, Heidi Muntjanoff and the Board

            members introduced themselves to her.

  IV.  MINUTES

After members noted corrections, Mr. Krogman moved that the minutes of the July 2005 Board meeting be approved as corrected; seconded by Ms. Fullerton. The motion passed. 

  V.   COMMUNITY INPUT

            There was no community input.

 VI.  CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Carney handed out information about the upcoming DCP Safe rally on the theme of “Understanding Cultural Diversity.”  She noted that office staff would probably attend.

Ms. Carney handed out information about the fall NAMI state conference.  She stated that the NAMI state conference is substantially the same as the national conference and recommended that the Board

consider sending the Consumer group members to the state conference rather than the national one as it would be a significant cost savings. 

Ms. Carney reported on an article in The Equalizer pertaining to 9 Illinois developmentally disabled residents filing a class action lawsuit to have state housing money released for community rather than institutional placement.  The Board discussed the history and current status of state funding for DD living situations.

 VII.  FINANCE REPORTS

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the August 2005 agency claims as corrected; seconded by Ms. Vaupel.            

            On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

             Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the August 2005 office claims as corrected; seconded by Ms. Fullerton.        

            On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. 

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the September 2005 agency claims as corrected; seconded by Ms. Parker. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the September 2005 office claims as corrected; seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Carney discussed the progress of obtaining an evaluation and estimate on the Ben Gordon Center roof.  She noted that the roofing company in Rockford has not responded to our request.  Mr. Krogman suggested seeking out a different company so we can get moving on this.  Ms. Carney requested the Board’s approval to hire a roofing consultant and to pay up to $700 for the evaluation and estimate. Ms. Fullerton moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. The expense is to be taken from the Capital expense line item.

VIII.  DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Ms. Carney reviewed the annual report that she presented to the County Board’s Health and Human Services Committee.  She stated that she emphasized the Board’s responsible stewardship of funds as evidenced by 80 percent of revenue being allocated to agency grants and 9 percent to agency capital expenses.  She also educated the Committee members about the importance of treating high risk mental health needs to avoid the development of additional mental disorders.  The Board agreed with this assessment. 

Ms. Carney also handed out the annual levy request that was sent to the County Board in July.  The County Administrator and Deputy Administrator have now presented their recommendations to the County Board Finance Committee, and as the amount of the projected Equalized Assessed Valuation will be greater than anticipated earlier this summer, there may be an additional $31,000 of revenue for the Mental Health Board in Fiscal Year 2006.  The County Administration requests that the CMHB consider allocating the additional funds to a proposed drug court.   Also, the County plans to build a Home Care building near the current Health Services Facility and the CMHB would have the option of purchasing office space in the building.  The Board discussed these options and decided to table the discussion until further information is available. 

Mr. Krogman inquired about the funding of the social phobia group from Special Projects and this was discussed.  Ms. Carney reported that the Ben Gordon Center submitted a bill for a water main break to the Board.   After some discussion, the Board decided to pay the bill.  Mr. Gilbert moved to approve payment of the bill; Ms. Fullerton seconded. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Fullerton requested that the staff compile a list of allocations for Ben Gordon Center repairs for the last ten years for the Board’s review.    

Ms. Carney reported on a recent meeting of representatives from providers, local governments, and businesses in the community to plan a coordinated response to Hurricane Katrina evacuees who have come to the county.  A case management model was developed.  Information about available services has been posted on the Daily Chronicle’s website. 

Ms. Carney reported that she and Ms. Muntjanoff attended an Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois dinner this week.  The dinner was scheduled to provide an orientation session for new members.   Ms. Carney then attended the quarterly association meeting the next day and she reported that the association is the only trade group that is represented on the state-level Transformation Working Group, a consortium of state departments that is developing a grant proposal for federal funding for transforming state services according to the guidelines in the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Report.

Ms. Carney reported that the County Disaster Mental Health Services Plan has been updated and submitted to the state.  She will be meeting soon with the County Disaster Coordinator, Dennis Miller, to discuss ways to insure that adequate mental health personnel are available to provide services in a disaster. 

Ms. Carney reported that she had attended the quarterly Bio-Terrorism Meeting at the DeKalb County Health Department and that the Health Department administrator and staff have developed a plan for responding to these events. 

Ms. Carney discussed the Community Crisis Response Team. She states that they are looking for new members to join the team and that they are hoping that the current Hurricane Katrina crisis will create a heightened awareness of the importance of disaster preparedness in the community and encourage people to get trained for the Team.  She also noted that this team may be requesting funds from the Board for items such as walkie-talkies or satellite phones in the near future. 

Ms. Carney reported that the question of having a referendum to create a 377 (Developmental

Disabilities) Board had been raised by a member of the Health and Human Services Committee who is interested in identifying additional funding for needed mental health services.   Ms. Carney stated that having a 377 board would not abrogate the statutory responsibility of the 708 Board to fund DD services and thus would not automatically free up funds for mental health services.

Ms. Carney also reported attending a meeting of major funding entities in the community to discuss ways in which they can collaborate and improve their processes.  They will continue to meet.

Ms. Carney discussed the need for an updated community needs assessment.  The most recent comprehensive assessment was done in approximately in 1988.   She has met with staff from the DeKalb County Community Foundation, the City of DeKalb, DeKalb County Community Services, and the Kishwaukee United Way to discuss this.  Mr. Fraley discussed the importance of a good, objective assessment by someone outside of the community with no ties to local agencies.  Mr. Krogman noted the importance of the assessment being broad in scope.

Ms. Carney reported that she recently met with Mr. Flora, CEO, of the Gordon Center to discuss the lease, the Medicaid Match program, and the impact on the agency of the Department of Human Services’ conversion to fee-for-service funding.   

Ms. Carney reported that the Assistant Director of the McHenry County 708 Board will be coming in October to provide technical assistance to help the Board prepare to participate in the Medicaid Match program.  It was noted that the Board has not yet made the decision to do this, but that enrollment requirements can be completed now so that meeting those requirements will not delay participation if the Board chooses to do so. 

IX.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

            There were no committee reports.

   X.  OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Carney discussed the Peer-to-Peer Recovery group.  She reported meeting with them twice per the Board’s request. The group will be finishing up this week. Ms. Carney suggested that the group utilize their workbook a second time with the group as it is such a rich resource and not all group members were able to attend each group session.

Mr. Fraley stated that he and Mr. Krogman will meet to discuss Board’s By-laws and will present a report at the next meeting.

Ms. Carney reported that the County Board did appoint the new members that the CMHB

recommended and that they will be invited to the next Board meeting.   Mr. Fraley suggested that Board members gather for a dinner at 6:00 p.m. prior to the next Board meeting so that all members can become acquainted.   The meeting will follow at its usual time, 7:00 p.m.

Ms. Carney reported on the progress of the purchase of a laptop.  The cost will be higher than

anticipated as it will be important to purchase equipment that is compatible with the county network so that the Information Management Office can provide technical support. 

   XI.  NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Fraley discussed the importance of serving area veterans with mental health needs and his concern about limited federal funding in this arena. He proposed evaluating the possibility of funding local case management services, perhaps through an existing agency.  Ms. Carney noted that a county Veterans’ Commission will be starting soon and that it will be funded by property tax dollars. 

She will investigate what services will be offered and report back to the Board.  Ms. Fullerton noted that it would be important to include veterans’ issues in the proposed community needs assessment.

  XII.  ADJOURNMENT

             Mr. Gilbert moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Fullerton.  The motion passed and the

            meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

_____________________________________________

Regina Parker, Secretary/Treasurer

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