Mr. Lane announced that the County Board will hold their reception for county administrators at the Farm Bureau on Tuesday, December 3, 2002.

Mr. Lane reminded Board members that the monthly meeting of the Consumer Advocacy Council of DeKalb County will be held at Ben Gordon Center on Wednesday, November 27, at 3:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Mike Flora, followed by two performances by the Stars of Light, a drama troupe from Rockford.

Mr. Lane said the County’s annual garage sale will be held this Friday, November 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Box lots will be sold for $10 apiece. The sale resumes Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until noon. After twelve o’clock, everything will be free. Items that do not sell will be recycled.

Open Door is celebrating its 40^th year, planning a recognition for XXXXXXX. OD has a Gift Shop ??What about it?

Mrs. Zitka said the newsletter she just received from OD contained a wish list, as does Opportunity House’s newsletter. A nice reminder to donate to both organizations.

Mr. Lane referred to a new pediatric study that confirms that hunger affects behavior, doubling the anxiety level of children and increasing the incidence of chronic illness, but does not affect the ability to learn! (Include citation)

Another study indicates that fetal cocaine exposure does not invariably result in behavioral or cognitive problems for the effected children (cite).

President Bush’s "New Freedom" report states that the Mental Health system in the United States is "in a shambles" and is totally dysfunctional. Ninety percent of adults with serious mental illness are unemployed. Mr. Lane will prepare a summary of findings for our next meeting.

Mr. Lane announced the findings of several new studies. In the course of treatment for Parkinson’s Disease, it was discovered that electric stimulus in the sub-thalamic nucleus relieves symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

It has been documented that behavioral problems are common in children who live in a family where one of the siblings has a chronic illness, either mental or physical.

Mr. Lane drew attention to an article on Bi-Polar Disorder. Among children, diagnosis may be difficult, sSince children’s manic phase behavior often manifests itself as aggression and violence, unlike the "highs" of adults. There also may be little agreement among psychiatrists who are attempting to diagnose.

Mr. Lane told Board members that the new CEO of Ben Gordon Center, Michael Flora, is interested in working toward establishment of a local NAMI chapter. At one time, DeKalb County had an active membership in this organization, which provides emotional and social support for persons with mental illness, care of their families and advocacy. Persons who are interested may contact either the DCCMHB or Ben Gordon Center.