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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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Board Members Present: Maureen Russell, Mary Petruchius, Norm Gilbert, Patricia Terry, Denny Sands, Bob Krogman, and Opal Zitka Board Members Absent: Regina Parker Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader Guest: Jerry Souter, BGC Jail-Based Services The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Maureen Russell.
AGENDA Motion to approve the agenda was made by a voice vote.
INTRODUCTIONS None
MINUTES Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the April minutes, seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Lane called attention to a jail in Maine that has installed automatic teller machines to make it convenient for inmates to make bail. Mr. Lane said that Mrs. Parker has put him in touch with Angela Barrons, a graduate student at NIU, to call a meeting with African American leaders to discuss their concerns with people being able to access the mental health system. Mr. Lane pointed out an editorial in the Chicago Tribune that chastised Governor Blagojavich in regard to re-opening Lincoln Development Center. Since Lincoln has been noted for its systematic abuses of the developmentally disabled, we can only hope that legislators will have a moment of sanity and block shifting this portion of the state’s resources to Lincoln. Mr. Lane said the latest scuttlebutt from Springfield indicates the House Appropriations Committee plans to restore cuts made to community services. Stay tuned. Mr. Lane said the brown bag luncheon talks sponsored by Ben Gordon Center for Mental Health Month have been quite successful. FINANCE REPORTS Mrs. Zitka moved to approve the April office claims as submitted; second by Mr. Sands. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved to approve the April agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mr. Sands. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. COMMUNITY INPUT Mr. Jerry Souter, Director of Jail-Based Services, reported to the Board that compared with last year, the program is doing better. The emphasis was formerly on anger management, using the "Cage of Rage" program. He is presently using material from a Buddhist author emphasizing the need for self-awareness and self control. He is teaching them skills both social and internal, including self-knowledge and understanding one’s own emotions. Dual diagnosis issues continue to be an enduring aspect of delivering jail based services. The efficacy of the drug and mental health courts would be improved with follow through, which is very difficult to provide after individuals are released from the jail, as it is not court ordered. As long as continued treatment or counseling is not mandated by the court, the effect of the services is limited. Mr. Souter informs people of all relevant services available in the county, then it is up to them to take the next best step in managing their own problems and treatment.
COMMITTEE REPORTS None
OLD BUSINESS Mr. Krogman moved to insert the phrase "by consensus" and the word "comprehensive" into the Constitution and by-laws, seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. Mrs. Petruchius moved to change the mandate to review the Constitution and by-laws every two years to every three years, seconded by Mrs. Zitka.
NEW BUSINESS Mr. Lane presented a draft of a Request For Proposal for Family Support Services. DeKalb County. Family members who are caring for a person with mental illness bear much responsibility that can lead to depression, burn-out and illness, and strain family relationships. Supporting the family is beneficial to everyone, not only to the identified consumer. The draft calls for four broad categories of service to be addressed: support, networking, education and advocacy. The Board agreed to send the RFP to agencies that deal with persons with mental illness, as well as to put it out in the form of a press release. Further discussion next month, dependent on public response. Mr. Sands moved to increase the cap on Psychiatric Purchase of Care to $5,000; seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved to approve an across-the-board increase of 4.5% for all funded agencies; second by Mrs. Terry. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Petruchius moved approval of restoration of $30,000 held in escrow for child psychiatric services at Ben gordon Center; seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Petruchius moved approval for funding for Senior Counseling; seconded by Mrs. Zitka. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved approval for funding for DD Respite Care; seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved approval to expand CACDC’s Special Needs Fund; second by Mrs. Petruchius. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Sands moved approval of the Safe Passage request; seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved approval of the new program from VAC and Meals on Wheels; seconded by Mr. Sands. On a roll call vote the motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Sands moved to table the Special Request proposal from Shelters for Healthy Environments; seconded by Mrs. Zitka.
. Opal Zitka |
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