DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
DEKALB COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD


January 26, 2004
Board Members Present: Maureen Russell, Norm Gilbert, Doug Fraley, Bob Krogman, , Mary Petruchius and Opal Zitka

Board Members Absent: Regina Parker

Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader,
Denny Sands, Chairman of the DeKalb County Board, guest Jack Bennett, interested citizen, Dan Patterson, reporter from the Northern Star, NIU’s newspaper

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 Ms. Fullerton, seconded by Mr. Gilbert.

INTRODUCTIONS

None

MINUTES

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the December 15 minutes, seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Mr. Lane noted that NAMI has scheduled its first Family-to-Family 12-week class in DeKalb, beginning Sunday, February 8, at the American National bank lower level conference room from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. The bank is located at the corner of Bethany Road and Rte. 23. Family-to-Family helps family members of persons with mental illness deal with the problems and offers support. NAMI will also offer a Train-the-Trainer course for persons interested in teaching the Visions for Tomorrow Program in the Chicago area. Visions is for parents of children and adolescents who have a mental illness. All NAMI programs are run by trained volunteers. If you are interested, contact DeKalb, Kane and Kendall County NAMI in Aurora at 630-896-6264.
    • Mr. Lane assembled information regarding the volume and nature of violence directed toward persons with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. The report was sent to all agency heads, police departments, consumer organizations and other interested groups. Mr. Lane asked if the numbers seemed correct (they were astonishingly high), requested information from the population involved to verify the experiences and what citizens of DeKalb County could do to correct this situation as it exists locally. Staff is taking it to DCP/Safe’s Violence Prevention Task Force and to the executive directors of the Board’s funded agencies for further action.

    • Mrs. Zitka distributed copies of a book for children with mood disorders titled, The Storm in my Brain, published by DBSA, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The book is a compilation of work contributed by children with mood disorders. Up to six copies may be obtained by calling the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation in Wilmette, IL, at 877-927-5437 or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance in Chicago, at 800-826-3632.
    • Mrs. Zitka also recommended Judy Collins’ autobiography, Singing Lessons, which deals with the depression and suicide of her son, Clark, as well as her own depression.

    FINANCE REPORTS

    Mr. Gilbert moved approval of the January agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mrs.Zitka. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

    Mr. Gilbert moved acceptance of the January office claims as submitted; seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

    COMMUNITY INPUT

    None

    COMMITTEE REPORTS

    Mr. Lane reported on the QYC drop-in center for gay kids on the street. QYC is looking for high school age people for their advisory council, a group serving youth with sexual identity issues. Approximately 20% - 60% of homeless youth have gender identity problems. Nearly 92% of homeless people in Chicago are turned away from shelters due to lack of space. The law does not permit Hope Haven to take in underage children, so the drop-in center serves as a place where kids can do their laundry, get warm, get something to eat, meet people who may be able to hook them up with needed social services.

    OLD BUSINESS

    Medicaid matching funds seem to be the only new source of dollars available for mental health - in decades. Community mental health boards are considering ways of using the program. With the expectation that the state will remain in financial trouble for at least the next two years, we are looking at a long-range program. Mr. Lane reported that the Illinois Department of Public Aid and local Mental Health Boards have a matching fund agreement. ACMHAI is putting together technical assistance for those of us who are not familiar with the system and the requirements to access matching funds. It looks as though we will take three steps over what may possibly be two years, to match funds. First, there is the need to work with medicaid certified agencies/programs by shifting eligible programs from a grant system to a purchase of care basis. Second, it may be necessary/possible for the Board staff to act as agents of certified agencies by overseeing service statistics and verifying eligibility. Third, the Board itself may become Medicaid certified and treat medicaid eligible programs as our service sites.

    The Spring Conference, which is usually oriented toward Board members, is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 27 and 28. We have no specific information on the location or the theme of the conference so far. Flyers will be forwarded to Board members as soon as they are available.

    The DCCMHB is pleased to welcome our newest member, Doug Fraley from Sandwich, who brings our number to eight. We are looking for one more member to complete the Board, someone from the north of the county. The Board asked Mr. Lane to review previous applications to invite someone from the Genoa-Kingston-Kirkland area to serve.

    The County Jail Referendum, which has already been approved by the County Board pending voter approval, will be voted on in DeKalb County on March 16. Denny Sands, presently Chairman of the County Board explained the way in which jail expansion will be financed and programs included. He distributed brochures and information sheets that show the annual costs as well as the annual savings. Mr. Sands said this is a unique opportunity to allocate a substantial amount of money for persons with mental illnesses and/or substance abuse problems who become involved with the judicial system, to keep them out of jail and get them into treatment. The vote, designated the Public Safety ½ Cent Sales Tax, is not a property tax but will be added to sales taxes, excluding food, medicine, automobiles and farm machinery. The cost to the average citizen is estimated to be $3 per month or $36 per year. Alternative programs will help reduce the number of persons incarcerated by providing

  • mental health and substance abuse jail diversion programs
  • electronic home monitoring for pre-sentenced people
  • graduated sentences
  • pre-trial release program
  • weekend bond court
  • court date reminder system
  • work release expanded
  • drug court
    •

     

    Mr. Gilbert moved to formally endorse the Referendum; seconded by Mrs. Zitka. On a voice vote there were six ayes and one no.

    NEW BUSINESS

    The Grant Hearing Schedule for this spring is approved for April 19, 21, 26 and 28 by consensus of all Board members.

    Ms. Fullerton moved to table consideration of The Capital request for Opportunity House until after the Grant Hearings; second by Mrs. Zitka. All in favor.

    At this time, the 2004 County Legislative Agenda is not entirely set. House Bill 3997 amends the criminal code as regards mental disability as an aggravating circumstance in the commission of a crime. Board members will be kept informed about bills that involve mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability issues. We will watch the State and Federal legislative agendas as well as the local one.

    Mr. Gilbert moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Russell. All in favor.

    The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

    .

    ________________________________
    Opal Zitka
    Secretary/Treasurer

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