DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD January 27, 2001

Board Members Present: Mary Petruchius, Denny Sands, Maureen Russell, Opal Zitka,, Norm Gilbert, Bob KrogmanBoard 

Members Absent: Regina Parker and Sue Franz

Other Persons Present: Jerry Lane, Sue Halbrader

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President, Mary Petruchius

There were no changes or amendments to the agenda.

Denny Sands, the County Board member who has taken the place of Veronica Casella, introduced himself. Board members and staff introduced themselves.

Mrs. Russell moved to approve the November minutes. Seconded by Mrs. Zitka. The motion carried unanimously.

 

< Mr. Lane reviewed the items in the Board packets.

< Mr. Lane quickly outlined the calendar for 2001, explaining that changes can be made as needed.

< Mr. Lane distributed the notice announcing the State Association’s Spring Conference and the regularly scheduled meetings, to which all Board members are invited and welcome.

< Mr. Lane gave Board members a copy of the County Board’s membership by committee and a list of local banks approved to do business with county entities.

< Mr. Lane distributed a copy of our State Association membership, a list of the dues paid by member Boards, and the FY2001 budget.

< Mr. Lane read the response from State Representatives Pat Lindner and Dave Syverson regarding the gas tax and the 2002 state budget. He explained that no press release was necessary in response to the proposed tax policy, as in the weeks’ interim the state decided to drop the policy.

< Mr. Lane circulated a brochure from "Illinois Kids Count" which published statistics stating that 39% of families in Illinois cannot find affordable housing, that Illinois ranks #40 in spending for DD services and #30 on mental health spending. The funding for services is out of line with the state per capita income.

< Mr. Lane announced that Virgil Township passed a 708 referendum in their most recent election.

< Mr. Lane distributed a list of changes in the state legislature.

< Mr. Lane announced that a joint advisory council on the mental health service system is to give the Department of Human Services feedback on the needs of the system. Dates of the public hearings and the minutes were made available to Board members.

FINANCE REPORTS

Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of the December agency claims as submitted, seconded by Mrs. Russell. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of the December office claims as submitted, seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of the January agency claims as submitted, seconded by Mrs. Russell. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of the January office claims as submitted, seconded by Mrs. Russell. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lane called attention to the expenditure of $5,000, the annual charge back to the finance office.

Mrs. Zitka noted that "Providence", a soap opera, is giving mental illness some exposure by making one of the star characters suffer from depression.

Mrs. Russell said that an article in the Chicago Tribune that discussed a lack of services for youth in the state included statistics on their needs, possibly as a result of the Surgeon General’s Report.

Mrs. Petruchius announced that Mrs. Frue and Mrs. Larson of Canterbury House are in the process of trying to acquire a farm to assist Opportunity House with projects in training and placement for their clients. This project is in the talking stage.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

The web page inquiries resulted in two responses, one of which, perhaps because the company is geared to the corporate market, was three to four times more than the amount allotted by the Board in November. Syforce made web pages for Safe Passage and Ben Gordon Center.

Discussion regarding the accessibility of government sites, including navigability by persons with sight impairment, links, and making it easy to find on the Internet. Mr. Sands remarked that the website for Shabbona State Park brought 30,000 more people to the park since they began using the web. It is estimated that to date 51% of American homes have Internet connection.

Mr. Gilbert moved to use Syforce to make the web pages, seconded by Mrs. Zitka. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously

Mr. Lane reviewed briefly the bids of four vendors of office equipment. After researching "Better Buys for Business" he found Canon rated best of class. Three quotes on Canon networkable copiers resulted in the Gordon Flesch Company having a moderately high price, but a flat maintenance rate that will be locked in for four years and an excellent history, giving us the best cost benefit over time.

Mrs. Russell moved to purchase the Canon iR330 from Gordon Flesch, seconded by Mrs. Zitka. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lane updated the Board in regard to his previously scheduled lunch meeting with Terry Tuntland from Waterman. The day they were to meet, Mr. Tuntland had problems with his cattle and he said he would call the following week to reschedule. To date Mr. Lane has not heard from this potential Board member, but will call again next week.

Mrs. Petruchius reminded the Board that Mr. Robert Carlson of rural DeKalb has stated his interest and willingness to serve on the Board.

Two special project proposals were presented for the board’s consideration.

Ben Gordon Center is asking for $2,500 plus expenses to host a Time Management training for management from BGC and other agencies. After some discussion the Board members decided not to approve.

Family Service Agency will request an Individual Care Grant at the February meeting. At this time, Mr. Lane has approved a psychiatric evaluation outside DeKalb County for the person in question. After briefly outlining the challenges and problems of providing services to the individual, Mr. Lane stated that this kind of grant would have to be carefully crafted if it were to become a model for other individual assistance. The need for case management vs. therapy and the differences between psychiatric or psychological work and social work was discussed. Mr. Lane said he would have Individual Care Grant guidelines ready for presentation at the February meeting.

Mr Gilbert moved to adjourn at 10:30 a.m. Motion seconded by Mrs. Zitka. Motion passed unanimously.

 

_________________________________
Opal Zitka
Secretary/Treasurer

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