DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD February 26, 2001

Board Members Present: Mary Petruchius, Denny Sands, Regina Parker, Opal Zitka, Norm Gilbert, Bob Krogman and Sue Franz

Board Members Absent: Maureen Russell

Other Persons Present: Jerry Lane, Sue Halbrader

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Vice President, Regina Parker

There were no changes or amendments to the agenda.

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

Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the January minutes as corrected. Seconded by Mrs. Zitka. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Mrs. Zitka circulated a news article announcing Open Door’s new logo. She also called the Board’s attention to an article in "Prevention" magazine entitled " Beat Depression" which discusses the effectiveness of cognitive therapy.

Mr. Gilbert said he had received an e-mail from Patty McAdams confirming that our Board has been approved to use Channel 22 in DeKalb for public service announcements.

Mr. Lane reviewed the items in the Board packets.

< Mr. Lane announced that our lease has been renewed with a 4% increase by the school district.

< Mr. Lane met with the Family Service Agency to see the new computer system funded by the Mental Health Board. He distributed a photo of Chris Gough seated at the keyboard, thumbs up and smiling.

< Mr. Lane cited a study that showed there is no connection between autism and vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella.

< Mr. Lane cited statistics that say 52% of Americans have Internet access to date. The number is expected to increase by 2% per month. Mental Health systems are said to lag behind in the use of Internet resources.

< Mr. Lane read statistics from the Coroner’s report stating that DeKalb County had four suicides in 2000, the lowest number since 1989, and the murder rate had increased to four last year. The report includes a multi-year table for those who are interested.

< Mr. Lane said that Early Intervention services are once again being de-funded by the state, and DCSEA will return this year with a grant proposal, seeking the Board’s help in supporting Early Intervention.

< Mr. Lane announced that the State Association’s Spring Conference is coming up in March. He asked Board members interested in attending to notify the office before next Wednesday to allow us to make reservations and pay the claim this month.

< Mr. Lane met with Ben Gordon Center administrators to discuss a number of matters, among which were:

C Asking about the ways in which BGC deal with medical mimics? They refer the client to a doctor for a physical exam.

C Health care for the poor is very bad. Most doctors do not accept medicaid, and of those who do, or of those willing to work pro bono, they may not always the best doctors.

C BGC is continuing to search for a child psychiatrist, as Swedish American Hospital in Rockford cannot share the time of their child psychiatrists. This is not just a local problem, but is being experienced nation-wide. Mr. Lane reassured them that $30,000 is still available as a bargaining chip.

C Ben Gordon Center and Hope Haven have a running dispute over the fact that BGC bills their indigent clients full fee for missed appointments. While this policy may or may not be a requirement established by some of the Center’s funders, it is seen to cause a problem among clients. DCFS has also complained of BGC’s billing practices and its effects on their clients. These concerns may be brought up during the grant hearings.

C BGC has surplus funds that may come from currently unfilled professional positions. They are involved with some major capital expenditures at this time, including the addition on Reality House, repaving the parking lot and other major maintenance items. There is no guarantee that the state will fund any portion of a substance abuse program.

C The cost of regulation and accreditation is running at $30 to 40,000 each year to meet the requirements of the state and the accrediting agency.

C BGC may request funding for their sex offender treatment program. Currently five people are enrolled. Ideally, they want offenders to pay, but most are indigent and cannot afford treatment. It was suggested the Board think about our establishing a fund of about $10,000 to be seed money for the program and a revolving fund to keep it going.

< Mr. Lane said he met with the staff at DCFS who announced a reorganization, back to the way field offices did business in the late ‘70's and early ‘80's.

FINANCE REPORTS

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

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

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

Mr. Lane reported to the Board about office technology:

C Staff met with Syforce, the website designer, and paid half up front. The project is moving along.

C The new copier printer is installed and working.

C The old machines may be either sold to a county office or donated to an agency.

Mr. Gilbert moved to authorize sale or donation of the used machines. Second by Mrs. Petruchius. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously

Mr. Gilbert discussed the use of laptops in the state legislature with Wirsing, who said there were both positive and negative aspects to their use. As all but one board member has Internet access through a home computer, we probably do not need to purchase laptops, but the subject needs further discussion.

Mr. Lane updated the Board in regard to housing and continuum of care concerns. The Canterbury developers have plenty of ideas and funding sources who will not tie our hands like HUD does. It avoids state funding also. They are developing a proprietary program to develop a CD-rom directory of social services which we may be able to get involved. The County needs one source of information regarding entry into the social service system. The information ought to be regularly updated and placed in libraries or online.

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 next 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 9:30 p.m. Motion seconded by Mrs. Zitka. Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

___________________
Opal Zitka
Secretary/Treasurer

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