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Board Members Present: Patricia Terry, Opal Zitka, Maureen
Russell , Sue Franz, and Bob Krogman
Board Members Absent: Norm Gilbert, Mary Petruchius, Regina
Parker and Denny Sands
Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader
The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to
order at 7:35 p.m. by President Maureen Russell
AGENDA
The agenda was approved with the deletion of Item "A"
under New Business, discussion to review CMHB policies.
INTRODUCTIONS
None.
MINUTES
Mrs. Zitka moved to approve the October 23, 2002, minutes
seconded by Mrs. Terry. On a voice vote, the motion
carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 40th 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.
FINANCE REPORTS
Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of the October office claims as
submitted; seconded by Mrs. Terry. On a roll call vote the
motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved acceptance of
the October agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mrs.
Franz. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.
The Annual Report was distributed to Board members. Mr. Lane
reported that as of the end of October, we are in the black,
but we have only about half of the interest we have budgeted
for. There may be more, but due to the stagnant economy, it
is down. With one month to go, our expenditures are at 94%
of budget.
COMMUNITY INPUT
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
OLD BUSINESS
The discussion of the Mental Health Protocol for DeKalb
County was tabled until the next meeting, at which Mr. Sands
will be present. Mrs. Terry moved to cancel the December
Board meeting; seconded by Mrs. Frantz. On a voice vote the
motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Russell moved to
reschedule the January meeting for the 13th. Discussion
followed, during which it was decided to poll the absent
Board members to determine their preference. A variety of
agenda items for the Spring Retreat were suggested. Mrs. Pat
Evers-Alvarez, President of the Association of Community
Mental Health Association of Illinois, has expressed her
interest in attending a meeting of each member Board. As a
new child psychiatrist will be joining the staff of the Ben
Gordon Center next year, it might be good to invite her to
the retreat. Inviting Dr. Kurtz to speak was suggested,
and/or Dr. Bishop, a psychologist in private practice in
Sycamore. An alternative to a guest speaker (or in addition)
the Board could visit one of the funded agencies as they did
last year in February when the Retreat was held in Sandwich
at Open Door. More discussion is needed before a final
decision is made.
Mr. Krogman moved to table the discussion; seconded by
Mrs. Zitka. On a voice vote the motion was unanimously
approved.
If you would like to suggest a particular program, the
deadline to call the Board office is next Monday,
November 25, 2002.
NEW BUSINESS Review of the CMHB policies will be tabled
until the next meeting.
Mr. Krogman moved to adjourn; second by Mrs. Terry.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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Opal Zitka
Secretary Treasurer
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