DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD February 9, 2002

Board Members Present:  Norm Gilbert, Patricia Terry, Bob Krogman, Maureen Russell, and Opal Zitka

Board Members Absent: Denny Sands, Sue Franz, Regina Parker and Mary Petruchius

Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 9:32 a.m. by Secretary-Treasurer Opal Zitka.

AGENDA
There were no changes or additions to the agenda.

INTRODUCTIONS
None

Mr. Krogman moved to approve the January minutes as corrected, seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Lane said the certificates for police training were completed and returned to the police chiefs last week. The press release will be out next week.

Mrs. Zitka suggested another, similar training be held for emergency workers, particularly doctors and nurses in emergency rooms

Mrs. Zitka reported the librarians receiving the new emergency referral brochures are quite enthusiastic and pleased to have them for patrons.

Mr. Lane reported on progress toward involving DeKalb County Libraries in disseminating mental health materials. He contacted the director of the Northern Illinois Library System (NILS). NILS holds cluster meetings of member libraries, including DeKalb County. The NILS Director was quite excited about the Board’s proposal and will put us on their meeting agenda. We are hoping to present at a meeting in May, National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mr. Lane reported that the Bureau of the Budget continues to revise its projected shortfall upward. Not only will there be no cost of living increase next year, social services will be cut. The shortfall is expected to reach $1billion.

Mr. Lane also reported on the state association meeting attended by staff on February 6^th and 7^th. The guest speaker was Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Linda Renee Baker. Secretary Baker talked about the department’s difficulties with funding. There is not enough affordable housing for anyone, let alone housing for the DD population, the need for which is expected to explode in the next three to five years. Mr. Lane said that concerns about building new housing will fall to local MH boards.

Mr. Lane reported the state association finalized its Goals 2002, and distributed a copy of them to the Board.

Mr. Lane discussed contracting by mental health boards. McHenry County has a boilerplate contract that has been reviewed by an attorney specializing in mental health issues. We will compare our present contract with the boilerplate and revise as necessary.

Mr. Lane announced that Jim Graves, Executive director of the Ben gordon Center, has made it public that he will retire in September. This may present an opportunity to merge (or integrate) with other agencies.

 

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

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

Mr. Lane announced that the County Board approved the Community Mental Health Board budget as proposed at the November meeting.

COMMUNITY INPUT
None

Mrs. Russell reported that Rosecrance presented information on its many programs at the

CYS meeting she attended on February 5^th at KEC. A number of new services are available: RACK, services for youth in mobile form in cooperation with tri-county health and the DeKalb County Health Department. Representatives from about twenty-five agencies, schools and others were in attendance.

 

OLD BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS
None

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