DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD April 15, 2002

Board Members Present:  Norm Gilbert, Bob Krogman,, Maureen Russell, Opal Zitka and Sue Franz

Board Members Absent: Denny Sands, Mary Petruchius, Regina Parker and Patricia Terry

Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Secretary-Treasurer Opal Zitka.

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Secretary-Treasurer Opal Zitka.

 

There were no changes or additions to the agenda.

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

 

Mrs. Zitka circulated a form to sponsor her for a walk for getting Mental Illness Information into libraries, which will be on May 4^th.

Mrs. Zitka offered information about two new books on mental illness, Gracefully Insane, by Alex Bean and Mad in America, by Robert Whitaker. The books were reviewed favorably in the previous Sunday’s Chicago Tribune. Discussion centered around the difficulty of gaining access to the MH system and the stigma persons with mental illness endure.

Mr. Gilbert talked about persons with Mental Illness who are imprisoned instead of treated. Prison ministry was discussed, including a program in Virginia, in which Mrs. Franz’ oldest son is involved in his college work toward a degree in the ministry.

Mr. Lane called attention to information in the Board packet regarding the State Association’s Spring Legislative Conference to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 17^th and 18^th, which he and Ms. Halbrader will attend in Springfield. Mr. Lane announced that lobbying efforts will be intensified by a large number of social service agencies, providers, and professionals who will gather to talk with legislators about the Governor’s proposed budget.

Mr. Lane announced that on May 10, 2002, the new Judicial Circuit Court will hold a conference from 8:30 a.m. until noon in Aurora. The topic of discussion will be domestic violence in the Latino community.

Mr. Lane called attention to the importance or sending letters of endorsement regarding Safe To Learn funding. SCAT is poorly funded and poorly organized at the state level in Illinois and it will probably lose funding this year, given the state of the budget. It will not hurt to send a letter of support, however, as a Board, our greatest efforts need to be directed toward supporting Mental Health.

Mr. Lane called attention to the letter from Opportunity House outlining the funding problems they are facing due to state budget cuts. Mr. Lane is in the process of soliciting letters from each Director of our funded agencies to put together a picture of the total impact on DeKalb County.

Mrs. Franz circulated brochures from a shop in New Lenox, Will County, that is stocked with items made by persons with Developmental Disabilities. She suggested that local agencies might look into adapting this idea for this area. Mrs. Russell reminded us that persons with MI operate a restaurant in the Quad Cities.

 

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

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

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The latest update on the State budget is that their previous estimate of being $1.5B short has today increased to $1.8B. Legislators are talking about borrowing from a rainy day fund. (At this time?) There is a 100 day delay in payment by switching from grants to purchase of care, which burdens local agencies and counties with the bad results of state mismanagement. This is the worst state the Illinois budget has been in since 1954.

The child psychiatrist employed by BGC part-time died last month after a short illness. Last year we added money to BGC’s outpatient program to help cover the costs of child psychiatry. Mr. Lane suggested the $30,000 be put into an escrow account while they are recruiting a new psychiatrist. The Board agreed that we should stop paying this part of the grant since the service was not being provided.

 

Mr. Krogman moved to authorize the release of $16,500 previously approved by the Board for renovation and moving for Safe Passage, second by Mrs. Franz. On a roll call vote the release of funds was approved.

Mrs. Russell moved to approve Consumer Advocacy Council’s request for $1,100 for Mr. Putz to attend the NAMI Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio; second by Mr. Krogman. On a roll call vote the motion was approved.

Mrs. Zitka moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Franz. All in favor.

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