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

Board Members Present:  Norm Gilbert, Patricia Terry, Bob Krogman, Mary Petruchius, Maureen Russell , Sue Franz, Regina Parker and Opal Zitka

Board Members Absent: Denny Sands

Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader, Jerry Souta, LCSW, Ben Gordon Center Jail Based Program

The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Maureen Russell

The agenda was approved with one change, moving VIII. 8. To the end of the meeting just before adjournment

 

Board members introduced themselves to Jerry Souta, Ben Gordon Center.

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

 

Mr. Lane noted that the transfer of SA*AS from Ben Gordon Center to Safe Passage was effective as of July 15, 2002. Linda O’Brien, director of the program at BGC, declined the offer of a position at Safe Passage, as she and her family are moving out of state. A press conference is planned to announce the changeover to the public, later this month. Incidentally, the hotline telephone number will remain the same.

Mr. Lane announced that on Tuesday, July 16, the Joint Training Consortium will meet at Kishwaukee College. Kishwaukee College employees will meet with other members of the group to provide a tour of the expanded new facilities at the college. Part of the expansion includes training and computer space for the public. Consortium members will continue planning a computer/Internet training tentatively scheduled for this October for the benefit of all interested non-profit agencies.

Mr. Lane said that Youth Service Bureau and Safe Passage are working jointly on a youth violence project. He he will participate in the planning sessions by invitation of Dan Templin, YSB and Pam Wiseman, SP.

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

Mrs. Franz moved acceptance of the July agency claims as corrected; seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Krogman pointed out a typographical error of four cents in the $10,000 grant to Family Service Bureau. The correction will be made.

 

Mr. Jerry Souta, Director of the Jail-Based Program, informed the Board about the current state of the program. He distributed a brochure on the services available through the jail, he said two groups are presently running, and a wait list of interested persons has been started. At this time the women’s area of the jail is at its maximum capacity and programs for both men and women are being conducted, some co-educationally. Mr. Souta presented a brief sketch of his background and experience. In addition to using the Samenow program (Errors in Criminal Thinking), which was used to start jail-based services, Mr. Souta has expanded the range of discussion topics to include an examination of masculinity as cultural identity, the role of advertising in maintaining gender stereotypes, and the theme of abuse in the lives of persons in jail. Mr. Souta also uses music, song lyrics and art as points of departure in discussing issues that concern inmates.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

The County Board computer system tracks board memberships using the fiscal year. Our Board members Mary Petruchius and Bob Krogman have been renewed prematurely. Their terms end in December, as our memberships run with the calendar year. Mr. Lane said he would correct this with the County Board. Mr. Gilbert asked for a current list of members and their tenure dates.

Mr. Souta presented a special request for videos and program materials to augment the Jail-Based Services program through Ben Gordon Center. Board members reviewed the proposal.

Mrs. Zitka moved to fund the full amount requested, $2,479; seconded by Mrs. Parker. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Lane presented a second proposal from Ben Gordon Center to fund wholly or in part, a staff training for Supervisor-to-Manager to be held on October 14, 2002. A motion was made to approve half the requested amount, $1,500, by Mrs. Franz, seconded by Mr. Krogman. After some discussion the motion was voted down on a roll call vote.

NEW BUSINESS

The levy figures will be refined in August, but the draft budget is very close. The worst increase this year is in insurance costs, which has effected the entire county. Using the Consumer Price Index for 2001 (last year) which was 1.6%, and adding the cost of new construction, 3%, the greatest increase possible is 4.6% in December, when the next fiscal year begins.

Mrs. Zitka moved to the draft budget; second by Mrs. Parker On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Gilbert moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss employee compensation for the assistant director; seconded by Mrs. Zitka.

________________________
Opal Zitka
Secretary Treasurer

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