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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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Board Members Present: Maureen Russell, Norm Gilbert, Patricia
Terry, Bob Krogman, Regina Parker, Mary Petruchius and Opal Zitka Board Members Absent: Denny Sands Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by President Maureen Russell.
AGENDA Motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Krogman.
INTRODUCTIONS None
MINUTES Mrs. Zitka moved to approve the January 13 minutes as corrected, seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Terry moved to approve the minutes of March 17, second by Ms. Petruchius. On a voice vote the motion carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Lane announced the resignation of Sue Franz from the Board. Board members agreed to explore possible membership from the north county area. Mr. Krogman said he would take initiative in this area. Mr. Lane noted briefly two notes of thanks from Ben Gordon Center for the $25,000 grant awarded last month and the handicapped accessible doors purchased by the Mental Health Board. Mr. Lane distributed fact sheets comparing the two to one amount of money spent by Michigan and Illinois for mental health services. Mr. Lane called attention to several efforts being made in Illinois to influence the budget, including a petition being circulated by the mental health board in Champaign County. The question for the Board is whether or not we want to circulate a similar petition or another action? Ben Gordon Center has provided bright pink postcards for interested people to sign and send to their representatives, in an effort to effect the budget process. The state budget remains one of the most serious problems we are facing. Staff is scheduled to meet tomorrow with executive directors of local funded agencies to discuss these ideas further and prepare for a press conference.
FINANCE REPORTS Mrs. Parker moved approval of the April agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mrs. Terry. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. . Mrs. Parker moved acceptance of the April office claims as submitted; seconded by Mrs. Terry. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNITY INPUT None
COMMITTEE REPORTS None
OLD BUSINESS The State Budget update: When the Governor said there would be no cuts in healthcare, he apparently was not including mental health care. The reality of our situation is that for more than the past ten years we have experienced an erosion of about 1.5% annually. The cut is worse than that of the consumer price index, because the employers’ cost of doing business is three to four times greater than the CPI!! Ben Gordon Center reports no response of any kind from the state for their request of $100,000 to continue to be able to treat indigent patients til the end of the fiscal year. This means that BGC cannot take any new cases until the end of the fiscal year because they are out of funds. The community needs to lobby for - at least - no cuts this year. We must educate constituents. Our legislators have been going around the state holding three hour public hearings on university funding but nobody is paying any attention to social service funding. There is a pressing need for mental health to get the word out. Bryzynski said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," indicating that we will be heard IF we make enough noise. Mr. Lane reminded Board members that the new child psychiatrist at Ben Gordon Center, Dr. Haji, will be at the Farm Bureau at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 7th. Mr. Krogman moved to approve funding the second half of Ben gordon’s request in the amount of $25,000 to be earmarked for indigent clients; Seconded by Mrs. Zitka. On a voice vote the motion was approved unanimously.
The Request for Proposal for Family Support Services will be considered after the Grant Hearings, in case an agency presents a similar proposal during the hearings. The preference of the Board would be for a multi-agency, comprehensive support plan. Mrs. Russell reminded Board members to review their copies of the By-Laws for consideration at the June meeting.
NEW BUSINESS The remodeling project to make the building handicapped compliant at Youth Service Bureau is in progress. Mrs. Zitka moved to approve funding requested by YSB up to the amount of $6,118.00 when the work is completed and the bill is in; Seconded by Mrs. Parker. On a voice vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mrs. Zitka moved to approve $1,335 for travel for Mr. Bob Putz’s attendance at the NAMI Conference this summer; Seconded by Mrs. Parker. On a voice vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Krogman moved to approve $150 for the Crisis Team Annual Meeting Luncheon; Seconded by Mrs. Petruchius. On a voice vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Krogman moved to approve the request to increase the POC cap by $3,000 for Family Service Agency’s Senior Counseling Purchase of Care account. Mr. Lane is authorized to move funds accordingly. Seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a voice vote the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Krogman moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Parker. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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