Board Members Present:      Bob Krogman, Regina Parker, Julia Fullerton, Doug Fraley and

 Jeannette Vaupel

Board Members Absent:      Opal Zitka and Norm Gilbert

Other Persons Present:        Staff: Liz Carney and Sue Halbrader

Guest: Laura Avila, a counselor with a new practice in DeKalb                                                

AGENDA

            Motion to approve the agenda was made by Mrs. Vaupel, second by Mrs. Parker.

INTRODUCTIONS

            Board members introduced themselves to the visitor and welcomed her to the

open meeting of the Community Mental Health Board

MINUTES

            Mr. Fraley moved to approve the February minutes, seconded by Ms.

Parker. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

        Mrs. Carney distributed a copy of an article from the Midweek on MASIV, Men Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence, an all-male organization that is raising awareness of rape, educating men about how to more effectively respond to a rape victim and to challenge men to change their own behavior to serve as a positive influence on other men. For information, call Troy Melendez, NIU Counseling and Student Development Center, 815-753-1206.

        Ms. Carney told members that she sent a letter to the County Finance office to thank them for covering the cost of installing DSL service making it possible for the Board office to hook into the County Intranet system and County e-mail.

        Ms. Carney passed out save-the-date cards announcing the State Association meeting to be held on April 26^th in Springfield at the Sangomo. All Board members are invited and encouraged to attend.

        Ms. Carney reminded Board Members that March is Social Work month.

       Ms. Carney explained the current status of Medicaid. The House passed a bill to cut Medicaid, the Senate passed a bill that would not cut it. They are working on reconciling the difference.

       Ms. Carney reminded the Board that the Blue Ribbon Campaign to prevent child abuse will be marked in Sycamore with the annual Hands-Around-The-Courthouse ceremony on April 20^th at 12:15pm. Everyone is invited to participate.

FINANCE REPORTS

            Mrs. Parker moved approval of the March agency claims as submitted;

seconded by Mr. Fraley. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Parker moved acceptance of the March office claims as submitted;

seconded by Mr. Fraley. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNITY INPUT

            Ms. Avila told Board Members that she was pleased to return to the community

            after being away for a few years. She said she was happy to start her new practice

in DeKalb as she and her husband start their family. She said it is a good place to

raise children.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

            None

OLD BUSINESS

            Tow slots for membership on the Mental Health Board are presently open. After

discussion of the legal requirements for membership it was decided that Ms.

Carney would send packets to two interested parties. We hope to have more

information at the April 11^th meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

            Mrs. Carney reminded the Board Members that the business meeting on April 11^th

will be held to thirty minutes so Grant Hearings can begin on time.

            Mrs. Carney called attention to grant application forms which she has revised and

standardized for easier comprehension.  As the Board offers three kinds of

funding, Funding for an Existing Program, New Program and Expansion, it

clarifies the request when we ask agencies to submit a bullet point list of key

issues, with paragraph or two explaining what each program does. Ms. Carney

also provided more space to write and more information (for example, the dates of

the Board’s grant year July 1 to June 30) to benefit the agencies applying. The

new forms are easier to fill out, read and interpret. There are no major changes,

just streamlining of the form, making it easier for (especially) newer Board

members to see what a program is immediately with a glance.

If Board Members cannot attend a particular meeting, the recorded sessions will be

available, as always, for members to listen to in the office or at home. Please let

the office know if you cannot attend a meeting.

Mr. Fraley moved to adjourn to Executive Session, seconded by Mrs.

Fullerton. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Mr. Fraley moved to adjourn out of Executive Session, seconded by Mrs.

Parker. All in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

______________________________________________

Regina Parker

Secretary/Treasurer