The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, February 5, 2007 @ 6:30p.m. in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East. Chairman Robert Rosemier called the meeting to order.  Members present were Richard Osborne, and Mr. Metzger.  Ms. Fullerton, Ms. LaVigne, and Mr. Whelan were absent.  A quorum was not present. Others present were Mary Olson, Diane Strand and Herb Holderman

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          The minutes from January 8, 2007 could not be approved because there was no quorum present.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA     

The agenda could not be approved because there was no quorum present.

VETERAN’S ASSISTANCE COMMISSION REPORT

Mr. Herb Holderman, Director of the DeKalb County Veteran’s Assistance Commission, briefly reviewed his report for the committee.  He said that 2006 was a pretty impressive year.  They filed 109 claims last year and three of them have been adjudicated.  These three claims brought in $16,297.00 of retroactive compensation and continuing monthly payments of $2,669 to DeKalb County Veterans.

They paid 34 claims for direct financial assistance totaling $11,814.25.  This figure does include payments for shelters, medication, emergency medical treatment, food and transportation. 

Mr. Holderman explained that each part of the body is considered a different claim, that is, a problem with a knee is one claim, a problem with an elbow is another claims, so on and so on.

They pay mileage for the use of a privately owned and maintained minivan providing transportation services on an as needed basis.  Volunteer drivers are utilized to transport DeKalb County veterans to and from VA Outpatient Clinics.  This service started in June 2006.  Their five volunteer drivers drove 29 trips totaling 3,229 miles and 119 hours.  When available they also use Voluntary Action Center to provide transportation to Hines Hospital.

Currently they see about 6 people a day.  They are getting busier and busier each month as people begin to hear about them.  The word has gotten out to Boone County and Ogle County as they are sending some of their vets to our offices too.  Mr. Holderman said that it is fine to just assist them with answers to their questions as long as DeKalb County does not give them any money.

Mr. Metzger asked Mr. Holderman if he is keeping track of how many people he sees that are from outside the County?  He said that we could see if the numbers are rising as time goes by and determine if Mr. Holderman may need to ask for more help.

Chairman Rosemier said that it would help us to look at trends too.

Mr. Holderman said that they are currently not doing that, but if the committee wanted him to he would be glad to monitor those numbers. 

Chairman Rosemier asked Mr. Holderman how many veterans are in DeKalb County? 

Mr. Holderman said 16,000 Vets are in our county.

Mr. Holderman also informed the committee that his office will begin to place his minutes on the County’s Website very soon and possibly a newsletter too.

Chairman Rosemier said that the next subject that the committee will be discussing relates to seniors self-abuse and mental health issues in general.  Chairman Rosemier asked whether the Veterans Commission has dealt with this issue and if so, are their problems being met in the community? 

Mr. Holderman said that their mental health needs are being met very nicely.  Ben Gordon has provided services and a counselor. However, they do not have any contacts in the Sandwich area.  They do have a counselor out there on Tuesday nights, which has not been very successful.

Mr. Metzger asked if that means there is a lack of interest or lack of individuals?  Mr. Holderman said that he does not know.

Mr. Holderman also said that he has purchased some computers and office furniture for his office.  That is all because they only have so much room.

          The committee members thanked Mr. Holderman for his very informative report.

CONTINUING DIALOGUE AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

          Chairman Rosemier said that all of the mental health agencies, which appeared at the last Committee meeting gathered together on January 25, 2007, at the Mental Health Board facilities to continue their discussion.   They held a lively discussion on reaffirming what each group does.  They shared differences of opinions where some of them are coming from a medical background vs. a senior service agency background like Elder Care Services. These agencies do interact at some degree, he continued.  This group does have a lot of vitality and will continue to meet.

          Before adjourning Chairman Rosemier reviewed the process for the upcoming Senior Tax Levy Hearings.  He said that the proposed deadline for the applications to be submitted are due by the last Friday in February.  In March this committee will get their copies of the applications.  In April the committee will hold two meetings on the hearings, that is, the first meeting will be the actual hearings with the various agencies and then the second meeting in April, two weeks later, the committee will determine which agencies will be awarded funds and how much those funds will be.  Then in May this committee will bring the resolution to the full board for approval, said Chairman Rosemier.

          He also made contact with Kishwaukee College and spoke with Greg Sparrow, at their BID Center.  He will be meeting with him in the next two weeks to discuss the grant writing issue further.

ADJOURNMENT

          The committee could not adjourn because they were no quorum present.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                _________________________________________

                                                Chairman Robert Rosemier