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Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the Health & Human
Services Committee at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes
when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.

The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Administration Building's Conference Room East. Vice-Chairman Jeff Whelan called the meeting to order. Members present were John Emerson, Marc Johnson, Jeff Metzger, and Drek Tyson. Chairman Sally DeFauw was absent. A quorum was present. Ms. Michelle LaPage of the Ben Gordon Center and County Administrator Gary Hanson were also present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

It was moved by Mr. Metzger, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes of June 3, 2013.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

PRESENTATION ON "THE LIVINGROOM PROJECT"

Ms. Michelle LaPage of the Ben Gordon Community Mental Health Center gave a presentation of one of Ben Gordon's newest programs in the community - "The Living Room Project". The Living Room is an acute crisis respite program for adults. It is housed in a building on the south side of DeKalb, close to Barb City Manor. This program acts as an alternative to going to the emergency room of the hospital. In addition to crisis intervention, clients will find a safe non-judgmental space, support from trained peer counselors, licensed clinicians and registered nurses, assistance with problem solving, on-site intakes for Ben Gordon, linkage with referrals for emergency, and healthy refreshments!

The committee asked several follow-up questions and expressed appreciation to the Ben Gordon Center for providing this program in the community. The committee thanked Ms. LaPage for her presentation and her efforts for getting this new program off the ground.

OTHER DISCUSSION

Mr. Whelan, who is the County Board's representative on the Community Mental Health Board, gave a brief update on the Mental Health Board and reported that a new director has been selected and should be on-the-job within a month. Discussion continued about the need for in-patient mental health services within the County. Mr. Metzger suggested that it might be appropriate to visit again with Kish Health Systems about offer that service. Mr. Metzger asked Mr. Whelan to take up that issue with the Mental Health Board to see if a discussion for in-patient services could be started. Mr. Whelan said that he would do that at the next meeting.

Mr. Metzger thanked Mr. Hanson for attending the meeting and acting as Recording Secretary during the medical leave of the Board's Secretary, Mary Supple.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Mr. Metzger, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

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Jeff Whelan, Vice Chairman

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Gary Hanson, Recording Secretary

Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the Health & Human
Services Committee at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes
when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.