McHenry County Mental Health Board met Aug. 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members present Greg Alexander, Mike Baber, Adam Carson, Tracy Champion, Cathy Ferguson, Ray Lapinas, Connee Meschini, Paula Yensen
Board Members absent Rachel Boldman
Others present Scott Block, Amy Quinlan, Terry Braune, Jane Wacker, Melanie Duran, Jane Farmer, Michelle, Rebecca Moore with NISRA (for public comment only)
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER – Connee Meschini called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
• Rebecca Moore, NISRA – Introduced herself as the Manager of Day Camp and Outreach for NISRA. Thanked the MHB for their funding to support their day treatment program. This has created so many opportunities for families. This year they had 46 campers and 30 of those did benefit from the funding. NISRA and the families greatly appreciate the MHB’s support.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FOR ACTION
• Paula Yensen noted changes under Members Comment last month it should say ‘Paula added that she chaired the Senior Services Grant Commission and serves on Board of Area Agency on Aging’ and the reference to Medicare on the final line should be changed to Medicaid.
Mike Baber motioned to approve the Minutes of the July 27, 2021, Regular Board Meeting with Paula’s changes. Seconded by Tracy Champion. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson -Yes, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Greg Alexander – Yes, Michael Baber – Yes, Connee Meschini – Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.
5. REPORTS
A. President’s Report – C. Meschini
• Connee noted on pages 8 and 9 you will find the HotSheet and various trainings. Connee shared her thoughts that everyone should attend the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Mental Health Virtual Conference.
• Noted that next month the MHB will go through all the funding applications.
B. Director’s Report – S. Block
Scott provided highlights from his Director’s Report Packet.
• Pp.12 MHB will be hosting the first School Professionals Behavioral Health Providers Meeting that would take place on the 27th. The Agenda will note the MHB reintroducing the Rosecrance Student’s Assistance Program, the Crisis Line and Mobile Crisis Response Services. MHB is working with Service Inc to provide a presentation on their educational advocacy program that the board funded a couple months ago. Alexian Brothers will share about their new school avoidance and anxiety treatment program located in Crystal Lake. There have been conversations at the County Board levels about Truancy and their eventual approval of a Truancy Officer for the Regional Office of Education. This program will be a tool for that officer. The MHB set up a
meeting with the Regional Office of Education and Alexian Brothers to ensure the truancy officer knows how to access the program.
• Pp.13 Terry completed the paperwork for the Facility Condition Assessment for Terracon. The report is in draft and MHB will work with Cathy to schedule a Buildings and Ground Committee Meeting in September for review.
• Last Friday at the Department Head meeting it was noted that there is a group of individuals conducting first amendment audits around units of government in Illinois. Scott provided and overview of the group and the preferred staff responses should the MHB receive a visit.
• MHB put together our 7th annual school resource fair and handed out 100 bags, with over 40 behavioral health resources, brochures, and give-a-ways. Thanks to Kris and Lori for all their work putting the bags together as the schools really appreciated it.
• MHB staff reviewed and developed FY22 Funding considerations for 80 applications totaling about $11.4M in requests, with about $9.4M to allocate. (Funding Summary Binders were handed out to board members) Scott asked that the board members look over the summary requests in the binders in the next month in preparation of review. The September 28, 2021 meeting will be spent looking over the entire funding plan.
C. Finance and Audit Committee – R. Lapinas
The Finance and Audit Committee met last Tuesday at 5:00pm for only 20 minutes. Discussion included:
• Scott noted that the MHB is in final talks with a candidate for the Accountant II position.
• Ray suggested canceling next month’s meeting due to the funding review process. Should something come up, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss.
• Ray reported all MHB finance reports were reviewed with no significant concerns.
D. Network Council – C. Ferguson
Network Council met yesterday with discussion noting:
• A presentation was given by AgeGuide where they made all the Network Agencies aware of programs and money available to them. They spoke about their services and how to apply on the website. One of the categories discussed was counseling services that was underutilized. The underutilization was discussed as perhaps the agencies did not have a full understanding of what the funding was to support.
• Agencies provided their updates and were encouraged to post upcoming events and trainings on the HotSheet. Agencies voiced challenges finding and or retaining part-time and bi-lingual therapists.
• Public Health gave an update on Covid19 stating that the county was up to 8.9% last month. Mask restrictions will be returning, and they informed the agencies to locate a link on the website if they are interested in having a clinic on their site.
• Scott spoke on Trauma informed care noting The Pathway to Success program, which offers intense wrap around services via HFS funding.
• Scott noted the National 988 help line continues to be worked on in hopes to be available in July of 2022. Also noted was that the Sheriff’s office is working on training towards the new crisis laws and mandates.
• There has been a moratorium on evictions and some landlords are trying to say that they are selling their buildings. Finding places of residency is difficult currently and the eviction rules are becoming a challenge.
• Jason from the substance abuse coalition reported that there were 36 overdose deaths year to date. • SPTF reported 18 deaths, 16 being male. 11 of these deaths were by gunshot wounds and 7 from hanging. Jenn Balleto stepped down as lead for the SPTF and Alex Campbell from NAMI will assume as lead.
• IDD Taskforce is seeing more individuals coming back into programs. Working with the state of Wisconsin to mirror their Respite program for Illinois.
• Formerly TLS, Veterans Path to Hope reported that veterans have been struggling with the current events with Afghanistan. They are hoping to offer support groups for the veterans and their families.
• Scott offered Paula to provide feedback on the Network Council Meeting as it was her first time attending. Paula said she felt the meeting is very well managed and more efficient than it was in the past. Scott noting that Network Council is an opportunity for the providers to listen and provide their updates and needs
6. CONSENT AGENDA – FOR ACTION
A. 202108-58 Treasurer’s Report for Period ending July 31, 2021
B. 202108-59 MHB Monthly Bills Through August 11, 2021
C. 202108-64 Updated Vendor Listing
Tracy Champion motioned to accept the Consent agenda number 6-A, B & C. Adam Carson seconded. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson -Yes, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson -Yes, Ray Lapinas -Yes, Paula Yensen -Yes, Greg Alexander -Yes, Mike Baber -Yes, Connee Meschini -Yes. All in favor. Motion Carried.
7. OLD BUSINESS – FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION
A. 202108-60 FY22 Funding Application Timeline
• Pp.38 for reference, Scott mentioned again that the September meeting will be long and does not feel that two meetings in October will be needed. Originally October 7th and 14th were tentatively mentioned. The MHB will keep the October 7th meeting.
8. NEW BUSINESS – FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION
A. 202108-61 Decision Memo Mathers CMHC FY22 Funding Application
• Pp.39 Shows the decision memo and letter request. They missed the funding application deadline as sated within the memo Scott’s recommendation is to allow the applicant to submit a Pay-for Performance Funding Application in support of the Psych Express Program and disallow submission of any secondary application for funding within MHB FY22. Cathy made note that if the MHB allowed them to only submit one application and not the other, it may be discriminatory. The MHB could allow both applications and still have the right to vote no to one or the other at funding time. The Board discussed the situation and timelines.
Adam Carson motioned for Mathers to be able to submit their applications and the MHB will review them accordingly during the funding process. Mike Baber Seconded the motion. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson – Yes, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas -NO, Paula Yensen – Yes, Greg Alexander – Yes, Mike Baber – Yes, Connee Meschini – NO.
B. 202108-62 Crisis Intervention Team Training Funding Application
• Pp.43 Scott shared the C.I.T. Training provides officers with education about mental illness and provides skills and tools for effectively interacting with someone experiencing a crisis. This training is an in-depth law enforcement 40- hour state certified specialized course. If approved, the training cost for 44 local officers would be $18,500 and take place November 8-12 at the Community Foundation (MHB rooms booked). The MHB’s current FY21 Unallocated budget is $47, 712 and would be $29,212 should the board approve the training. This training also meets the requirements for PTSD training mandated by Public Act 097-1040.
Mike motioned that the MHB, Board of Directors directs the MHB Executive Director to work with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to provide for a 40-hour CIT course in the amount of $18, 500. Ray seconded the motion. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson – Abstain, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson -Yes, Ray Lapinas -Yes, Paula Yensen -Yes, Greg Alexander -Yes, Mike Baber – Yes, Connee Meschini -Yes.
C. 202108-63 Decision Memo McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Social Work Intern Program.
• Scott referenced the McHenry County Police Social Services Program. Planning is continuing to move forward toward development of a Countywide model. To assist with the process of planning, the Sheriff’s office would like to retain the services of a Social Work Intern to augment time spent planning by the existing Police Social Worker. The proposed internship expense would be over the course of 12 weeks (October-November 2021) for $9,500. ($750 a week plus $500 for specialized training up to 30 hours per week). Left to be determined would be the structure and if an inter governmental agreement and how the MHB would work with County. Scott will work out the details with County Finance.
Paul Yensen motioned that the MHB, Board of Directors directs the MHB Executive Director to establish an Intergovernmental Agreement with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $9,500 to support the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Social Work Intern Program. Mike Baber seconded. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson – Yes, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson -Yes, Ray Lapinas -Yes, Paula Yensen -Yes, Greg Alexander -Yes, Mike Baber – Yes, Connee Meschini -Yes. All in favor, motion carried.
9. MEMBERS’ COMMENT
• Paula wanted to let the Board know that the Senior Services Commission is meeting September 10th to make allocation decisions on funding agencies that have applied. She will provide more information as it arrives.
• Greg made mention to the acronym’s noted throughout the Board Packets and will work with Scott and Amy for a glossary list of what these abbreviations stand for.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
Paula Yensen motioned to go into Executive Session. Mike Baber seconded. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor, motion carried.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION [PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1)] – PERSONNEL – PURPOSE OF ANNUAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL.
7:30pm BACK IN OPEN SESSION. Ray Lapinas motioned to accept Scott Block’s resignation as of October 8, 2021. Adam Carson seconded the motion. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor, motion carried.
Greg motioned to begin immediately on the search process for Scott’s replacement. Tracy Champion seconded the motion. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor, motion carried.
12. ADJOURN
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