McHenry Times

McHenry County Mental Health Board met Monday, Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes as provided by McHenry County:

2017-01-24 Board Approved

McHenry County Mental Health Board

Regular Meeting

December 19, 2016 5:00 p.m.

Held at: MHB, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60012

MINUTES

Board Members present: Cathy Ferguson, Ray Lapinas, Mary McCann, Sam Melei, Connee Meschini, Dawn Pruchniak, Sarah Wilson (5:07 p.m.)

Board Members absent: Diane Wasilk

Others present: Scott Block, Terry Braune, Jane Wacker, Pat Peterson and other interested parties

1. CALL TO ORDER – Connee Meschini called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT – none.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FOR ACTION

Mary McCann motioned to approve the Minutes of the November 22, 2016 Regular Board Meeting. Seconded by Dawn Pruchniak. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Mary McCann – Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Dawn Pruchniak – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

4. REPORTS

A. President's Reports - C. Meschini

Connee mentioned the Events and Announcements and People In Need Forum flier in the packet.

B. Director's Report - S. Block

The MHB Executive Director and Compliance and Operations Manager attended the Community Behavioral Health Association (CBHA) of Illinois annual conference on December 12 – 13, 2016. Conference topics included the HHS transformation initiative, the proposed 1115 demonstration waiver, finance and payment reform issues such as value-based contracting, and potential transformations in Medicaid funding including capping federal funds. Moving forward, the MHB ED will continue to monitor all reform efforts and inform the Board of any potential local impacts. A Mental health task force is being developed in Illinois.

MHB ED accepted the nomination to serve a 2-year term as Vice President of ACMHAI. A position on the Executive Committee will assure McHenry County has significant input into association dealings, agendas, and an increased voice in the statewide transformation of behavioral health initiatives. Association Membership voted to approve a 20% reduction in FY 17 membership dues.

MHB ED discussed McHenry County CILA and Employment Service needs with IDHS—DD Director Fenton and Ligas Monitor Cohn. All parties will follow up with communication to help direct MHB dollars to the most impactful area of local need.

FY 17 MHB Major Activities Calendar, a staff tool, is included for Board member reference. Staff have been evaluating Grants Management programs, which will allow Board members offsite access. MHB has evaluated three potential electronic Grants Management Systems and plans to choose the product that most closely matches its needs in January.

MHB staff and Finance and Audit Committee Chair will meet with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP to complete the Independent Audit Services engagement letter negotiations on December 21, 2016.

MHB sent numerous emails offering QPR training to school social workers, human resource departments and human services. The emails resulted in 14 training requests.

MHB ED and Board Member Ferguson met with Rosecrance and Centegra to review child/adolescent hospitalization and deflection rates in McHenry County. To determine the best approach to enhancing Child/Adolescent services, the MHB is following up with Health & Disability Advocates to expand its contractual efforts by facilitating discussions with school social workers and the private practice community to incorporate their data and input into a community planning study targeting child and adolescent services.

There are currently 8 applicants for the 2 open MHB director positions. Interview dates are at the January County Board meeting. No Liaison positions have been determined.

C. Finance Committee - S. Melei

Sam reported that there was no Finance and Audit Committee meeting in December but the Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and is in order. Next month’s report will factor in more year-end information. Sam noted that MHB’s Treasurer’s Report shows that Revenue is only slightly under Expenditures in spite of moving money from fund balance into the budget to utilize it. For a variety of reasons this usage did not happen. This will be for review next year.

Legal bills were slightly higher due to Psychiatric Loan Program but are way under-budget for the year.

D. Network Council - C. Ferguson

Cathy reported that the Network Council is not meeting in December. Strategic planning will be held at their January meeting.

E. Behavioral Health Foundation - R. Lapinas

Ray reported that the BHF met on November 30 to discuss the Visions of Hope Award. It was a successful event this year. A joint marketing and communication plan is to be coordinated with MHB to build further name recognition for BHF. Some supportive outside grants or a university will be sought to help carry out the plan. Ray noted concern in getting the PTSD program up and running with TLS.

5. CONSENT AGENDA - FOR ACTION

A. 201712-01 Treasurer's Reports for the Period Ending November 30, 2016

B. 201712-02 MHB Monthly Bills - $704,740.27

C. 201712-03 Legal Bills - $4,418.75 Zukowski Rogers Flood & McArdle Billing Invoice

D. 201712-04 IGA Between the County of McHenry and the MCMHB for IT Services

Cathy Ferguson motioned to approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, C, and D. Sam Melei seconded. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Mary McCann – Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Dawn Pruchniak – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

6. OLD BUSINESS - FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION

A. Scott updated the Board members on Pioneer Center’s Cash flow noting that the MHB team met with the Pioneer Center team to receive an update on their cash flow and accounts receivable. The last time the two groups met, Pioneer Center had received their expected $1M bequest and had made an initial $150,000 payment on Pioneer’s line of credit. They are on target to make a monthly payment of $100,000 on the remaining balance of the line of credit which is now at $1,048,000. They expect complete payoff of the line of credit in July. MHB staff will continue to monitor this.

The MHB team followed up on the audit. Pioneer Center has had to provide extra information and break out BH and DD services working with an independent auditor in order to provide increased financial information.

It is expected that the Pioneer Center Board will approve the draft of the audit in January and MHB will receive a copy of the independent audit at that time.

The potential sale of the Jefferson Street building in Woodstock is under serious consideration from a buyer and a proposal from a group of investors is expected in January on the Veterans Parkway facility. The potential sale of the buildings could impact cash flow by up to $30,000 per month. There is an expected $250,000-$300,000 income from the bequest yet to come. Any cash flow stress issues do not take into factor the sale of the buildings, income from the bequest or end-of-year fundraisers. Cash flow projections are available through May and the teams will meet again in February prior to MHB Board meeting to review cash flow and accounts receivable. Pioneer Center has worked hard to clean up their accounts receivable and have it down to $1.1M. They are planning to use the Evolve billing system to better monitor their situation. Scott added that Pioneer has worked hard to get through this difficult time. Ray remains vigilant of the repayment plan with the bank as they renegotiate and ask if Pioneer is looking to sell buildings at a profit or loss. Pioneer Center relayed that they are open to negotiating in the sale of buildings. Currently the Veterans Parkway Building is listed at $2.8M down from $3.25M.

7. NEW BUSINESS - FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION

A. 201712-05 Family Health Partnership Request

A Family Health Partnership Clinic request letter was included in the Board packet. Scott did follow up with Suzanne Hoban to inform her that the funding could not be approved pursuant to MHB policy. This request stems from Spanish bilingual services caps. When an agency meets caps on FFS billings, MHB has asked the agency to continue to submit so that MHB can track the need in this area. In the past there was a FFS set-aside pool and the MHB no longer has this. Scott noted that he wanted to include the letter, per request of Suzanne Hoban, to illustrate that for all agencies there is a total of about $200,000 above the caps at this point. Connee noted the Board should review the FFS cap situation. Sam requested that this topic be added to the agenda next month.

B. 201712-06 Little City Request

A Little City Request letter was included in the Board packet. Little City requested funding to increase community employment services for DD in McHenry County. Little City has recently acquired Countryside, a significant DD employment service provider, in order to enhance employment services in the area. Scott noted that currently the MHB is outside of the NOFA, RFP or Funding period and suggested that we thank them for their interest and notify them of a potential NOFA sometime in February. Scott will draft a letter to them.

Cathy Ferguson noted that the People in Need Forum at MCC on 1/28 is looking for volunteers.

Scott notified Board members of the revision to the MHB travel policy in compliance with changes to Government act. For Board, Officers and Staff, regulations have changed and any Board member incurred expenses require full board roll call vote on reimbursement for travel, meals and lodging. Policy changes will be brought forth at the January Board meeting.

Scott informed Board members that Scott Naydenoff, trained as a MHFA trainer, has been able to reach over 150 First Responders in approximately 12 trainings. Possible training for law enforcement to respond to individuals for assessment of care coordination or case management was discussed. Naydenoff has reached out to other area Police Departments to make an individual available to different areas of the County on specific days of the week. The Sheriff’s Department model was discussed. Board members concurred on support of this need.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT – none.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION [PURSUANT TO 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(11)] – LITIGATION MATTERS

Sam Melei motioned to move into Executive Session at 5:53 p.m. Seconded by Cathy Ferguson. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Mary McCann – Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Dawn Pruchniak – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

Sam Melei motioned to come out of closed session at 6:00 p.m. Seconded by Sarah Wilson. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Mary McCann – Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Dawn Pruchniak – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

Sam Melei motioned to move into open session at 6:01 p.m. Seconded by Sarah Wilson. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Mary McCann – Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Dawn Pruchniak – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

No Action was taken in Executive session.

10. ADJOURN - Sarah Wilson motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Dawn Pruchniak. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017 AT 6:00 P.M.