McHenry Times

McHenry County Mental Health Board met March 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Call to Order – Connee Meschini called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

2. Public Comment:

Thom Faber - invited the Board to NAMI’s “Friend-raiser: Erase the Distance” at Dole Mansion 

Winter Noe O&A – updated the Board on Autism Support programs 

Jane Farmer, Turning Point – announced April 29 Dinner and Fundraiser 

Sam Tenuto, Pioneer Center - reported and updated the Board on the their CARF survey results

3. Approval of Minutes - For Action Cathy Ferguson motioned to approve the Amended Minutes of the February 28, 2017 Regular Board Meeting. Seconded by Sarah Wilson. A Roll Call Vote Was Taken. Mike Baber – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Lynn Kasicki – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

4. Reports:

A. President's Reports - C. Meschini

Connee referred Board members to Events & Announcements including the 2017 Annual Town Hall Meeting to be held on May 18 from 6-8 p.m. 

B. Director's Report - S. Block Scott provided updates on several MHB funded services: Centegra has hired for the Service Navigator position that assures clients are referred for the proper level of care. Rosecrance is working to recruit two additional adolescent clinicians to meet community need. aid has hired a bilingual law-enforcement professional that will start within the next couple of weeks. aid has been approved for a pop-up clinic to be open on Thursdays at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 E. Diggins Street in Harvard. AID has opened their drop-in center in McHenry and are available on M-W-F from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with Peer Recovery Specialists available to meet with clients and assist in developing Recovery Plans. Aunt Martha’s has increased 10 more hours of psychiatric care as of this month and expects to increase 10 additional hours next month.

• Since the last MHB Meeting, there has been much national, state and local discussion about the future of the Affordable Care Act and coinciding concerns about provisions of the American Health Care Act.

• MHB ED attended the NAMI Monthly Board Meeting to provide an update on the state of the Mental Health system and future MHB plans. NAMI is coordinating with Home of the Sparrow, TLS, New Directions and Garden Quarter on the potential shared use of an electronic client/donor record system. It is anticipated that the group will request MHB capital funding support for the project.

• FETC received its remaining DCFS reimbursement and closed out the agency by reimbursing the MHB $20,510.38. This concludes the MHB involvement with FETC.

• 22 individuals representing Network Council agencies attended the March Intake Coordinators Meeting. The group has received presentations from McDOT and will schedule a presentation from the McHenry County Housing Authority.

• The next Ethics and Compliance Committee Meeting date is April 25th at 4:00 pm. Agenda items are anticipated to include FY 16 Outcome discrepancy review, FY 17 First Quarter Outcome Review and FY 18 Outcome Domains.

• At the March 17th Department Head Meeting, the County Administrator addressed the County Board Chair’s desire to reduce the McHenry County Tax Levy by 10%. An Ad Hoc Committee is being created to discuss a formal resolution seeking County Board consensus on this matter. The resolution is scheduled to be on the April 18th County Board Agenda. More discussion will be held at our April 22nd Strategic Planning meeting as well as a HDA overview and the Board Liaison Program.

• MHB ED is scheduled to meet with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s legislative staff at County Administration on March 28th. Discussion will include the Drug-Free Grant as they are highly involved with the Substance Abuse Coalition as well as the introduction of Nalanone, MHFA, developed drug take back program and high school curriculum through the SAC. 

C. Finance & Audit Committee - S. Melei Sam Melei reported that the Finance and Audit Committee met last week to review the Treasurer’s Report and found all in order. The Committee is pleased to note a significant increase in use of transportation dollars due to staff work on publicizing at key meetings. Legal bills were low with the last few meetings for work on board policy for reconciliation which continues to be reviewed. The Committee has started to look at potential cuts to Medicaid and how that would affect MHB funding dollars. 

D. Network Council - C. Ferguson Cathy Ferguson reported that the Council met yesterday morning. She noted that the Recovery and Suicide Prevention Conferences will be combined into one conference this year. Centegra provided the TBI Task Force with a Neuro-Rehab presentation on management of concussion treatment. The Task Force would like to put together a presentation for service providers in the Network. The Council has been doing strategic planning. Three goals were provided:

1. Strengthen McHenry County Recovery Infrastructure 

2. Improve access to care and other services 

3. Increase awareness of existing services 

Providers were asked to divide into three groups, one for each goal, choose a chairperson and review goals. Implications of County Board tax cut were discussed. Their next meeting is Monday, April 24. 

E. Behavioral Health Foundation - R. Lapinas BHF signed a contract with BB Communication and met with Scott and other service providers to gain system information. The communications group will bring back with a PR plan by Apr. 30.

5. Consent Agenda - For Action 

A. 201703-23 Treasurer's Report for the Period Ending February 28, 2017 

B. 201703-24 MHB Monthly Bills - $1,347,167.44 

C. 201703-25 Legal Bills - $1,575.00 

D. 201703-26 2016 Annual Report to the Community 

Cathy Ferguson motioned to approve Consent Agenda items A, B, C, and D. Seconded by Paula Yensen. A Roll Call Vote Was Taken. Mike Baber – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Lynn Kasicki – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

6. Old Business - For Discussion/For Action 

A. 2017-03-29 (201701-10) CILA and Community Employment Services Application Evaluations - For Action Scott outlined the applications and Board members were supplied with a summary handout of the funding. CILA Applications – Clearbrook and aid applications were submitted. MHB Staff recommend Clearbrook for this funding as they have the ability to potentially leverage to fund a 2nd CILA home. They also have infrastructure in place and are established as a DD provider that is looking to grow their programming in McHenry County. MHB invested in aid to provide behavioral health services in the wake of Pioneer Center divesting these services and MHB would like to continue supporting that effort. Cathy Ferguson motioned to approve Clearbrook CILA funding for the amount requested of $322,000. Seconded by Sam Melei. A Roll Call Vote Was Taken. Mike Baber – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Lynn Kasicki – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried.

CES Applications – aid and Little City applications were submitted. After review, both current providers, Pioneer Center and Clearbrook, have capacity in the area of Community Employment Services. As such, Scott suggested that to fund another service provider was not the best use of taxpayer money. Connee suggested the Board keep an open mind and revisit this should the two existing agencies with capacity be filled. Sam noted that the community is benefitting by the addition of Clearbrook to the community. After discussion, Sarah Wilson motioned to table the CES applications for discussion until a later date. Seconded by Sam Melei. A Roll Call Vote Was Taken. Mike Baber – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Lynn Kasicki – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried. 

B. FY17 Major Activities Calendar – Scott explained that the calendar was simply to make the Board aware of work being done by staff. No action is needed.

7. New Business - For Discussion/For Action 

A. 201703-28 FY17 Funding Guideline Revisions Scott explained the FY17 Funding Guideline Revisions to members of the Board. Sam Melei motioned to approve funding guidelines as revised. Seconded by Cathy Ferguson. A Roll Call Vote Was Taken. Mike Baber – Yes, Cathy Ferguson – Yes, Lynn Kasicki – Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Sam Melei – Yes, Sarah Wilson – Yes, Paula Yensen – Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes. All in favor. Motion carried. 

B. Draft FY 18 Budget Highlights & Accomplishments and Performance Indicators Scott explained the need for Board review of the Draft FY 2017/2018 Budget Highlights and Goals and the Draft FY 2017/2018 Performance Indicators. He asked Board members to review the documents.

8. Public Comment – 

Charles Wheeler, County Board member - commended Scott and Connee in leading the MHB through some “troubled waters” and all on managing and maintaining the level of services in the County. He assured the Board members that he and Dr. Yensen are sharing their work with County Board members and are ensuring that the County Board members are fully aware of the impact that the possible cuts to the ACA on services here in McHenry County. He invited Scott to attend the PHCS meeting, looks forward to input from the 708 Board and noted that he appreciates the work the MHB is doing.

9. Executive Session [pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (C)(1)] – Personnel Matter 

Sarah Wilson motioned to move into Executive Session at 6:41 p.m. Seconded by Lynn Kasicki. A Voice Vote Was Taken. All in favor. Motion carried.

Paula Yensen motioned to move out of Executive session at 7:02 p.m. Seconded by Sarah Wilson. A voice vote was taken. All in favor. Motion carried.

Sam Melei motioned to move into Open Session at 7:03 p.m. Seconded by Lynn Kasicki.  A voice vote was taken. All in favor. Motion carried.

No action was taken in Closed Session.

10. Adjourn Sam Melei motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Lynn Kasicki. A Voice Vote Was Taken. All in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

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