McHenry Times

McHenry County Mental Health Board met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER – Connee Meschini called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Roll Call was taken.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT – none.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS:

3. 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: MHB OPERATIONS

A. CARF International Accreditation

Scott reviewed the value and benefits of the CARF Network Accreditation endorsement. CARF accreditation has established the foundation of how the MHB works as a legal entity with the agencies as a Network. This is part of the language used in 30+ agencies contracts and compliance audits. All agencies are required to attend Network Council, QMT and Intake Coordinators meetings as an important piece of this model. 

Benefits of CARF Accreditation include:

1. Demonstration of conformance to internationally accepted standards

2. Accountability

3. Evidence to Federal, State and Local Governments of commitment to quality of programs and services 

Since the last CARF survey the MHB has completed:

 Policy on Succession Planning

 Revisions to Board and Staff Code of Ethics

 A new Board Member Orientation Policy

 Board Development Policy

 Annual Board Self-Assessment

 Board access to Personnel Policy

 Executive Compensation Policy

 Annual Review of Drills at Ethics and Compliance Committee Meeting

 Focus on third year will be on Network Outcomes, how they are collected, reviewed and used.

B. Board Development vs. Member Site Visits

Scott proposed to board members that instead of provider site visits, they attend a Committee, Task Force or internal meeting that each is not already appointed to. Some suggestions were: Board Committees: Buildings & Grounds, Ethics & Compliance, Finance & Audit, an ACE Interface Training, Network Council, Intake Coordinators, Quality Management Team, School Professionals/Behavioral Health Provider, or IDD Task Force Meeting. This will help with CARF accreditation and provide an overall learning opportunity.

Board members should let Scott know which Committee, Task Force or Council Board they plan to attend.

C. Unallocated FY20 Budget Status

A discussion of the $118K in unallocated funds resulted in the following suggestions to support new programs:

1. Treatment Resistant Clients

2. Assisted Outpatient Treatment

3. Public and Private Guardianship

Other areas to consider:

1. Epilepsy Services

2. The Break

3. Review of FFS Caps in 4th Quarter

Discussion of Epilepsy Services, Epilepsy Health Management (EHM) and RUSH. Scott put RUSH on notice of termination of contract. A deadline was discussed as this affects MHB budget. The Board’s funding allocation to RUSH could be overturned. RUSH can seek funding for FY21 but at this point, in FY20, the MHB holds no degree of confidence that these funds will ever be used. Scott will provide an update at the Board meeting.

D. FY21 Budget Development Timeline and Fund Balance

The Timeline provided to Board members illustrates the diligence the Staff and Board put into the MHB budget. Scott referenced his discussion with Peter Austin about Budget Development. The term “Abatement” will no longer apply as the County permanently cut the overall aggregate Levy this past year. MHB has the ability to ask for the full amount of our part of the Levy. Instead of roughly $79M in total County levy, there is now only $69M; within that, MHB has the ability to ask for up to the statutory cap.

The County has not included the CPI index which would increase the $69M to an estimated $73M.

Either way, this reduction adds pressure for cuts.

County administrator didn’t feel that there was interest in cutting $500k but suggested a compromise between our full Levy and reduced amount. MHB has roughly $900k in reserve that could be allocated for next year’s budget. Jane Wacker reviewed the Fund Balance Reserve Sheet. Her review included:

 Fund Balance decreased by FY19 revenues less expenditures total of $2.944M, most of which was for building pay off

 Fund Balance on 11-30-19 was $6.543M

 We have a 5 month reserve policy which translates to $4,744,488

 In addition to 5 months, MHB has to run first few months of year before taxes come in (adjusting a small amount for May’s expenses of $112k) leaving a Fund Balance $1.6M, and MHB has budgeted to use a portion leaving us with $886k

 The gold portion of the worksheet provides details of what caused increase or decrease in the fund balance:

o Available at end of FY18 $900k; $370,942 in expenses that we thought would be used were not

o The change in budget for the next year reduced required Fund Balance Reserve by $305,051 mostly

due to no need for debt payment

o Revenue greater than budget was due to the increase in building space dollars after the budget was created

 Bottom line is $886,493 is the dollar amount available for FY21 budget allocation

 This amount has been decreasing and MHB has been strategically spending this down to pay off debt, and to fund sober living home, homeless shelter, CILA homes.

 For public funds the revenue and expenses totals need to be about the same as the property tax levy amount.

Cathy asked about earmarking funds for Capital Improvement projects. These need to be budgeted each year. Capital Improvements will be covered at the upcoming Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting.

Board opinion is the MHB Website needs to be easier for the end-user to quickly find what they need. The County’s Administration Committee is having similar discussion. Scott will talk with IT Director and perhaps develop an RFQ.

4. 9:45 AM -10:45 AM: SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH – MELISSA ADAMSON

Melissa Adamson, McHenry County Department of Health, provided a Power Point presentation of the Social Determinants of Health.

Evidence that the MHB has begun to act on disparity:

 Funding at CHP

 Added funding for Bilingual

 Shifting its funding strategy from equality to equity

The MHB 3 year plan should address affordable housing after the Homeless Shelter is operational. Consider what the next step will be.

MHB will be a facilitator for service-enriched housing and will include affordable housing in conversations with Thresholds, AID, and Housing Authority.

Healthymchenrycounty.org is a collaborative web-based program that includes mental health and substance use.

Scott reminded the Board that the MHB, as long as it is in prevention, support or recovery, is not out of line in seeking to provide supportive housing and focus on prevention and population health.

5. 11:00 PM – 12:00 PM: MENTAL HEALTH BOARD “TYING IT TOGETHER” A. 2018-2020 Three Year Plan Update

Scott reviewed the plan and activities undertaken including:

 Goals, objectives and definitions of success

 Housing – new CILA’s and Sober Living homes

 Recruiting – developed internship directory on MHB website

 McHELP APP– tele-psych, MHB has increased technology

 Developed Intake Coordinators meeting

 Transportation – Kaizen Transportation

 Awareness - increased website traffic and Facebook usage

 Discussion of shared positon with Health Department of a Communications Officer

 Continue increased efficiency of website

The Mental Health survey was discussed as a tool to develop our 3 year plan. The Health Community Study, NWM community study, SAMHSA Plan and many other outside plans will also be used.

Sample of survey included will be provided to many groups to get responses re: MHB mission, services needed and prevention programs for specific areas.

B. 2021-2023 Three Year Plan Development

Survey responses re prevention tools were reviewed.

Information from State, Committees, and other studies will be used.

This is the next portion of what the Board will work on as it is time to create another 3-year plan.

Cathy added that we need to continue to educate agencies on statewide information through network council as well as to educate the community similar to Rick Atwater. This would be a proactive education service to the community. MHB needs to promote public education. Sarah suggested spending money on social media: Instagram, Tik-Tok, etc.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT – none.

Melissa Adamson, Dept. of Health, provided some educated commentary on Corona Virus.

7. ADJOURN - Mike Baber motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Sarah Wilson. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at11:40 a.m.

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