McHenry Times

McHenry County Mental Health Board met Nov. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board Members Present: Mike Baber, Rachel Boldman, Adam Carson, Tracy Champion, Cathy Ferguson, Ray Lapinas, Connee Meschini, Paula Yensen

Board Members Absent: Greg Alexander

Others Present: Terry Braune, Melanie Duran, Christy Golden, Jina Ramirez with Community Partnership of Illinois, Amy Quinlan,

MINUTES

1. CALL TO ORDER – Connee Meschini called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

• Jina Ramirez with Community Health Partnership of Illinois thanked the MHB for all it does for the community and CHP looks forward to continuing their relationship with the MHB.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FOR ACTION

Paula Yensen motioned to approve the Minutes of the October 26, 2021, Regular Board Meeting. Seconded by Rachel Boldman. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN. All in favor. Motion carried.

4. REPORTS

A. President's Report - C. Meschini

• Connee made note of a distributed sheet in the board packet called More Essential Than Ever, Re-Building Illinois, the Future of Investing in Behavior Health and the handout of a letter from the MHB's Attorney, David McArdle.

• Paula and Connee met with Chairman Buehler and Peter Austin in Administration and made them aware of a compliance issue with CHP. Paula expressed the importance of informing the County of the path in which the Mental Health Board is moving forward with the handout information.

• Monday, November 29th, the MHB will have a special board meeting to conduct interviews for the Executive Director position.

• December’s MHB meeting will take place at 5pm rather than 6pm and the meeting will take place a week earlier on December 21st due to the holiday. The Board and staff were invited to go out afterwards to celebrate the holiday.

B. Interim Director's Report – T. Braune

• Thanked the Mental Health Board members for providing their service and consideration of the recent matters taking place and thanked the board members for all their support.

• The Mental Health Board is meeting regularly with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office for support of the Police Social Worker Program. Many key state initiatives and laws are coming together such as the Federal 988 suicide hotline, Pathways to Success, CESSA and Public Act law changes, and Mobile Crisis Response. These will play a key part on how McHenry County will move forward with crisis response. These key players are really working together for the success of the Police Social Worker program and how it affects their operations. Paula noted Sheriff Primm conducted an interview on CBS News on November 18th that can be Googled for viewing purposes.

• Terry noted network updates mentioning NISRA and Pioneer’s partnership day program launching in November named BRIGHT, which is currently bringing in clients to the program. The CAC (Childhood Advocacy Center) moved their location from Woodstock to Crystal Lake. FY22 contracts are underway; facilitation of 17 Work Plan meetings with providers have been completed.

C. Finance and Audit Committee - R. Lapinas

• On packet page 55 there are variances between the bank statement and the accounting system of $190,289; the differences include unposted interest income and unposted payroll and health insurance expenses. There was also $151,803 received but not yet reflected on deferred and receivable property tax balances. On packet page 63 projected revenue under expenditures of $205,241 showing an increase of $22,821 from last month.

D. Network Council - C. Ferguson

• Network Council met November 22nd

• Northwest CASA has an opening for a Medical Advocate Professional

• In McHenry, Turkey Drive going on for a free turkey which AID was promoting.

• Greater Elgin has all COVID vaccination types available

• Terry provided her report on the end of the year process

• Emphasized that in January, compliance audits are going to start focusing on Evidenced Based Practices (EBP) and whether providers are demonstrating fidelity to each model. Working on identifying ineligible referrals. CARF has recommended that agencies set targets for outcome domains, which MHB is implementing in FY22 processes.

• Intake Coordinators to meet again on December 14, 2021

• Continuum of Care is very busy with their emergency rental assistance program. In January, a Point-In-Time count will be completed to assess the number of homeless individuals in our county.

• Suicide Prevention is working on their strategic plan for 2022

• I/DD Committee reports issues due to workforce shortages and increased costs due to overtime. Looking into shared services to take care of the community members in need. Also working on respite services

• Terry reviewed the 3-year plan

• Network Council will not meet in December

5. CONSENT AGENDA - FOR ACTION

A. 202111-83 Treasurer’s Report for Period ending October 31, 2021

B. 202111-84 MHB Monthly Bills through November 17, 2021

C. 202111-85 Cost Allocation Plan 2022

D. 202111-86 Insurance Renewal

Paula Yensen motioned to accept consent agenda A, B & C with the removal of Consent item D. Adam Carson seconded. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Adam Carson -Yes, Tracy Champion – Yes, Cathy Ferguson -Yes, Ray Lapinas -Yes, Paula Yensen -Yes, Mike Baber -Yes, Connee Meschini -Yes. All in favor. Motion Carried

202111-86 Insurance Renewal

• Terry asked Melanie to speak to the Insurance Renewal (consent agenda D). Melanie reported an increase in the building replacement cost due to inflation. The deductible for the Directors and Officers liability insurance went up from $5K to $10K. The main premium increase was for cyber liability; premiums went up 35% due to increases in cybercrimes taking place. Overall, the MHB is $637 under budget on premiums. Agency fees continue to remain at $7000. The insurance premiums had a 7% increase overall (the MHB had anticipated an 8% increase).

Mike Baber motioned to accept consent agenda D, Insurance Renewal, Rachel Boldman seconded the motion. A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS TAKEN. Mike Baber - Yes, Rachel Boldman - Yes, Adam Carson - Yes, Tracy Champion - Yes, Cathy Ferguson - Yes, Ray Lapinas - Yes, Paula Yensen - Yes, Connee Meschini - Yes.

6. OLD BUSINESS - FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION

A. FY22 Strategic Plan Update

• Terry provided updates on the MHB Three Year Plan. Initiative #1: MCMHB Network Enhancement and Development had the following accomplishments for the past 6- month period through November 21, 2021: Hosted the National Council for Mental Well Being “Trauma-Informed Recovery Oriented Leadership” Training for 70 County department heads and supervisors and 60 network provider management staff; Approved the FY22 budget including $27,500 to support a Trauma-Information McHenry County Independent Contractor; Year to date hosted 14 ACE Interface Trainings with 289 attendees (June 2021-November 2021); Renewed sponsorship for supporting Not for -Profit Resources (formerly Volunteer Center) Management Training Series at $2,500 for FY22 (11/21); Used data collected via monthly service data, utilization, outcome reporting, and compliance audits to inform the FY22 funding allocation considerations; Provided ongoing consultation at compliance audits and at FY22 work plan development meetings regarding Evidenced Based Practices (EVPs). Fidelity to service models and use of objective measurement tools to track outcomes (12/20-11/21); Filed annual report with CARF for year one of Three-Year Network Accreditation (August 21); YTD Network Training FY21 targeting enhanced clinical, fiscal, and management knowledge - 47 total trainings; attendees 2,584; and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) issued 111 (12/20- 11/21). Initiative #2: Promote a Comprehensive Network of Behavioral Health Services had the following accomplishments for the past 6-month period through November 21, 2021: YTD supported 41 QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings with 1,064 gatekeepers trained (12/20-11/21); hosted Virtual Suicide Prevention and Recover Conference with 121 attendees (Sept. 2021); transitioned NARCAN training for law enforcement from Northwestern Medicine SUD Nurse to Live4Lali; approved FY21 budget revision request to transfer $7,901 for additional Live4Lali harm reduction supplies and NARCAN; transitioned PEARLS program from Harvard Community Senior Center to Independence Health and Therapy (FY22); supported training for IH&T staff in the PEARLS model (July/August 21); funded McHenry County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Police Social Worker (PSW) program at $300,000; participated in development and coordination of program; providing consultation regarding outcome measurement and processes; participated in State Pathways to Success rollout; and participated in coordination with MCSO PSW program, Northwestern Medicines’ Crisis - Doty Road ER, Municipal Law Enforcement and Rosecrance’s Mobile Crisis Response (MCR). Initiative #3: Strengthen and Support Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services had the following accomplishments for the past 6-month period through November 21, 2021: approved funding for Service Inc. Educational Advocate position with increased funding in FY22; initiated conversation at I/DD Committee to identify service gaps and brainstorm solutions based on partnership between providers and pooling resources. Initiated planning efforts at I/DD Committee for DD Awareness Month Events and Training (March 2022); program launch of NISRA/Pioneer Center for their Bright Program in Huntley (11/21); and FY22 Transitioned Pioneer Center’s Client and Family Services program to case management and community support (11/21). Initiative #4: Leadership, Advocacy and Awareness had the following accomplishments for the past 6-month period through November 21, 2021: MCSO to present the Police Social Worker program at ACMHAI quarterly meeting in response to CESSA and Public Act law changes (12/21); funded CIT training for law enforcement (10 and 11/21); initiated MHB LinkedIn page (11/21); renewed MHB/Dobbe Marketing agreement for FY22; and scheduled/coordinated radio spots over the holidays (10/21).

7. NEW BUSINESS - FOR DISCUSSION/FOR ACTION

• None Reported

8. MEMBERS' COMMENT

• Mike said he feels strongly that McHenry County is a great ambassador for the social worker program. Paula agreed expressing the return on having a social worker is very valuable.

• Adam stated that law enforcement, if given the choice between sending a social worker on the street or an officer, the officer will be sent, for reasons mostly due to budget. Most agencies right now are short staffed. Many people do not want to commit fully to a new program unless they know it is going to work. This program will be a big challenge as far as proving the need and we need that committed support.

• Cathy said she felt that cities may want to do their own thing to have more control. Whether its law enforcement, a social worker, or even a crisis team, she feels at this time, it just has not been defined enough yet. There could be liability reasons for law enforcement on what is considered hands on for a mental health situation. Adam agreed and said the way in which the law reads is unclear and needs to be defined. He added that the CIT Training is very beneficial.

• Connee Meschini stated there was no need to go into the Executive Session.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

• None

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5ILCS 120/2 (C)(1) EMPLOYMENT; (C)(5) PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE; (C)(11) PROBABLE OR IMMINENT LITIGATION.

• Did not take place

11. ADJOURN

Mike Baber motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:30PM and Ray Lapinas seconded. A VOICE VOTE WAS TAKEN, All in favor. Meeting adjourned.

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