MINUTES

MH&R BOARD of ERIE & OTTAWA COUNTIES

March 18, 2008

 

 

 

Present:

Sue Kane

Kenny Baughman

Toni DeLuca

 

Bob Kasayka

Marlene Boas

Pam McGlothlin

 

Barbe Limpert

Vee Reifsnyder

Dan Ward

 

Steven Prentice

Steve Lippert

Bill Kimberlin

 

Leroy Sizemore

Robert Warner

Eric Zgodzinski

 

 

 

 

Office Staff:

Kirk Halliday

Beth Williams

Patty Notestine

 

Debbie Kelley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excused:

John Fellhauer

Barbara Hemphill

 

 

 

 

 

Absent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests:

Bruce Kijowski

Henrietta Whelan

Marty Williams

 

Lisa Byers

Tim Naughton

Mariann Davids

 

Linda Hartlaub

Lynda Redfern

Donna Kelly

 

Bobbie Herron-Boyer

Cindy Gunderson

Chris Galvin

 

Charlene Adams

Community Members

 

 

 

 

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties met on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at the Sandusky Artisans, 138 E. Market Street, Sandusky, Ohio. Sue A. Kane, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

Introduction of Guests — The Board welcomed all in attendance.

 

Approval of Agenda — Kenny moved the agenda be approved as presented. Bill seconded; motion carried unanimously.

 

Secretary’s Report — Vee moved to accept the minutes of February 19, 2008 meeting as presented. Dan seconded.

 

Discussion: Dr. Boas noted that the minutes did not reflect a roll call vote to enter into executive session, and what was discussed did not fit the parameters surrounding executive session. A hand-out was provided to all board members from the Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, Ohio Sunshine Laws 2008 stating; “the members of a public body may hold an executive session only after a majority of a quorum of the public body determines, by a roll call vote, to hold an executive session and only at regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the following matters” (see hand-out for further explanation).  Bob Kasayka suggested that we supply this information to the board solicitor for recommendation and clarification. It was agreed to have Dr. Halliday notify Vickie Ruffing to attend the next board meeting.

Said motion carried.

 

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. Halliday reported on the following: Policy No: I-C Policy Title: Budgeting – No questions asked.

 

CQI – Continuous Quality Improvement:

Introduction:

Dr. Halliday pointed out that the CQI report has three major sections; 1) FY09 ODMH Community Plan, 2) Proposed FY09 General Budget, and 3) Proposed value/priority for board consideration. The board position on values is what drives the detailed decisions being recommended. We are able to do these things because we have a means to devise and correct the quality professional services within the two county areas, along with the hard-work, dedication and collaboration of our agencies and staff.

 

           I.     FY09 ODMH Community Plan

Debbie Kelley presented an overview of the structure/content and plan requirements of the ODMH community plan (see hand-out provided in packet). The plan has identified sections that ask for very specific information such as: the “current state” (very specific and detailed information), needs assessment, planning process, identification of goals, strategies and measurable objectives, and proposed budget. The integrated system we are using today has allowed for us to be able to retrieve information much more efficiently and effectively.

 

         II.     Proposed FY09 General Budget Recommendations (PPBE)

Overview of the FY09 Program/Funding recommendations (see hand-out provided in packet) consisted of: a) considerations and framework, b) values/ENDS decision requiring Board action, c) general recommendations, including programming/service framework underlying the proposed budget – Crosswalk to Board values/ENDS, ODMH and ODADAS priorities and community plans, and d) approved recommendation summaries of FY08 first and second six month contracts. It was noted that the hand-outs represent the planning framework. It is an outline of the activities and tasks proposed to gather information and feedback, it is a guide for us to use in our future strategic planning system.

Proposed FY09 Additional Allocations of $560,000 include:

 

§       Restore Youth/Family Funds                                                     60,249

§       Early Childhood Mental Health Expansion                                50,000

§       Stages of Change Agency Training                                          10,000

§       Housing Initiatives                                                                   150,000

§       Prevention Expansion                                                               35,000

§       Recovery Oriented System of Care                                          75,000

§       Reserve for Unanticipated States Cuts                                     40,000

§       Unbudgeted Program Reserve                                               139,751

 

This is merely a representation of programming as the framework for the recommended general budget as it relates to Local, State and Federal Priorities.

 

We had a request from Big Brothers/Big Sisters to consider funding their school-based mentoring program. Ultimately, they first must become certified by ODMH or ODADAS for us to allocate any dollars. The Board needs to discuss on how they want to continue to handle future requests for funding.

 

Agency presentations:

Bruce Kijowski; Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services, Marty Williams; The Giving Tree, Henrietta Whelan; Bayshore Counseling Services, and Mariann Davids; The Giving Tree, gave presentations to the Board on their respected agencies which included: specialized programs, prevention programs, programs running in the schools, MH/AOD (dual) treatment, stages of change, vocational services, MST, FFT, educating the public, community collaboration, unified approach, family engagement, maintaining programs, vocational services & employment, SEPALS, excellent staff members, and an over all picture of the present services being offered.

 

A round-robin discussion was implemented by the board on item #1 - FY09 ODMH Community Plan and item #2 - Proposed FY09 General Budget.

Comments made:

 

§       Housing Committee #1 priority is to have a house in Ottawa County as a group home while still keeping the long range plan of have a facility to accommodate at least 15 people in future plans

§       Having a process and being able to recognize highlights and board priorities is a real advantage.

§       Community plan put together well.

§       Good to see support given to NAMI.

§       Pleased with progress being made.

§       Overwhelmed as a board member as what responsibilities are put upon us, very grateful for the expertise in the staff to understand the intricate workings of budgeting and financing.

§       Sound decisions being made.

§       Pleased with reports from our providers. Employment very important to clients. Realize the reality of “less dollars” is a trend of things to come.

§       This board today is different, the providers are different from years past for better. A lot of thought has gone into this budget. We’re looking at the big picture and its working.

§       There is no “I” in team, and I think we are seeing a real team effort between the board, the staff, and the providers. If any board member has the chance to go visit the agencies you should do so.

 

v    A motion was made by Barbe Limpert to approve the FY2009 Community Plan and Authorization to Submit the Community Plan to the State, seconded by Pam McGlothlin, no further discussion, motion carried unanimously.

 

v    A motion was made by Robert Warner to accept the Proposed FY2009 General Budget Recommendations, seconded by Toni DeLuca, no further discussion, motion carried unanimously.

 

        III.     Proposed value/priority for Board consideration (see hand-out provided in packet)

 

Presented by Dr. Halliday, The Conestoga Program is a collaborative among the Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) and other governmental agencies engaged in Community and Economic Development. The MHRB would target some of its behavioral healthcare funds to geographic areas which have been selected for traditional community development activities. The local courts will refer clients from the selected area to our contracted treatment providers, who will enroll those referred into appropriate programs.

 

It was asked of this Board to support the provision of targeted mental health and alcohol and drug treatment and supports services in conjunction with the Conestoga Program Community Development Collaboration.

 

Our function within this collaboration is to add the MH and ADA treatment in the context of what is being done by everyone else. The Weed and Seed Plan, spearheaded by the Center for Cultural Awareness and the City of Sandusky showing specific areas within that plan that this Board holds responsibility for, again this is alcohol and drug related services. By getting the courts involved with ensuring treatment compliance, we can increase our success rate from around 20% to70% by keeping the clients in treatment.

 

It was requested that the MHRB adopt the Conestoga Project as a specific value and direct staff to include it the CQI plan, weighting its level of support within the context of all the other values and legal mandates of the Board, to obtain a proper overall balance among all programmatic and funding implementations.

 

The two big benefits to the program are being able to keep people in treatment more often and the recovery concept is strengthened by having an entire community be brought into the picture of what can happen as a positive for a community on the rebound.

 

Indigent driver’s funds are broader than the neighborhoods and there are far more indigent driver funds than there are people in the target areas. The MOU’s that are set up are not specific to the neighborhoods. However, at the same time it does give the judge the ability to target those from the neighborhood who are seeking alcohol and drug services, and who are indigent. It’s not a matter that you would have to come from that neighborhood to get those funds released into the system.

 

After Board discussion and clarification, Dr. Halliday recommended that the Board support the provision of targeted mental health and alcohol and drug treatment and support services in conjunction with the Conestoga Program Community Development Collaboration.

 

v    A motion was made by Steve Lippert to accept the proposed value/priority for inclusion in ENDS Policy IV-A: Principles, Values, and Organizational Purpose (as an amendment), and that the Board supports the provision of targeted mental health and alcohol and drug treatment and support services in conjunction with the Conestoga Program Community Development Collaboration. Seconded by Robert Warner.

 

Additional Board Discussion/Comments:

 

§       Collaboration can solve many issues – a step worth taking

§       Increase in clients getting into programs a plus for everyone involved

§       Time to move our idea forward

§       Believe in targeted MH services, based on targeted populations in need and not based geographically, agree that collaboration is critical

 

v    The Chair called for a vote, 13 board members voted yea, 2 board members voted nay, previous motion carried.

 

Consent Agenda

Beth Williams presented a brief summary on the consent agenda items.

Remarks:

It was asked to receive some data on how many clients Linda Van Tine is serving.

Resolution No. 03-2008-01: Whereas the attached Consent Agenda has been reviewed for appropriateness and compliance with Board Policies; therefore Marlene resolved the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties approve the business contained in the Consent Agenda. Kenny seconded. Roll call vote as follows: Kenny; yes, Marlene; yes, Toni; yes, Bob; yes, Bill; yes, Barbe; yes, Steve; yes, Pam; abstain, Steven; yes, Vee; yes, Leroy; yes, Dan; yes, Robert; yes, Eric; yes, and Sue; yes, resolution carried.

 

Board Concerns:

The ad shown at break from the Lucas County Mental Health Board was quite impressive, but was also noted to be very expensive. The MHRB is planning to implement a multi-faceted anti-stigma awareness campaign in fiscal year 2009.

 

The Erie County and Ottawa County Job Stores may be closing. People in the area will then have to go to Fremont for services. With thousands of people visiting these stores every month it would be appropriate for our Board to write a letter to the Director of Job and Family Services, and legislatures, underscoring how critically important it is to keep the job stores open in both counties.

 

v    A motion was made by Steve Lippert to instruct the Executive Director to adopt a letter from the Board concerning the closing of the job stores in Erie and Ottawa Counties, and asking for reconsideration on both. Seconded by Bob Kasayka, motion carried unanimously.

 

Old Business:  

The chair noted that she had attended a suicide coalition program at Firelands, and noted that is was extremely informative and worthwhile attending.

 

New Business:

NAMI has provided training to police officers and probation officers, Erie County has 15 CIT trained officers and Ottawa County has one in the probation department, this is for the crisis intervention team.

 

The board public forums are going to be in May (Ottawa) and June (Erie) this year.

 

May is children’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

Commentary:

  • Supporter of the Weed & Seed and Conestoga Program. Healing neighborhoods is a great decision, clergy should also have an active role.
  • Thanks to Leroy for coming to visit the Oak House. It was wonderful having him stop by, we look forward to seeing more board members visit.
  • Bayshore has submitted an application for prevention certification and are waiting to hear back from ODADAS.
  • The Chair read aloud a letter addressed to her and all the board members from Darwitt Garrett, Community Advocate, he intended on being at the board meeting tonight, but was unable to attend.

 

Review Decisions Made and Action — Kenny reviewed the actions of the Board.

 

  1. Approval of agenda, moved by Kenny; Bill seconded, motion carried.

 

  1. Approval of Secretary’s Report – Minutes of 02/19/08 meeting, moved by Vee, Dan seconded, motion carried.

 

  1. Barbe moved to approve the FY2009 Community Plan and Authorization to Submit the Community Plan to the State, Pam seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Robert moved to accept the Proposed FY2009 General Budget Recommendations, Toni seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

  1. Steve moved to accept the proposed value/priority for inclusion in ENDS Policy IV-A: Principles, Values, and Organizational Purpose (as an amendment), and that the Board supports the provision of targeted mental health and alcohol and drug treatment and support services in conjunction with the Conestoga Program Community Development Collaboration. Robert seconded, motion carried with 13 yeas and 2 nays.

 

  1. Resolution No. 03-2008-01, resolved by Marlene, seconded by Kenny, motion carried.

 

  1. Steve moved  to instruct the Executive Director to adopt a letter from the Board concerning the closing of the Job Stores in Erie and Ottawa Counties asking for reconsideration on both, Bob seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

Adjournment — Bob moved the meeting adjourn.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,