MINUTES

MH&R BOARD of ERIE & OTTAWA COUNTIES

— October 16, 2007 —

 

 

 

Present:

 

Sue Kane

 

Eric Zgodzinski

 

Toni Deluca

 

Bill Kimberlin

Bob Kasayka

Barbara Limpert

 

Dan Ward

Robert Warner

John Fellhauer

 

Vee Reifsnyder

Barbara Hemphill

Pam McGlothlin

Kenny Baughman

Steve Lippert

Leroy Sizemore

 

 

 

 

Office Staff:

 

 

Excused:

 

Absent:

 

Guests:

Kirk Halliday

Beth Williams

 

 

 

Steven Prentice

 

Bruce Kijowski

Tim Naughton

Patty Notestine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty Williams

 

Debbie Kelley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Byers

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties met on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Sandusky Artisans, 138 E. Market St., Sandusky.  Ms. Kane, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Introduction of Guests — all guests present introduced themselves and were welcomed by Ms. Kane and the Board.

 

Oath of Office – Pastor Barbara Hemphill took the Oath of Office as an official member of the Erie/Ottawa Mental Health and Recovery Board. Welcome to the board Pastor Barbara! Ms. Limpert has graciously volunteered to mentor Pastor Hemphill.

 

Approval of Agenda — Mr. Baughman moved to approve the agenda as presented.  Mr. Kasayka seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

Secretary’s Report — Mr. Lippert moved to accept the minutes of the September 18, 2007 board meeting. Mr. Baughman seconded, motion carried unanimously.

 

Executive Director’s Report

Dr. Halliday reported on the following: a) Monitoring Reports – no questions. b) Monthly Update – Dr. Halliday noted the spirited article printed in the Sandusky Register concerning the Conestoga Program (included in packet) along with the reply clarification article also printed. The main point Dr. Halliday made was that some of the uncomplimentary statements that were attributed to him toward our agencies and courts were totally the columnist’s and did not represent his viewpoint at all. In Ottawa County we have the agreement from Judge Hany to participate in the indigent driver program. Ms. Galvin, United Way Ottawa, informed Dr. Halliday of an additional $40,000 contribution for the Conestoga Program from one of the agencies that work with Ottawa County. This brings them to accumulating more than half of their projected goal. Mr. Kasayka noted that according to his calculations the indigent driver funds is an additional $200,000 that was not planned for. Dr. Halliday agreed. c) Program Division Report: An “Executive Summary” of the Year in Review, was reviewed and clarified by Ms. Kelley (included in packet). This analysis provided a method of comparison between “planned for” programming and “paid for” services as well as information related to the progress of new, enhanced or different service and program mixes. The conclusions and recommendations drawn in part from this information are explicitly addressed in terms of proposed changes to existing contracts, new or enhanced programming, and/or shifts in focus. Information shared between the staff and the three primary agencies including Bayshore, Firelands and The Giving Tree will be more meaningful as part of the already existing reporting, monitoring and planning mechanism, including ongoing System Performance Improvement and Systems Integration meetings and PPBE recommendations and discussions. Ms. Kelly highlighted the bulleted-point summary on the variety of feedback given relative to each service group (board priority) addressed. This included Youth and Family, Prevention, General Population-Mental Health, Person with Severe Mental Disability (SMD), Alcohol and Drug-Adults, Crisis/Emergency/Hospital and General-Housing, public awareness, best practices and Medicaid rates. It was posed that in August of every year, along with the fourth quarter progress report, we do a review of what we planned for and what we paid for, which will precede filling out of community plans and any PPBE recommendations around programming and funding.

 

CQI – Continuous Quality Improvement Planning

  • PPBE Program/Allocation recommendations – January 2008 – June 2008, FY2009 implications

Ms. Kelley reviewed the recommendation summary report along with Option A for consideration and adoption by the Board. Alternatives were presented for discussion as well by Dr. Halliday, Option B – Liberal Alternative, Option C – Conservative Alternative (see hand-out provided for complete details). It was recommended by Dr. Halliday to accept Option A for adoption by the Board.

 

Round-Robin discussion/comments by the board followed the PPBE analysis of rationales and pros/cons.

Mr. Baughman noted that we have committed to Youth and Family and Option B would be his choice. Mr. Kasayka agreed with Mr. Baughman wholeheartedly. Ms. Williams added that if we went with Option B we would have a deficit budget. The $500,000 reserve is nonexistent; cash balance and budget are two different things. Dr. Halliday noted that the levy funds are over-lapping fiscal years, and the beginning of next year (CY2008) the budget commission will certify levy funds for half of our fiscal year 08 and 09. As a result, that’s where the additional $400,000 comes into play, and we would not want to borrow from the coming year to make up a deficit for the first half of the year. Concerning Medicaid we must pay whatever billings we receive whether we agree with them or not, it is a totally inflexible billing for the Board. Some systems have already cut all non-Medicaid services completely. We have two boards in our state that are Medicaid only boards right now. This is a huge issue that the State simply refuses to address. Mr. Baughman suggested going with Option A with the elimination of item one, Youth/Family Service Group: Decrease system allocation from current contracts by $60,249, which would leave us with a zero balance. Mr. Lippert noted that MRDD is facing the same kind of pinch in its budgeting. Mr. Warner is not comfortable with going in with a zero balance, he would rather have some reserves to be able to work with if necessary. We are looking at roughly a 10% decrease in Youth and Family dollars. Ms. Williams stated that there are funds to cover Medicaid, including the out-of-county, unless we get a huge Medicaid bill, we should be okay. No matter how much budgeting we do we could still be at risk because of the unknown issues that could arise.

 

Ms. Kane proposed taking at ten minute break to reflect on everything that’s been presented at the table.

 

Upon return, Ms. Williams added that pulling out item one of Option A only moves it to a line item, what we call managed care, and that can be used for Youth/Family funding if the need is there.  A legitimate concern that was brought to the attention of Mr. Lippert, was that our providers should not have to live month by month, that they can have some stability knowing that services contracted with them could be provided.  Ms. Williams noted that if there is a shortage it can be dealt with in a timely manner. Utilization and system patterns have been shared with agencies and are the basis for system adjustments which have periodically been approved by the Board. 

 

Individual Board comments:

  • Ms. DeLuca, Option A preferred, does not agree with running on a zero balance.
  • Mr. Kimberlin, asked for clarification that by reducing the $60,000 were not really cutting any services, this is money that has not been spent? So in essence the services are not being taken away from any agency? Correct.
  • Mr. Kasayka, we have in the last three years made a commitment to Youth and Family services, and feels that for a six month period Option B would allow us to do that.
  • Mr. Sizemore, felt that as long as we have the option to put money back into Youth and Family he would support Option A.
  • Mr. Lippert, if we can make dollars available if needed, Option A would be his choice.
  • Pastor Hemphill, agrees with Option A.
  • Ms. McGlothlin, since we are not cutting services and money that was not used in the past, would go with Option A.
  • Mr. Zgodzinski, if we could earmark that money for youth and family services and it would be the last money ever spent for emergencies, Option A would be his recommendation.
  • Mr. Fellhauer, if I would go with Option B could we receive the money if needed? Reducing contacts would be the only way to receive those funds.
  • Ms. Limpert, as long as there is flexibility, and agencies are assured that there will be money to provide for services, she would agree with Option A.
  • Ms. Reifsnyder, does not like any option! Our main focus is to provide services for clients that are in need. Of all the options, she doesn’t like to go down to zero in the bank account or build-up surplus either. Youth and Family has been a huge priority for this Board. If we have funds available, why aren’t we spending them? Of the options available she would vote for Option A, but still does not like it.
  • Mr. Warner, understands what Ken and Bob are talking about. As long as this goes into a line item strictly for Youth and Family, and if we take it away, will our agencies look for a way to use the money? It would remain in the board budget for future allocation. It would be possible that agencies would look for another program to spend the dollars on. Robert is not in favor of taking any money away from Youth and Family services.
  • Rev. Ward, from what we have discussed here tonight he would vote Option A with the clear understanding that the funding of Youth and Family services be protected as our priority above all else.
  • Mr. Baughman, we were asked to allocate that money which we did for Youth and Family services. If we take it away now we are sending agencies a clear message that if we allocate for certain services and if the money is not being used for that service we will take it away. We act just like the state. We made a committee to Youth and Family those funds are there for that purpose only, and you need to figure out a way to spend those dollars to treat those families that need it the most. If we put it back in and go to a zero balance there is no guarantee, something may come up, and I guarantee you in six months some of that money will have been spent. With Option A, striking item one, we go halfway between A and B. We need to keep Youth and Family a priority and we need to keep the money there. If it doesn’t get spent at the end of six months that money is still there, then when we go to a twelve month contracts we can re-evaluate. To step away now would be to step away from our commitment, and I think that would be a mistake. If item one is stricken from Option A, he would vote for that. He’s sure that this is not the only $60,000 out there that could be taken away. This is what we planned for, we should pay for what we planned for.
  • Ms. Kane, is a little more conservative, and would like to have some room to work with.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Deluca to adopt Option A, seconded by Mr. Sizemore. Roll call vote  as followed: Mr. Baughman, no; Ms. Deluca, yes; Mr. Fellhauer, yes; Pastor Hemphill, yes; Mr. Kasayka, no; Mr. Kimberlin, yes; Ms. Limpert, no; Mr. Lippert, yes; Ms. McGlothlin, yes; Mr. Reifsnyder, yes; Mr. Sizemore, yes; Rev. Ward, yes; Mr. Warner, yes; Mr. Zgodzinski, yes; and Ms. Kane, yes. Motion carried with 12 Ayes, and 3 Nays.

 

Consent Agenda

Ms. Williams presented an overview of the consent agenda items.

Resolution No. 10-2008-01: WHEREAS: The attached Consent Agenda has been reviewed for appropriateness and compliance with Board Policies; therefore Mr. Warner resolved the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties approve the business contained in the Consent Agenda.  Mr. Zgodzinski seconded.  Roll call vote as follows: Mr. Baughman, yes; Ms. DeLuca, yes; Mr. Fellhauer, yes; Pastor Hemphill, yes; Mr. Kasayka, yes; Mr. Kimberlin, yes; Ms. Limpert, yes; Mr. Lippert, yes; Ms. McGlothlin, yes; Ms. Reifsnyder, yes; Mr. Sizemore, yes; Mr. Warner, yes; Mr. Zgodzinski, yes; and Ms. Kane, yes;  resolution carried unanimously.

 

Board Concerns

Ms. Deluca asked Dr. Halliday if the conversation ever occurred between him and Mr. Paul? Dr. Halliday noted that Mr. Paul has never responded to his emails, or phone messages.

 

Old Business

Annual Dinner Update: The committee met and selected the awards winners and they have been notified. We’re looking forward to another successful awards presentation.

 

New Business – Ms. Kane, Chair

  1. Please read the article that was sent in your board packet, NAMI “Understanding and Coping with PTSD”, it is very interesting.
  2. Attendance of board members has been very good since Mr. Baughman started his crusade on the importance of having all board members present for meetings.
  3. In reference to the article in the Sandusky Register, Ms. Kane is very dismayed and does not understand why a newspaper would bash new programs for wanting to make the city better. Anyone who knows Dr. Halliday, I’ve never heard him say any derogatory comments. Unfortunately there are many people in the community that believe everything they read in the paper.

 

Commentary

Mr. Naughton, BCS, noted that we have been looking to get indigent driver funds released for years, they are earmarked as extremely limited. In terms of services that can be provided out of that $148,000 how much we would be able to draw down is yet to be determined. What I can tell you is that the AOD contract has been over-produced in fiscal year 07. Bayshore in the last quarter curtailed services greatly so as to not over-produce anymore. It is quite likely we will not be reimbursed for what has already been over-produced. I wish we could have had some discussion relative to that because it might have been informative to you had you been aware of those things.

 

Ms. Byers noted that last week was “Wellness Awareness Week” at the Oak House. They will have fifteen people attending the annual dinner, which they are very excited about. The 2nd Annual Craft Bazaar will be held on November 16, from 11 – 7, at the Oak House. Outside vendors will be donating 20% of their profits back to the Oak House. All are welcome to come and bring your friends too!

 

Ms. Kane stated that she knows that some of the members are not happy as far as the vote went tonight, but added it is up to us to follow our priorities for the next six months and watch carefully. We respectfully ask the staff to let us know if they start dipping into the youth/family services. As always, the Board will be informed on any changes prior to a change.

 

Ms. DeLuca asked if the bullying program that the school didn’t pick up on is because the Campbell schools/safe schools/healthy students had to be liquidated by a certain date.  Ms. Kelly answered no that was not the reason, and stated that we were not actually given a reason. We went into developing the bullying prevention program all together. Why Sandusky Schools choose not to contract with Bayshore to provide that, and then came up with their own program a year after we implemented that was discouraging to us.

 

Review Decisions Made and Action (Report decisions only)

Mr. Kasayka reviewed the actions of the Board:

1.     Agenda approved unanimously.

2.     Approval of Secretary’s Report – Minutes of 9/18/07 meeting, approved unanimously.

3.     A motion was made by Ms. Deluca to adopt Option A, seconded by Mr. Sizemore. Motion passed by a roll call vote of 12 Ayes, and 3 Nays.

4.     Resolution 10-2008-01 carried and approved unanimously.

 

Board briefly reviewed the comments from September’s board meeting. Please continue to write any comments and suggestions.

 

Mr. Baughman commented that the “Haunted School House” which is a youth organization where he mentors, and is currently serving as chair, has been closed because of insufficient water sprinklers, therefore leaving 30 to 50 students with nowhere to go. If anyone knows of someone who could put in a state certified sprinkler, or has finances available to help with the cost which is roughly $300,000. Please keep your ears open for the 50 kids!

 

 

Adjournment — Ms. DeLuca moved the meeting adjourn.

 

Minutes taken and typed by the Mental Health and Recovery Board

 

Respectfully submitted,