PROCESS
A team representing the Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council (IMHPAC) met for several months with Ted Johnson, Senior Consultant with Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) to discuss initial elements of a strategic plan for the IMHPAC. AHP is contracted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide technical assistance to mental health or behavioral health planning and advisory councils.
The Illinois Team included Andrea Cooke, Ann Irving, Dennis Hopkins, Fred Friedman, Irwin Kerzner, John Shustitzky, Lee Ann Reinert, Margo Roethlisberger, Matt Perry, Nanette Larson, Ray Conner, and Ron Melka. Team meetings were held via conference call.
The Team met June 13, 2018 at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with John Hudgens, Senior Program Manager with AHP and Ted Johnson, AHP Senior Consultant to further discuss proposed Mission, Vision, and Values and identify IMHPAC strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This material was recorded and circulated to the Team members.
The Team then met with Ted Johnson via teleconference July 6, 2018 to develop recommendations for priorities for the IMHPAC.
This document displays Team recommendations for IMHPAC Mission, Vision, and Values. It lists strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the Council. It describes recommended priorities (in priority order) for the next 18 months for the Council.
Information and recommendations are to be presented to the full Council at its next meeting, July 12, 2018 for consideration, possible revisions, and possible adoption.
IMHPAC MISSION
The mission of IMHPAC is to advocate for a robust mental health delivery system on behalf of the people in the State of Illinois by bringing together stakeholders to advise the State on the development and implementation of mental health plans, programs, and policies.
IMHPAC VISION
IMHPAC is a change agent that collaborates with stakeholders to create and advance an accessible, integrated, reliable system of care reflective of the most current mental health research and practice, leading to communities that support wellness and self-determination.
IMHPAC VALUES
Inclusiveness, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Leadership, Hopefulness, Diversity, Honesty, Thoroughness, Observant, Nurturing, Supportive, Advocating, Passionate, Dedicated, Transparency
IMHPAC STRENGTHS
Support of the state States resources
Other state agency representation Dedicated individuals
Persistent / resilient Open to new ideas
Institutional and personal knowledge
Like-minded and committed to quality mental health services Open to all voices - inclusiveness, value each other
Varying backgrounds State-wide representation Diversity
No hidden agendas Reasonableness
Support and participation from DMH Director and senior leadership Governance structure
IMHPAC Weaknesses
No real authority
1.5-year hiatus created participation issues
Some areas of the state are underrepresented or not represented Difficult for remote members to participate equally
Lack of consumer representation
Weak diverse representation - age, LGBTQ, etc. Meeting statutory requirements - State and Federal Antiquated bylaws
Lack of adherence of bylaws Inertia
Susceptibility to political influence stifles members Lack of new perspectives
Not welcoming or orienting of new members Difficult to become a member
Conflict resolution not established Coopting
IMHPAC OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNAL
Good response in recruiting new members - 15 new members Willingness of members to take leadership roles
1115 Waiver input
Funding for stipends - for Council attendance Strategic Planning Group - AHP consultation Rebuilding Council as a force
EXTERNAL
"Stock" of mental health is on the rise New parity law ("best in nation")
Law suit against DOC re: mental health services 1115 Waiver
More resources for treatment (Federal sources)
Greater public awareness due to national tragedies of celebrity suicides and the opioid crisis Increasing support for behavioral health issues in the Illinois General Assembly
IMHPAC THREATS
EXTERNAL
Austerity - decrease in State and Federal funding Governor's election (political culture in general) Misinformation and disinformation
Negative assumptions about mental illness Stigma
Discrimination
INTERNAL
Over reliance on state's resources - lack of funding Inertia
SCANNING THE ENVIRONMENT
(What is happening in the environment surrounding IMHPAC or internal to the organization that might affect IMHPAC's plans?)
- There will be an election in November 2018 - many local, state, and national positions in government will be up for election. This includes the governor's office and all Congressional representatives.
- There is a continuum of beliefs that extend from those who support involuntary treatment for people with mental illnesses to those who believe that mental illnesses do not exist.
- A new director has been appointed for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services - the Medicaid authority in Illinois.
- There is increased attention nationally on rising suicide rates.
- The IMHPAC has several new members, resulting in more statewide perspectives and a possibility of rejuvenation of the IMHPAC.
- There are changes in rules and regulations at both the state and national levels.
- There is a growing focus on the whole person - with a focus on offering and providing integrated (health, mental health, substance use treatment) care.
- There is an Illinois council concerning substance use disorders prevention, treatment, and recovery: the Illinois Advisory Council on Substance Use Disorder.
- Nationally there is an increasing stratification between the rich and the poor.
- Supports for people with mental illness extend beyond mental health treatment services.
RECOMMENDED IMHPAC PRIORITIES FOR NEXT 12 MONTHS
- Assure a fully functioning IMHPAC by ensuring State agency representatives are actively participating in IMHPAC meetings and new members are oriented and integrated into the IMHPAC.
- Insure access to data based on services provided and needs being met; include stories and experiences presented by people with lived experience; have hearings throughout the state on the mental health system.
- Recommend or support legislation that aligns with our goals.
RECOMMENDED IMHPAC PRIORITIES (12-18 MONTHS)
- Formalize a way to communicate information from IMHPAC to the State.
- Determine why Illinois may not be attractive to providers in order to develop strategies to increase the number of providers.
- Identify psychosocial, innovative, and evidence-based approaches to recommend to policymakers and funders.
Possible Work Sheet for Priorities
PRIORITY |
COMMITTEE OR GROUP ASSIGNED |
DESIRED OUTCOME(S) |
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE |
Assure a fully functioning IMHPAC by ensuring State agency representatives are actively participating in IMHPAC meetings and new members are oriented and integrated into the IMHPAC. |
|
|
|
Insure access to data based on services provided and needs being met; include stories and experiences presented by people with lived experience; have hearings throughout the state on the mental health system. |
|
|
|
Recommend or support legislation that aligns with our goals |
|
|
|
Formalize a way to communicate information from IMHPAC to the State. |
|
|
|
Determine why Illinois may not be attractive to providers in order to develop strategies to increase the number of providers. |
|
|
|
Identify psychosocial, innovative, and evidence-based approaches to recommend to policymakers and funders. |
|
|
|
COMMITTEE OR GROUP PLAN AND PROCESS
Each committee or group assigned to address an issue should create a plan to address the issue. Each group may create its own plan, but it should include the elements included in the chart below. Reports to IMHPAC leadership and/or the full Council can then address each of the items in the plan.
COMMITTEE OR GROUP
ISSUE OR GOAL
CURRENT STATUS
ANTICIPATED STATUS
WORK PLAN: WHO, WHAT, WHERE
ISSUE OR GOAL: Which issue or goal (from list of priorities) is the group working on?
CURRENT STATUS: Where is IMHPAC now in relation to this goal? What is the need for this goal? How does this goal relate to IMHPAC's mission? What is happening in the environment (internal and external) that might affect achievement of the goal?
ANTICIPATED STATUS: Where does IMPHAC want to be relative to the goal? Review IMPAC's vision. Review IMHPA's organizational capacity. Estimate revenue or other resource needs.
WORK PLAN: Program, capacity, funding, evaluation strategies. Who, what, when, where?
ADDITIONAL TASKS
- Monitor and evaluate implementation
- Celebrate achievements and successes
- Refine or modify goals
- Identify new issues