Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 01/12/2023

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 03/02/2023)

January 12, 2023 - 12:30pm

Co-Chair: Sue Schroeder & Ray Connor

• Attendees: Courtney Aidich, Donnel Barnett, Lisa Betz, Scott Block, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Ray Connor, Michael Davis Sr., Shirley Davis, Thane Dykstra, Brock Dunlap, Fred Friedman, Matt Fishback,Joan Hartman, Shane Hassler, Dennis Hopkins, Patty Johnstone, James Kellerman, Irwin Kerzner, Nanette Larson, Emily LeFew, Joan Lodge, Jacob Meeks, Tracy Meinert, Ron Melka, Chris O'Hara, Lee Ann Reinert, Sue Schroeder, Sarah Scruggs, Amy Starin, Dr. Sidney Weissman, Jim Wilkerson.
• Call to Order/Introductions: (Sue Schroeder/Ray Connor) Meeting called to order. 12:33pm
• Approval of November, 2022 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: Amy Starin seconded Michelle Churchey-Mims Minutes approved (all say aye) one abstention Fred Friedman
• HFS Report (Kristine Herman not able to attend no report)
• Committee Reports:
  • C&A (Michelle Churchey-Mims : minutes distributed for November. Requesting additional members to join this committee. DMH to understand funding structure for the children's mental health system; HFS, DCFS request to have clarification of these different entities and coordination of systems. Amy Starin spoke of the level of funding to children's services versus adult system. Fred Friedman inquired about funding does the state use a calendar year versus FY for clarification. Lisa Betz spoke of the State FY July 1-June 30. The State does have a budget line for various funding streams specific for children: Medicaid FFS, Federal Grants, Federal COVID grant, SASS now part of HFS to reduce state administrative burden ($5M) Amy Starin would like more specific detail regarding funding specific to serve children. Lisa Betz did respond to use of Medicaid FFS as a mechanism to serve children. Lee Ann did report that DHS does have a mechanism now to review claims data on serving children and goal for the future to share this data with this committee. Dr. Albert responded to the resources that the State is able to dedicate to serving children. The state is in the process of developing a framework and recommendations for funding. Dr. Albert spoke of a state report Dana Weiner on the Transformational Plan. Dr. Albert will share the report and recommendations when they become available. Amy Starin requested to have representative regarding this plan for a presentation at an upcoming IMHPAC meeting. Discussion by membership on if this request needed a vote or if could be part of the future. Decision is that this is a request and does not need a vote. Dr. Albert to reach out to representative and secretary to put on agenda for March meeting.
  • Adult Inpatient (Shirley Davis) January meeting minutes were sent out to members. On-going questions still need to be answered # of state beds, and referrals for hospitals. Bed tracking, DMH # of beds, mandate hospitals do not hold beds for insurance, crisis stabilization and respite for youth. Texas has a respite program that works well. Increase # of group homes for youth who are in trouble, offer psychosocial rehab for youth, more respite centers for youth, UST waiting for a bed, forensics program is good, but it needs to be revised, increase payment for medical MH beds, people stay in ED with long wait lists due to no beds; stand by with guard. Request: A no decline option for beds, inpatient psychiatric set aside for emergency admissions. Jacob Meeks requesting clarification on proposed revisions, Jacob offered to attend next meeting. Fred Friedman spoke about his personal lived experience of waiting for a bed, along with experience with bringing someone to a hospital who too had to wait for a bed. It is incredibly traumatic to wait for extended length of time. Shared CHARGE process in Chicago suggested perhaps that this committee speak with them on this subject. Ray Connor requested a motion for others to attend committee meetings, Ron Melka shared that the meetings are OPEN meetings to the public and anyone can attend. Ray requests that the committee meetings be posted or sent out to membership. Donnell Barnett deputy Director for Clinical Operations thanked for recommendations spoke of bed tracking specifically with 988, DMH recognizes the need to be aware of stabilization options for clients in crisis. Dr. Weisman expressed the frustration on bed registry as this has been something that the adult inpatient committee had addressed for two years. In addition, frustration with individuals being transported outside of their area to be hospitalized. He expressed concern in resources for those served in the 988 system. Amy Starin asked the level of authority needed to address this issue. Dr. Weisman spoke that DMH only is responsible for State beds. Dr. Weisman requests that there be put together a model for this and if it requires legislative change or vote than it should happen. Dr. Barnett IDPH COVID track beds there is a system to track beds, IDPH does not have 100% participation across the state. With 988 there are other legislation and rules with regards to MH there may be some options to identify what is available now. Fred Friedman responded and spoke of new legislation and new committees in Springfield. Denis Hopkins recommended that a psychiatric unit in order to practice must ensure access to 2-3 emergency beds you have to take the individual for observation. Concern for individuals being released when there is not a bed even for those who are being held on petition and/or certificate. Joan Lodge shared bed tracking system that was put into place with the closure of Singer within the NW crisis care system. Providers who had Crisis Residential beds submitted daily bed capacity in "bed tracker: system that the Collaborative Value Options managed. Lee Ann reported that this is accurate however difficult to manage due to capacity management and resources needed to complete this however technological solutions are needed and necessary. With the move to 988 and larger crisis continuum what we build will interface with the larger system. Dr. Albert discussed the difference between "staffed beds" and "actual beds". Fred Friedman spoke of his own lived experience and reported he would never agree to go to a hospital. It is not the place where I would want to get treatment. Ron Melka spoke of Feb. 10th reported deadlines of bills in Senate to ensure that if the committee wants a bill to go forward to the general assembly these motions and concerns need to be brought forward earlier. Sue spoke of criminal justice committee which has not been active for some time. Lee Ann introduced Scott Block representative from State agency that he is a part of our council. Scott Block who is the Statewide Behavioral Health Administrator at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) agreed to fill the vacant criminal justice representative membership, a position required by SAMHSA. Web event for Feb. 2nd where the state plan regarding the future of the judicial system and strategies for Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM). Scott offered to present the plan if requested by the committee in the future. Sue reported IMHPAC sent out a survey inquiring what membership council to participate in as this is an expectation. Lee Ann suggests that we take the survey results and review the list, we do have new members so there may be benefit to send out of the survey again. Courtney confirmed that we can send the link out and request that the secretary send out to members as soon as possible and review results for March meeting. Secretary to put this on the agenda for March meeting and send link when it becomes available to members.
  • Lee Ann reported that IMHPAC currently out of compliance with posting of meetings to ensure we follow the rules; Open Meeting's Act. Beginning of calendar year required to establish its schedule of regular meetings, must post agenda no less than 48 hours. On our Open Meetings page the schedule of committees must be posted. planning year full block grant year and reconvene our planning committee to review this. Lee ann will be asking for membership to review this to ensure input.
  • Development Committee: Ron Melka no update
• Division of Mental Health Report: (Lee Ann Reinert, Nanette Larson, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz)
  • Dr. Albert update to change in Chief of Staff at DMH. Congratulations Ryan Rollinson on your new appointment! Update on our regional structure: Bureau of Community Programs: Felix Rodriguez, under this structure there are teams to oversee programs to work directly with grantees and provide support to providers.
  • Forensic legislature update DMH has been struggling to provide timely Forensic services and remanded to care by the justice system. Problem before COVID, exacerbated by the pandemic and work force shortage. Expanding beds to meet capacity; McFarland, EMHC. There has been legislative changes: 5 elements to the forensic bill: 1) individuals charged with misdemeanor will be defaulted to received outpatient restoration services goal to move towards the least restrictive level of care, 2) individuals who are in IDHS custody unlikely to be restored 60 days to hear case, versus 120 days, 3)individuals who are assessed for ITP within in 30 days to IDHS 4) individuals who are ordered for inpatient care will be placed within 60 days if unable to place need to demonstrate our efforts to admit these individuals. (Increase in demand 22% in 2022 from. 957 were ordered 2022 and 792 in 2021) and 5)SMRF may admit an individual who has been discharged from inpatient court ordered treatment this offers another less restrictive option.
  • Brock Dunlap regarding budget he reported that DHS in in a holding pattern the Governor will have his address in Feb and there will be more information released at that time. Chris O'Hara asked about funding for programs. Brock was unable to predict the budget.
  • Lee Ann Reinert: CRSS for Success program is flourishing! Some of the colleges have had successful graduation. It has been and will be a significant resource to our workforce. Chris O'Hara spoke to CRSS for supervisors training held today. Announced: Matt Wells and Christina Smith part of IMHPAC to lead DHS legislative policy work
  • CESSA legislative deadline was extended to July 2023. Subcommittees meeting regularly along with statewide meetings and developing protocols and procedures Statewide implantation. Chris O'Hara spoke on coordination for 211 and interface with 988. Lee Ann reported that DMH is aware of the work of 211 the scope is different that 988 as it primarily links with individuals for resources for social determinants of health, nor are 211 call centers trained on suicide or crisis intervention. Fred Friedman spoke of anxiety with the launch of 988 and being forced into treatment options that they are not agreeable. Lee Ann responded and validated concern, she reported the concerted effort for 988 to be a resource not a dispatch to law enforcement where individuals. Recent data: 37, 000 contacts for 988 call center, <2% required MCRT, <1% 911 for EMS. Patty Johnstone responded underutilized resource of Living Room Program to provide stabilization as an alternative to hospitalization.
  • Ryan Rollinson: consent decree update: finished year very strong, 202 transitions for Colbert and 145 transition for Williams. Update: Valencia King new Colbert Administrator
  • Lisa Betz: SAMHSA released the following Best Practice documents: They can be found here: A Safe Place to Be: Children's Crisis and Supports | National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (nasmhpd.org) and National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care (samhsa.gov)
    • Crisis Care Continuum specific for children and adolescents somewhere to go changes to "A safe place to go" not just MCR but crisis stabilization units for short term crisis care the entire system needs to be built on these guidelines.
• New Business: Dana Weiner has requested clarification on the amount of time to share findings of the Transformational Report: 20 mins. Is recommended by Sue Chair, Ray Co-Chair. A link to the report can be shared by the committee prior to the presentation.
• Public Comment/ Q&A: no public comment
• Next Council meeting: March 2, 2023
• Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Fred Friedman, Ron Melka meeting adjourned at 2:42 pm.