Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 05/04/2023

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 07/13/2023)

May 04, 2023 - 12:30pm

Co-Chair: Sue Schroeder & Ray Connor

THIS MEETING WILL ONLY BE HELD VIA WEBEX/PHONE CONFERENCE. THE DHS OFFICES ARE NOT OPEN DUE TO THE ILLINOIS STAY IN PLACE ORDER.

  • Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Dennis Hopkins, Fred Friedman, Jacob Meeks, James Kellerman, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Kristine Herman, Laura Gilbert-Gerber, Lee Ann Reinert, Marianne Bithos, Michael Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Nanette Larson, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Sarah Robinson-Torres, Scott Block, Shane Hassler, Shirley Davis, Sidney Weissman, Thane Dykstra.
  • Absent: Sue Schroeder
  • Call to Order/Introductions: Meeting called to order by Ray Connor at 12:32pm
  • Approval of March 2, 2023 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: Ron Melka seconded Michelle Churchey-Mims approved (all say aye)
  • Division of Mental Health Report: (Lee Ann Reinert, Brock Dunlap, Nanette Larson, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz, Megan Miller-Attang)
    • Lee Ann Reinert: Busy time for the department right now. Introduced: Melissa Guy administrative assistant to the bureau and DMH staff. Lee Ann reminded members to provide updates regarding email addresses for contact information to ensure communication is fluid. Lots of legislation currently on Mental Health. A change at the federal level to ensure that funds are being utilized as approved by Congress. As a result there have been conditions or rules placed on how the funds can be used. States are struggling utilizing these funds fully due to these identified limitations specifically to Block Grant dollars. Lee Ann thanked those individuals who participated in the block grant plan discussion. IDHS now has a template that will assist with the process for DHS/DMH block grant plan. The next meeting for this review/response will be in June. Meeting date TBD. Amy Starin offered to advocate at the federal level of legislation and challenges to spending the block grant dollars. Fred Friedman commented about the federal government's breakdown in functioning. Ryan Rollinson responded regarding previous federal funding challenges and the State has developed contingency plans to address this. Kristine Herman HFS reiterated above of state contingency plans and have maintained service levels. Ron Melka reminded the committee of the other national and state local associations that should be considered in our response.
    • Ryan Rollinson report for FY 23
      • Colbert: 405 transitions
      • Williams: 265 transitions
      • Front Door Diversion: 277 individual diversions
  • Nanette Larson:
    • WRAP: IDHS has successfully been conducting WRAP facilitator training virtually.
    • Graduation May 18th. 18 participants from all 5 regions.
    • CRSS for Success update: first official UIC evaluation of the program 284 enrollees across 11 colleges since 2/2/22. A majority of the schools now have a waiting list. The students demographic make up is similar to the communities and diverse group of candidates. Successful Reentry pilot program, transition out of IDOC custody; 3 months of funding for the end of FY 23 Heritage Behavioral Health in Decatur to develop a plan and begin to engage individuals in custody and being released in FY 24.
  • Lisa Betz
    • SAMHSA project to support opportunities for recovery and employment.
    • Collaboration Darius SAMHS policy and was awarded an opportunity DMH will now be attending an in-person policy academy and 12 months of transitional age youth. 51 agencies provide Supported Employment. But none specifically on transitional youth. DMH has 8 staff who will be participating with the other 7 states also awarded.
  • Dr. Sharon Coleman
    • Forensics Bureau strategic planning U OF I, focusing on a strategic plan to address Hospital capacity and training. Expect that plan to be available by the end of June.
  • HFS Report
    • Kristine Herman
      • Shared the partnership with Dana Weiner to support the transformation of PATHWAYS for success under the age of 21 complex BH needs. SED meet criteria for PATHWAYS. Intensive care coordination is designed to stabilize youth. Infrastructure special teams that act organize local HUBS within designated for accountability to ensure youth are at the center of care planning. HFS also reviewing youth who are not Medicaid eligible or are not SED but need support. These initiatives previously have not been implemented. Currently have 30 of 32 designated service areas. A majority of these care coordination providers are starting to provide services for these identified youth. Matching eligible youth with provider systems to ensure do not overwhelm the system. Currently 800 children are referred to care coordination. 120 of those individuals have declined services. The engagement rate appears to be good, however there is no data yet to report on this.
  • Committee Reports:
    • C&A (Michelle Churchey-Mims) : the committee continues to meet monthly. Discuss and problem solve the pathways implementation and the role of the IMHPAC committee and the blueprint for children BH services. Amy Starin shared that that committee would like to review the governor's budget to identify what the budget looks like and where those funds are being dedicated and spent.
    • Development Committee: (Ron Melka), did not meet due to no pertinent agenda items. Ron recommended committee members (5) members needed and would recommend applicants for membership from diverse populations. Fred Friedman brought up "stipend" and expressed confusion on the term Lived Experience. Fred asked about receiving a stipend and whether it is taxable income.
    • Adult Inpatient (Shirley Davis and Sid Weissman) presented report inpatient facilities do not take individuals who do not have insurance. The challenge is really that hospitals are struggling with providers/physicians/staffing. We do not need more hospitals we need to be able to pay providers an appropriate wage. What is DMH doing to ensure a competitive wage and to recruit professionals. Addressed stigma and discrimination of mental health issues as all challenges or disabilities are not visually seen. Identified need for the public to better understand MI through education efforts. Lee Ann commented of the workforce shortage for all positions in BH, the topic is a huge challenge. Lee Ann offered if it would be helpful to have speaker from the IL board of higher education to develop a program with Southern IL University of Medicine and University of IL college of Medicine could be scheduled for a future meeting to share updates on the Workforce Center to address these challenges. DMH has implemented loan forgiveness in underserved areas including staff in state hospitals to retain staff and scholarships. CRSS for Success program is one area of focus to address the workforce shortage challenge.
    • Justice Committee Report: not currently meeting. it will be reconvened based on survey results.
  • New Business: None
  • Public Comment: None
  • Next Council meeting: July 13, 2023
  • Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Mike Davis and seconded by Ron Melka meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Lodge,

IMHPAC Secretary