Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 09/07/2023

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 11/02/2023)

September 07, 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: Dennis Hopkins, Emily LeFew, Fred Friedman, Jacob Meeks, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Laura Gilbert-Gerber, Lee Ann Reinert, Michael Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Mike Miroux, Nannette Larson, Ray Connor, Sarah Scruggs, Scott Block, Shane Hassler, Shirley Davis, Susan Schroeder, Thane Dykstra, Tracy Meinert.
  • Call to Order/Introductions: 12:32pm meeting called to order by Ray Connor
  • Special Guest: Maddy Reinert- Mental Health America (MHA) overview of the national screening web system. www.mhascreening.org over 20 million mental health screenings have been completed. MHA web system goal is to identify "hot spots" for potential trends. Data Mapping dashboards can drill down data at both the state and county levels. Reports are used to reflect needs to help providers identify areas where additional resources may be needed.
  • Approval of July 13, 2023 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: Ray Connor (all say aye) Fred Friedman abstained
  • Division of Mental Health Report: (Lee Ann Reinert, Brock Dunlap, Nanette Larson, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz, Megan Miller-Attang)
    • Lee Ann Reinert: DMH did successfully submitted the annual block grant plan on time. Once approved it will be published on the DHS website. An annual Training requirement reminder was provided that is mandatory as part of serving on the council. Deadline to complete is December 31, 2023. 988 workgroup has convened to focus on the specific aspects of 988 includes stakeholders, legislators. Two meetings have already occurred. Total of 4 more meetings. We have a requirement to submit an action plan to go to the governor by the end of the year. Updates are posted on the meeting DHS web page. CESSA work continues to meet, securing an outside consultant to provide support and guidance statewide advisory committee to Chairs of Regional Advisory Committees will continue to meet.
    • Ryan Rollinson: housing recovery program-high risk of institutionalization, youth, grants issued to 8 providers in IL programming to start next month. Federal Requirement COVID 19 vaccine requirement has been lifted for CMHC providers.
    • Nanette Larson: Wellness Recovery DMH hosted CRSS competency training in June and July avg. 625 participants in each session, which is a record! Six of the sessions were offered multiple times to bolster participation. 858 unduplicated participants were reached. CRSS 11 post-secondary schools, partnering with BH workforce center, survey to gauge strengths, challenges, to improve the program. NOFO cycle will be FY 25. Spring 23 284 students were enrolled, over 40 at one college, 10 at another school due to capacity. Scott Block shared how the CRSS is pivotal to the justice system to add potential training piece in the curriculum. He has contacted IL certificaiton board to advise and to encourage to build that bridge and increase competency as CRSS and individuals with Lived Experience are an important piece in the justice system. Joan Lodge shared the power of this program based on feedback at Rosecrance client Council who are individuals who are enrolled in the CRSS program and are currently interning. Joan expressed gratitude to the department for pursuing this initiative and asked if there was potential to increase funding in FY 25 NOFO. Dr. Albert and DMH continue to support the power of individuals with Lived Experience and opportunities to extend employment for these individuals in DMH funded Living Rooms, Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT). However, Dr. Albert was unable to provide comment on additional funding in FY 25 for CRSS. Nanette shared a Pilot agency for grant Heritage BH in Successful Reentry leaving DOC in Decatur and Logan DOC. SAMHSA office of Recovery federal government agency that has developed an office of Recovery. All individuals with Lived Experience and a force to be reckoned with. Just had their 1 year anniversary and are conducting Listening Session to hear needs. National model standards of peer recovery support, hiring people with criminal history released guidance on this.
  • Committee Reports:
    • C&A (Michelle Churchey-Mims) : committee continues to meet; looking to move to meeting every other month. 2nd Thursday of the even months with the goal to have increased participation Oct.12th 12:30-1:30pm. Goal to look at the larger system and identify gaps for the committee to share to DMH. Chris O'Hara shared as he is part of the committee rationale for meeting change to not conflict with holidays and be able to add any item needed to be added to the IMHPAC agenda.
    • Development Committee: (Co-Chair Nannette Larson) Ron Melka has resigned as Chair due to expanded work duties. Identified three members be removed from the membership roster due to non-attendance in meetings and unable to reach them. Those names Maria Rosario, Melissa Yu and Meryl Sosa. Request vote for these members to be removed by the entire council. Lee Ann shared how in the block grant we have to provide an active list of council members including contact information. Lee Ann indicated that this item needs to be voted on. Fred Friedman advised when the committee makes a motion it does not need to be seconded. Chris O'Hara inquired when attempts were made what happened and what attempts were made? Irwin Kerzner responded Emails were sent came back undeliverable, office emails were given, when they left their place of business the members did not advise when they left and how to contact them. Nannette Larson Motion to remove the three members removed from full council. Sue Schroeder reviewed bylaws where a roll call needs to take place each time a motion is entered. Roll was taken by Secretary, confirmed that 16 members voted Yes to have Maria Rosario, Melissa Yu and Meryl Sosa removed from IMHPAC council as members. Motion passed
    • Adult Inpatient (Shirley Davis) reported that there is a crisis with placement of individuals who are underfunded or unfunded. Challenges with staffing, not having providers that accept Medicaid. Need a psychiatric provider Career Path. Letter to write to legislators to make change to pass laws to ensure IL citizens have access to services. Viewed as an opportunity to collaborate for a solution. Next meeting Oct. 10, 2023.
    • Justice Committee Report: (Scott Block) referenced action item next meeting Oct. 11th at 2:00pm. Need more members to attend. DHS block grant plan review the justice objectives focusing on alternatives to incarceration of youth. The Justice committee plans to extend an invitation to Dr. Coleman to attend the next meeting to share more about this objective. Committee requested input from DMH to expand Jail Data link as the committee is inquiring on the Departments plan to support this initiative. Lee Ann responded that there are 5 jails currently using Data Link, which is why it was in the block grant plan as the Forensic area will continue to be used. Fred Friedman thanked Scott for convening the Justice committee. Fred asked for clarification on role of Development committee on the charter of the interplay between the council and State. Scott advised that information can and will be provided to Fred.
  • HFS Report:  Kristine Herman-no report or update
  • New Business: None
  • Public Comment: None
  • Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Michelle Churchey-Sims and Shirley Davis seconded by meeting adjourned at 2:15pm.
  • Next Council meeting: November 2, 2023

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary