Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 11/02/2023

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 01/04/2024)

November 02, 2023 - 12:30pm

Co-Chair: Sue Schroeder & Ray Connor

• Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Dennis Hopkins, Emily LeFew, Fred Friedman, Irwin Kizner, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Lee Ann Reinert, Michael Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Nannette Larson, Patty Johnstone, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Sarah Scruggs, Scott Block, Shirley Davis, Sid Weissman, Susan Schroeder, Thane Dykstra.

• Call to Order/Introductions: 12:34 pm meeting called to order by Sue Schroeder

• Approval of September 7, 2023 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: motion to approve Ron Melka, Scott Block seconded, Fred Friedman-abstained (all say aye)

• HFS Report Kristine Herman-There has been on going work between departments; HFS, DMH and SUPR relative to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) initiative to determine CCBHC criteria. HFS has completed its first round CCBHC application process for participation and several providers have been chosen to move forward with the formal application process. HFS is collaborating with DMH on the crisis care continuum regarding services and purchasing robust services such as Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in IL. There has been notable progress made to streamline and collaborate to build out that continuum. HFS continues with the implementation of PATHWAYS to success for youth as well as Care Coordination Support Organizations (CCSO) statewide. Additional services which have been implemented are specialized care coordination such as intensive in-home peer support and respite services. HFS has enrolled 2400 youth in this program. HFS continues to work on rate enhancements and reviewed other guidelines for different rate methodologies.

• Division of Mental Health Report: (Director Albert, Lee Ann Reinert, Brock Dunlap, Nanette Larson, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz, Megan Miller-Attang)
  • Dr. Albert announcements: grateful for HFS partnership and collaboration DMH and HFS have been working closely together. leadership changes: DHS previous secretary Grace Hou now Deputy Governor previously Sal Flores. Dulce Quintero, previously the assistant secretary, has been appointed as Secretary. Secretary Quintero represents the first Latin X, and LGBTQ+ at the state level. At HFS Director Eggleson former assistant Director Lizzy Whitehorn is now the new HFS Director and DCFS Director Mark Smith is stepping down. DHS will conduct a national search for a new Director target date January 1, 2024.
  • Lee Ann Reinert: Streamlining access-technology should make it easier for others to navigate, but how do we communicate clearly to ensure resources are getting to those who need services the most. Goal to make it easier! Updates to Crisis continuum 988, working group: 6-month timeframe resulting in an action plan to be submitted to the General Assembly (GA). The next monthly meeting scheduled for Dec. will focus on sustainability with emphasis on 988. All meetings are Open Meetings. Other 988 exciting news: Cohort- 2 received 3rd grant from SAMHSA to support 988- actually got more $ than asked for $7M +. Funds provided by a Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) appropriation which is more specific to the needs to support technology, streamline processes and support evaluation and metrics for outcomes. The funding will also be used to enhance public messaging for 988 to get the word out. CESSA day long Statewide Advisory committee was held in Springfield. A productive day as the meeting was held in person. Face-to-face meetings will occur on a quarterly basis moving forward. RAC: paused while the SAC collaborated on next plans to move forward., to meet deadline of July 1,2024 protocols due for 911 PSAPS coordination with 988.3rd mandate: Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act (HB 3230) collaboration around streamlining and making things simpler. Lots of different rules and regulations make it confusing and difficult to access services. Plan to submit three different reports to GA for review. Reminder about training given to conduct annual training requirements. Deadline is 12/3/23. It is a requirement for all council members. Any questions please reach out to Irwin for assistance. Behavioral Health Workforce Center: (BHWC) DMH is working with the Board of higher education to help create this workforce center. Various partners helped support the initiative. This will directly support individuals who want to work in the field as well as providers, state agencies will use this platform to conduct a deeper dive into what is still needed. Link to website: https://illinoisbhwc.org/
    • Discussion/comments: Thane Dykstra inquired about sustainability with regards to 988; Lee Ann spoke to grant funding (federal), after federal money is issued the State needs to have a sustainability plan once federal dollars would no longer be available. DMH has strategies with using Medicaid to leverage these dollars to support 988, another option surcharge similar to 911. IL will most likely have a solution that is braided with a variety of sources. Fred Friedman responded regarding the idea of sustainability can be confusing. Congress is speaking about aid to Israel, but then yet there are limits and disagreements on passing bills in congress. Fred inquired about the long-term impact of IL programming as a result of what is going on in the World. Lee Ann discussed about potential "shut down" the good news IL are informed that clean notices of award-even if shut down, the state can draw down funds to support the work intended through these initiatives. Amy Starin asked for a status update on the transformation work with Dana Weiner. Director Albert recapped on the child initiative main focus on the state of behavioral health services for children and make recommendations for change to improve this system. Administering and funding a behavioral health portal to support ease of access to services. A single point of entry for families needing BH services with acute needs. Anticipated go live date: June 2024-tenatively. IL working diligently on this effort.
  • Ryan Rollinson: had to leave before update provided.
  • Nanette Larson: Update on successful re-entry pilot: a GATA exception from competitive NOFO to test run a project and utilize the learning in the pilot to conduct a NOFO. Provider participant in the pilot is Heritage Behavioral Health, intent of pilot to work with Individuals who are leaving Decatur DOC women's correction facility, 6 months pre-release and 6-month post release to focus on re-entry into the community after they leave custody. Hiring individuals with legal issues delays hiring individuals with this Lived Experience to support this project. Collaboration with SUPR, SUPR has enhanced this effort to include Mental Health and other Recovery Community Organizations (RCO) which are consistent with peer run organizations. For more information: Recovery Oriented Systems of Care: (ROSC) ROSC Councils https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117096. Updates on the DHS website: Recovery Support Services: CRSS. New resources have been added to the website: Recovery Support Services https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=36696. Subpages under "Recovery Support Services: Comparing the CRSS & CPRS https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=154617, CRSS & CPRS FAQs: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=155382
    • Discussion/comments: Fred Friedman shared his recently viewed States Governor report and goal to end Homelessness. He reports that the system is extremely complicated and difficult to navigate. Dr. Albert responded with gratitude for Fred Friedman comment as this topic is so important in the work we do every day, there office was assisting a person today due to this very issue, he encourages providers to create systems that are easy to navigate. The role of individuals with Lived Experience is essential to help support individuals in accessing services. Chris O'Hara also commented on telehealth when in person access may not be available. We need to ensure vacancies are filled and to help every person access services when they are unable to navigate technology. Scott Block shared the work that another agency in their efforts "Take Action Today" in re-entry efforts. Nannette responded that she is aware of their efforts, Take Action today is an RSO. Scott Block wanted to share that providers are providing services to thousand individuals each year, and cautious us from using comments such as 'broken system."
• Committee Reports:
  • C&A (Michelle Churchey-Mims) : committee continues to review gaps in services and plan for recommendations. Meetings are held every other month on the second Thursday next meeting Dec. 14th. Amy Starin provided additional update 8-10% of the budget is specially earmarked for children services. Which may contribute to the gap, brainstormed funding opportunities: preventive and early intervention services, supportive parents and parenting supports. Goal wholistic approach to providing services to children. Outreach and engagement efforts are needed but funding to support these efforts are needed. Director Albert encouraged this committee and any committee or member to share comments and ideas to help the department "figure out" how to best serve. DMH what are the BH needs of children, adol and families that no one else is meeting. if we do not meet them those needs will always go unmet. We are stretching in ways that are new for the DMH; crisis care continuum.Young CRSS-YA (young adults) develop a way for individuals with Lived Experience to have a positive impact to support our youth. CRSS-YA currently is not an approved certification. This is being developed for IL. Patty Johnstone asked about CRSS credential for YA. Ultimately that is the goal for IL, but currently it is not.
  • Development Committee: (Chair Nannette Larson) Summary: Former Chair resigned Ron Melka, A Chair for the Development committee is needed. Two applications for membership were received and are recommending moving to approve for membership. Matt Fischback, Jessica Gimeno. The Development Committee made the recommendation to approve the two applicants for membership. Ron Melka seconded the motion for approval. At the January 2024 full council meeting the committee will vote on renewals or terms on the committee. (all say aye) no oppositions or abstentions.
  • Adult Inpatient (Shirley Davis) biggest issue is waiting in ED for an inpatient bed. Concern with stigma displaying individuals in psychiatric crisis are violent. Exclusionary criteria is being used to not serve. Lack of insurance is an issue with access to treatment. Psychiatric needs should not be segregated or treated differently than a person needing medical care. Dec. 6th @ 10am, next meeting. The goal of the committee is to find solutions to the problems that this committee has found. Patty Johnstone wanted to remind individuals that LRP are going 24/7 and is an alternative to hospitalization for crisis respite. Scott Block commented that there is not a one solution, civil mental health commitment: one option is an OP involuntary commitment.
    • Fred Friedman responded that he does not see a solution to this issue, people are scared of "us" and there is a belief that "we" will hurt them. He stated I don't know how to resolve this. not sure what legislation can do to resolve this issue. Shirley agreed that stigma is discussed at every committee meeting; the goal of this committee is to "advise". Director Albert responded this is a rich discussion and there is a lot. In IL this is the time that we can make strides for improvement. The solutions are a muti-pronged approach, and this work is well under way to create accessible alternatives for individuals who experience a psychiatric crisis. Living Room, CCBHC's. There is a shared recognition that we need to invest in crisis services as alternatives to hospitalization and institutionalization.
  • Justice Committee Report: (Scott Block) participation at this sub-committee is needed, Dec. 13th next and refer to services. Next NOFO scheduled for early 2024, is there a better way to ensure statewide coverage. Court discussions regarding the current model of how these programs are doing are they aware, successful. Feedback will be reviewed to reshape the program if needed. Increase the use of Jail Data Link; local jail inmates is a data transfer to determine if an inmate has had a stay at a state funded institution. This data is allowed to be exchanged. There currently only 5 jails that actually use Jail Data Link. Goal to focus on the importance of this to ensure that jails are aware of who is being detained and what their needs may be. Public: Julie Miller commented about her son who has been in DuPage County jail since March 2022 and he is awaiting a bed at Chester. She reported that she has another son in Cook County jail due to MI. Scott offered to support and help explain process. Director Albert appreciates the courage and advocacy of the family. He shared legal/ethical parameters that the Division is aware and efforts are underway to help resolve this purpose.

• New Business: 2024 IMHPAC Full Council Meeting schedule:
  • January 4, 2024
  • March 7, 2024
  • May 2, 2024
  • July 11, 2024
  • September 5, 2024
  • November 7, 2024

• Motion to approve the 2024 calendar year: Shirley Davis, Sarah Scruggs seconded, motioned carried

• Public Comment: None

• Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Ron Melka and seconded by Scott Block, meeting adjourned at 2:42pm.

• Next Council meeting: January 4, 2024

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary