Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 03/07/2024

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 05/02/2024)

March 07, 2024 - 12:30pm

  • Council Member Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Emily LeFew, Fred Friedman, Jacob Meeks, , Jessica Gimeno, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Laura Gilbert-Gerber, Lee Ann Reinert, Marianne Bithos, Mike Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Nannette Larson, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Scott Block, Shane Hassler, Shirley Davis, Sidney Weisman, Susan Schroeder, Thane Dykstra.
  • Other Attendees: Christina Smith, Darius McKinney, David Albert, Melissa Guy, Brock Dunlap, Ryan Rollinson, Megan Miller-Attang, Valencia King
  • Call to Order/Introductions: 12:34 pm meeting called to order by Sue Schroeder
  • Approval of November 2, 2023 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: motion to approve Mike Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims seconded with corrections, minutes appended (all say aye) Fred Friedman Abstained due to not being in attendance at the last meeting.
  • Division of Mental Health Report: (Director Albert, Lee Ann Reinert, Brock Dunlap, Nanette Larson, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz)
    • Director Albert: introduced Darius McKinney Deputy of Director of Community Programs Division. DMH conducted restructuring of programming and the DMH is excited about Darius being in this role.
    • Nannette Larson: Shared updates on the rapid expansion of peers in recovery. NAMI Illinois Peer Professionals https://www.illinoispeerprofessionals.org/ opportunity for expansion in the area of peer support, subscribe to newsletters on website. Highlight each month CRSS educational institutions and publishing a job board to increase opportunities for individuals with Lived Experience.
    • WRAP facilitator training-couple weeks away from launching the training. Advocates for Human potential has authorized this training to be conducted virtually. The capacity for attendees is eighteen (18), twenty-eight (28) people applied to participate in the training. Selected the top 18 scores based on scores of the applications, others will be placed on an alternate list. There is representation for all five regions. Scott Block made a comment recommending to include Justice partners to connect WRAP facilitators to this opportunity.
    • Lee Ann Reinert: IL was selected to participate in a policy academy on crisis work through SAMHSA. The first orientation session with other providers across the nation, convene in person in Arizona next month-April. Virtual sessions will be provided for other representation of areas identified, TA sessions to be scheduled. 8 hours of virtual meetings are anticipated, 988 workgroup Action Plan was the basis for the application, we believe this will be very helpful for us to crisis care continuum.
    • BH workforce center; illinoisbhc@illinois.org goals set up to plan with board of higher education, jobs board is close to active for employers in BH will be able to create an identity and post openings. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and review potential applicants. BH workforce shortages-identify areas to prioritize potential openings to cross check with IDPFR-licensure. Data informed strategies are the goal. Deliverables include strategic planning, RFP to begin this work. PATHWAYS strategies to engage younger individuals to inform them of potential job opportunities and how to pursue those education opportunities to work in the BH field. Providers and individuals can sign up for their newsletter by going to website for more information.
    • CESSA-file a revision HB 5377-Rep. Cassidy, moving this forward.
    • U of I one day planning session alternative response models to provide statewide advisory committee, and RAC chairs will join this planning session. To support progress with CESSA. Piloting vendors who use Powerphone to develop scripts and polices and procedures to interact with 988 call centers and MCRT as well as supply data and analysis. 988 call centers NAMI Chicago began routing calls, this resulted in an increase in answer rate went up with this level of assistance. The volume of calls has increased, and call centers are answering more calls then ever before. increasing overall rate of calls answered within the state. Text/chat unified platform Vibrant created; only two centers are able to receive text/chat.
    • Comments: Scott Block HB 5377; DMH requested clarification on the EMS medical directors leading statewide advisory committee, the amount of meeting time is not always feasible for medical directors. HB 5377 would allow a designee alternative and must be approved by medical directors. DMH ability to RAC, to organize themselves into regional or hyper local groups. Some regions are large, and some areas have more resources than others. This will allow RAC to restructure. Access Living requested to extend the deadline to 7/2025.
    • Chris O'Hara commented on Young Invincibles https://younginvincibles.org/ Student Mental Health Week Sparks Conversation for Change event today.
    • Chris inquired about 988 call centers and tracking call times and abandon rates. Leigh Ann on average 31-32 seconds calls are being answered.
    • Fred Friedman commented stating that he attended on Monday a presentation on the call center, both local and country wide. He talked about success stories, but he feels like the system has failed. Fred shared his opinion "I have been involved in the MH system in IL, some people are offended when I report that it will fail and that it is designed to fail." Fred posed a question to members; "is this time to share my perspective on my opinion of why the system has failed." He reports he doesn't like the idea of 988. Fred reported that he will be homeless at the end of this month. DMH provided empathy for his situation, and he was given encouragement to contact DMH to assist with potential resources to help him with his current situation. Director Albert provided support and reassurance and connected Fred with Darius McKinney for follow up. Ron Melka provided encouragement with regards to the system changing for the better over the past decade.
    • Marianne Bithos expressed some concern of a child hospital closing- MIRACAR Behavioral Health Hospital closing impatient and only offering OP care.
    • Lisa Betz : January DC 0-5 had 50 individuals registered, 42 attended the virtual training, another training is scheduled for April. Beacon Portal update: dashboards plan to test the product with the goal to go public July 1st. Three resource coordinators have been onboarded to assist with the portal and 3 clinicians to provide support.  DMH sent out a communication alert regarding the online resource to connect to the portal. BH workforce center will be conducting supervisor training.
  • Committee Reports:
    • Justice Committee Report: (Scott Block): this committee needs members to attend, last meeting discussed three strategies: MH and juvenile justice (MHJJ) program NOFO 121- MHJJ is a care coordination program to work directly with those young individuals with resources and connect to care. consistent response for increased collaboration with probation dept. for care coordination. Jail data link-Dr. Coleman DHS SUPR to potentially modify to identify individuals who have received tx for SUD, further investment and updates would be required. Priority to expansion to Outpatient fitness restoration DHS continues to seek contractual arrangements the providers to offer this option. Committee would like Leigh Ann to attend next meeting to share updates regarding CESSA and to learn more about what it is. Diversion and reflection specific to Cook County to learn about scale and scope of programs offered.
    • Development Committee: (Chair Nannette Larson): Nannette brought forward for a motion of members to be approved by the full council, Nanette Larson, Ray Connor, Mike Davis, Shirley Davis, Fred Friedman, and Sarah Scruggs. Clarification requested as part of the bylaws. Ron Melka stated that chair is not part of the membership. Motion coming from the Development committee-approved Ron Melka, approved aye, no oppositions or abstentions. 28 responses to membership surveys-for geographical area and classification on the council; provider, family/consumer etc. future review survey findings and will provide a report for IMHPAC. Isac Palmer sent an email to Leigh Ann who is resigning from the council. His membership will need to be filled.
    • Adult Inpatient (Shirley Davis) met on Feb. 2nd discussed a letter that the committee is wanting to send to the legislature, lack of inpatient beds, lengthy ER stays. Shirley to send a copy of the letter to the council for review. appears the state is wasting a lot of money while individuals are sitting in ED, versus tx. FOID-not able to get a FOID CARD if in a psychiatric hospital for 5 years. Committee is recommending a review of FOID regulations, those committing crimes are not in tx, even after 5 years not able to apply and receive a FOID card due to the fact requires a medical doctor to indicate that they are not dangerous. Impacts people asking for help because will lose FOID.
    • C&A (Michelle Churchey-Mims): committee meets every other month, Feb. 8th last meeting was sent to full council. Updates on Beacon and the staff being hired (see Lisa Betz shared with her update above). Amy Starin shared that there were 7 recommendations that C & A committee had made to DMH. Amy is asking if the full council would like more detail on these or not? Council members did not comment. Next meeting is scheduled in April.
  • HFS Report Kristine Herman- on able to attend, Lee Ann provided an update; SAMHSA application for CCBHC demonstration grant, working with a number of agencies to plan for the submission of the application. NOFO for existing CCBHC's to partner with HFS to participate, application is due end of March. A significant amount of collaboration amongst HFS and other departments.
  • New Business: Shirley Davis stated unable to receive reimbursement. Brock Dunlap responded and reported that all requests have been processed. Brock will contact Shirley directly to resolve. Chris O'Hara reported the same issue with reimbursement. Brock will follow up with him regarding his concern as well.
    • Fred Friedman indicated that this most likely will be his last meeting, Director Albert requested that Fred reconsider as his voice is valuable.
  • Public Comment: None
  • Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Fred Friedman and Shirley Davis seconded, meeting adjourned at 2:18pm.
  • Next Council meeting: May 2, 2024

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary