Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting-Minutes 09/05/2024

Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes

(approved by Members 11/07/2024)

September 05, 2024 - 12:30pm

  • Council Member Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Jessica Gimeno, Joan Lodge, Kristine Herman, Laura Gerber, Lee Ann Reinert, Matt Fishback, Mike Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Patty Johnstone, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Sarah Scruggs, Shirley Davis, Sid Weissman, Sue Schroeder, Thane Dykstra.
  • Other Attendees DMH: Christina Smith, Melissa Guy, Sharon Coleman, Brock Dunlap, Nic Pleske, Lisa Betz, Ryan Rollinson, Megan Miller-Attang.
  • Public: Julie Miller

Call to Order/Introductions: 12:32 pm meeting called to order by Sue Schroeder

Approval of July 11, 2024 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: motion to approve by Mike Davis seconded by Ray Connor (all say aye) minutes approved

  • IHFS Report
    • Kristine Herman, Bureau Chief reported on several IHFS initiatives; Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). IL was selected to participate in a Federal Demonstration through SAMHSA, 19 locations across the state have joined IHFS, GO LIVE 10/1/24. HFS is working to develop a billing system with MCO partners. It will be an exciting time as CCBHC's begin to offer integrated services for individuals in IL. Services include MH services-Outpatient, SUD services and physical health screening, some CCBHC's are working with other providers Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCO)'s if needed to ensure that all required services are available. Crisis Services include Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) IHFS plans to design a robust crisis system. There has been a lot of work going on, HFS is obtaining TA from Federal SAMHSA and coordination from providers.
    • IHFS has secured ARPA dollars due to the enhanced federal match with a plan to reinvest those dollars. There are 32 agencies who have received these funds, to conduct MH OP services, community support services, violence prevention and adaptive behavioral services, such as PATHWAYS which are services for youth under 18 and include family peer support, resources and mentoring. Grant dollars are currently going out the door to providers and IHFS is connecting providers to TA, if needed. The state is really putting a lot of effort into the Medicaid system and supports to make it robust.
    • Amy Starin asked about the time frame of funds-Kristine responded that the deadline is March 2025 the funds must be expended during that time frame, however HFS may request an extension, possibly if needed.
  • Division of Mental Health Report: (Lee Ann Reinert, Christina Smith, Brock Dunlap, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz)
    • Lee Ann Reinert: reminded staff about the required training that is due by the end of the year. If you have any issues, contact Nic Pleshe for assistance. Announcement IL recently notified awarded promoting of integration primary health care grant, begins end of 9/24 it is a 5-year grant award $7M have been awarded to 2 agencies, one in Bloomington and one Alton areas. Those agencies will work with FQHC to ensure individuals with SMI and SED also have comorbid medical conditions to provide the most effective care. DMH hopes to learn additional lessons to and good timing with CCBHC model of care, any lessons learned will be applied. CESSA picking up momentum SAC scheduled to meet next Monday, RAC's are meeting and testing systems. 911 call centers that are pre-testing have started this week. Next week small, medium and large PSAP's all three will be meeting with the SAC and discuss initial testing and pretesting, this process will continue to 4-6 weeks. After that piloting will begin between 911 PSAP, MCR provider and Centerstone as the 988 call center to pass through a centralized dispatch system. All pilots currently use Powerphone as vendor to complete testing. Another two vendors will come on board later, for PSAP's who do not use those vendors and utilize their own system will eventually be included. Centerstone new 988 call center July 8 total call centers, geo-call routing. Lifeline used to use area codes to track and determine who was calling, but now individuals use cell phones, geo-call routing is based on cell phone tower where call originated to determine location of caller as most individuals calling are using cell phones. We are still waiting to hear the impact; three major carriers of phone vendors use cell phone towers. IL an overall decrease of 4% of calls are being projected, over the Summer when individuals on vacation, students not in school which all impact volume. This may result in changes based on location for our call centers.
    • Chris O'Hara asked about getting to 11 call centers. Lee Ann clarified that there are 11 regions in the state, separate is the 988-call system National suicide and crisis lifeline. The pilots are around CESSA. Chris asked call volume down in Summer, students not in school and less MH crisis, as Holiday time maybe the same. Lee Ann validated these volume times there has been an overall decline in 988 call system during that period. The question is do we have more people living here using cell phones from another state? Chris responded that migration plays a part in this. Chris asked about text # for Veteran's. Lee Ann responded that 988 + 1, is part of an IL governor's challenge to reduce suicide with Military and their families, call or text. Lee Ann shared that SAMHSA has approved funding for marketing for a broad campaign, billboards, radio ads, CTA bus, designed in 2021 when 988 implementation planning started. We need to get the messaging out about 988 as people still are unaware.
    • Jessica Gimeno responded about time frame as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs in the fall and winter can impact response and usage. Lee Ann agreed with the volume however the purpose was to gauge the representation of % what changes we may expect, it may not be accurate because a family from IL was vacationing in Fl and called 988, it will look like they lived in FL.
    • Matt Fishback inquired if there was a gap in calls answered in the State due to transfer from PATH to Centerstone? Lee Ann responded that every three years a competitive NOFO is published, PATH was identified in the Spring although their contract was through July, they lost employees. Centerstone couldn't hire and pay staff until July when the contract was signed.
    • Amy Starin asked about how agencies were selected for the application Integrated Care? Lee Ann responded that the agencies who have done the work before, due to the timing of the application, were selected.
    • Lee Ann reported on the BH workforce center UIC of 5 different working groups that starting launched website, a jobs board and they are starting to see agencies to post positions there and individuals are posting their resume.
    • Chris O'Hara is curious about efforts in hiring with regards to background checks; nonviolent crimes etc. is their advocacy efforts taking place to enter the workplace. Ryan Rollinson responded, tries to remain competitive with DHS HR department and central management system to conduct salary adjustments and secure substantial salary adjustments for hospital staff effective July 1, 2024. Increased in pathways BH workforce to attract employees, pre-release planning for individuals in justice system. DMH exploring background check waivers. There are no fixed timelines at present time, but on our mind. Chris commented that Invincibles, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Jobs Council and Heartland have similar initiatives. A lot of work happens but don't know what others are doing, tackle and conquer together. * Christina Smith-DMH mini plan application was completed and submitted on time. Christina thanked the council for its review and assistance. Christina reported that in Table 2 of state expenditures, DMH discovered errors, changes were shared with the council during the meeting and will be sent to secretary to include in the meetings.
  • Committee Reports:
    • C&A (Chair- Michelle Churchey-Mims): Minutes were provided to the committee and a reminder that the committee meets 2nd Thursday of every even month 12:30pm-1:30pm. Last meeting held was August 8th, reviewing recommendations under old business and recommend DMH review gaps. BH workforce and possible resources are being leveraged, Lisa Betz has been able to give us updates on the Beacon portal, resource coordinators. The Committee will continue to provide recommendations. Chris O'Hara clarified even month, on the months when IMHPAC doesn't meet. Employment contract with Cook County workforce for services directly to support youth services. Covenant house is a partner and understands struggles and is focused on providing access to those who need it. Amy Starin shared that they are trying to understand the % of funding dedicated to children services. Brock responded that there are changes over the years, in working with HFS to reduce administrative burden, funds have been shifted to HFS to serve youth and not seen directly in the DMH budget. Amy discretionary budget is going to child focused services. Brock to review and get back. 2015-2017 many programs and funding were reduced.
    • Development Committee: (Chair- Nannette Larson) Nannette-absent Mike Davis reported current membership total is 42, need to have 44, there is equal balance with providers and consumers. Any new provider for the council will need to also have consumer representation. Region 5 only has one member and needs representation. The committee is undergoing a review of the bylaws to increase clarity. Any recommendations to the bylaws council members please send to Nannette. Clarification of coverage for Region 5 covers Madison, Lafayette, Crawford, those counties south of East St. Louis. Joan Lodge-secretary requested to be provided an update on changes in membership for attendance to ensure communication to council members is kept up to date and to ensure membership quorum is met. The mini plan had council membership listed, Joan to review and cross reference for accuracy. Chair Sue Schroeder and Lee Ann encouraged the Development Committee to keep Joan as secretary in the loop.
    • Adult Inpatient (Chair-Shirley Davis): Shirley reported having trouble holding a meeting with only three members. The next meeting is Oct. 4th. Joan Lodge-secretary replied that a council member in July inquired about joining the committee and an email was sent to Chair-Shirley. Shirley requested that Secretary resend email. Secretary sent email inquiry from council member Tracy Meinert to committee chair.
    • Justice Committee Report: (Chair- Scott Block): Scott Block unable to attend, Chair Sue Schroeder advised council members to review minutes for updates.
  • Old Business: None
  • New Business:
    • Chris O'Hara inquired. Cannabis another funding source identified are there are funding sources being captured? Brock indicated that there are other sources of funding and DMH can review and provide.
  • Public Comment: None
  • Motion to adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1:35pm.
  • Next Council meeting: November 7, 2024

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary