Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes
(approved by Members 01/09/2025)
Council Member Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Jacob Meeks, Jessica Gimeno, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Kristine Herman, Lee Ann Reinert, Matt Fishback, Mike Davis, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Nanette Larson, Ray Connor, Sarah Scruggs, Sarah Robinson Torres, Scott Block, Shirley Davis, Sue Schroeder, Thane Dykstra and Tracy MEINERT
Other Attendees DMH: Christina Smith, Sharon Coleman, Brock Dunlap, Nic Pleske, Lisa Betz, Ryan Rollinson, Megan Miller-Attang and Director Albert.
Public: Elgia Milan Alvarado-Chicago Fire Dept.
Call to Order/Introductions: 12:34 pm meeting called to order by Ray Connor
Approval of September 5, 2024 Minutes: (All) motion to approve: Ray Connor made a motion to approve (all say aye) minutes approved
- IHFS Report Kristine Herman, Bureau Chief IHFS is focusing on several initiatives, one being Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). IHFS was awarded through SAMHSA a Federal Demonstration grant. Effective Oct. 1, 2024 there are 19 CCBHC locations in IL offering integrated MI/SUD and primary health screening, in addition HFS is implementing a learning collaborative for expansion with the goal to embrace this vision across the state to other providers to consider becoming a CCBHC. Kristine reported on the great partnership with SUPR during this process as well as it has been a "fantastic partnership" to maintain with SUPR in developing a unified crisis continuum with SUPR to integrate and expand services throughout the crisis continuum. Amy Starin inquired about the extended time frame for in-home services as funding is scheduled to end in March. Kristine responded HFS has been distributing funding to expand new services. ARPA funding provided to community care organizations deadline to expend funding is 3/2025, we are working with CMS to extend the deadline to fully utilize the funds. Srah Scruggs- unification of crisis continuum between DMH/SUPR, integration of MCR to coordinate care? Kristine responded that this is the intent. Scott Blcok: 1115 waiver re-entry component and update or information available somewhere? Kristine responded that there is some information available online, but she agreed that this is crucial and will share as available.
- Chris O'Hare: asked a follow up to Amy, asking clarification on what CMS stand for, how long has it been since you reached out to CMS requesting deadline? Kristine responded: Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, HFS has regular communication with CMS.
- Amy Starin: ARPA recipients is there a place where the agencies who receive this funding is available. Christine reported that it would be posted to the HFS website soon.
- Division of Mental Health Report: (Lee Ann Reinert, Christina Smith, Brock Dunlap, Ryan Rollinson, Lisa Betz)
- Lee Ann Reinert: mini- application was submitted, and we have working on the annual block grant report due in December. Must report on fiscal year 24 (July 23-June 24). This report will be shared at the January IMHPAC meeting. Identified areas where we missed the mark. We will provide an explanation and develop new metrics to address.
- CESSA: the year of implementation. Testing is happening and we are collecting data and plan to pilot PSAPS, 988 and MCRT. Potentially abbreviate the pilot time frame to 4 months instead of 6 months to allow more time to pilot every region. Geo-routing went live in September for Verizon and for A T & T should happen soon. Geo-routing is based on county the individual resides. We have been able to be more efficient with regard to 988 call centers, especially those call centers in Cook County. Oct. data should be available soon.
- Lee Ann reminded council members regarding the mandatory training requirements which are due 12/3/124.
- Amy Starin asked about the recent legislative hearing held on how funds get distributed, and if this council has a say in where these funds go? Dr. Albert responded and shared that there was a hearing recently joint house/senate committee on Opioid settlement funding and Cannabis tax.
- Cannabis tax revenue once recreational cannabis became legal, a portion of the tax revenue comes through legislation to DHS/DMH/SUPR for programming. DHS developed a process to determine what is needed and who needs this funding to support the work of DHS. We worked quickly to get the funds into the providers via NOFO process. DMH welcomes input from the IMHPAC council regarding how the cannabis tax dollars are being spent. Dr. Albert suggests giving a presentation. These dollars are going into the workforce, crisis system, DHS always wants to be transparent on how these funds are being spent. Amy supports the idea of providing a presentation to IMHPAC and made a motion for DMH to present at January meeting on expenditures for Cannabis funds, Michelle Churchey-Mims seconded.
- Jim Wilkerson SUPR responded that DMH perspective cannabis funds, opioid settlement funds can submit a concept idea for consideration. Dr. Albert recommends Jim and Dr. Barnett to Motion- approved aye.
- Chris O'Hara inquired where are we at with staffing levels throughout the region as it relates to CESSA. Lee Ann responded that there does not seem to be gaps in hiring.
- Committee Reports:
- C&A (Chair- Michelle Churchey-Mims): Minutes included in packet for August meeting. C & A committee looked at work being done with behavioral health workforce center and initiatives as it relates to children's mental health training to help families navigate services to be able to access and link families as soon as possible. A workforce initiative funding was secured for two counties in IL, in process and a pilot a curriculum paraprofessional to work directly with children.
- Development Committee: (Chair- Nanette Larson) Development Committee had a meeting yesterday, the goal is to meet monthly as the committee is working on By laws. IMHPAC currently has 41 council members. According to the by-laws, "the Council shall have at least 45 and no more than 55 members. Nanette encourages members to have people join and to encourage membership offer to observe a meeting and submit a letter of interest. The development committee reviews and makes recommendations to the full council and the final decision made for membership is made by the full council. Dr. Denis Hopkins, and Amy Zabel is taking his place on the council it was approved by the council yesterday. Tina Karaway resigned for personal reasons. Committee membership reminder given: every member shall sit on at least one committee to meet the expectations to serve on at least one committee. Chris O'Hara asked prior to member being approved that there are certain committees to participate in and the expectation. How many council members are short? Ratio or percentage of 50% of individuals with Lived Experience. Each provider we add must have a person with lived experience to meet the ratio. Sarah Scruggs recommends a new membership packet when a member is onboarded
- Adult Inpatient (Chair-Shirley Davis): This committee is no longer active, and the chair has retired. Second Friday every other month next meeting scheduled for Dec. 13th.
- Justice Committee Report: (Chair- Scott Block): Scott provided updates and thank Dr. Coleman attended SAMHSA region 2 Director and those States in Region 2. Scott and Dr. Coleman provided a presentation on changes in IL, SAMHS is looking to replicate these meetings to increase funding opportunities within courts and judicial system. Committee met last in September. Shelby Cunningham-mental health juvenile justice funding provided an overview of this program and highlight of MHJJ program. Matt Fishback provided an overview of Cook county sheriff's program, virtual co-response assistance on overdose and DV is available for virtual access. Next Justice Committee meeting is December 11th at 2:00pm, meets every other month. Scott reported that this committee also struggles with quorum and Scott poses a question to the council on expectations of the committee and how the committee funnels back this information as it relates to the block grant report. Lee Ann reported as it relates to the block grant this is based on metrics and the data used to respond to the block grant report. Lee Ann recommends a description of this process to ensure all council members understand how it relates. Shirely Davis agrees that this would be helpful.
- Old Business: None
- New Business: Action Item-Vote on 2025 meeting IMHPAC dates. Sue made a motion to approve the following meeting dates for the 2025 calendar year, Scott Block seconded, motion accepted.
- January 9 (due to holiday)
- March 6
- May 1
- July 10 (due to holiday)
- Sept 4
- Nov 6
- Public Comment: None
- Motion to adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 1:39 pm. Shirley Davis and Mike Davis seconded, all aye, motion carried.
- Next Council meeting: January 9, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary
