Meeting Minutes for January 11, 2006

Members in attendance:

Meeting Minutes

Dave Wooledge facilitated the meeting.

The planning subcommittee recommended that this group meet every other month beginning in February. The subcommittee also recommended that this group focus on information sharing, networking, and identifying gaps and problems with services (rather than breaking into smaller work groups as had previously been done.)

Trisha Cloyd moved that the recommendations be accepted and Angela Lasher seconded the motion. The group accepted the recommendations of the subcommittee. Meetings will be held at the Mental Health Association, 1101 Peach Street, Erie, PA, from 3 PM —4:30 PM.

There are currently over 100 people on the mailing list. Some are unable to come to meetings, but would like to continue to receive information. The new County Executive, Mark DiVecchio, has expressed an interest in staying on the mailing list.

It was suggested that the meeting dates for the year he mailed out now. Meeting dates for this year (2006) will be: February 8, April 12, June 14, August 9, October 11, and December 13.

Dave explained the part that CSP plays in the Mental Health Plan for Erie County. There is a checklist that CSP must sign off on. Input from CSP on what services are needed is also important.

Joann Calabrese passed out feedback forms that ask for input on the Mental Health Plan. The feedback forms are due back to her office by February 22. There are also a series of focus groups scheduled to gather information, if possible, some of the next CSP meeting could be spent on the four survey questions.

Information Sharing

  1. Kathy Latimer and Dave Wooledge are on the State Advisory Committee. They have been told that Health Choices will go forward in the parts of the state that do not have it currently. Implementation will be Jan 2007. Erie County will be working with their own MCO and this will provide an opportunity for new services because of re-investment dollars. The Governor’s “Listening Sessions” last year helped tip the balance.
  2. Medicare Part D, Prescriptions: For any consumers having trouble getting prescriptions filled, OMHSAS will make medications available. The Health Law Project has information available at their website
  3. Kathy Latimer spoke about the problems that older adults have in getting services. The state has been asked to broaden its definition for older adults who need treatments to include those with dementia. A bulletin will be issued giving more guidelines on dementia and mental illness. Individuals should not he denied services automatically if they have dementia.
  4. Mark Alexa announced the securing of a Shelter Plus Grant. ~ new 16 unit site will be available soon on Poplar Street. The site is collaboration between Stairways and HANDS. They are currently accepting applications. Currently there are over 200 people on site based waiting lists and a five year waiting list for city subsidized housing. In 1980, 63.8 billion was spent on housing. In 2004, only 9 billion was spent.
  5. Mary Dwyer announced that the Achievement Center will be hosting summer camps at 2 sites.
  6. John Comstock presented the need for programs that address both mental illness and addictions. Stairways and Deerfield had operated an eight bed half way house, that was closed because funding was not released.
  7. The planning subcommittee will meet before the main meeting on Wednesday, February 8, at 2 PM to work on meeting guidelines.

Meeting Schedule

The next meeting will be held on February 8th, 3PM to 4:30PM. Location is the Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA, 2nd floor conference room.

Announcements

  1. The Department of Public Welfare, the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse has published a ten page document: Implementing the Behavioral Health Carve-out Statewide Managed Care Options Paper, which explains how Health Choices, a managed care program will he expanded to all Pennsylvania Counties, including Erie. We will have copies of this document at the next CSP meeting. If you would like one sent to you by email attachment or through the mail, please contact Joann Calabrese 451-6844.
  2. The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has relocated to:
  • THE HARRISBURG STATE HOSPITAL COMPLEX
  • ADMINISTRATION BUILDING #11, 2ND FLOOR
  • Deputy Secretary Joan L. Erney, J.D.
  • Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
  • Department of Public Welfare
  • P.O. Box 2675
  • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2675
  • Overnight mail should be addressed as follows:
  • Deputy Secretary Joan L. Erney, J.D.
  • DPW/OMHSAS HSH Complex
  • Cameron & Maclay Streets
  • Administration Building #11 Azalea Drive 2nd Floor
  • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105