Meeting Minutes for Febryary 8, 2006

Members in attendance:

Meeting Minutes

Dave Wooledge facilitated the meeting.

Organizational Sub-Committee
Meeting Norms and Organizational Norms

Dave reviewed the recommendations of the organizational sub-committee (Dave Wooledge, Mary Dwyer, Joann Calabrese). The subcommittee established Meeting Norms and Organizational Norms:

Meeting Norms
One person speaks at a time
We make decisions by consensus. If a vote is needed, a majority makes the decision
The CSP is not a gripe session. The CSP deals with system wide issues
Organizational Norms
CSP will meet every other month on the Second Wednesday of the month, 3 PM — 4:30 PM at the MHA, for 2006:
  • February 8
  • April 12
  • June 14
  • August 9
  • October 11
  • December 13
The program will have three co-chairs:
  • One consumer
  • One family member
  • One professional
Volunteers for open positions will be accepted at the November meetings and then voted on
Co-chairs facilitate meetings, set the agendas, and remind members of the norms
The County supports the CSP by printing agendas and sending meeting notes and notices

The group accepted the meeting and organizational norms as presented.

Legislative Information

Dave reviewed legislative information. Currently there are State bills that involve:

At the Federal level: The Budget Reconciliation Act will mean significant reductions in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. English and Santorum voted for it.

Dave had more detailed legislative information to pass out to those who wanted it.

Mission Statement

Joann Calabrese presented the Vision and Mission Statement again for discussion. This was presented at the last CSP meeting and is needed for the Erie County MH Plan. All present approved the Vision and Mission Statement.

Erie County Mental Health Plan Survey

Surveys have been distributed throughout the County for input on the Erie County Mental Health Plan. The group discussed the survey questions:

Things that are supporting individuals in their recovery:
Stairways Center for Arts and Humanities. The facility is recovery friendly. It helps people move from focusing on problems to focusing on skills.
Erie Community has many good people at different providers: Stairways, Lakeshore, Crisis, etc.
The various Peer Support programs
The MHA has been a springboard for community meetings, community projects, recovery, in addition to the services provided through the Center and CFST
Treatment Count is working very well.
Mental Health System working with Forensics.
Collaboration with Erie County Children and Youth and other WRAP services.
What needs to be improved and what services need to be developed?
Navigating the system is a long standing problem. Individuals should not have to tell their story over and over again.
Psychiatrists are always new.
Services in prison need to be improved and there needs to be meaningful oversight of the services.
People are turned down for hospitalization when they feel they need it.
Homeless services after hours: There is no way to communicate with anyone. It is up to the consumer to find a place to go. How do they access services? What do they do if shelters are full?
Older clients who do not speak English — there is a reluctance to get interpreters "He’s demented anyway, Even if we got an interpreter, it wouldn’t matter."
Transition is very fragmented. No funding mechanism to deal with transition.
Only the high end users will qualify for services.
Youth in Transition — not enough housing or supportive living. This age group needs socialization, education on independent living, including sexual issues.
AAA is getting referrals for 18 -20 years olds for Dom Care. There are no group homes, no other assisted living, so they are applying to Dom Care. They don’t really fit in with this population.
Need: Independent Living Program for 14-15 year olds to prepare them for transition.
HIPPA makes it hard to have a family focus in the system. It is hard to include families.
Families feel frustrated. There is a need for more family education. There is no money to work with parents.
There needs to be an integration of MR and D&A services. There is a lack of a halfway house; there should be a "wet shelter" where someone who is under the influence can get safe. There are gaps in forensic and pre booking diversion. Last month, 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.
A recommendation to check out the College of the Ozarks regarding transition information.
Groups that are not getting services:
Older adults who need emergency shelter services for— access to shelters is very difficult;
Young people transitioning;
Individuals with dual diagnosis.
Transitioning youth with Autism. There is a shortage of services.
Consumers who do not speak English.

Indicators Checklist

Dave talked about the CSP indicators checklist that is needed to complete the IVIBA Plan. Some things on the checklist are true or false, other questions are a little confusing. The group discussed how best to complete the checklist. Mary suggested that the cochairs and anyone else who would like to volunteer, complete the checklist.

Information Sharing:

Next Meeting

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, April 12, 3 PM - 4:30 PM, Mental Health Association Conference Room.