April 16, 2003

3:00 p.m.

MEMBERS   PRESENT:

                        Lee Roberts, CC Department of Social Services

                        Phil Sprouse, BHC

                        Sandra Taylor, Hosanna Youth Facility

                        Sarah Hemingway, CC CommuniCare

                        Kiya Thomas, IPA and Peterkin & Associates

                        Stephanie Blanton, Peterkin & Associates

                        Jacqueline Adams Cook, PRN&S

                        Rose Ferguson, PFCS and Fergie’s Behavioral Center

                        Curtis McCrimmon, Evergreen Health Services

                        Karen Campbell, Campbell Associates, Inc.

                        Carol Doyle, Cardinal Clinic

                        Michelle Davis, Davis and Associates, Inc.

                        Laura Lloyd, Davis, Lloyd and Associates

                        Faith Edgeson, Changing Lifestyles

                        Tracey Jackson, Lutheran Family Services

                        Alice Smith, IPA/Peterkin & Associates

STAFF            Debbie Jenkins, Director – Child and Family Services,

PRESENT:     CCMHC

                        Densie Lucas -- Assistant Area Director, CCMHC

                        Sharon Yates -- Public Relations and Marketing, CCMHC

                        William H. McDougal -- Substance Abuse Services Director,

                        CCMHC

                        Stacy Martin – Clerk to the Area Board, CCMHC

• The State has requested the package on resource guide.  Mrs. Yates commented that this package is in the final stages of development.  In the final phase, the Mental Health Auxiliary is calling all of the providers listed to verify that no changes are needed.  Once information is verified, the resource guide will be printed.  A draft will be brought to the committee prior to printing.

-                     Mrs. Yates asked committee members to consider what format to put the resource guide in (i.e. notebooks, which would be easier to bind and update … on line … ). 

-                     Additionally, she asked for input regarding distribution (i.e. to key impact organizations, those making referrals, etc.)

• According to Mrs. Jenkins only 35 out of approximately 4,000 clients in the mental health system are not in target populations.  These 35 represent adult and substance abuse services.  By comparison, some Area Programs have as many as 25-30% clients who do not meet target population criteria.
• Mrs. Jenkins called for an update from agencies that tie into Mental Health Reform

-                     Mr. Sprouse commented that a project began about one year ago to replace ED with psychiatrists to handle crisis in the ED to help avoid admissions. This endeavor has reduced admissions by approximately one half.   BHC needs to relocate to a newer building. Additionally, reduced the number of beds to 16.  Hope to move into a their new building within the next couple of days.  Because the number of indigent patients is 35%, the hospital has lost a good deal of money, to the tune of $6 million last year.  The hospital is looking for ways to reduce the number.  May take action in the form of reducing some services.  Will be asking their board at its next meeting to take action.

-                     Mrs. Jenkins commented that the Whitaker School is not closing this year.  Last year, a bid was put out for two regional schools.  However, the vendor withdrew their bid and no other vendors have stepped up.  The children referred to this program have exhausted all of their other options.  Whitaker School offers a re-education model for high-risk kids with good outcomes.

-                     Ms. Roberts with DSS commented that two new programs will be starting next week.  In May, DSS will begin training to work closely with Child Welfare and Work First.  Will be looking at new investigative practices.  Will offer services to families in the community.  Have started a support for caretakers involved with Work First program.  This will offer additional services to the Work First participants. 

·        Mrs. Jenkins reported that feedback from the State was positive regarding collaboration with children, but not a lot for adults.  CCMHC is anxiously awaiting Systems of Care information.

·        Mrs. Jenkins shared information regarding a pilot case at Mental Health involving an 18-year old consumer with AIDS.  He can remain in therapeutic home until age 21.  He’s been referred to H.U.G.G.S., and assigned a case manager.  

·        Mrs. Jenkins provided an update on the Hispanic Focus Group commenting that it went well.  Have identified problems with access.  Were strongly encouraged to have programs consisting of bi-lingual as well as bi-cultural clinical and support staff. Will be putting resource materials in Spanish language.  Additional problem areas identified were:  transportation, hours of service, location of services, educating employees on how to access services in other agencies as well as other programs within the agency.  Suggestion was made to use media to send information.  Participants of the Focus Group have requested follow up meetings.  According to the participants of the Focus Group, the Hispanic population is concentrated in Hope Mills, Fort Bragg, and Spring Lake areas.

·        Ms. Smith announced that the Hub is setting up a department with complete Hispanic participation offering a very comprehensive outreach program.  Will also offer training.

·        Mrs. Jenkins distributed update to SB 163, now referred to as SB926.  There was discussion regarding monitoring and the fact that the latest version mandates that MH “shall” investigate … as opposed to earlier version that stated, MH “may investigate …”

·        Mrs. Jenkins distributed NC Division of MH/DD/SAS Service Standards – Community Support – Adult (ATTACHMENT A).  There was discussion regarding billing and bundling of services.  Mrs. Jenkins commented that the state will not support a system that requires consumers to go to six different places to get their needs met.  Members posed a question regarding page 8, specifically Crisis Management in terms of who bills and what level of service if crisis management team meets individual in the ER.

·        Mrs. Jenkins reported that she should be receiving Best Practices and Service Definitions by the next meeting to share. 

·        This committee meets the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m., therefore, the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2003.