PRESENT: Debbie Jenkins, Director – Child and Family Services, CCMHC

Kathy Wood, Managed Care, CCMHC

Densie Lucas, Director – Adult Services, CCMHC

Don Harrer, Director – Administrative Services, CCMHC

Vince Wagner, Director – Managed Care, CCMHC

William H. McDougal, Director – Substance Abuse Services, CCMHC

Terri Knight, Director – Developmental Disabilities Services, CCMHC

William H. Robinson, Director – Residential Services, CCMHC

Stacy Martin, Clerk to the Area Board, CCMHC

Cleveland Wilson, YNP

Michael Singletary, Woodbridge Alternatives, Inc.

Phil Sprouse, Behavioral Health Center of Cape Fear Valley

Ronald AC Butler, Apogee Counseling

Sonya A. Toman, CCDSS

Donna Kieft, CONTACT Helpline

Alice Smith, IPA and Peterkin & Associates

Dr. Gil Beeson, Fayetteville Family Life

Rita O’Connell, Mental Health Association of Cumberland County

Michael Strickland, DJJDP

I. Introductions of New Members

Introductions were conducted for the benefit of those not present at the last meeting.

Debbie distributed a list of committee membership to ensure all that should be included are.

The minutes were reviewed and adopted as written.

Alice Smith provided additional list of resources used by her agency.

Members were asked to continue to bring in knowledge of area resources as they get them.

Regarding the Outreach in the community:

- Dr. Beeson will be meeting with Sharon Yates (Public Relations for CCMHC) on Tuesday and will discuss streamlining process. Obtain surveys through churches in a very structured manner to ensure maximized number returned.

Will provide members with a list of updated resources for non-target population.

Members were asked to look within their respective areas and determine what percentage of the population they currently serve will be referred out to other locations and for what types of services to get a perspective of the gaps.

- Some areas are resource rich while others are resource poor.

- Through a collaboration, how can this community handle the volume and best serve its population. What kind of technical assistance will be required.

- At Debbie’s request, Phil Sprouse brought in information regarding the number of admissions through the hospitals ED:

For one year (beginning last July) there were 1,279 admissions (2,300 total admits)

30-35% Medicaid

25% Indigent

With Dix decreasing admissions, these numbers are not expected to go down

Would like to track what type of service these patients are requiring upon discharge. Mr. Sprouse will look into this.

What percentage are referred to CCMHC at discharge and what percentage are diverged to another area.

Admitting 60% of those presenting; therefore 40% more were assessed but not admitted.

Need to ascertain where clients are being diverted to who are not admitted to Dix? (Good Home, Roxie, Charter, etc.?)

It was suggested that there is four hours worth of staff time per diversion.

Need to look at capacity to see clients for assessment upon discharge to meet the three to five-day window.

· Discussion regarding private/residential:

- There was discussion led by Alice Smith regarding problem she encountered locating placement for three teenagers (ages 16, 17, and 17.5). Because these youth were not on drugs or coming from the court system, there was nowhere to send them.

- Both DSS and Mental Health staff in attendance offered assistance in this matter.

- There was discussion regarding bed space for homeless teens being a problem (requires photo i.d., police report, etc.). Need to have some emergency services, respite beds, vouchers for hotels, etc.

- From family perspective, some places will accept adults, but children have nowhere to go (especially if they are active or disruptive).

- Committee members expressed an interest in helping Interfaith Hospitality Network enlarge their base. Look into "beefing up" the Families Helping Families network.

Need training of clergy as this is the first contact usually for counseling. Need to screen for significant mental health issues. This can be addressed by the Training and Technical Assistance Sub-Committee

Need some tool/capacity to coordinate/communicate with vast array of churches in the community. Utilize Christian radio stations, coordinate meeting or some method to have clergy to call and identify their willingness to participate. Mr. Butler will meet with Sharon and Dr. Beeson on Tuesday to discuss this.

There was discussion about churches forming 501C3 organization(s) to purchase counseling time at reduced rates.

There was discussion regarding the Juvenile Justice System:

- Should still be able to access the JAC Center. Mental Health is in place at JCPC and is funded. Have the MAJORS program and the sex offender program is "mushrooming out of control" have counselors but don’t have the space to provide the services.

- Whitaker School will probably stop admissions in September.

- Currently spending $35K per month on residential/detention beds.

- Debbie said there is a need for a Detention Center in Cumberland County.

- Members expressed concerns that tragedies will be the result of Mental Health Reform because there is no money coming into the community to serve people coming from institutions.

- It was suggested that should look into HUD grants, as all agencies’ budgets are being cut.

Best can do is public awareness, pull together limited resources, and put together the best plan possible. In the plan, the committee wants to put together a group to search for grant support.

- Identified major thrusts:

Survey

Identify gaps (target and non-target populations)

Survey (handled by a small subcommittee – Dr. Beeson, Sharon Yates, Ron Butler, etc.)

Need all agencies to report out where they have identified gaps and who is getting referred and to where?

The MIS Department at CCMHC is getting back on task to synthesize data about who is being served with public dollars.

Debbie reminded committee members that this group is tasked with appointing the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC)

Members were asked to submit names to serve on this committee.

- Lewis and Doris Gloston, Jr. were offered as parents of an Adult DD consumer.

This group will put together the composite of the committee and determine the criteria for CFAC.

Densie and Debbie will put together a matrix and present at next week’s meeting.

Rita O’Connell announced that John Tote, Regional Director for NC Mental Health Association, who recently spoke on Mental Health Reform at DSS has been invited back on September 5, 2002 to appear on Wendy Riddle’s show "Sound Off." She said this would be an opportunity for people to express their views and opinions on reform.

Wednesday, September 4, 2002 in room 426