Columbus, Georgia

NEW HORIZONS COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD





April 14, 2003 Health and Human Services Building, Conference Room ?B?, 2100

Comer Avenue, Columbus, GA



Members Present: Vickie Allen, Kittye Crockett, Anne Hopp, Linda McElroy, Nancy

Schroeder, Lawrence Young



Members Excused: Brenda Hardamon, Sandra Gill, Wesley Shorter



Guests: Greg Hoyt (Regional Planning Office)

Caren Nuetzel (WCGRH)

Debbie McCurley (NHCSB Medical Records)



1. Call to Order: Nancy Schroeder, Chairperson called the meeting to order at

3:36 p.m. for informational purposes only as there was not a quorum present.



2. Recognition of Guests: All guests attending today?s meeting were recognized.



3. Secretary?s Minutes: M/S/P Lawrence Young/Anne Hopp that the minutes of the

January 13, 2003 meeting and the minutes of the March 10, 2003 are approved.



4. Mental Health Court: Perry Alexander along with Cyndy Pattillo discussed the

need for a Mental Health Court in our area. Cyndy presented with a video that

gave examples of how Mental Health Court diversion can be beneficial to all

involved. She stated that on tomorrow, April 15, New Horizons along with NAMI

will be hosting a Community Forum to discuss implementation of a Mental Health

Court in our area. Congressman Sanford Bishop along with key leaders from

around the city have been invited as well. Once presentations have been made,

we would like to organize a work group from those in attendance to spearhead

the processes necessary to get a Mental Health Court.



M/S/P Lawrence Young/Anne Hopp that the Board would support all efforts to

initiate a Mental Health Court.



5. Provider Certification: There was discussion regarding the types of

providers that will be in our future. There are 2 types?Core Service Providers

& Specialty Service Providers. Mr. Hoyt emphasized that the discussions from

the state to go strictly to these type providers are still on the table. He

stated that he believes that each entity will be given the option of deciding

which type provider they want to be. The original proposal stipulates that

there will be need to be one core service provider in each area by 2003 and at

least two core providers in each area by 2005. The idea is that a person

seeking treatment will be screened by a separate entity to determine the best

type treatment. Then, that person can decide which facility he chooses for

treatment. Mr. Hoyt stated that there is a work group formed to trouble-shoot

possible problems with implementing a system like this. Mr. Hoyt further

stated that our area is not ready for such a change and that all community

service boards will have right of refusal. It was the consensus of the Board

that the Division needs to communicate with community service boards in the

future before discussing changes of this magnitude. There also needs to be

more communication with politicians who try to affect change within the

community service boards.



6. FY04 and FY05 Regional Plan: A draft of the Regional Plan was mailed a few

months ago. The final version was distributed today. The Plan proposes that

Region 2 and Region 9 merge; however, the plan did not incorporate public

feedback.



7. Financial Report: Valerie Bowden reports that we incurred the highest

revenue per day in March 2003. Salary and benefit expenditures were down

because of changes in the program structure. This expense is steadily

declining, but due to vacancies that will soon be filled, it will increase

slightly.



We have a surplus of $12,927.00 for the year. Medicaid revenue and salary

projections are expected to give us a $280,000.00 surplus.



Valerie further reports that we are transitioning from EDS to ACS for Medicaid

claim transmission, which won the state contract. To date we have received

advances, which total 80% of our normal receipts. We are currently trying to

streamline the process of accessing the status of claims via the web.



8. DACE: For the 3rd Quarter DACE was 222 under allowed days



9. Board Governance Policies: There was no quorum present, this will have to be

postponed. This item will be moved to the top of next month?s agenda.



10. Signature Event: Paul reports that save-a-date cards have gone out?

approximately 700 to prospective invitees to the Roast/Toast to be given to

Congressman Sanford Bishop. He requested that all Board members submit their

prospective list of invitees to him as quickly as possible. He states that he

is awaiting confirmation of all roasters/toasters before the final invitations

are printed. The event is scheduled for May 29, 2003. Tickets are available

for $100.00 and will go on sale at the River Center and Tickets.com on May 1,

2003. Paul states that he will have 200 advance tickets available for anyone

who doesn?t wish to wait.



The event is slated to be a fun-filled evening. Guests will have the option to

make donations on their announcement cards. The event will last approximately

1-1-? hours. The event is being catered by Miriam?s.



11. NHEAT/NAMI Walk: Paul distributed an information packet on the upcoming

Walk. Teresa Whitaker for WRBL-TV3 will be the Mistress of Ceremony for the

event. He states that NAMI is having 13 pilot Walks across the nation. They

previously contacted Paul about having a Walk here, so we decided to join

forces. Proceeds from the Walk (raised by New Horizons) will go towards

services for consumers. NAMI will retain all funds they raise. Paul states

that there will be a newly designed T-shirt that will be available for $20.00.

Consumers may purchase their shirts at cost ($7 or $8).



12. Nominating Committee: Kittye Crockett and Vickie Allen were appointed to be

the nominating committee and will come up with a slate of officers to be

presented in June.



13. Adjournment: M/S/P Lawrence Young/Vickie Allen that the April 14, 2003

meeting is adjourned at 5:00 p.m.





_________________________________________

Sandra Gill



SG:cc