Region 6 Planning Board Meeting
January 15, 2014
AGENDA ITEMS PRESENTER(S) DISCUSSION ACTION
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 1:00 pm by L.
David Kitchens, Board Chair.
Opening prayer was given by L. David Kitchens.
Members Present:
Sheila Mallory
Butts
Judge Betty Cason
Carroll
Lee Hubbard
Clay
Irene Cheyne
Fayette
Sharon Herbert
Fayette
Amy Kuhns
Henry
Angela Craig
Henry
James Risher
Henry
Katherine McHan
Lamar
Teresa Collins
Meriwether
Geraldine M. Jackson
Spalding
Marilyn Roberts
Spalding
L. David Kitchens, Chair
Sumter
George E. Carriker
Upson
Mary Jo Page
Marion
Conference Call:
Tommy Allen
Carroll
Claudette Boulter
Harris
Tiffani Staci
Muscogee
Robert Andrews
Randolph
David Miller
Troup
Absent:
Julia Chibbaro
Carroll
Sandra Smith
Coweta
Neydi Belmonte
Coweta
Jackie Begg
Fayette
Sharon Herbert
Fayette
Keith Brown
Heard
LaVonne Harn
Houston
Frank Dunford
Muscogee
Edward Barnell
Muscogee
Ashley Ballard
Peach
Glynda King
Pike
Sher'Londa Walker
Talbot
Joni Jones
Taylor
Patrick Arrington
Troup
HANDOUTS
Handout #1: November 13, 2013 Approved Minutes
Handout #2: ?A Lesson From Geese?
Handout #3: ?Working while Disabled?
NEW ITEMS
November 13, 2013 Minutes
L. David Kitchens
Approval:
? Motion to approve given by Lee Hubbard, 2nd Motion to approve given by Sheila
Mallory
? All members approved minutes as written (handout #1)
Final version will be sent via email and mail.
Board Education
Stuart Perry
Perry Wellness Center
Stuart Perry of the Perry Wellness Center was introduced and given the floor:
? Mr. Perry first recognized Ms. Mary Jo Page and her advocacy for the
populations we serve
? Mr. Perry passed out a book to those present that he had written. The book
describes his life and his journey through recovery.
? Mr. Perry gave a small foreshadow of what started his initial illness and his
journey:
o 9 years after his father?s suicide he went to Bradley Center and was first
diagnosed, for 4 years he went from one doctor to the next until he found the
right psychologist in his own back yard at Middle Flint
o With the right supports and medication he made it out of his illness and was
able to recover
o He became one of the first 20 people to be a consumer advocate with the
Department, he also worked with NAMI out of Atlanta and did a 1000 mile walk to
Chicago to the AMA headquarters with 10,000 petitions in hand
o After all this he had the vision that people with Behavioral Health Issues
could take care of themselves
o A Peer Wellness Center was opened in Americus and was named after his father
?The Tom Perry Wellness Center?. The center was ran by a contracted agency
o He then took the Center over but was not funded by the state for 1 year. They
had to prove that they could follow the rules and be beneficiary to the
individuals served
o The Center is now one of the biggest facilities in the state. They are funded
by Medicaid and their internal farmer?s market
? Mr. Perry then handed out a description of ?geese? because the Center?s
mascot it the goose (handout #2)
? The goal of the Center is to work with you and get you back out in the
community: many of their individuals go to college or have jobs in town
? Lee Johnson told the group that 3 years ago the center was only serving 40
individuals and now they are at capacity and are trying to add-on to serve over
100
? At the center peers are on top of each other to ensure they are working their
recovery right
? The center also has a new program: Whole Health and Wellness (WHAM) and they
have added a nurse to their staff
? Chris Newland told the group that what makes this center so special is seeing
their life in state mental hospitals of those with SPMI(Severe and Persistent
Mental Illness) but now at the center you see them living life fully
? The Center is currently building a large greenhouse out of old windows, the
expansion can be seen at www.perrywellnesscentr.com
? L. David Kitchens told the group that he lives in Americus and the Center has
an excellent reputation in the community. He also thanked Mr. Perry for the
presentation
If additional copies of the book are requested please let Erika Ball know and
she can request them from Stuart Perry.
Perry Wellness Center website:
www.perrywellnesscenter.com
Region 6 Annual Plan
L. David Kitchens
Jim Risher
Ad-Hoc Committee::
? Good overall product except for the acronyms were confusing.
? The plan covers Board and activities, Adult and C&A(Child & Adolescent)
Mental Health and Addictive Diseases and Crisis Centers
? Irene Cheyne asked if anyone else received the plan before today. Only a few
said they had
? The Plan is due to Atlanta by the end of February
? Irene Cheyne told the group that there was a plan at the last meeting and a
list of names of people who wanted to have a part in the planning, but now it
seems that no one ever received it except Jim. This is such an important
document and we have not been able to address it.
? This plan is what sets us up with the state to ensure we get a small piece of
the pie, we need to do what we can to ensure he Region 6 staff have the very
best plan to send to Atlanta
? We have so much potential and as a Board this is our role to have every
opportunity to us to ensure we take an active role and the plan is one of the
ways we do this
? Lee Johnson: A special meeting can be held, per by-laws the Chair can request
one
? L. David Kitchens: As the Chairman he appointed an Ad-Hoc Committee and asked
Jim Risher to serve as head of the committee. We can vote today and post-pone
the vote on the Annual plan
Motions to Vote on Plan or post-pone:
? Mary Jo Page motioned to post pone the approval of the Plan, 2nd Motion was
received via teleconference. All approved to post-pone the approval of the
Annual Plan
A Special Meeting will be held:
? February 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm
? Upson County Senior Center
? Ad-Hoc Committee Members:
? Allen, Belmont, Cheyne, Carriker, Jackson, Risher, Collins, Herbert
? Jim Risher, Committee Head: 770-266-8645, email: risherj3@charter.net
? L. David Kitchens, Board Chair: 706-483-1885, email: keminc@att.net
? All changes and suggestions are due to Jim Risher and Erika Ball by close of
business on February 5, 2014
Special Meeting Called
Notice and Annual Plan Draft will be sent via email and USPS to all Board
Members
Leadership Council
November 27, 2013
Irene Cheyne
Meeting Overview:
? The Leadership Council is all of the regions represented together
? Michael Link, Director of Regional Operations was in attendance
? The definition of recovery was given and it was created with input from 30+
listening sessions throughout the state. It calls for compassion and
understanding
? There is no comparable definition in DD but plans are in place to see how to
get one
Community Work Incentive Program (CWIC):
? A program through Social Security for people with disabilities under SSI and
SSDI that may be concerned with how working can affect their benefits
? There are many programs out there were the person can work and still receive
their benefits
? It is recommended that the person call social security and speak to CWIC to
find out how working will affect them
? If Social Security administration first says no to a request to be on a work
incentive program then the recommended immediate action is to appeal, there is
a good chance the denial will be overturned
? Handout # 3, Working with Disabled
Handout will be sent to all providers and Board Members
Mental Health Planning Advisory Council
Jim Risher
Amy Kuhns
Jim Risher:
? Janice Heard and Danton Sealy gave a report on Technical Assistance
? The MHPAC is attempting to gain a grant to transition to a Behavioral Health
Council and to rework the bylaws to coincide with the changes
? Legislation updates: CSB Bill rewrite concerning the financing and
administration of CSBs HB512 rewrite concerning weapons permits for individuals
who have been involuntarily confined for Mental Health Issues.
? New Federal bills affect Medicare Part D, affects funding for medication for
depression and organ transplants
? Dr. Timberlake gave statistics on the ACT(Assertive Community Treatment)
Programs
Amy Kuhns:
? There was discussion around Grady Hospital and that they may be dropping
Mental Health Services
? Mobile Crisis services are ahead of schedule, all counties in Georgia will be
covered by 7/1/14
? CBAY(Community Based Alternative for Youth) services have been reactivated,
stay at a PRTF(Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility) less than 90 days
then they can be transferred to CBAY(Community Based Alternatives for Youth)
? System of Care Academy June 24-26: set to target chairs of interagency
planning committees and providers
MHPAC Minutes were included in Board Packet
Developmental Disabilities Report
Lee Johnson
DD Report:
? The Department is calling this year ?A Year of Change?: there may be some new
products and staff are in training at the regional office level on new
ISPs(Individual Service Plan) (rollout new ISP is July 1)
? The Exceptional Rate process should be seeing changes soon
? The Regional Office has a new HQM(Health and Safety Quality Manager): Deborah
Grant
? The Region is developing and has asked for proposals for Developmental
Disabilities crisis/emergency respite
? We are deep into transition work and all the follow-ups and the DOJ
independent reviewer looking behind to ensure the health safety and wellness of
individuals
Betty Cason asked: how are waivers allotted to Regions?
Lee: After the state budget is approved, last year there were 150 waivers for
hospital transitions than Regions received 150 additional waivers. Last year
Region 6 commandeered 40% of the 150 but this year they will most likely be
divided by percentages of census. Also every year the Region tracks who has
left waiver services (vacancy rate) and we fill vacancies quickly because we
follow most in need and most emergent individuals.
Behavioral Health Report
Chris Newland
BH Report:
? Staff spend a lot of time focusing on Mobile Crisis Services and Crisis
Stabilization and inpatient
? There are now 4 CSUs(Crisis Stabilization Unit) in the Region, it has been 90
days since Region 6 has had any direct admissions to West Central Hospital from
the community
? There are plans in place for a new Peer Respite & Wellness Center in the
Northeast corner of the region
? A community collaborative was held by Benchmark yesterday
Irene Cheyne asked: How did invites go out for the collaborative? She also
stated she attended along with several other Board members and it was very
important to hear the struggles providers face and it helped her understand the
crisis intervention process.
? Chris will ensure Board members are notified of the next scheduled
collaborative meeting which is April 17th
? There are 2 new ITRs (Intensive Treatment Residential) in Region 6, a male
home with Pathways and a female home with McTrail. ITRs(Intensive Treatment
Residential) are designed to get individuals out of West Central who have been
there receiving long-term treatment. The individuals will also receive ACT
(Assertive Community Treatment) Services
? Sarah Romero is the New Transition Coordinator and Emily Gregory is the new
Compliance Officer
? Craig Nursing center at Central State Hospital is set to close March 31st.
The Region has 4 individuals there but plans are in place for discharge
Regional Coordinator?s Report
Lee Johnson
? The Commissioner has signed a letter of intent for McIntosh Trail to have a
24 bed CSU(Crisis Stabilization Unit) and have a BHCC(Behavioral Health Crisis
Center) and for Pathways to have a BHCC
? There will be a new Intensive Case Management team in July 1 (NHCSB) and
Middle Flint will now split their ICM (Intensive Case Management) with Phoenix
instead of NHCSB
? There is an amendment to Phoenix Center CSU to help with an immediate need
for acuity level then there are plans are being developed to expand
? There also may be 3 additional CM(Case Management) positions in FY15
? An article regarding Perry Wellness Center has also been included in the
packets
? The legislative session this year is very short with very little new revenue
which has been earmarked for mandatory settlement services and the Board of
Education
? We have included a CMS handout outlining the initiative to move to community
based services
? There will be 3 CSB CEOs that will be retiring soon: New Horizons at the end
of May, Phoenix Center at the end of the summer, and McIntosh Trail at the end
of May
Public Comments
Various
? The mileage reimbursement form will be sent to all in attendance ?
Adjournment
L. David Kitchens, Chairman
The meeting was adjourned at 3:04 pm
Special Meeting: Annual Plan: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Minutes recorded and submitted by: Erika Ball, Region 6 Administrative
Assistant
Attachments
No attachments for this document.