DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Mental Health Board Met March 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Board Members Virtually Present: Jane Smith, Marilyn Stromborg, Jerry Helland, Jennie Geltz, Perry Maier, Sue Plote, Meghan Cook, Robert Cook

Board Members - Absent: Laurie Emmer

Other Persons Present: Vinh Le, Intern

Office Staff Present: Deanna Cada, Kathy Ostdick

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the President, Jane Smith, at 6:30 PM. Ms. Ostdick took attendance and all Board Members listed above were present.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Smith led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda

Dr. Stromborg moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Plote. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

4. Minutes

Mr. Cook moved to approve the minutes of the 2/22/21 Board meeting; seconded by Mr. Helland. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

5. Announcements

There were no announcements.

6. Director’s Report

Ms. Cada reported that the Illinois Senator that last year tried to put a bill in motion to give 20% of Mental Health Board dollars to the Sheriff’s Department is trying again this year, actually with two bills. The request last year did not move out of committee. Ms. Cada will keep our Board informed as to the action of the bill.

On 3/8/21, Ms. Cada met with the new County Administrator Brian Gregory. Ms. Cada informed him of the Mental Health Board process of distributing tax payer dollars for mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities.

Ms. Cada informed the Board that the office hosted the second Support the Supervisors Workshop. 8 people were in attendance. Ms. Cada is planning the third workshop.

Mr. Maier asked to add a resource for Covid-19 dollars being supervised by Abby Lotz of OSF Healthcare. Ms. Cada will email Ms. Lotz at OSF for Covid-19 money grant information.

7. Community Input

There was no community input.

8. Finance Reports

Mr. Helland moved to approve the March 2021 agency claims in the amount of $210,789.13; seconded by Mr. Maier. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote as follows: Ms. Cook – yes, Mr. Cook – yes, Ms. Geltz – yes, Mr. Helland – yes, Mr. Maier – yes, Ms. Plote – yes, Dr. Stromborg – yes, Ms. Smith – yes.

Mr. Cook moved to approve the March 2021 office claims in the amount of $23,207.67; seconded by Ms. Cook. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote as follows: Ms. Cook – yes, Mr. Cook – yes, Ms. Geltz – yes, Mr. Helland – yes, Mr. Maier – yes, Ms. Plote – yes, Dr. Stromborg – yes, Ms. Smith – yes.

9. Executive Committee

A. By-law’s review/update

Ms. Cada asked the Board to review the By-laws, let her know if there are any changes they may want to suggest, and then the final document can be approved at the April Board meeting.

B. Board retreat date: 7/30/21

The Board discussed the date of 7/30/21 for a retreat. All agreed on the date.

10. Finance Committee

A. Richard J. Schluter Award announcement

Ms. Cada told the Board that the Finance Committee had agreed to give the 1st Richard J. Schluter Award to Gene Stephens, Associate Director of Open Door. All submissions were reviewed by the Finance Committee. Ms. Cada had informed Open Door of the result of the award and a photo opportunity was scheduled. Ms. Judy Schluter and her daughter Jen were in attendance for the photo op. Dick Schluter’s daughters were invited also but were unable to attend.

B. Sycamore Police Department reallocation request

The Board discussed the request by the Sycamore Police Department to reallocate some funding due to Covid needs.

Mr. Cook made a motion to approve the reallocation request by the Sycamore Police Department; seconded by Ms. Cook. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

C. Agency funding hearings – 4/6/21

The Board discussed if and when they wanted to have hearings for new agencies for GY22 allocations. All Board members said they wanted hearings by the appropriate agencies and we should have them on April 6th at the Finance Committee meeting.

11. Impact Committee

The Impact Committee did not meet.

12. Suicide Programming Ad Hoc Committee

Ms. Cada has been working with two NIU groups/classes on suicide programs. The first group is doing research on the best options for outside programs. They are also working on designing programming outreach to students. The second group is researching outreach options to the general public.

The Suicide Programming Committee also will be identifying specific populations and what their informational needs might be. The Committee agreed that having a roll-out of the programming in September 2021 would be a good because that is Suicide Awareness Month. It was suggested to have a large event at the Egyptian Theatre. Ms. Cada will explore the suggestions.

13. DEI Ad Hoc Committee

Ms. Cada informed the Board that the co-chairs of the DEI Committee are Robert Cook from the Mental Health Board and Dr. Quiana Jones, Community member. The Co-chairs are in the process of setting up the next meeting and approving the agenda. It is recommended to have a DEI consultant which has not been finalized yet.

14. Old Business

A. GY22 Grant applications and process – update

Ms. Cada went over the grant review process for Board members including how to access their assigned grant applications. The Board meeting on 4/19/21 is when the Board will fully discuss the applications and Ms. Cada will present her Power Point.

B. One-Year and Three-Year plan

Ms. Cada told the Board that Courtney Hughes has contacted the publisher again to ask for the status of the report. Ms. Hughes will call Ms. Cada when she receives a finished date. Ms. Cada and Ms. Plote talked about moving the 0-7 program forward.

Ms. Cada met with the Sycamore Police Department regarding their mental health program. They raved about having a social worker to work with and loved the program.

15. New Business

There was no new business.

16. Adjournment

Next meeting April 19, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Dr. Stromborg moved to adjourn at 7:20 pm; seconded by Mr. Helland. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote as follows: Ms. Cook – yes, Mr. Cook – yes, Ms. Geltz – yes, Mr. Helland – yes, Ms. Plote – yes, Dr. Stromborg – yes, Ms. Smith – yes

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/min21-mhbmar.pdf