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GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DIVISION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

DELAWARE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER, SPRINGER BUILDING FEBRUARY 18, 2010

Members Present: Andrea Guest, Carol Harman, James Lafferty, Elizabeth Pertzoff, Mary Wicks

Members Excused: Jack Akester, Monica File-Williams, Janet Ray, Gary Wirt

Members Absent: Dr. Anthony Brazen, George Meldrum, Chuck Tarver, Paula Voshell

Associate Members Present: James Harrison, Eliza Hirst, James Larks, Linda Majewski, Catherine McKay, Rev. Dr. William Rhines

Associate Members Excused: Bruce Lorenz

Interested Parties: Cheryl Biddle, Vince Boehm, Penny Chelucci, Anna Chenjo, Linner Cheronch, Chris DiSanto, Anna Gwannulla, Kevin Huckshorn, Edie McCole, Aimee McFarlan, Melissa Smith, Justin Thompson

TOPIC DISCUSSION ACTION

Call to Order Chairman Lafferty called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. and invited meeting participants to introduce themselves and share their affiliation.

Review and Approval of Minutes Approval of the minutes was deferred until the March meeting due to a lack of quorum.

Chairman’s Report Chairman Lafferty reported that the division’s JFC public budget hearing will be held March 3 in Senate Chambers at Legislative Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 2010 Page 2 of 5

Hall, and indicated his desire to discuss the development of talking points for his upcoming testimony. The Budget Committee Report was reviewed prior to discussion regarding testimony development. Cathy McKay reviewed data provided in the February 18 report and the highlighted information supplementing the adopted position submitted by the Budget Committee. Bullet points based on the Council’s prior recommendations and the governor’s recommended budget will be provided to Chairman Lafferty for inclusion in his testimony. Council members were encouraged to provide input regarding same to either Cathy McKay or Chairman Lafferty. The method by which the chairman’s JFC remarks would be developed was discussed and agreed upon by Council members present.

The restoration of detox services for southern counties and the establishment of a southern CAPES unit were discussed.

Discussion briefly focused on legislators’ receptivity to undertake reducing the size of state government and on the need to transform mental health service delivery.

James Larks went on record supporting the administration’s direction under Kevin Huckshorn’s leadership and expressed appreciation for the consideration given providers and for the cost Standing Committees effective use of public funds. Membership Committee The appointment of associate members in the absence of a quorum was discussed, as was a provision in the by-laws for electronic voting.

Through the chairman, the Council was informed of Ms. File- Williams verbal resignation from her position on the council. He noted that filling of the vacancy will be addressed once her formal Children’s Committee resignation has been submitted. Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 2010 Page 3 of 5

Carol Harman updated Council members on the pre-school post traumatic stress disorder training and the continued coordination of services for families involved in the alleged Sussex County abuse incident.

Council members were informed of Marc Richman’s resignation as deputy director of CMHS. Mr. Richman has accepted a position with DSAMH as the assistant director of Community Employment Committee Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Andrea Guest reviewed employment data from July – December, 2009.

The Council was updated on the number of individuals approved for the Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities Program. Program promotion was encouraged.

Penny Chelucci commented on the importance of linking consumers to community resources as a component of recovery and on the collaboration between DVR and the division on the supported employment and peer mentoring programs.

Chairman Lafferty shared that Rosanne Mahaney was named director of the Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance. Roy Lafontaine’s appointment as director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services was also noted.

Council members were updated on the development of a paid peer mentoring program that will focus on the use of bridge peers to assist consumer transition from hospitalization to different levels of care. The need to expand affordable housing for people with disabilities and low income in order for them to make those Director’s Report transitions was reemphasized. Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 2010 Page 4 of 5

Kevin Huckshorn spoke about the division’s preparations for the upcoming JFC hearing and plans to modify its JFC presentation.

She thanked everyone for their efforts during the extreme inclement weather and informed of the planned debriefing regarding the division’s state of emergency procedures.

The Council was updated on the status of the attending physician model on DPC’s acute unit and the DPC compliance committee. The committee’s plan to solicit community providers regarding their experiences with the hospital was shared.

Meeting participants were updated on the development of DPC’s mission and vision statements, core values and strategic plan.

The high rate of psychiatrist turnover at DPC and the hiring of a full time nurse practitioner were discussed.

Ms. Huckshorn reported that Marc Richman will be taking the lead on the development of a transitional youth program.

Melissa Smith spoke about the SPFSIG grant aimed at primary substance abuse prevention across the lifespan. The framework of the community-based grant and continued collection of capacity information were discussed. She informed the Council of an upcoming press release containing a web link to a survey that will assist in addressing the unique needs of the different communities across Delaware. The link will be shared electronically with Old/New Business meeting participants. Distribution of the survey link was encouraged.

Cathy McKay made meeting participants aware of the rapid re- housing stimulus funds available through Connections to assist Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting Minutes February 18, 2010 Page 5 of 5

with the stabilization of homeless individuals in the community. Public Comment Specifics regarding the homelessness prevention funds will be shared electronically with meeting participants.

Vince Boehm commented on the applications for the Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities Program. He made the Council aware of the March 24 legislative event cosponsored by the DDC, and provided an update on the status of the training to be presented to the various police academies. Consumer participation at the March legislative event was encouraged.

The Policy & Law Committee’s efforts related to electroconvulsive therapy were shared. Mr. Boehm welcomed questions or comments regarding same.

Aimee McFarlan made the Council aware of the Rockford Center’s free lecture series starting March 4. Lecture details will be shared electronically to meeting participants. Attendance was encouraged.

James Larks expressed his admiration and appreciation for the work of the Council under Chairman Lafferty’s leadership.

Adjournment Chairman Lafferty thanked the Delaware State University students for their interest in the Council and offered to speak to the graduate class regarding same.

Chairman Lafferty thanked meeting participants for their attendance. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. The next Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Delaware State Police Troop 2. ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE HELD THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.