Florida Partners in Crisis

Board Minutes For 08/28/2008

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Present at meeting:

Jim DeLawder, Vice Chair, NEFSH/DCF
Mark Speiser, 17th District Circuit Judge (Broward County)
Rick Wagner, MHA Public Policy Council of Florida
Catherine Jackson, Astra Zeneca Cullen Communications
Pat Curtis, Curtis Communications
Jon Cherry, Lifestream Behavioral Center
Maggie Labarta, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare
Wayne Dreggors, Seminole Community Mental Health Center
Linda Gregory, Seminole County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force
Michele Saunders, FPIC Executive Director
Julie Eberwein, SCMHC
Ellen Piekalkiewicz –FSAMH Corp
Mark Engelhardt, USF – FMHI
Susan Zehel, FPIC
Bob Sharpe, Florida Council
Deanne Adams, Orange County Corrections
Linda Lloyd, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen
Helen Welch, 9th Judicial Circuit
Sally Wolfe, Orange County Clerk of the Court
Greg Brown, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Martha Lott, 8th Circuit Judge
Donna Turnbaugh – NAMI Pinellas County
Judy Turnbaugh – NAMI Pinellas County
Joan Caldwell – God Works Prison Ministry
Rev Gregory Lockett – The Refuge/FAVOC of Tampa
Ken Alexander – Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Angela Vickers – Advocate/Consumer/ Attorney
April Lott – Directions for Mental Health
John Petrila – Florida Mental Health Institute
Fred Alford - Captain, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office/Corrections
Peggy Iacuzio, Lakeview Center- Pensacola
Linda McKinnon – NAMI Florida/Central Florida Behavioral Healthcare
Melany Kearly – Apalachee Center
Marion Moore – NAMI Jacksonville
Harold Maio - Advocate

Judge Speiser called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM. He thanked everyone for being at the meeting and the staff for providing the information packet. He also thanked the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for the use of their facilities and the assistance of several CIT officers. West Coast Integrated Network was also thanked for providing the food.

The minutes of the May meeting were approved as presented in the packet on pages 1-7.

Representative Ed Homan was then introduced and was presented with the Champion’s Award. Rep Homan talked about the challenges facing the upcoming legislators. He also offered to give instructions called “Politics 101” during the lunch session. Everyone learned about advocacy from his lunch presentation.

Judges Speiser discussed the resignation of General Butterworth from DCF and suggested members send letters of thanks to him.

Bill Janes, DCF Assistant Secretary, was then introduced and he gave an update on the department and priorities. Newly appointed Secretary Shelton appears to be following the path begun by General Butterworth and will be a good choice during transition. The focus will be on empowering the communities. He stated that another priority would be to align substance abuse and mental health within AHCA and DCF.

Advocacy work should continue on the Supreme Court Initiative with the hopes of diverting monies from building new jails to mental health and substance abuse services. Work is continuing on Baker Act reform, and of course avoiding further budget cuts.

Mr Janes also discussed the veterans returning with traumatic injuries. Body armor is saving more lives, thus the increase in cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The VA should be included in the system. Business also needs to be at the table – the drug free workplace has not worked well. We need champions in the community if our advocacy efforts are to be fruitful.

Funding may come for a pilot program for The Supreme Court initiative – perhaps 50 people in Miami Dade.

Judge Speiser thanked Mr. Janes for his passion and information and then introduced Judge Leifman to speak about the Supreme Court Initiative. Judge Liefman advised that the JEHT Foundation, through a separate Fund, has made a commitment to help with the passage of this initiative.

There was discussion concerning various issues: Harold Maio – use of language, Rev Gregory – faith based initiative roadblocks to funding, co-occurring disorders being addressed as part of release, Marchman Act and Baker Act reporting requirements.

Judge Lott emphasized several issues:
Outpatient Baker Act – Lack of funding means no community services
Seventy two hours does not address major issues – need more residential community treatment facilities – cheaper than jail
Marchman Act – Not utilized if family available – clients get lost in community – lack of funding.

Mark Engelhardt – Housing is big issue – leverage funding – Florida Housing Finance Corp should be a part of FLPIC. Housing is a cornerstone to recovery.


Committee Reports:

Legislative Committee – Bob Sharpe

Recommended legislative priorities for 2009 session: Maintain funding and increase funding for Reinvestment Act, Support passage of the Supreme Court recommendations, Place a stronger emphasis on Juvenile Justice issues that would include increased funding to increase resources for mental health and substance abuse services to keep kids out of detention and deep end juvenile justice facilities, Support any funding the Governor may put in his budget for substance abuse treatment funding for people involved in/with the Department of Corrections. Detailed explanation and action items are in packet.

According to Bob, Florida is resource poor. Reinvestment Act lost one million, but was not totally cut. Supreme Court Initiative is ahead of curve this year – there is hope.

Well Care owes $35 million – not invested in mental health - may have fines and penalties.

Advocates must become creative and show legislators where there are pockets of funding.

The legislative committee report and goals are in packet given to attendees. Our main message should be “better use of tax dollars, public safety, saving lives and treatment works”.

A motion was made and passed to support finding and advocating for a dedicated funding source for mental health and substance abuse.

John Petrila gave a report on the Technical Center. They now have access to Medicaid/criminal justice, and DCF databases. A goal is to have all agencies using same reporting program. The website is florida/tac.org

Judge Liefman suggested members help with legislative elections. Pat Curtis will provide a list of candidates and we can cross reference key leaders whose votes we will need.

Suggested immediate Action Steps from the Legislative Committee – A. Get a smaller group together to draft proposals; integrate Reinvestment Act and SC initiative; build in juvenile justice or develop juvenile justice priority; and look at funding alternatives for these proposals: B. Develop PR/communications strategies C. Establish a Data/Outcomes Workgroup to help assist with gathering current and compelling data and outcomes necessary to make a strong case

Advocacy/Education Committee – Peggy Iacuzio

Minutes from the July conference call are in packet along with suggested goals and action items. The seven goals of the committee are: Educate lawmakers earlier in the year, Increase use of “Human Face” in advocacy efforts, Strengthen advocacy efforts by Board and members, Have well organized and active local advocacy teams, Create an advocacy “Strike Force” Team, Adopt a public education plan, and Create educational/advocacy video. Michele reminded everyone that there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

Pat Curtis discussed the information packets and the continued use of “Treatment Not Jail” as a theme. Pat requested members to help with data showing programs that work and what happens when treatment is not available.

Public Education Plan - JEHT Foundation and Rocket Fund will assist with a work group and with three of our advocacy goals – Strengthening advocacy efforts by Board and members, Having well organized and active local advocacy teams, and in creating an advocacy “Strike Force” Team.

Suggested Action steps from the Education/Advocacy Team – Write grants for funding, Contact UCF and Full Sail to get quote and timeline for project, Work with Partners for video materials, and Produce a 10 minute segment about the problem, the impact and the solution.

Partnership Committee – Fred Alford

Fred presented the names of two people for board membership: Patrick Hendry, who founded Florida Peer Network, and Lt. Bryon Garrett from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Both were unanimously approved.

He then presented the Goals and Action Plan for the Partnership Committee. A copy is in packet. The main goals are: Fill Board vacancies, Increase awareness of FLPIC to increase membership and support, and recognize communities and programs for the good work they do.

Fred suggested that members keep FLPIC packets and membership application forms with them as they attend meetings around the state. Use these to enlist new members.

Michelle asked for comments and suggestions from areas around the state on enlisting members. What is working? Where is help needed? A suggestion was made to recognize people who have done something to assist with mental health and substance issues in the local area, perhaps using the newspaper and presenting awards.

Helen Welsh announced that the Greater Orlando FLPIC will be reconvening this week to work locally on PIC goals – perhaps community partnership awards with commissioners and key leaders.

By-Law Review Ad Hoc Committee – Linda Gregory

The committee made the following recommendations that will be voted on at the next meeting. A copy of the By-laws with suggested changes are included in board packets. Listed below are the recommendations: 1. Change the acronym from FPIC to FLPIC, change board membership to align with Judicial Circuits, thus increasing the number of members from 39 to 52, plus Board Chair, and reword section I for alignment. 2. Under Section 4 make the following additions: ** Add as C– Board members when acting on behalf of FLPIC will do so in a positive and constructive manner that won’t cause conflicts for the organization. Board members who represent the organization publicly must keep within the mission and goals of the organization **To the previous D, now Eit reads “ Persons elected as Board members shall oversee committee program activities – change to read either chair or participate in committees.

** Add as H. Board members shall provide review of all personnel matters, provide and direct the provisions of reports regarding personnel to the Board, and set policy regarding all personnel matters. (It was agreed to amend this to “the Executive Board would direct and provide provisions of reports regarding personnel”. ** Add as I. Board members will take an active role in the on-going financial sustainability of the organization either directly or indirectly. 3. Under Officers of the Board, add Executive Director. 4. Article VII, Section 3 – add that Trustees can meet via phone or in person at a minimum of 1 time yearly. 5. Article VIII Section 5 – following the word “membership dues” add the words “or contribution levels”

6. Section IX – Financial Management – change the fiscal year from a June – July date to January to December

These were discussed and will be voted on at next meeting.

Financial - John Cherry presented the financial statements with the comment that the organization was in a good equity position at this time. Profit and Loss is looking good. All funds form the Florida Bar Association and the JEHT Foundation has been received for this year. A motion was made and seconded to accept the reports.

Executive Director Report – Michele

Michele reported the current JEHT grant will end in March and we may not receive any more funding. In October the Florida Bar will allot the second year of $75,000 funding. The JEHT Foundation has given extra monies to help with advocacy and to assist us in developing a Sustainability Plan.

Senator Victor Crist was introduced and presented with the Champion Award. Senator Crist spoke for a few moments about the Supreme Court Recommendations and suggested that with the economy being so poor we should put pressure on the legislature early.

Long Range Strategic Plan – Mark Engelhardt

Internal goals - Mark stated that the emphasis should be on keeping our committees working and on track. He suggested having a conference call with committee chairs.

External Goals – According to Mark, we are having difficulty with timetables. He also drew attention to the SWOT analysis, included in packet.

Maggie Labarta made a motion to accept the plan and goal with an emphasis on actively pursuing a sustainability plan. Motion was seconded and passed.

Announcements:

Scott Arnett – Mental Health America Tampa Bay - Has developed a Contract for Florida’s Mental Health/Substance System Reform Briefing Paper showing that treatment works. This has been sent to local candidates for their education and response. He is willing to share this with other members for their use. If you would like to have this “contract” in your community, contact Scott at execdirector@mhagreatertampabay.org.

A drawing was held to determine winners of two painting donated by artist, John Jackson, who is an inmate in the Escambia County Corrections. Fred Alford had gotten the paintings to share.

Harold Maio proposed that a sub-committee on higher education be formed. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Florida Council Annual Conference – September 8-10 Naples

Suicide Symposium – September 30 – October 1 followed by Suicide Prevention Meeting October 1-3

NAMI Walk – November 8, 2008 Fountain Park, Jacksonville

Supportive Housing Coalition – Oct 6th – 7th Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort

Florida’s Medicaid Reform Experience Meeting – October 15, Marriott Tampa Airport

Future Meetings

Nov. 20 – Orlando
Jan. 29 – Jacksonville
May 28 - Orlando

Transcribed by Linda Gregory

Peggy Iacuzio, Secretary


Voted or assigned Action Items:

Voted items:
Approved minutes and financial reports
Approved a motion to support funding and advocating for a dedicated funding source for MH and SA
Voted to approve board membership for Patrick Hendry and Lt. Brian Garrett

Action Items:
Peruse and prepare to vote on By-Law change recommendations
Education/Advocacy Action plans – Write grants for funding, Contact UCF and Full Sail to get quote and
timeline for project, Work with Partners for video materials, and Produce a 10 minute segment about the
problem, the impact and the solution.
Legislative Action plans – A. Get a smaller group together to draft proposals; integrate Reinvestment Act and SC initiative; build in juvenile justice or develop juvenile justice priority; and look at funding alternatives for these proposals: B. Develop PR/communications strategies C. Establish a Data/Outcomes
Workgroup to help assist with gathering current and compelling data and outcomes necessary to make a strong case
Partnership: Actively look for opportunities to enlist new members to FLPIC