Florida Partners in Crisis

Board Minutes For 11/30/2007

FLORIDA PARTNERS IN CRISIS
Board Meeting Minutes
November 30, 2007 - Jacksonville, Florida

Present at meeting:

Martha Lott, Circuit Judge Gainesville
Norma Wagner, Broward Regional Health Planning Council
Frank Baker, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Kenneth Turner, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Gordon Bass, Jr., Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Andrew Freeland, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Laura K. Hollinger, Mental Health Association Central Florida
Jim Delawder, Vice Chair, NEFSH/DCF
Mark Speiser, 17th District Circuit Judge ( Broward County )
Marion Moore, NAMI Jacksonville
Susan B Lee, MHA Northeast Florida
Mike Mathes, NAMI
Marcia Mathes, NAMI, SAMH Corp
Kimberly Brown, Ten Brock Hospital
Rick Wagner, MHA Public Policy Council of Florida
Catherine Jackson, Astra Zeneca Cullen Communications
Cathy Consolo, Bristol Myers Squibb Mental Health Advocacy
Beth Avery, Mental Health Coalition of Jacksonville , NAMI, UNF Active Minds
Belvin Perry, Circuit Judge, 9th District
Bob Milner, Bradford County Sheriff
Harry Shorstein, States Attorney, 4th District
Bill White, Public Defender, 4th District
Mark Fontaine, FADAA
Gene Costlow, DCT-SAMH
Pat Curtis, Curtis Communications
Stacey D Cobbin, Duval County Mental Health Court
Angela Vickers, Mental Health Advocate
Jon Cherry, Lifestream Behavioral Center
Maggie Labarta, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare
Kate Lyon, DCF
Tonia Branch, NEFSH CBHS
Ken Alexander, Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Wayne Dreggors, Seminole Community Mental Health Center
Cindy Vallely, DCF
Marc Gross, Clay Behavioral Health Center
Jay Crocker, MHA Volusia, Office of Public Defender, 7th Circuit
Linda Gregory, Seminole County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force
Charlotte Giuliani, Mental Health Advocate
Shannon Seiple, Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Sandra Robert, Broward Housing Solution
Rafael Robert, Eli Lilly and Co.
Rep. Loranne Ausley, Tallahassee
Michele Saunders, FPIC Executive Director

Judge Speiser called the meeting to order with a welcome to everyone at 10:10 AM. He thanked the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for hosting the meeting, and Clay Behavioral Health Center for providing lunch.

Director Gordon Bass from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office then extended a welcome on behalf of Sheriff Rutherford.

Judge Speiser welcomed the elected officials and thanked Judge Belvin Perry for beginning Partners in Crisis. Introductions were then made.

The minutes were approved with the following corrections: In the Executive Director's Report, under item 6 – an additional partner was added – Mental Health Public Policy Council. Under attendance, it was noted that Pat Cramer is spelled with a K (Kramer), Norma Wagner is with the Broward Regional Council, and Maggie Labarta was not in attendance at the last meeting.

Judge Speiser reported that the judicial sub-committee headed by Judge Leifman had made its report and recommendations and there were representatives from the cabinet, judges, legislators and their staff, Juvenile Justice and the Secretary of Health present. This report and its recommendations should benefit consumers and help with the goals of FPIC.

Judge Speiser then reported on the Executive Committee conference call and recommendations for the board to consider:

1. Committee meetings – do either via conference call or before or after board meetings.
2. Action item for the Partnership Committee – focus on marketing the organization
3. Include educational segment at each board meeting
4. Action Item for Partnership Committee - Invite community person to tell how FPIC has helped them
5. Action Item for Partnership Committee – increase involvement of persons living with mental illnesses and substance abuse
6. Action Item for Education Committee – Invite press to meetings
7. Honor Rep Ausley at board meeting for her support of the creation of Children's Cabinet
8. Judge Speiser will select members to serve on an ad hoc committee to study board structure
9. Staff will follow up on the stand of the League of Cities and FAC around the constitutional amendment for property taxes and determine how FPIC should vote
10. Judge Speiser will ask for board approval to join with FL Council, FADAA and NAMI to meet with California representative related to dedicated funding source

These recommendations will be discussed as various committee reports are given.

Judge Speiser appointed the ad hoc committee members: Jon Cherry - chair, Ken Alexander, Fred Alford, Norma Wagner, Linda Dipiano, Mark Fontaine, Jim Delawder, and Linda Gregory.

Executive Director's Report

Michele again thanked Judge Perry and gave an update on the Reinvestment Act matching grant SB 542, HB 1427. There were thirteen planning grant and eleven implementation grant applications from around the state – The grant requests represented a mix of rural and urban communities and the total requests came to $8.6 Million for three years – $3.8M is available to this first year. FMHI received 120,000 to develop the Criminal Justice Technical Assistance Center and the SAMH Corp. received 30,000 for set up and administration of grant applications. There are also $1M non-recurring monies in the Department LBR now. It is hoped the communities who receive the grants will serve as models for other communities.

Mark Fontaine questioned how the funds would be spent since it will be received with only half year remaining. The funds cannot be certified forward, but will be journaled to the counties and the counties will have one year to use the monies from the date their contract is signed. For implementation grants, the counties will receive an annual allocation for 3 years. Reporting data will be the key for accountability.

Marcia Mathes stated that perhaps we should advocate for adequate funding for the corporation to manage. The corporation did receive $70,000 in foundation funding, which will help.

Michele reported that Brian Davis from Nassau County has agreed to serve on the Board of Trustees, as has Harry Shorstein from Duval County .

Michele also reminded everyone of the Behavioral Healthcare Day in Tallahassee , and that we are asked to be sensitive in our wording when referring to persons with mental illnesses.

The JEHT Foundation has approved our letter of inquiry and we will be applying for another two years funding. The Florida Bar Association has also awarded a two-year grant to FPIC - $75,000 per year for a total of 150,000.

FPIC will be making a presentation at the Jail Administration Conference in Destin next week.

FPIC has a new opportunity to recognize community partnerships with the Community Partnership Award. The first such award is going to Sarasota County – Ken Alexander with Sarasota Memorial Hospital accepting.

Mike Mathes informed the board that Celeste Putnam is acting CEO of NAMI Florida. Currently, NAMI Florida is in a financial crunch and will be researching ways to raise monies. He also announced that Rafael Robert is a newly elected board member. Mike made a motion from the Executive Committee that FPIC donate $500 to NAMI Florida. Jon Cherry moved that we give $1000. The motion was seconded and passed.

Legislative Committee conference call recommendations:

1. REINVESTMENT GRANT
   • Seek $12M from legislators for the Reinvestment Grant
   • In future years, increase request for Reinvestment grant funding to allow for expansion of programs for inclusion of all counties.
   • Meet with DCF on request for additional funding for Reinvestment grant program
   • Members speak out about the need to legislators
   • Emphasis is that the ultimate goal of Reinvestment grant is that every county have a criminal justice diversion initiative
2. SUPREME COURT RECOMMENDATIONS
   • Strategically show that DCF's $21M for criminal justice/forensic initiatives and FPIC request for $12M for the Reinvestment Grant are complimentary.
   • Need to make sure the Supreme Court recommendations do not move the mental health and substance system to a criminal justice system.
   • Need to make sure there is a consensus with all Partners on the key issues prior to the legislative session.
   • Set up a coalition of Partners to meet with Bill Janes and Judge Leifman to sort out issues on both requests for clarity and support
   Judge Lott reported that part of the Supreme Court report focused on judicial education. There is a small group working on developing educational sessions both at the county and circuit court judges conferences and judicial college
3. Department of Corrections (DOC):
   • Support DOC's request for funding to assist with Re entry plans from prison and support restoring funds.
   • Allocate $5.6 million to the Department of Corrections to restore community and institutional substance abuse treatment services cut in 2007.
4. DCF Legislative Budget Request (LBR)
   • Partners will support the LBR
5. Position Statements
   • FPIC will keep its position as outlined in previous vote (housing, parity, Medicaid reform, open access, employment, workforce development)
6. DJJ
   • Align with DJJ for children's issues
   • Review DJJ Blue Print Commission report and adopt a budget issue for mental health and substance abuse services for juveniles
   • Invite DJJ to be involved with FPIC

There was lengthy discussion following each item. One major consensus was that we need to concentrate on educating legislators, judges, prosecuting attorneys, and defense attorneys that funding for treatment at the front end is much less costly. There were shared experiences from various counties and programs ( Nassau , Hillsborough, Duval). Judge Perry reminded the group that often when a judge is willing to divert there is no capacity for treatment. We need to keep the focus on the front end.

Judge Perry also shared that in any diversion plan, there has to be a safety net in place and that all parties have to be in full agreement for the plan to work. (Law enforcement, Prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and judge).

Publications - Pat Curtis

Pat reported that the committee had decided to continue using the “Treatment not Jail” theme and the picture of the hands on the jail bars. Samples of literature with various ink types were sent around for viewing and comments. The one page issue will show the major goals for FPIC to be continuation of the Reinvestment Grant, support of the DCF LBR, and the Supreme Court report. It will also state the other issues that will be supported.

Pat requested a decision be made at the meeting in order to have the packets out by the end of December. This will be a couple of months ahead of last year and will allow for more meetings with legislators in local communities prior to the session. A consensus vote was taken.

Pat asked if there would be any value in mass mailings to legislators. After discussion it was agreed that a better approach would be to get to know the legislative staff prior to session. Because of term limits, staff have become much more important in the process.

Harry Shorstein reminded the group of the importance of Law Enforcement in seeking funding and reform. Advocates are often seen as liberal, but law enforcement can help demonstrate that investing a little money at the front end can be cost effective, and they can also make a case for the safety issue.

Mark Fontaine suggested that FPIC members look at a proposed bill by Senator Oelrich (SB390) and Representative Thompson (HB 0173). The bill would require that “anyone who allows an infant or toddler to be in close proximity to a controlled substance”, or “who owns a place or conveyance used to manufacture a controlled substance for sale and distribution commits a felony of the first degree if a minor is present or resides…”

Mark made his suggestion into a motion - it was seconded and passed. Rep Loranne Ausley stated that bills are not always what people believe and we do need to review and research repercussions. Maggie Labarta asked Michele Saunders to do that for this bill.

Mark Speiser then introduced Representative Loranne Ausley as a legend in this past legislative session. He presented her with the Champion Award for her leadership and assistance with mental health and children issues. Rep Ausley thanked the group for the award and stated that it was a team effort between the House and the Senate. She shared that she had met with DJJ Secretary McNeil and they talked about diverting funds from building prisons into providing treatment and prevention. She said her heart is with early childhood issues and the children's cabinet. Rep Ausley stayed around to visit with members during the lunch break.

Finance Report – Mike Mathes

Mike made a motion that the financial policy be changed. Currently, the Executive Director can sign checks with an amount up to $3,000. The Finance committee request this be raised to $15,000, with anything over $8,000 requiring an electronic or verbal approval by the treasurer. The motion was approved.

Currently, check signers are Mike Mathes, Jerry Kassat and Michele Saunders.

The financial report was accepted as presented.

Michele reported that she and Judge Speiser had met with Bob Milner, and Gary Perkins (FSA Executive director) and they continued to emphasis the full support of the FSA as a Partner with FLPIC. They want to see more CIT officers, services and availability of prescription drugs.

Mark Speiser stated the need for more rapid identification of mental health issues at the jail, allowing consumers to see the doctor sooner, and identifying those who have community case managers.

Mark Fontaine suggested we write a while paper expressing these needs.

Michele advised that the jail survey is not finished, but we need to use similar jail screening tools so that the ways of identification inmates with mental illnesses and substance use disorders are consistent in a report.

Partnership/Education Committees

Charlotte Guiliani made the report for the committee. Based on a conference call on the 19th, goals were established. One previous goal was to provide membership certificates and lapel pins and this has been accomplished. Those present at the meeting received both. A membership form is on the website, and certificates and lapel pins will be mailed as new members join. At a previous meeting, it was suggested that there be a statement about prejudice and discrimination. The committee advised that it has been added to the new brochures.

The committee made the following recruitment and motivation suggestions:

1. All members should use their networks to reach out to potential members – from organizations not necessarily related to mental health issues- civic and professional.
2. FPIC prepare talking points and background materials, including PowerPoint presentation for members to use in presentations –ongoing project.
3. Use local CIT coalitions and training sessions to promote membership.
4. Explore seeking donations from interested persons who might not be able to become a member or attend meetings.
5. Consider a media workshop possibly modeling after Media Mentors or the TAC public relations training.
6. Discuss inviting local reporters to meetings.
7. Each member to bring someone new to board meetings when in their area of the state.

Discussion followed. One suggestion to increase participation was to ask local groups to add an agenda item for FPIC.

It was suggested that the community partnership award be presented locally and that there be a place on the website to spotlight these communities.

It was agreed that media be invited to a pre-briefing prior to each board meeting, and perhaps ask to meet with editorial board while in the area. Shannon suggested using the Sheriff's office PIO's to assist with these. Jon Cherry added it would be good to allow any politicians in attendance to make comments to media, also. Mark Speiser also suggested the use of consumers during the briefing.

Fundraising Committee – Jon Cherry

Grants received - $150,000 from Florida Bar Foundation, Eli Lily provided a pass through Grant for CIT national conference, Astral Zeneca contribution for $5,000. JEHT Foundation – submitted letter of Inquiry for two more years funding.

Current identified resources

1. Member contributions/dues – Contribution letter will go out in early spring after the holidays and legislative session. Committee will develop membership dues or contribution campaign to be presented at a later meeting.
2. Corporations – Committee will be developing strategies to present at a later meeting, asking each member to identify one corporation to approach
3. State Contracts – the committee will discuss with DCF and DOC types of training or consultation contracts that could be helpful without competing with partners.

Finalize grant process with JEHT

Look for pharmaceutical and new foundation grants

Discussion followed report about the need to develop a plan for when the grant ends – new resources. It was suggested that we might be able to approach organizations and vendors because of CIT. Shannon asked for approval to approach on behalf of FPIC.

Community Updates

Broward Housing Solution – Sandra Robert explained about a fundraising event with Patti Duke last year to raise monies to provide permanent housing for persons with a mental illness - it was a big success. In March, they will have Dr Buzz Aldrin from Apollo XI. The funds are used to aid persons with seed money to lease with an option to buy a home.

Gordon Bass – Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Chief of Jail Division, showed a moving video called Voices of Jericho. He and Chief Tara then shared information and statistics from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on calls for police service with persons who have a mental illness. The numbers were surprising because of the lack of arrests – and likely diversions. Currently all officers in the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are being trained in CIT at the police academy. He will make the report available through Michelle.

Hillsborough County will have CIT training beginning on the 28th and Clay County now has every shift covered with a CIT trained officer. Angela Vickers reported that SAMHSA will have a booth at the Pastor's Conference at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville . This will be a first.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 PM. Next meeting will be in Tampa on January 10, 2008.