HomeMy WebLinkAbout190424 - Minutes, Mental Health AuthWashington County Mental Health Authority Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes Date: April 24, 2019 @ 12:00 p.m. Location: 80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD Board Members: Present: E. Branthaver, R. Bratcher, R. Clutz, Jr; J. Lowery, J. Matheny, K. Mollo, C. Pauley, K Powderly Planned Absence: T. Ryan Absent: C. Munson Guests: Quorum present: Yes WCMHA Staff Present: R. Rock, S. Norberg, B. Kerbs, L. Cole, M. Jackson
Ex-Officio Member: J. Cline Proceedings: Board President Jennifer Lowery called meeting to order at 12:00 PM. Approval of Minutes:
The members present reviewed the February meeting minutes. A motion was made by R. Bratcher to approve the minutes and R. Clutz seconded it. All members present approved the motion. Finance Committee Report by R. Bratcher:
The board received the financial report which included expenditures through March 31, 2019. The budget
mod for FY 2019 has been submitted but hasn’t yet been approved by BHA.
We continue to monitor the grants that are underspent and identify ways the funds can be used. Executive Director Report by R. Rock:
Barbara J. Bazron, the, Executive Director for the BHA has resigned her position. An Interim director has not
been announced.
It is still premature on how things are going to evolve with the issue of Manage Care Organizations (MCO) vs. Administrative Service Organizations (ASO). It appears that there will not be any major changes for FY 2020.
During the last Legislative Session, funds were legislated to increase reimbursement rates for providers over a three-year process. There is a concern that the minimum wage bill, introduce this legislative session, would cut into the reimbursement rate increase. Advocates were able to get a 22% increase over 6 years which covers the expansion of minimum wage. It is thought that this will keep balance as the minimum wage increases.
The Crisis Walk in Center is funded through the WCHD as part of the opioid response money. The RFP has been sent out. Brooke and I are working with Vicki Sterling, Local Addictions Authority (WCHD) to see if
we can use our Mobile Crisis Service & Stabilization grant money to create a place for crisis comprehensive care. The opioid funds can’t be used for someone who just has a strictly mental health diagnosis. The vendor will have to be able to bill for someone who strictly has a mental health diagnosis. This is going to be a challenge for first time responders to be able to identify what facility to transport the individual to for services. The Walk-in Center is designed for police and first responders to have an alternative place to take individuals other than the emergency department. Chief Keifer, Hagerstown Police Department, has initiated
a program called Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). It has been a pilot project in Baltimore City. It is designed for police to have a place to divert individuals to as opposed to the criminal justice system. A
group of community partners has been meeting with a consultant to see how this could work in our community. The target date for the opening of the Crisis Walk in Center is July 1, 2019.
Another piece of legislation that I wanted to report on is the increase in school behavioral health supports to improve student outcomes. This is part of the Kirwan Commission which was about how to improve school performance. This will fund a dedicated Mental Health Services Coordinator position for each school system. They will oversee the mental health needs and to provide a link to the appropriate services.
We are currently preparing documents for our FY 19 Fourth Quarter monitoring from BHA, scheduled for June 17, 2019. All grants are monitored by our office annually and then BHA selects three or four grants for their review. This process generally goes smoothly.
For FY 2020 the Self-Directed Care Program is being eliminated. That grant was $104,000, $20,000 of that was discretionary funds that were used to support services outside of traditional services. The balance of the grant, approx. $84,000 will be reallocated to another program. A proposal has been submitted to BHA and we are waiting for their response. The $20,000 will be rolled over into Level E to increase the beds from 12 to
15. The Level E grant also included funds for Case Management to the Level E clients and clients in the community as well as some additional funding for a hard to serve individual. This will all be separated out for FY 2020. Director of Children & Adolescents – Brooke Kerbs
It is a busy season for trainings and events. The Child Welfare Conference was held recently with almost 350 people attending. Several of the sessions were on mental health related topics.
There are several trainings coming up for youth and several mental health month activities.
The school system is bringing in a Raven’s player. They are hoping to get a good turnout for that.
We are working with our partners in the community to identify resources for youth who might be underserved.
The Health Transitions Initiative (HTI) grant will be reduced for FY 2020 with the expectation that the provider will begin to bill for some of the services previously funded with that grant. New Business Executive Session
The board went into Executive Session at 12:50pm Meeting adjourned at 12:55 pm
The next meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2019. Minutes submitted by:
Marcie Jackson 05/24/2019
___________________________________________________________________ Marcie Jackson, Secretary Date