City of Geneva Community Mental Health Board met February 11

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 22, 2020

City of Geneva Community Mental Health Board met Feb. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL

Chair Shogren called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

Present: Gabriel, Gaines, Hamilton, Hollman, Shogren, Wagner

Absent: Fintzen, Kautz

Others Present: None

2. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA None

3. OMNIBUS AGENDA ( OMNIBUS VOTE )

All items listed with an asterisk ( * ) are considered to be routine by the Mental Health Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a board member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus ( Consent ) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Regular Agenda.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, PAYMENTS

*A. Regular Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2020

*B. Approve Payment to Recording Secretary for Services Motion to approved by Wagner second by Gaines.

Motion carries

5. Guest Speaker

Stephanie Weber, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention Services Guest speaker not able to make this evening’s meeting due to illness.

6. Chairperson’s Report:

Chair Shogren shared information about a meeting with Tom Rogers from Geneva High School, on the role of a student liaison with the Geneva 708 Mental Health Board. Mr. Rogers offered significant input on his vision for the role. NAMI is endorsing a bill going to legislature stating children as young as 12 can seek confidential help in the area of mental health. The student liaison also discussed some ideas for bringing awareness during May for Mental Health Month. There was also discussion about the future of the student liaison role between the high school and the Geneva 708 Mental Health Board and an application for future students seeking to fill the liaison role.

Vice Chair Hamilton and Chair Shogren have been in communication with an alderman seeking information about funding.

Chair Shogren collaborated with the St. Charles 708 Board to inquire what as a neighboring town seeks to understand with regard to quantitative and qualitative data from grant applicants. Round table discussion to potentially add a question for this type of data in the future. Also discussed was possibility for a more universal grant application with neighboring town 708 Boards.

Chair Shogren shared information about a fair tax referendum session held Wednesday February 12, 2020 at AID Administrative Offices at 10:00AM. This referendum seeks to obtain a flat 3% tax believing this would raise more than $3B per year to help fund State and local government human services and schools.

NAMI sent their electronic newsletter discussing a benefit at The Geraghty in Chicago on Thursday April 23rd 2020.

AID sent an electronic transmission sharing Valentine’s Raffle baskets for sale. They are also hosting an informational meeting for families who are preselected from the PUNS list on Monday March 30th, Wednesday May 6th and Tuesday April 28th. AID is endorsing the referendum for the Elgin Township 708 Mental Health Board, as well as running a fundraiser to support that referendum.

Ten week crisis line training is March 19th for the Fox Valley Crisis Line for anyone interested. Classses will be held from 6-9 PM at AID in Aurora. Their Annual Meeting & Awards Night will be Wednesday May 13th at Eaglebrook Country Club. Their Color Burst Run will be Friday June 5th.

Changing Children’s World will hold their fundraiser at FONA International on Friday April 24th 2020.

Renz sent their newsletter highlighting the retirement of Jerry Skogmo after 24 years of service. Deb Howe will oversee as Executive Director moving forward.

Suicide Prevention Services is doing a Run for Life Race on May 9th, 2020.

Aurora University is hosting speakers presenting “Inside the World of Mental Illness – From Stigma to Acceptance” on Tuesday March 24th at 7:30PM at Aurora University’s Crimi Auditorium.

Chair Shogren shared information found, for a Crisis help line that schools are using for students to receive anonymous help. In working with the student liaison it was learned that Geneva High School Students have this information on the back of their school ID’s as a resource.

7. ACMHAI Report:

A. Membership Dues approval $500 Annual Fee

Motion to approve made by Gabriel second by Hamilton

Voice Vote Aye: 6 No: 0

Motion carries.

B. Updates

Vice Chair Hamilton shared a few updates; first, the State and reorganization of processes to make it easier for 708 Boards and services providers to meet requirements. The State continues to work to make improvements and show improvements in processes. Some improvements showing are more names being pulled from a PUNS list than previously as they continue to try to revamp systems. There is legislature working its way through with regard to privacy and approaching a student for information with parental presence.

8. New Business:

A. May mental health month suggestion

Chair Shogren discussed inviting Sheriff Hain for a May 2020 date, with the hope that it might be hosted in the library to accommodate members of the community. Board Member asked if perhaps it could be incorporated with efforts by the student liaison and consider holding at the high school. Round table discussion about topic recommendations and how a topic may differ in a library setting versus a school setting. Chair Shogren will reach out to Sheriff Hain.

C. March Speaker, Michael Cobb, Elderday

Chair Shogren shared that Michael Cobb is very happy to attend / speak.

9. Old Business:

A. Approve changes to Arc of the Year

Vice Chair Hamilton discussed changes made to the Arc of the Year based on previous meeting discussion.

B. Approve and adopt Mission Statement as written for 2020

Motion to approve Wagner, second by Gabriel.

Voice Vote: Aye: 6 No: 0

Motion carries to approve Arc of the Year and Mission Statement

C. Student Liaison, Anna summary of Pink Game t shirt sales

10. Public Comments, Mail

Changing Children’s World wrote a handwritten thank you note for funding. NAMI also sent a thank you note for funding.