1/22/02

ARTICLE I. MISSION/PURPOSE

The LAN will assist in the development of a system of care for children with emotional/behavioral challenges and their families. Through a collaborative process, the LAN will:

Promote and provide services to children and their families through a process commonly known as WRAP that is strength based, child centered family focused, and flexible. The LAN will oversee the use of the flexible wrap funds that support this process.

Identify problems and service gaps;

Develop public awareness and action plans to correct service gaps;

Encourage public involvement; and

Encourage the use of community based flexible individualized services.

The LAN will oversee other programs/opportunities as offered by the State.

ARTICLE II. STRUCTURE

The structure of the LAN shall consist of the General Membership and a Steering Committee that will serve as a policy making and oversight body. The Steering Committee is the decision-making entity of the LAN.

Section 1. General Membership

The General Membership of the LAN shall consist of providers and consumers with an interest in supporting the LAN. Ideally, the General Membership would include representatives of the diverse population of service providers and consumers within the LAN.

Section 1.1 General Membership Meetings

The General Membership of the LAN shall meet semi-annually at which time the Steering Committee will report on LAN sponsored programs. These semi-annual meetings will also include time for an open forum for discussion of community concerns.

Section 2. Steering Committee Membership

LAN Steering Committee will be comprised primarily of individuals who work and/or live within the LAN. Membership will follow as closely as possible the state guidelines as described below:

·         DHS/OMH funded mental health providers of C&A services

·         DCFS funded mental health/child welfare providers

·         A representative of the DHS/OMH state operated facility

·         A representative of DCFS local staff

·         A representative of ISBE

·         A representative from Illinois Federation of Families

·         Parents of children with emotional/behavior difficulties

·         Representation from:

Local mental health authorities

Public Health Departments

Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services providers/youth services planning boards

Local special education cooperatives

Juvenile probation/juvenile courts

Alcohol/substance abuse providers

Other Community Stakeholders

Section 2.1. Steering Committee Responsibilities

Steering Committee responsibilities are to be as follows:

Review of performance indicators to assure outcomes and the quality of LAN supported services such as Family Centered Services Initiative and flex funded WRAPAROUND plans;

Identification of unmet needs within the LAN;

Preparation of an agenda for and facilitation of the General Membership meetings;

Establishment of committees as needed to serve the mission of the LAN; and,

Elect two of its members to serve as Co-Conveners for staggered two-year terms.

Section 2.2. Steering Committee Meetings

The Steering Committee will meet at least quarterly or as often as necessary to address the planning needs of the C&A LAN. Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called upon the request of -one-third (1/3) of the membership to the Co-Conveners or by direct action of the Co-Conveners.

Section 2.3. Duties of Steering Committee Co-Conveners

The Co-Conveners shall maintain a general overview of the affairs and business of the LAN, including all activities of LAN supported programs and all activities of any established committees of the LAN;

The Co-Conveners shall be responsible for preparing the agenda, seeing that minutes are taken and distributed to members in a timely manner;

The Co-Conveners shall be considered members ex officio of all ad hoc and standing subcommittees deemed necessary by a majority vote of the Steering committee;

The Co-Conveners shall attend any regional and/or statewide Co-Convener meetings or trainings.

Section 2.4. Duties of Steering Committee Members

Each member of the Steering Committee shall be responsible to:

Become as knowledgeable as possible about LAN programs, local needs, services available, and gaps in services for the target population;

Regularly attend meetings. Members may specify one person as their designee to attend meetings in case of emergencies. Designees would have the same rights and responsibilities as the Steering Committee member;

Maintain an interest in and participate on issues coming before the Committee.

ARTICLE III. SUBCOMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Subcommittees

Standing committees will be formed as deemed necessary by the LAN Steering committee to fulfill its mission. Current Standing Committees are described in this Article.

Section 1.1. Intake and Referral Committee

The Intake and Referral Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of three (3) members of the LAN and, if possible, a parent representative. This committee shall meet as needed. The functions of this committee shall be as follows:

Receive and review Wraparound referral applications

Determine appropriateness of community based (flex-funded) applications based on eligibility criteria established by the LAN

When appropriate, suggest additional or alternative resources available within the LAN Flex and WSAA applications

Maintain appropriate documentation regarding referral applications

Provide technical support to referral sources

Report to Steering Committee as necessary

Section 1.2. Fiscal Subcommittee

The Fiscal Subcommittee shall consist of the LAN co-conveners, a representative of the fiscal agent, and three (3) other LAN members appointed by the Steering Committee. This committee shall meet as needed. A minimum of three (3) votes shall be necessary to approve funding for a Wraparound plan. The functions of the Fiscal Subcommittee are as follows:

Receive and review Wraparound plans submitted by Child and Family Teams

Approve allocation of Flexible Funds on behalf of the LAN

When appropriate, suggest additional or alternative resources available with the LAN

Appoint a Fiscal Liaison to monitor financial and service aspects of Wraparound plans

Provide technical support to Child and Family Teams

Report to the Steering Committee as necessary

Section 1.3. Public Relations/Wraparound Training Subcommittee

The Steering Committee will seek volunteers from the LAN membership to form a committee to meet as needed to:

Serve as spokespersons on behalf of the LAN and the Wraparound Process

Develop a quarterly Wraparound training plan

Provide information to the Statewide Technical Assistance Team to design, maintain and update the LAN 33 website (www.systemofcareillinois.org)

Develop written brochures to explain Wraparound and the LAN

Work on other activities as identified that promote/encourage stake holders involvement in the LAN

Section 1.4. Quality Assurance

The Steering Committee will seek volunteers from the LAN membership to form a Subcommittee to review both Community Wraparound (Flex Wraps) and Department Wraparound (WSAA Wraps) plans. A minimum of three LAN members will conduct these reviews. No reviewer can review plans in which they have participated. The Quality Assurance reviews will be conducted in accordance to the LAN’s written Quality Assurance Plan to be attached as an addendum to this document. Results of the reviews will be shared with the Steering Committee at the next scheduled Steering Committee meeting following their review.

Section 2. Ad Hoc Subcommittees

The Steering Committee shall have the power to form ad hoc subcommittees on an as needed basis. Membership on the Steering Committee is not a prerequisite for serving on an ad hoc subcommittee.

ARTICLE IV. FISCAL MANAGEMENT

Section 1.	Fiscal agents shall be selected by a majority vote of the Steering Committee with the determination to be based upon the prospective agents’ demonstrated ability to manage resources efficiently and the practice of sound fiscal principles.
Section 2.	The selected fiscal agent(s) must demonstrate the flexibility to deliver payments quickly to the designated recipients.
Section 3.	The fiscal agent(s) shall receive funding and distribute funds as directed by the Steering Committee of the Fiscal Subcommittee.
Section 4.	The fiscal agent(s) shall submit a report for each meeting of the Steering Committee regarding LAN budget levels, flexible funds and current level of expenditures.
Section 5.	The fiscal agent(s) shall prepare a semi annual summary financial report for the semi annual General Membership meeting.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 1.

Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed by any member of the General Membership by submitting a written proposal to the Co-Conveners. The proposed change(s) shall be presented at the next Steering committee meeting and voted upon at the following meeting. Any proposed change(s) must be mailed five (5) days prior to the meeting when the amendment will be discussed and voted upon.

Section 2.

A consensus of the Steering Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting shall be required to adopt any amendment to the bylaws.

ARTICLE VI. DISSOLUTION

Should the LAN #33 accrue non-designated assets and the LAN is disbanded by consensus of the Steering committee at a regularly scheduled meeting, said assets (upon the payment of all liabilities) shall be given to a comparable nonprofit organization serving children and families in the DeKalb County area which meets the requirements of a tax-exempt corporation under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 © 3.

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