Minutes of the C & A LAN #58
Steering Committee Meeting
May 21, 2003
Jennifer Garfield – CCO Fillmore, Alma Tempel – Hartgrove Hospital, Chris Grunow – Stickney Public Health Center, Sandy Cervenka – Girl Scout/Whispering Oaks, Ronald Melka – Youth In Crisis, Andrew Scott - Hephzibah, Patricia Seghers – CCO Fillmore, Sabrina Williams – CCO Fillmore, Michelle Chalifoux – Prevent Child Abuse IL, Patty Gross - Hephzibah, Tom Plach – Children’s Advocacy Center, Debi Unzueta – CMHB, Berwyn, Maureen Sherwood – CMH Board, Town of Cicero, Danielle Carroll – CMHB, Town of Cicero, Elaine Moor – MacNeal School, Amy Sander – Cicero School DST. #99, Amanda Berbaum – MacNeal Hospital, Stacie Suhrbur – Children’s Center of Cicero, Regina Rossetto – Family Service MHC –Cicero, Sanjay Dharmapuri - CCO, Roxanne Connolly – IFF Parent Rep., Don Donahue – DCFS
Call to Order and Introductions: Meeting called to order by Ron Melka at 9:02 a.m.
Minutes: Chris had one correction, that the words "Chris seconded" be struck. Chris moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Elaine seconded. The motion passed. The minutes for the April 16, 2003 meeting were approved as corrected.
DCFS issues: With the new director, there are a lot of new names in DCFS upper management. A plan will be released in about 1-2 weeks announcing hiring 200 direct workers by August 1. DCFS will be more family focused, and may slow adoptions some, though DCFS has been held up as a shining example of adoption success. They will be taking a hard look at FCS. Gail Lynn Thomas took over John Goad’s position and is concerned about the DCP involvement, though Family Centered Services funds are in the budget at the same amount as this year. Don explained that with the elimination of Cook Central, some field offices would be closed.
School Issues: Elaine reported that MacNeal School is full. They have an opening for a BA worker. Call 343-0363 if interested. The school is dropping the Chicago Public School system as a client due to the lower rate of pay. Currently, 20% of their clients are DCFS cases.
Safe Schools funding from the Federal grant ends next month. District 99 has funded three staff to continue services, 1 for Family Service & MHC of Cicero, and two for CCO Fillmore. SASS services for District 99 have been very high.
Parent Report: Roxanne reported that IFF conference for parents April 26 on Meeting the Needs of the Whole Child went very well, with a good turn out of parents. She went to Springfield last week with Leyden Township Association of Mental Health. Cook was very under-represented. We have to be more pro-active. She is trying to connect with additional community resources, as every referral strengthens a parent. Parents are vital links between hospitals, schools and agencies that are not being used.
Family Centered Services Planning Committee Report: FCS funding was restored at the same level as last year. Ron reported that the third quarterly reports are in. He asked that the FCS committee meet immediately following this meeting.
Clinical Committee Report & Wraparound Flexible Funding Committee: There is one case to present today. $6,600 in additional flexible funds have been approved for this year. Call Jennifer Garfield at (708) 386-2100 or email at jgarfield@ccoptions.org if you are requesting funds.
Additional Items from Participants
Jen announced that CCO has openings in an adolescent girls group. Staff member Danielle Monroe is on maternity leave and Jen is handling all ICG requests while she is out.
Tom stated that the Children’s Advocacy Center will repeat the training Evaluating the Impact of Sexual Abuse on the Mental Health of Children on June 20th at their Broadview office. It is targeted to service providers.
Sandy announced that Whispering Oaks Council is moving its offices from LaGrange to Summit. Also, there is day camp for girls K-3rd grade at three locations in Cicero; Mary Queen of Heaven next week; St. Francis of Rome (June 23-27); and at Wesley Church (August 18-22). It runs from 9:00 – 3:00 and costs $25.00. Call 354-4855 for information.
Pat stated that the Salvation Army Camp Wonderland has openings. One week costs $25.00. The Medicaid slots are full. There are four different weeks scheduled. For information, call Sandy Buster (262) 899-4305.
Cicero Family Services has a group for youth transitioning into Unity School, beginning in June. For information, call Veronica Martinez, 656-6430.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:58 A.M.
