Western Highlands Network

CFAC (Consumer And Family Advisory Committee)
Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF CFAC MEETING
March 5, 2007

Members Present: Bill Cook, Bob Carey, Donna Tatnall, Howard Graves, Leslie Huntley, Nancy Baker,
& Rosemary Weaver
Absent: Kelly Boone & Mona Cornwell
Staff Present: Anne Doucette, Arthur Carder, & Melissa Faulkner
Guest: Bob Huntley, Jim Greer, & Larry Thompson

Dinner - Community Connections
Members report on various activities within their respective counties.

Meeting

I. Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to New Member Bob Carey from Yancey County

Introduction of all members by county / disability.

II. Guest Comments
None.

III. Ground Rules
Posted.

IV. Approval of Agenda (Any additions/changes by Committee Members)
Approved.

V. Review of Minutes of February Meeting
Approved.

VI. Request from CFAC regarding information on what constitutes minimum (basic) service in each disability and what constitutes best practice - Anne Doucette

  • Announced that two new provider specialist will be starting on 3/16/07. Specialist with AMH will be a stronger presence in Rutherford. Will do AFL reviews, endorsement, etc. Specialist with SA.
  • CFAC request grid reflecting services offered by disability. Wanting minimum services that a consumer can receive (by disability) and what is best practice (evidence based). Purpose is to identify gaps in services. Need to collect data from providers on what services they are providing. Will be time consuming, but worthwhile data. Arthur suggests we survey providers on what best practice (evidence based) they are doing. Proven need could provide leverage in where LME & MOE money is spent.

VII. CFAC Recruitment Training - Jim Greer

  • Informational instructions on recruitment. Not in favor of "cold calls", not a successful method. Suggested phone bank with all CFAC members coming together to make phone calls at the same place, and the same time.
  • People inventory; who do you know, who do they know.
  • Sample of letter to send to administrators/ providers who may know potential members. Consent from consumers when getting information from providers.
  • Sample letter to potential CFAC members, prevents "cold call" anxiety. Ask for help, don't go into details of CFAC interview, qualification process.
  • Sample phone conversation. Keep the responsibility in your hands. Don't have them call you back, always offer to call them. Get people excited about what they can do with CFAC.
  • Tips. Empathy builds trust. Convey positive emotions in your conversations. Letters should be hand addressed and written on attractive stationary.
  • Initiation of new members. Need a formal ceremony. Contract including member responsibilities and benefits (Enhances recovery). Termination of contracts should be done with dignity.
  • Process outlined should attract quality CFAC members.
  • Potential members with time constraints? Always have contact information and at least get people minimally involved. Should recruit during a specific time period and have set goals. How to convey participation is meaningful? Bring out what people have as individuals to offer CFAC, not just what CFAC wants of new members. What does it mean for a new member to be on CFAC? Ask them what makes it meaningful for them.
  • Some member motivations;
  • CFAC has brought community connections and information about services that have helped them with themselves, their family members, and the community.
  • Feel purpose is to bring up flaws in the system and try to induce change for the better.
  • Being on a committee with members from all eight counties has informational benefits.
  • Mental Health reform, sense that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
  • Wanting to help others get access to services that they need.
  • Knowing what it is like to go through recovery makes one want to help others through such simular situations. SA (consumers as well as family members) need advocates because of lack of services, etc. Need to help the community.
  • Joined to be educated for benefit of family member.
  • Grassroots efforts promote positive change. Impact on community.
  • CFAC gives people a voice and a sense of community. NC law states that LOC must listen to local and state CFACs.

VIII. LOC Report - Larry Thompson

  • Funding still under discussion. Secretary trying to centralize things, Senator Nesbitt more interested in local efforts/ interest. House created MH reform committee. (Senate did not.) Secretary is an appointed position. Should CFAC member write to the governor to educate on some local MH issues? Each member should contact respective representatives.



IX. LME Report - Arthur Carder

  • COO hired; Charlie Schoenheit promoted, will require restructuring of other positions. Working on LBP going out by Friday. Will go to the board for approval. Some issues; Rules on MOE funds. Survey with other LME regarding stipends paid to board members. Several do pay stipend, some smaller LMEs don't pay milage. Some pay both a stipend and milage. Will suggest that non-county board members and CFAC members should receive stipend. Additional incentive for members.
  • Meet with Senator Nesbitt recently. Went to legislative breakfast last week.
  • Tomorrows proposal is expected to specify where funding is allocated. SA as non-UCR. Last years funding. Hoping to be a part of pilot project around hospital discharges.
  • Crisis plan was submitted; Focus on developing crisis bed stabilization unit, Reimbursement rate for hospitals that treat non-Medicaid consumers to match the Medicaid rate, Funding more TFC beds (holds bed for submission). Alternative to hospitalization. Community based care.

X. Report Form to State CFAC - Review by Full CFAC

  • Can be amended if any member wishes to add/ change any information on document. Lack of response from CFAC members. Need to send packets to members that are not present

XI. Committee Reports
Membership - Donna Tatnall

  • Member was to be interviewed today and could not make it. Janet has resigned effective immediately. Nancy has also resigned as co-chair, taking leave of absence (but not wanting to hold a position if a qualified applicant comes forward) effective mid-April.
  • Donna has offered to serve as interim co-chair. Motion accepted.
  • Janet will meet with Nancy and Leslie to make by-laws more flexible. Need provision or policy for leave of absence.
  • Recommendation that membership not focus so much on the county/ disability representation, need to ramp up membership as first priority.
  • Membership and nominating committees are planning to meet to formulate in recruiting strategy.
  • CQI meeting no longer has CFAC member present (since Janet has resigned.) Howard volunteered to attend. Melissa will follow up with information so Howard may attend and notify Kris Booker.


Finance - Bill Cook

  • Report from CFO that list CFAC expenses year to date and for past month and compares it to budget. Rosemary has requested funds to attend NAMI Spring Conference in Greenville. Wanting to expedite pre-imbursement process. Motion to support funding for trip. Approved.


Executive - Nancy Baker

  • CFAC Executive Committee met with WHN Board Executive Committee last Friday. Conference call with Susan Hendricks. Nancy requests feedback on suggestion that CFAC representative at Board meetings be able to sit with WHN staff so that CFAC member can be easily identified. Welcome suggestion.


Next CFAC Meeting: Sharon Lentz, CFO will attend to help bring clarity to LME budget.

 

 

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