Sandhills Center for MH, DD & SAS
Consumer and Family Advisory Committee
August 21, 2007
Present: Mike Ayers Elaine Hayes Linda Sparkman
Stephen Cohen Leann Henkel Harvey Sturdivant
Debra Collins Ronald Huber Joni Thomas
Carol DeBerry Marianne Kernan Ronald Unger
Avis Hall Al Oldham Tony Wilcox
Betty Pankey
Excused Absence: Nellie Daniels, Mike Markoff, Michael McNeill, Lori Richardson, and Irma Robledo
Absent: Beth Graves
Guest: Victoria Carroll, MD -Duke Resident interning for 6 months with Dr. Wagnitz, Unit Access Managers, Michael Bramwell - State CFAC Liaison, Edward Daniels (Nellie Daniels husband)
Call to Order
Tony Wilcox called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1. Review of Minutes
Minutes were reviewed and a motion was made by Ronald Unger to accept the minutes as reviewed and was seconded by Carol DeBerry. The motion carried.
2. Introduction to Access Managers
Mark Marquez - Service Managers Director, began his introduction to CFAC stating Michael Watson desired a physical presence in each county, therefore creating 8 Access Units. These Access Units are to be considered as community outpatient clinics delivering psychiatric services and outpatient support treatments. The Access Managers are attending this meeting tonight so the CFAC members can put a face with their names. The following individuals were introduced, Phyllis Harvell – Service Management Administrative Coordinator, Bill Larrison- Access Manager, Lee Co., Robert Grooms-Access Manager, Moore Co., Deborah Frisco –Access Manager, Archdale, Harold Pickett –Access Manager, Montgomery Co., Jerry Earnhardt –Access Manager, Asheboro. Unable to attend were Ray Lassiter – Harnett Co., Ed Clark – Hoke Co., Dorinda Robinson David – Richmond Co., and Theo Roach- Anson Co.
3. Tony Wilcox, CFAC Chairperson
Tony Wilcox began the discussion on the Community System Progress Indicator Report by handing out the “how did we do chart” found in the appendix of the report. Tony went thru the entire report gathering percentages on how we scored as a LME. At the completion of this chart Sandhills Center as a whole, is doing “average” overall. The consensus from the CFAC committee was they did not understand the report, nor did they understand what comments they were suppose to make regarding this report. The committee feels they are overwhelmed with so many reports and would like to request that the Division and LME break them down in a simplified form to make them more understandable. Michael Bramwell, State CFAC Representative, suggested the CFAC members create small sub-committees to “dig-into” the reports and break down the information then report back to the members. The committee will consider such in the future.
A motion was made by Marianne Kernan and was seconded by Ronald Unger that a system be put into place requesting reports be presented in a simplified form. (Example: a cover sheet with bullets outlining focal points to address attached to each report.) The motion carried.
After further discussion regarding the Community System Progress Indicator Report, a motion was made by Carol DeBerry and was seconded by Stephen Cohen to request a Quality Management person from the State to train the CFAC on this report. The motion was carried.
CFAC members are requesting simplified bullets points from the LME in terms the public would understand to assist in acquiring feedback from the community.
4. Michael Bramwell, State CFAC Representative
Michael Bramwell, Division of Mental Health Liaison to the Sandhills CFAC, began his remarks by requesting promised feedback from the CFAC on the Community Systems Progress Indicator Report. Mr. Ron Huber, Co-chair stated only one member emailed comments and he decided not to forward them to Mr. Bramwell until further discussion. Based upon generated conversation during the meeting, the CFAC did not appear to understand certain aspects of the report. Mr. Bramwell offered to schedule a Division expert to address the CFAC at an upcoming meeting, and discuss the report in detail and how it can be used to gauge the performance of the LME. Mr. Bramwell reiterated that the Division is now requiring LMEs to produce a plan of improvement whenever performance falls below State averages. The CFAC voted on a request to have a staffer from the Sandhills Quality Management Team and/or Michael Watson, Sandhills CEO to make a formal presentation on the LME’s improvement efforts. Several CFAC members expressed a desire to have contents of all reports distilled and simplified for easy consumption on a quarterly basis. Mr. Bramwell concluded his remarks by asking the CFAC did it require any technical assistance. No further assistance was requested at this time.
5. Committee Reports
As per Carol DeBerry, there were no committee reports for the month of August 2007.
6. Announcements
Included in this month’s packet are the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee By-Laws. Members were asked to review for any changes to be discussed at the next monthly meeting. Marianne Kernan distributed pamphlets re: Pathway to Awareness Walk. Ms. Kernan stated this walk is to raise awareness not money. All proceeds from the BBQ lunch goes to Relay for Life in Robins, NC.
7. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mike Ayers and seconded by Carol DeBerry. The meeting was adjourned. Next CFAC meeting will be held September 18,2007.
Respectfully Submitted