2001-03-26 Regular Meeting., i MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PROVIDENCE KODIAK ISLAND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER ADVISORY BOARD Monday, March 26, 2001 L MEETING CALLED TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:40 PM by Chairperson Jody Burcham in the Providence Kodiak Island Mental Health Center Group Room. II. ROLL CALL Members Present Jody Burcham Dave Davis Thia Falcone Lorri Doyle Steve Honnold Cecil Ranney Members Absent Pat Crowe Darlene Turner Karen Perkins Lt. Tish Palmer Pam Foreman i Guests Present Christy Kinter Phil Cline Mr. Roberts III. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA MOTION: ~.~~.r-,..,..h. r r. _ . - ------, APR 2 7 2001 r,:~-,,. ,... r. ~~ ~~ Staff Present Robin Gardner Karen Bennett Steve Honnold moved to accept the March 26th agenda as amended. Thia Falcone seconded. By voice vote the motion passed unopposed. Amendment: to IV APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: B. March 12 Special Meeting and Worksession IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES MOTION: Cecil Ranney moved to accept the minutes of February 26, 2001. Steve Honnold seconded. By voice vote the motion passed unopposed. Thia Falcone moved to accept the minutes of March 12, 2001. Lorri Doyle seconded. By voice vote the motion passed unopposed. V. STAFF/OTHER PRESENTATIONS: None VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Roberts stated his opinion that the selection of the Clinical Director should be approved by the Advisory Board due to the shared authority of the position with the Director and urged the Advisory Board to consider that factor. He also noted that he had many issues with the Mental Health Center but declined to elaborate. Phil Cline noted that Mr. Roberts recently participated in a meeting with Leonard Abel and Walter Majoros of DMHDD as well as Susan Humphrey Barnett. At that meeting, Mr. Roberts indicated that he had only one unresolved issue -the need for Mental Health Center staff to bring any DMHDD regulation waiver applications to the Advisory Board prior to proceeding with them. Robin noted that this was a reasonable procedure and that she would prepare a related policy for Advisory Board approval. Robin also noted that at the same meeting, Mr. Roberts suggested that an application for a waiver be filed to allow Dr. Jensen's current salary and benefit arrangement to continue, despite regulations outlined in 7AAC43.725(b) which states that "the mental health center may not obtain the services of the supervising psychiatrist through an agreement with a health facility". Such a waiver would be an easy administrative solution to the problem and negate any negative effect on Dr. Jensen's benefits. MOTION: A motion was made by Thia Falcone approving the waiver application, and seconded by Lorri Doyle. By voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Roberts was asked to discuss any other issues and he responded that he is unsure who supervises Dr. Jensen and the Director, noting dissatisfaction with the fact that there does not appear to be a local supervisor. Phil Cline noted that he supervises Dr. Jensen. Robin further clarified that Mr. Cline supervises Dr. Jensen in his capacity as a staff physician at the Medical Center and that Susan Humphrey Barnett supervises both she and Dr. Jensen as Mental Health Center staff. Mr. Cline can serve as the local liaison if necessary. It was noted that the organizational chart should reflect Ms. Barnett's supervisory role. Robin will amend the organizational chart to clarify supervision. Mr. Roberts further stated that he has felt that in the past, whenever he brought issues to management he was treated in a placating and condescending fashion. Robin noted that Mr. Roberts has never come to her to discuss any issues and that she resented the implication that current management staff were unresponsive and/or inappropriate in their responses. Advisory Board members urged Mr. Roberts to work with staff to resolve issues in a cooperative fashion. Mr. Roberts further noted that at the time of the transition from Borough management of the Mental Health Center to Providence management, Providence terminated the Director and a Clinician without Board approval. Mr. Cline noted that the Borough prior to Providence management handled these staff issues. Mr. Roberts, again, noted the duty of the Advisory Board to approve the appointment of the Clinical Director. Robin noted that she felt it was not unreasonable for the Board to approve the appointment, however the job descriptions themselves are the purview of Providence Human Resource Department and not an Advisory Board responsibility. The Advisory Board requested that Robin contact DMHDD and ask them to interpret the regulations and give an opinion related to their role in the approval of the Clinical Director appointment so that the issue can be resolved and allow the Advisory Board and staff to move forward. VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Robin Gardner reviewed the Directors Report for February 2001. In addition to the written report, Robin discussed current staffing issues, noting that she and Dr. Jensen will be discussing possible options. Options include retaining Pat Crowe as a full time employee to assist in the transition between old and new staff, possible hire of a Family Nurse Practitioner who could assist Dr. Jensen as well as assume nursing duties, and her desire to employ LCSW staff to replace both Team Leaders in order to maximize revenue potential and provide a high level of care. Robin also noted that the Center would assist one staff member to gain LCSW licensure so that gaps in future service can be eliminated. Robin assured the Board that this rate of staff turnover is not unusual, appears to be a statewide issue and may be related to exhaustive medicaid regulations and the high cost of living. Robin further noted that Lt. Tish Palmer is resigning from the Board due to a Coast Guard transfer. Robin will alert the Borough that a new ex-officio member will need to be appointed. VIII. NEW BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS A. Appointment of Robin Gardner to the Director's position: MOTION: Thia Falcone motioned to approve the appointment of Robin Gardner as the Mental Health Center Director. Dave Davis seconded. By roll call vote the motion passed unanimously: Thia Falcone Aye Dave Davis Aye Jody Burcham Aye Steve Honnold Aye Lorri Doyle Aye Cecil Ranney Aye B. Policy and Procedure Review: Deferred until the next meeting. X. ADVISORY BOARD COMMENTS Dave Davis: congratulated Robin on her appointment. Steve Honnold: no comment Cecil Ranney: no comment. Thia Falcone: noted her agreement that staff turnover is a statewide issue. Thia also noted her concerns that there is a movement to funnel all funding for children's services through DFYS and urged staff to stay abreast of this issue. Thia also noted that her son recently provided testimony before the Legislature and that this was a positive experience for them. Jody Burcham: no comment Lorri Doyle: no comment XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM. The next regular scheduled meeting is April 23, 2001 at 5:30 PM in the group room of the Providence Kodiak Island Mental Health Center. Respectfully submitted by: Karen Bennett, Administrative Assistant PKIMHC ~~ z~~~t ~~ l ~- z~I~ -~-- ~~~ Jody Burcham, Chairperson PKIMHC Advisory Board