Macon County Mental Health Task Force
May 15, 2008


Members present - Ronnie Beale, Jim Bruckner, Rhonda Cox, Robert Holland, 
Tammy Keezer, Jane Kimsey, Paula Ledford, Kathy McGaha, Mike Neidig, Don 
Sandoval and Andy Shields

Welcome - Ronnie Beale welcomed everyone to today’s meeting and thanked 
them for attending.  

Approval of Minutes - Robert Holland made a motion to approve the minutes.
Jim Bruckner 2nd the motion, with a unanimous vote for approval.


Action Items:

Ronnie Beale asked for an update of the jail program.  Mike Neidig said he 
had started with 14 in attendance at the first class.  Mr. Neidig said he had
9 in attendance at the last class.  Mr. Neidig stated that the inmates were 
very appreciative of being able to attend this program.  Mr. Neidig said 
while he is conducting the program, the inmates are very serious and attentive.

Jim Bruckner next passed out a draft of the Task Force Report to the task force
members.  Mr. Bruckner briefly went over the different sections of the report.
The sections were:
o Introduction
o Population and Prevalence
o Report on Mental Health Consumer Interviews
o Report from Community Mental Health Service Provider Meeting
o Questions Posed to Smoky Mountain Center
o Issues
o Recommendations/Conclusion
o Strategic Plan

Jim Bruckner and Jane Kimsey next led a review and group discussion on the 
Issues Section from the Task Force Report.  Included in each item of the Issues
Section were ongoing current efforts taking place in the community to address
identified concerns.  Following is a list of the items in the Issues Section:
1) 24/7/365 Assessment Center and central receiving site/facility for emergency
(under 2 hours) behavioral health evaluation and crisis intervention for 
individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms or problems with substance
abuse (would be nice if it could be co-located with Angel Medical Center 
Emergency Room - may help with ED diversion).  To include medical screening and
transportation.
2) Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) (would be nice if it were local).
3) Mobile Crisis Team based in Macon County to provide services as needed.
4) Urgent psychiatric care assess ("urgent" is defined as non-emergency care 
"which is not needed within 2 hours" but needed within 2 days or before 
routine care is available" this includes services for individuals running out
of critical medication).
5) Jail recidivism program focused on assessment and limited treatment of 
inmates for mental health disorders and/or comorbidity of substance abuse 
and mental health disorders (or full diagnosis) while incarcerated and after
release.  Includes:  Assessment at booking; full mental health assessments 
when inmates are appropriately identified; limited treatment program while
incarcerated; substance abuse psycho-educational program directed towards 
wellness and recovery while incarcerated; use of  Care Navigation to connect
inmates upon release from jail with appropriate mental health and/or 
substance abuse services.
6) Prevention/Treatment efforts in the schools
7) Community information/education marketing
8) Getting more psychiatrists involved - making the system in Macon County
more appealing to them.
9) Funneling of people to high-end services as opposed to catching them early
on.
10) Care Navigation
11) Involvement/education of primary care providers in/on management of 
behavioral health clients and mental health medication management.
12) Service Gaps:   TBD using consumer and provider meeting notes - also to be
addressed - duplication of services.
13) Request the LME designee coordinate Provider Meetings in Macon County for
Macon County providers.

The task force members reviewed and discussed each item listed in the Issues 
Section of the Task Force Report.  Ms. Kimsey recommended and the task force 
members agreed to put #8 with #4 and to combine #13 with #7.  The task force 
members also made other suggestions that Mr. Bruckner will incorporate with 
each appropriate issue.

The task force members are to email any further suggestions to Mr. Bruckner.
Ms. Kimsey and Mr. Bruckner will compile these suggestions and present them 
to Mr. Beale.  Ms. Kimsey and Mr. Bruckner will bring another draft of this
report to the next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4th.  The meeting will 
start at 1:00 PM in Meeting Rooms A/B at the Health and Human Services 
Building.

Minutes recorded by Rhonda Blanton