Macon County Mental Health Task Force
December 19, 2008

Members present - Ronnie Beale, Julie Durham-Defee, Jane Kimsey, Paula 
Ledford, Kathy McGaha, Mike Neidig, Andy Shields and Martin Wadewitz

Approval of Minutes - Kathy McGaha made a motion to approve the minutes.
Julie Durham-Defee 2nd the motion, with a unanimous vote for approval.



Action Items:

Jane Kimsey welcomed the task force members to today’s meeting.

Ronnie Beale stated that he thinks most county managers and county 
commissioners for the seven western counties are optimistic about the 160A
Option.  Ms. Beale said that the Macon County Board of Commissioners had 
passed a resolution in support of further studying the 160A Option at their
November 10th meeting.  Mr. Beale thanked Kathy McGaha and Rhonda Blanton of
Healthy Carolinians of Macon County for all their time and hard work put into
this Mental Health project.

Shelley Lackey gave an LME update to the task force members.  Ms. Lackey said
that representatives from Smoky Mountain had met on the 160A Option with each
of the seven counties.  Ms. Lackey also talked about the recent closing of the
Balsam Center.  Ms. Lackey said it is Smoky Mountain’s intention to reopen the
Balsam Center next year, but she did not know when and under what circumstances
or conditions.  Ms. Lackey said the Behavioral Health Unit at Haywood Regional
Medical Center expanded from six to nine beds on December 15th.  

Kathy McGaha reported that two proposals had been received for the School Based
Mental Health Services RFP.  Ms. McGaha said additional information had been
requested for both proposals.  Ms. McGaha said the School Review Team had met
on December 9th to review and discuss the two proposals.  The task force 
members went into closed session to discuss the RFP proposals.

Paula Ledford motioned to enter into Closed Session.  Andy Shields 2nd the 
motion.  Mike Neidig asked to excuse himself from the Closed Session due to 
conflicting interests.  Mr. Neidig was excused and Marty Wadewitz then motioned
to enter Closed Session.  Andy Shields 2nd the motion, with all task force 
members in agreement.  CLOSED SESSION  -  Julie Durham-Defee motioned to reopen
the meeting.  Andy Shields 2nd the motion, with all task force members in 
agreement.

Jane Kimsey informed the task force members of the new Macon County Citizens
Help Line (349-2128).  The Help Line is opened from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Monday
- Friday.  Ms. Kimsey said the Help Line provides information on where you can
go for help and creates awareness of volunteer and religious organizations that
also offer assistance.

Mike Neidig updated the task force members on the Jail Program.  Mr. Neidig 
said the program is currently meeting two days a week and the numbers attending
are up.  One concern he expressed was that inmates attending this program who
are sent to prison currently have no follow through with this program.

Kathy McGaha explained to the task force members that Jim Bruckner has asked 
that a template be used for developing business plans on Macon County Mental 
Health Task Force priorities.  Ms. McGaha will ask Mr. Bruckner to email all
task force members the template.  The priorities were assigned to the following
task force members to work on and be ready to present and discuss at the next
meeting.  

> Shelley Lackey - Smoky Mountain Center will report on:
* 24/7/365 Assessment Center
* Drop-in Center
* Provider Meetings
> Paula Ledford and Kathy McGaha - School Based Mental Health Services
> Brian Welch - Transportation Plan
> Jane Kimsey - Local information and referral line
> Mike Neidig and Robby Holland - Jail Program

The next meeting will be held on Friday, January 16th, 2009.  The meeting will
be held in Meeting Rooms A/B at the Health and Human Services Building from 
9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon.

Minutes recorded by Rhonda Blanton