NAMI
Central Mississippi
Affiliate Meeting Minutes
January
15, 2009
Present:
Ricky Quinn, Ann Jensen, Annette Giessner, David McIntyre, Jan
Downer, Toni Staton, Emily Hodo
Minutes:
There were no changes or
additions to the minutes. Annette
made a motion that they be approved and Jan seconded it. Minutes were
approved.
Walk update: Planning for the NAMI Walk 2009 has begun.
A Pick-Nick lunch after the walk is being considered to extend the
event into the afternoon to increase the appeal of the even for those who
must travel a long way.
State
Activities: A $1.4 million UHD grant to build fourteen housing units was approved for
NAMI MS and Region 6 in Lexington, MS.
NAMI
MS Executive Director Wendy Mahoney, Region 9 staff, Representative Alyce
Clarke, the Hinds County Chancery Clerk and Hinds County Sheriff/Jackson
Police Chief Malcolm McMillan, and other interested stake holders, have
been meeting regarding the implementation of CIT in Hinds County.
This “splinter group” came about as a result of the NAMI/Ely
Lilly Community Conversations Programs held last year in Jackson, MS.
The biggest stumbling block to the implementation of CIT throughout
the state is the lack of proper holding facilities for consumers in crisis
while they wait for treatment or a bed at one of the State Hospitals.
This group is considering several locations for a holding facility
in Hind County such as the Oakley Training School in Raymond, MS.
Education:
Katherine Young and Ricky Quinn will begin a Family
to Family class at 6:00 PM on February 9 at St. Dominic’s Hospital.
Dr. Joyce Burland, author of Family to Family, has informed us that
a PowerPoint Presentation is being developed to complement the course.
Other business:
The 2009 NAMI MS state conference is April 3-4, 2009 at the Clarion
Hotel in I-55 North in Jackson, MS. Information
pamphlets will be out soon.
Zion
Travelers Annual Health Fair is scheduled for February 28.
They have asked our Affiliate to have booth there. Volunteers
are needed.
Vice-President David
McIntire reported on a recent Region 8 Advisory Committee Meeting.
The center is planning a new day treatment area for children,
scheduled for completion in December 2009.
Bill Hutto is now in charge of Constituency Services for Region 8.
In an attempt to better staff/consumer/family relations posters
have been placed around the office for the staff, saying “Commitment,
Quality, and Compassion.” Region
8 currently has one psychiatrist and three nurse practitioners on staff,
and is in the process of interviewing for one more nurse practitioner.
“The Best Kept Secrets
in MS Mental Health” will be this year’s theme for speaker meetings.
The first of these meetings will be at the February 19 meeting,
where SHANNON RUSHTON, Director of the MS Department of Mental Health
Office of Constituency Services will speak.
The Office of Constituency Services is responsible for
documentation, investigation and resolution of all complaints/grievances
regarding state and community mental health/mental retardation facilities
that are received from individuals receiving services, family members and
the general public. The Office operates a 24/7 Help-line for information
and has recently added a Suicide Hotline as one of their services.
Ms. Rushton will give an overview of all the services provided by
The Office of Constituency Services. Light
refreshments will be served.
Although the final figures
are not in from the 2008 NAMI Walk, it is hoped that enough funds were
raised by the Affiliate to finance at least one Provider Education Class
for Region 9 in Hinds County. NAMI
Central MS pledged to fund Provider Education Classes for Region 9 in
2008.
We
may be able to afford to provide Provider Education in Hinds County using
Affiliate funds.
Treasurer's
report:
The NAMI Central MS Affiliate balance is $889.86.
The next meeting is February 19, 2009. Postcards
will be sent out as reminders. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Hodo
Secretary/Treasurer
