HCRS JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
Springfield, Vermont
March 12, 2013
Present: HCRS Staff: George Karabakakis (Chair), Tammy Maberry, Karon Eagles, Sue Hennessey,
and Crystal Morey
HCRS Board Representation: and Bob Margolin (Vice President, Board Member)
Client Representation: KP, JP, GZ, KB, PM, LT, SH, DK, JP, RH, DC, BG, SL, AG, AG, and TF
Crystal Morey, Recorder
Present by Video Conferencing:
McBain, and BA (Hartford)
KB and Paul Cooper (Brattleboro), Courtney Seidler, Carolyn
Welcome and Legislative Update: At 12:15 PM, George K. welcomed the group. Introductions were
made including those attending the meeting by video conference from the Brattleboro and Hartford
offices. The group welcomed back PM after a brief absence from the Standing Committee.
George announced that the Joint Commission conducted their on-site survey of HCRS on February 20-22.
Two JCAHO surveyors met with staff and clients at area offices, residential homes, and while conducting
home visits. The review went well with a couple of areas that need to be addressed. A corrective action
plan is being developed to address the issues noted by the JCAHO surveyors.
HCRS is currently going through an Agency Review conducted by the Vermont Department of Mental
Health in the Adult and Children’s Programs. Surveys were sent out to the local standing committees
asking for feedback. Materials and reports were sent to the State last week based on the feedback
provided by Program Directors, staff, and members of the local standing committees.
HCRS is the middle of conducting the annual client satisfaction survey. George noted the importance of
gathering feedback from all of the clients we serve. We have received well over 450 surveys back from
clients. There are approximately three weeks left in the survey period. The results will be communicated
to the HCRS Board of Directors, staff, community, etc.
George reported that designated agencies may receive a 2.7% increase which will be applied to
reimbursement rates for DMH, DAIL, and ADAP or a possible cut of $2.5 million dollars. It is unclear at
this time what will happen, but George will provide more information as it becomes available. George
attended the Statewide Standing Committee meeting where discussion took place around a certificate
program for peers to become peer recovery specialists.
Mary Moulton, Interim Commissioner of Mental Health, will be resigning from her position in early July
to return to her previous position at Washington County Mental Health Services. A search for a new
commissioner is currently under way.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Developmental Services: An update on the DS Local Standing Committee was provided. On March 28,
about 300 people took part in Disability Awareness Day in Montpelier at the State House to kick-off a
year of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the closing of the Brandon Training School. Approximately 30
of those attending were clients and staff of HCRS.
Disability advocates highlight that this anniversary is a time of concern, as well as celebration, due to a
proposed $2.5 million dollar policy reduction in funding for developmental services.
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A spaghetti dinner and a game of Bingo was held on Valentine’s Day for all DS clients. It was well
attended and staff and clients really enjoyed themselves.
Stories of achievements were shared by several clients who attended today’s meeting. Linda T. has a new
job at the Westminster Fire Station.
HCRS has implemented a new courier service for internal mail delivery within HCRS. Every Tuesday
and Thursday, a courier will deliver mail to each of the local offices. Designated drop boxes will be
available in the main reception area of every HCRS office. Lori Drude, Employment Coordinator, is
coordinating this project.
The next DS Standing Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
Adult Mental Health: The standing committee is in the process of recruiting additional members since
the integration of Outpatient and CRT occurred. Any Adult Outpatient client/representative is invited to
join the committee. The group is actively seeking more participants to get people active in the group.
They would like to have more peers present to help provide psych support. At the last meeting, they
changed the terms for members. A vote will be taking place in April for new officers.
The group is in the process of developing an ad campaign for the community to let them know there are
Crisis Care Centers available in the Springfield and Brattleboro areas.
Kate Lamphere, Crisis Program Manager, would like to have peers work with the Crisis Team to help
provide support in the ER. Training could be provided to peers so they could potentially share their
unique experiences to help others on their road to recovery.
A pool tournament is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, at the Community Center. Twelve clients from
HCRS have already signed up to participate in this event.
On March 28, there will be an Art Exhibition Show in the Board Room in Springfield from 9:00 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. All are welcome to explore the wonderful artwork created by our clients.
A couple of peers shared their thoughts on the level of support provided to them. Both Peggy and James
are pleased with the level of support they receive. James is currently involved in some groups to do
various activities.
HCRS Board of Directors Coordination with Standing Committees: Bob Margolin, HCRS Board
Member and Board liaison, explained his role as a representative of the Board. He reports back to the
Board and updates them on what is happening in the local standing committee meetings he attends. Bob
acknowledged some concerns over membership and lack of participation at the meetings. He’d like to see
more members on each of the committees so they can be more involved in the System of Care Plans that
are developed and to provide more input at the meetings. At the State level, people want to know what
these groups are doing.
Children’s Standing Committee: Donna provided an update on what is happening in the Children’s
Standing Committee meetings. In the last couple of months they have had some guest speakers attend
their meetings. Most recently, Catherine Bell of the Springfield School District, presented at their
meeting.
At the January meeting, the committee provided input and suggestions to the Children’s System of Care
Plan. In February, Kate Lamphere attended their meeting and provided an update on the services provided
in Crisis. The Crisis Care Center serves 8-12 people per day in two counties and approximately four
children a week. The response time has improved for crisis situations and is about 30-60 minutes.
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They are actively recruiting new members and members are still working out their roles with the State
and the system of care. They are also starting exploration of the committee – roles, membership, etc. and
developing a tracking system for membership.
George asked if there was a health advocacy group for the Children’s group. He’d like to get feedback
from clients and family members as changes in the Medicaid system will affect family members and
clients receiving Dr. Dynasaur, VHAP, etc.
Advocacy is really important; sharing success stories and getting them out in the community is so
beneficial. Claire Munat stated there is a connections group being formed and she would like to have one
in Springfield and Brattleboro.
The committee is looking at training staff on crisis family safety planning.
The meeting adjourned at 1:35 PM.
Next Meeting: June 11, 2013 from 12:00 – 1:30. Lunch will be provided for all areas.
Minutes by Crystal Morey, Recorder
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