Advantage
Behavioral Health Systems
MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND ADDICTIVE
DISEASES SERVICE BOARD MEETING #216
August 26, 2014
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Linda Vinson – Walton
Melanie Villalta - Athens-Clarke
Doc Eldridge – Athens-Clarke
Frusanna Hayes – Morgan
Pat Ellis – Jackson
Mary Jo Matthews – Madison
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Shirley Segars – Barrow (EX)
Dennise Grayson – Oconee (EX)
Vacant – Barrow
Vacant – Oglethorpe
Vacant – Greene
R. Charles White – Walton (EX)
Mae Davis – Elbert (EX)
Vacant – Athens-Clarke
Vacant – Jackson
ADVANTAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS STAFF PRESENT
O. J. Booker
Janice Callaway
Sherrie Maxwell
Tammy Dalton
Mary Fernandez
Steve Barber
Barbara Geter
Elizabeth Stewart
Ryan Halsey
Kerri Heaton
GUESTS
Cheryl Fleming
Chris Thurmond
The meeting was opened by Doc Eldridge, Community Service Board (CSB) Chairman.
1.0
ACTIONS
1.1
Motion to approve the agenda. Moved (Mary Jo Matthews); Seconded (Pat Ellis);
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.0
Passed (Unanimously).
Motion to accept the minutes of the July 22, 2014 CSB Meeting. Moved (Mary Jo
Matthews); Seconded (Linda Vinson): Passed (Unanimously).
Motion to approve the partnership with Village Drugs as presented. Moved (Mary Jo
Matthews); Seconded (Pat Ellis); Passed (Unanimously).
Motion to accept the ABHS policies as written (See Board Reports 7.4). Moved (Pat
Ellis); Seconded (Melanie Villalta); Passed (Unanimously).
Motion to adjourn. Moved (Mary Jo Matthews); Passed (Unanimously).
RETIREMENT AWARD
2.1
Linda Vinson, Chairperson, Staff Support Workgroup presented a plaque to Cheryl
Fleming. Ms. Fleming work in the Clinical Administration Department and retired on July
31st with 26 years and 7 months of dedicated services.
3.0
PRESENTATION – ELBERT COUNTY CLINIC
3.1
Kerri Heaton, Operations Manager of the Elbert County Clinic presented an overview of
services rendered. The Clinic provides services to children, adolescents and adults with
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Mental Health and Addictive Disease treatment needs. The Clinic has a strong group
therapy program including the evidence-based practice, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT); groups for individuals with Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Co-Occurring
mental illness and addiction and Substance Abuse. The Clinic offers community-based
services for adults in Elbert County and children in Elbert and Madison Counties. Elbert
County also offers the DUI School in the agency. Mary Fernandez reported on the
Psychosocial Rehab Program which is called the Discovery Center. The Center provides
outpatient mental health day treatment for adults and runs a jewelry business. The
clients design and make jewelry that they place for sale in local businesses to raise funds
for their program.
4.0
REPORTS FROM CSB DIRECTOR
4.1
Mr. Booker reported that Representative Chuck Williams, Commissioner Frank Berry,
4.2
4.3
5.0
Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and several of his
staff toured Advantage on August 18, 2014. He presented on the ‘Advantage 101’ and
Laurie Wilburn Bailey, Clinical Director gave an detailed description on ABHS Court
Services. The group toured the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and the Women’s
Services Program. Mr. Booker noted that on the way back to the office, Commissioner
Berry told Representative Williams, “Advantage is in the top three CSBs in the State.”
Mr. Booker reported on the APS Healthcare Audit which was held on August 20, 2014.
The auditors reviewed fifty (50) charts representing the Assertive Community Treatment
(ACT) Program and Core services, both adult and Child and Adolescent. The current
score was 92.1%. The auditors indicated that ABHS remains a solid, well-performing
CSB.
Mr. Booker gave a presentation regarding Advantage partnership with Village Drugs.
ABHS has partnered with Village Drugs for thirty (30) years. Chris Thurmond, Pharm.D.
has been the consulting pharmacist since 2001. Administration is recommending the
Board’s approval for outsourcing the pharmacy function to Village Drugs. The decision
elements are based on access, risk, quality and cost. Drugs will be available to all clients
not just behavioral health drugs. The proposal includes: modelling after the partnership
program of Serenity CSB (Augusta) and Barney’s Pharmacy; Village Drugs leases space
to operate a retail pharmacy at Clarke Clinic; Village Drugs be responsible for the Medical
Assistance Program (MAP) and stock medications; Village Drugs has the opportunity to
fill all other medications; and the Stock Medication Program becomes Advantage Cares.
NEW BUSINESS
5.1
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Received in Board packages for review.)
5.1.1
6.0
Barbara Geter, Ph.D., Director of Developmental Disabilities reported the new
modified Initial Adoptions reflect an increase in the rates. These rates reflect
“higher rates for a shorter period of time” since the budget that was approved by
the legislature for the rate increases projected to begin on July 1st. The
Department of Community Health (DCH) does not know exactly when they will
receive the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval to begin
the new rates. The hope is that the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) will
provide funding in the Governor’s budget to make these increases at the
proposed rate permanent.
OLD BUSINESS
6.1
Elizabeth Stewart, Ph.D., Quality Assurance reported on the upcoming Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) visit which is September 22 – 24, 2014.
She invited Board members to attend the opening presentation on September 22 nd, 9:30
a.m. in the Director’s Conference Room, ABHS. Pat Ellis, Board member encouraged
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Board members to endorse the Confidentiality Statement and the Code of Ethics
documents and return to her prior to the CARF visit.
7.0
BOARD REPORTS
7.1
Finance Work Group – Steve Barber, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) distributed and
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
presented the financials for the period ended July 31, 2014.
Recruitment & Retention Work Group – CSB membership was addressed. Ms. Vinson
term expires in March, 2015 and she expressed a desire to be reappointed to the Board.
Charles White, Walton County CSB Representative term expires in March 2015 and he
requested not to be reappointed to the Board.
Advocacy & Awareness Work Group – no report requiring an action.
Bylaws and Policy Work Group – Ms. Ellis, Chairperson reported that the workgroup met
and reviewed the following ABHS policies:
300.120 Health & Safety – Disruptive Incidents
400.100 Clinical Services – Mission, Values, Philosophy Statements, Program
Description & Eligibility
400.115 Clinical Services – Quality of Services
400.117 Clinical Services – Credentialing
Attachment 1 – Minimum Standard Training Requirement for Paraprofessionals
Attachment 2 – Essential Learning Online Courses for Paraprofessionals
400.118 Clinical Services – Clinical Supervision
400.120 Clinical Services – Accessibility
400.130 Clinical Services – Hours of Operation
400.145 Clinical Services – Planning List
400.150 Clinical Services – Enrollment Documentation
400.155 Clinical Services – Orientation For Clients
400.156 Clinical Services – Denial of Routine Services for Refusal to Pay
Attachment – Denial of Routine Services for Refusal to Pay
400.156 Clinical Services – Denial of Routine Services for Refusal to Pay (DRAFT)
1500.008 Human Resources: Workplace Violence
Rights of Persons Served Work Group – Suicide Prevention Training is being developed
and will be offered to staff.
Board Education & Planning Work Group – no report requiring an action.
Ad Hoc Friends of Advantage Committee – Ms. Villalta noted that her CSB term expires
in September; therefore she will no longer serve on the FOA Board. The CSB needs to
elect a representative to serve on the FOA Board. Tammy Dalton reported the ‘Afternoon
Tea with Friends’, held on August 16th, was successful. She informed the Board of
upcoming events: Seminar for Board Members presented by John Knowlton, September
11 – 12, Holiday Inn, Athens, Georgia; Jackson County Clinic Open House, September
30; The Cruise In & Children Carnival, October 19 at the Varsity, Athens, Georgia; and
CSB Annual Meeting, December 2nd, at 6pm at the Foundry Park Inn, Athens, Georgia.
Staff Support Work Group – no report requiring an action.
CSB Association Update – Mr. Booker reported that the GACSB 17th Educational
Exchange will be held October 19-21, 2014 at the Lake Lanier Island Resort. He
encouraged participation and will provide additional information.
8.0
REPORTS FROM THE CSB CHAIRMAN
8.1
Mr. Eldridge noted that he attended the Walton County Open House, July 29th.
9.0
PUBLIC ACCESS
9.1
No one present to address the Board.
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10.0
ADJOURNMENT
____________________________
DATE
_____________________________________
APPROVED BY: Dennise Grayson
SECRETARY
________________________________
SUBMITTED BY: BRENDA SMITH
__________________________________________
APPROVED BY: Doc Eldridge
CHAIRMAN
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