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Mark Leffuerer, an OPC staff person, made a plug for the Consumer and Family <br /> Advisory Committee. He said that if anyone is a consumer of the mental health system <br /> that all were welcomed to join this group. He asked people to contact him if they wanted <br /> to be on this group. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that we have many distinguished guests this evening - Judge <br /> Divine and Judge Buckner, State Representatives Joe Hackney and Verla Insko, and <br /> Senator Kinnaird. <br /> The attendees broke into one of seven small groups in the room on a topic of <br /> their own choosing. The seven groups were: Developmental Disability Services, Mental <br /> Health Services, Substance Abuse Services, Child & Family Services, Qualified Provider <br /> Network Information, Community Agencies & Departments, and Services for the <br /> Hispanic, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. <br /> 3. Summary from Small Group Discussions <br /> The groups came back together at 8:40 p.m. <br /> Developmental Disabilities <br /> Vickie Shea said that they had the benefit of written notes from the Chatham <br /> County meeting. The group endorsed the ideas from Chatham County. The group did <br /> not want to prioritize the ideas because they were all so important. They compromised <br /> on voting for some of them. The number one issue was to increase the range of housing <br /> options. The second item was to work, live, play, and retire in our community. There <br /> was a tie for third with transportation, increased respite care, and self-determination. <br /> Qualified Provider Network <br /> Angela Annis said that there was much concern voiced about the timely <br /> movement of funds from institutions to area programs and service providers in order to <br /> serve people who are now in institutions. The second concern was marketing services <br /> to the LME. The third concern was that there were providers and potential providers <br /> who wanted to be involved in the process and have input along the way and not let the <br /> voice die out. <br /> Community Agencies <br /> Royce Hardin said that there were five main issues that community agencies are <br /> concerned about. The first issue is whether local agencies could provide services. The <br /> second issue is accessibility of services to the population. The third issue is the need to <br /> collaborate between agencies. The fourth issue is the de-institutionalization process. <br /> There is concern that this will result in an increase in the homeless population, <br /> depression, and increased substance abuse. The last issue was the need to empower <br /> the vulnerable populations throughout the process. <br /> Substance Abuse <br /> Mr. Speaker (Bert) said that it cost a lot more to incarcerate someone than it <br /> does to treat for substance abuse. One of the ideas from this group was to develop less <br /> expensive services (i.e., Freedom House, Oxford House, etc.). Another idea was <br /> services wrap around. There is a need for more residential services. There is also a <br /> need for systems to include family support services. <br /> Child and Family Services <br /> Ms. Speaker spoke about this issue. This group discussed having an integrated <br /> system of mental health services for children and family. Also, there should be a system <br />