Supporting Wellness Minutes

August 20, 2004

12:00-2:00

 

Present:    Ruthie Gray, Co-Chair                                                             Katia-Daher-Annenberg

                  Susan Stockdale                                                                                    Roland Holmes

                  Charles Nettles                                                                                      Delores A. Hill

                  Joni-Zuckerbrow-Miller                                                                     Karen Lee, M.D.

                  Kathleen Daly                                                                                      Kamau Williams

                  Tameeka Knox                                                                              Sarah Starks, scribe

                  Andrea Jones, minutes                                                              Amilale Tagoai, minutes

 

  • Welcome/Introductions:  There were two new members at the table.  Charles Nettles, of Health Care Dual Diagnosis, and Dr. Karen Lee, from Augustus F. Hawkins Child Outpatient.  We also had a visitor, Tameeka Knox.  Tameeka was here to speak about her personal experience with depression and the system.

 

  • Proposition 63—Background, the Stakeholder Committee, and Our Interest:  DMH was facing a deficit.  They needed to save money to cover that deficit, so they came up with the stakeholder process, where different agencies, etc., were invited to the table with their ideas on how to fix the deficit.  Anyway, the deficit was saved, they found extra money, and are anticipating more.  If Proposition 63 passes, then some of that money will come to DMH. Proposition 63 will tax the wealthy to help pay for mental health care. The Stakeholder Committee will help decide who gets money and how much.  Even though the initiative has not passed yet, they are anticipating that LA County will get $80 million per year ongoing as long as the voters don’t reject it. Planning is already underway for proposals to be submitted even though it has not passed yet.  Any proposals submitted will have to go through DMH, the County, the Stakeholder Committee, and a contractor.  Questions:  Does HAAF, (through the Supporting Wellness Working Group) want to submit a proposal?   Do we want to be a part of the Stakeholder Committee?  Do we want to do both?  What would we need to do (for either or both)?  It was decided that we actually want to be a part of the Stakeholder Committee and submit a proposal, but that we should try to get on the stakeholder Committee first.  Then at least we would have a voice in how the money gets disbursed.  Examples of Stakeholder Committee members: The Black Health Community Taskforce, SAC’s, program heads, and Community groups. 

 

  • Questions and Issues:  Are there statistics in our community to say we have a need in our community?  Our group is looking at depression.  Is there data to help to help support the initiative?  King-Drew Mental Health Unit would have statistics for the past 18 months--2 years.  DMH has information about disparities between services available and services needed.  There is also information available from another study on Latinos who fall through the cracks.  Other Issues:  Mrs. Gray said, “People who fall through the cracks aren’t in the system.  If I have a personality disorder, but I’m not a danger to myself, or others, I may fall through the cracks even though my condition is serious.  Will there be something to help me?”  That is a priority for DMH.  Bowen Chung:  “Service area 6 has the largest number of foster kids placed.  The need is overwhelming.  Various groups will respond to various needs.  They can work and function to take care of kids, but they need help.”

 

  • Action Items:  1) Explore whether HAAF should be in on formal planning.  2) Meet with Jim Allen (DMH) to lay out what we are thinking and doing.  Our group could help in shaping things that may have “legs on the other side.”  3) Ideas to explore:  partnerships to help us, maybe a coalition, ask the need for data, etc. 4) Write a letter to apply for the Stakeholder Committee.

 

  • Tameeka Knox’ Story: She went to mental health, but was not eligible; she wasn’t crazy, thought of suicide, but did not want to kill herself, so she could not get help. Her grandmother passed away, her brother and sister ignored her (like she wasn’t there).  The father helps, but is going through the same thing she is going through. He is driving her crazy.  Faith is not strong as it should be.  She has peace with herself now. She feels she is not doing for her children like she is supposed to.  She feels like someone else is taking over her.  She got married; not happy.  Left him, but he says he loves her and wants to do it again, so she goes back.  He’s on SSI; she’s on AFDC.  She has family problems, too.  The positive side is she can share her story.  Mrs. Gray said Tameeka is a good example of people who fall through the cracks.