HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1246 (2)Chairman Johnson asked if there had been any deficiencies in the Counseling
Center's services. He asked if the agency had adequately targeted the juvenile court
population needing assistance.
Duncan said obtaining juvenile justice funding was a "highly competitive
process." He mentioned that last year the Counseling Center had personnel problems
and there had been some "downtime."
Commissioner Williams asked if the Counseling Center's choice to not accept
Medicaid had anything to do with the decision.
Duncan said it was mentioned, but it did not weigh heavily in the decision.
Counseling Center Executive Director Mac Funderburk and Roy West, a
member of the Counseling Center's Board of Directors Speak About the JCPC
Decision: Mr. West gave a brief history on his association with the Center, and the
services that been provided in the past with JCPC funding. He said the agency had been
a JCPC funding recipient for the past 12 years, but this year, it was turned down and no
clear answer had been given as to why this happened. West said that pertaining to the
Medicaid matter, JCPC Consultant Dean Vick said this was an issue, but it wasn't a
prerequisite for funding. He said the Center didn't have a physician on staff; however,
the Center did counsel some Medicaid patients. Mr. West acknowledged that the agency
could not provide transportation or home visits. He concluded by saying he felt very
strongly about the Center's JCPC component, and that a $20,000 grant from the Sisters
of Mercy had been received as the local match.
Commissioner Williams asked why the Center was not receiving referrals.
Funderburk said one counselor resigned, but another individual had been hired.
He said no referrals had been received from the juvenile court counselors since May, but
law enforcement officers were making referrals. Funderburk said Medicaid clients were
served, even though the agency didn't bill for the services.
Chairman Johnson asked if the Center had fulfilled its obligations in the past
regarding the JCPC funding.
Funderburk said as far as he knew, all obligations had been met. He said there
had been one problem mentioned about the Center not following up when a client
missed an appointment, and it was requested that a letter be sent to the court counselors
when this happened. He said a letter could be sent, but the Center did not have the
authority to make the clients come for services.
Commissioner Williams said it was his understanding that through the state's re -
organizational process for area mental health authorities, 4800 hours of services were
offered to the Center, but the offer was declined.
Funderburk said 4800 hours equaled $384,000. He said the Center was not
interested in treating seriously ill patients. He said, "That's not our function."
(See regular minutes for more information regarding this matter.)
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ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: Various county department heads then
explained their requests needing action at the 7 p.m. meeting. A brief description of
these items may be found in the regular minutes.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Johnson adjourned the briefing at 6:20 p.m.
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Approved: .'J,
Clerk to the Board
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