PAIMI Council Meeting Minutes Via Zoom February 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Call to Order Vice Chair Marie Jackson called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. Attendance Present: Kevin Fischer, Joelle Gurnoe-Adams, Kehli Henry, Marie Jackson, Lois Shulman, Trina Tocco Absent: Chris Franklin, Davin Hemmila, Fiona Hert, James Rye, Charles Scott Staff: Michelle Roberts, Kris Keranen, Rachel Huddleston, Rebecca Kasen Guests: Christin Nohner, RWC Advocacy Approval of Agenda Email votes: AYES: Fischer, Hemmila, Hert, Gurnoe-Adams, Henry, Jackson, Newman, Rye, Shulman, Tocco NAYS: None Approval of Minutes Email votes: AYES: Fischer, Hemmila, Hert, Gurnoe-Adams, Henry, Jackson, Newman, Rye, Shulman, Tocco NAYS: None Grievance Update Grievance update was given by Michelle Roberts stating there were no PAIMI related grievances filed since the last meeting. Public Comment Lois shared that she attended Kevin’s Song conference and Kevin Fischer spoke and she was greatly impressed and touched, not only by his story and lived experience but also his passion for advocating for our community and people that are brought to us. She wanted to share with members what a wonderful man we have on our committee. She continues to be impressed by the knowledge and wisdom of our members. It was brought up and asked what role DRM plays in the criminal justice system. One member of the public brought up issues and would like the council to advise DRM staff to advocate for them. One issue is protecting informed consent for psychotropic drugs. He further stated that if a person does not have the right to controlled drugs that are being administered, they can be seriously harmed. Financial Report – Michele Brand Brand indicated the PAIMI Advisory Council (PAC) expenses are under due to not meeting in person and people not attending conferences and trainings due to COVID-19. We are a little over on staff spending but we will adjust that going forward and that is due to council members being more active, having longer meetings and additional meetings. Brand reported that DRM spent 97% of our PAIMI budget as an organization, which is a little under and a good thing. A few things were over including legal costs, internet and website services, and insurance, however there are no concerns. Legislative Update Michelle Roberts stated Christin Nohner is tied up in legislative events and cannot attend the meeting. She further stated there is nothing related specifically to mental health to report on, and that DRM has been tracking legislation that affects many of our clients. Any legislative updates will be passed on to council members. Education update Kris Keranen shared that they have been receiving a lot of calls since the Oxford shooting, and they are coming from all over the state. It is not just parents calling, administrators are calling as well and are very concerned about safety and liability in their schools. There are concerns with kids being forced to virtual learning as a result of suspensions and expulsions and informal removal. We know that virtual learning does not work with most of our clients. Litigation Update Kyle Williams gave an update on the NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity) lawsuit stating DRM continues to monitor the settlement implementation and has received the first data reporting required by the settlement. Problems have occurred in the courts and at the CMH level, primarily issues getting people off ALS contracts. DRM has met with the Probate bench in Kalamazoo related to the settlement and plans on presenting for the Probate Judges Association related to this and other mental health petition issues DRM has ongoing projects related to. DRM has been working closely with the department in resolving issues as they arise. Regarding the children’s class action lawsuit, they have been working with experts on getting some proposals for improving the mental health system for children. He has been responding to emergency situations where families are in need of assistance due to children not getting the services they need. New class representatives have been retained and an Amended Complaint has been drafted updating the facts and causes of action. Plaintiffs intend to file a motion for class certification and hope MDHHS will stipulate or not oppose the motion. While the proposed class definition cannot be announced at this time, if approved by the court, it will include over 100,000 children in the State. The parties currently estimate a final settlement can be reached by May 1, 2022 and estimate the First Amended Complaint and Motion for Class Certification will be filed by the end of February. On the Waskul litigation, it is primarily people with developmental disabilities and the issue of service providers not providing services in the community so they can live in their own homes or in a less restrictive setting outside of an institution. We continue to work on obtaining additional information through discovery and are preparing to take depositions in 2022. Depositions of Jeff Wieferich, Director of the Bureau of Community Based Services, and James Colaianne, CEO of Regional PIHP CMHPSM, are currently scheduled in February and March respectively. We are looking at approximately 30 depositions scheduled throughout 2022. It is progressing through discovery so we can get the case to trial. Ideally there will be enough people to provide services and wages that are sufficient to keep direct care workers employed, which has been a major crisis for quite some time. New Council Member Application Vice Chair referred to the application for Veronica Ibrahim to become a council member and asked for opinions and discussion. It was recommended that Ms. Ibrahim be voted to the council as she would bring knowledge and experience and would be a wonderful addition to the council. Office of Refugee Settlement Rebecca Kasen gave an update on the work the CAIR (Community and Institutional Rights) team has been doing. They are working with children from Afghanistan who came across the border and were being housed in a shelter in Albion, Michigan. Most of the kids have a disability and/or have been traumatized by the experience of being separated from their families. There were language barriers and restrictions on phone usage and electronics in order to keep the children safe and protected. The CAIR team advocated for the children to get interpreters and phone usage so they could try to contact their family members. They also advocated to get mental health and medical services. The shelter has since closed, and 19 children remain in Michigan in foster care and Rebecca’s team is trying to set up a virtual meeting with those children who remain in Michigan to see how they are doing. Old Business 1. Council membership – members terming out, new membership Michelle Roberts stated that an email would be sent to members to vote on the application for Veronica Ibrahim. She also mentioned the members whose terms have or are ending, and the council will need to recruit new members. The council also needs to nominate a chair and vice chair. 2. Conferences/trainings/initiatives - members were reminded when they attend any conferences or trainings or speak to a group about mental health and/or DRM, to let Theresa know so she can record those for the annual Program Performance Report (PPR). 3. Updates to member contact list – members were reminded to update Theresa of any changes to their contact information. New Business 1. Conferences/trainings/initiatives – the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) conference will be virtual again this year and will be held April 25-29. All members can attend at no cost as DRM pays one fee for all staff, council members and board members. We will let you know when registration is open. If any members know of any trainings and/or conferences, please share with the council. 2. DEI update – moved to next regular meeting 3. Topics/interests to be discussed include corrections and prison work, children’s mental health and staff shortages, and resources for students/schools. Next meeting & agenda items Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 12:29 p.m. PAIMI Advisory Council 2/1/22 meeting Page 1