PAIMI Council Meeting Minutes Via zoom August 26, 2025 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Storch at 11:02 am. Introductions were made and a quorum was present. Attendance Present: Christina Agle, Ashley Barber, Katie Curnow, Michelle Derdowski, Sue Franklin, Jennifer Gorman, Joelle Gurnoe-Adams, Fiona Hert, Sharon Storch, Susan Thrush, Mora Wilkevicz Absent: Veronica Ibrahim, Renee Kimball-Rouse Staff: Michelle Roberts, Theresa Diebolt, Simon Zagata, Kris Keranen, Nick Gable Guests: Emily Henderson, McCall Hamilton, Dom Evans, Board member Approval of the Agenda The agenda was presented and Vice Chair Storch asked for a motion for approval. Fiona Hert MOVED to approve the agenda and Joelle Gurnoe-Adams seconded it. A vote was taken. AYES: all NAYS: none Motion carried. Approval of the minutes April 22, 2025, meeting minutes were presented and Vice Chair Storch asked for a motion for approval. Jennifer Gorman MOVED to approve April 22, 2025, meeting minutes, and Joelle Gurnoe-Adams seconded it. A vote was taken. AYES: all NAYS: none Motion carried. Proposed Focus Areas and Objectives for FY2026 Michelle Roberts reminded members that DRM is required to identify focus areas and objectives for how we will spend agency resources for the next year. Michelle explained the proposed changes for fiscal year 2026 and asked Council members for their approval. Once the Council approves the changes, they will be presented to the Board of Directors for final review and approval. Upon approval, the focus areas and objectives, along with an application, are submitted to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) who funds the PAIMI program. This is all preliminary and depending on what happens with our funding we may need to add to or refine our objectives. Vice Chair Storch asked for approval of the proposed focus areas and objectives for FY26. Joelle Gurnoe-Adams MOVED to approve the proposed focus areas and objectives for FY26, and Fiona Hert seconded it. A vote was taken. AYES: all NAYS: none Motion carried. PAIMI financial update Michelle Roberts explained the Advisory Council expenses for the third quarter, which were under budget, and PAIMI expenses for the agency through the end of June showing DRM being on target at 75% of the budget. There were no questions. Grievance update Theresa Diebolt gave a grievance update stating there were ten requests for grievance packets since the April 22, 2025, meeting. Two were PADD (developmental disability) eligible and both filed a grievance. Simon responded to both grievances and the cases were closed. Six requests were PAIMI (mental illness) eligible, and one filed a grievance. Sarah Palicios responded to the grievance and the case was closed. One request was PABSS (Social Security) eligible, and a grievance was filed. Michelle Roberts responded, and the case has been closed. One request was TBI (traumatic brain injury) eligible, and a grievance was filed. Sarah Palicios responded to the grievance and the case was closed. Public comment There were no public comments. Legislative update Emily Henderson discussed the budget and effects of the Big Beautiful Bill Act leaving Michigan with an approximate $677 million hole in our state budget in the upcoming fiscal year due to federal tax code changes. We are also expecting changes to Michigan’s Medicaid revenue resulting in a deficit, and by 2032, Michigan is expected to have a $1 billion hole related to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. We are unsure of what funding will be available until the federal government passes their larger reconciliation package. This is a historic low year for the Michigan legislature with only six bills having been passed and signed by the Governor since January. Litigation update Nick Gable gave an update on the Children’s Mental Health lawsuit, also known as KB lawsuit, which was filed in 2018, stating a settlement was reached earlier this year and not one objection was received. DRM filed a motion for the settlement to be approved by a judge with a hearing scheduled for August 27, 2025. Education update Kris Keranen discussed her team’s continuing concerns with the Department of Education. She also discussed one of the lawsuits against the Department of Education and the effects of staff being on administrative leave. CAIR Team update Simon Zagata began by sharing his team’s plan for the next fiscal year, which will include monitoring and obtaining data on individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries who reside in psychiatric hospitals. The data will assist the team in reducing hours billed to the PAIMI grant while still allowing them to work on PAIMI related cases. The team has gathered information on cases where individuals have issues with the Office of Recipient Rights, and will present a report showing the issues, as well as examples of ways to resolve them, to the Office of the Auditor General for their audit in September. The delayed discharge from psychiatric hospitals project is ongoing and now the U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the issue. The team continues work on the private psychiatric hospital investigation in the Detroit area and has connected with Michigan’s Attorney General on a few cases involving Medicaid fraud where people are being treated who don’t need to be treated. They are also monitoring facilities to identify clients who have been held involuntarily in private psychiatric hospitals. In working on a bill to change how Michigan handles segregation and seclusion in prisons, the team has seen discrepancies with what the Michigan Department of Corrections reports on people with mental illness in segregation and seclusion and what DRM’s survey results show. The results have shown much higher numbers than what is being reported. At a recent hearing, Advocate Jen Baker explained the process of granting parole to an individual to a treatment facility, and that individual got their parole and will be discharged from prison as soon as a treatment center is identified. A systemic outcome resulted from advocates investigating and reporting on an individual at Walter Ruether Psychiatric Hospital who was held in restraints longer than they should have been. Advocates filed a complaint with the Office of Recipient Rights, and it was substantiated. This led to training and changes in policies and procedures for all psychiatric units at the hospital. Old Business 1. Council membership. Michelle Roberts announced it is the last meeting for Joelle Gurnoe-Adams and Fiona Hert as they have completed their terms on the Council. Additionally, Veronica Ibrahim’s term will end in February 2026, and a new Chair will need to be elected. Members were reminded if they know anyone who is interested and knows and/or cares about disability issues, please share information about DRM and the PAC. 2. Conferences/trainings/initiatives. Members were reminded to let Theresa know when they attend any events where DRM or the PAIMI Council is mentioned. 3. Contact information – members can check the PAC portal to ensure their contact information is current and let Theresa know of any changes. New Business 1. Annual forms – Council members are required to complete those annually. 2. Conferences/trainings/initiatives – none. 3. Topics/interests to be discussed at future meetings. A member would like to have a discussion around psychiatric hospitals and home and community-based services. Adjourn Vice Chair Storch asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Christina Agle MOVED to adjourn the meeting and Katie Curnow seconded it. A vote was taken. AYES: all NAYS: none Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 pm. * The next scheduled meeting is November 18, 2025, at 11:00 am. * Meeting minutes prepared by Theresa Diebolt, Executive Assistant. 2 2