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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-9-15 MHLAC MinutesMENTAL HEALTH LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL March 9, 2015 – MINUTES _______________ In attendance: Members present: Nora Ganey, Deborah McAtee, JoAnne Naro, Tom Peluso, Susan Wordal, Jan Bjork, Vickie Groeneweg, Shelly Johnson, Matt Kelley, Lori Marchak, Commissioner Joe Skinner and Anna Saverud Members absent: Ryan Hickey, Dr. Donna Kelsch, Renee McLendon, Erica Skinger, Jacob Wagner, Sgt. Jim Anderson, and Betsy Garrigues Advocacy Members present: Ken Bell, Shirley Kaufman, Ellie Martin, Pierre Martineau, K.C. McLaughlin, Chelsey Voegle and Rick Gale Guests: Shellie Anderson Staff: Glenda Noyes -------------- Welcome and Introductions Public Comment: Mr. Peluso asked to add a discussion on the appointment of a CSAA Representative to the agenda. Chair Wordal concurred. Approval of Minutes of September 8, October 20, November 10 and December 8, 2014 and February 9, 2015: Ms. Bjork made a motion to approve all the minutes as listed and presented. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously. Presentation by Interim Chief of Police Rich McLane Regarding Use of Bear Cat and Special Response Team at Recent Mental Health Crisis Situation: Chair Wordal thanked Interim Chief Rich McLane for attending. She noted that when this topic came up at the last meeting she realized that it may be a good idea to hear from the Police Department directly as to why they felt the use of the Bear Cat was a good idea and why. Interim Chief McLane (IC McLane) noted that he was been with the Bozeman Police Department for twenty five years, part of those in Dispatch. He explained that the Special Response Team is a collaborative of the Sheriff, police and emergency medical technicians. The medical personnel have been added more recently as a way to address injuries quickly if there are any. Separate but part of the team are the negotiators. The negotiators know how to talk to people in crisis in the best way. They are the talkers and the listeners. The Team is a regional asset that responds to a large area including Park and Meagher Counties, and West Yellowstone. Anytime they are called it is due to imminent risk of harm to someone (self or others). The team goes as a whole. Some calls they respond to are high risk warrant services that result in arrest as well as crisis calls such as suicidal or homicidal individuals. Sometimes the suicide calls are direct suicide or attempts at suicide by cop. None of these situations have a “known” outcome, and the Team only knows what they brought to the table and what information they’ve been able to gather about the individuals involved. The Team has to be prepared for all of the unknowns. Last year there were six calls where members of the team were shot at. There is a great need to protect officers and with more than just a vest. The Police Department looked the options and the Bear Cat, was a good option for a defensive mode only vehicle. The purpose of the vehicle is to protect the team that is inside of it. The windows are protected also. The vehicle was bought through Federal funding and when the Team goes out, it will go out. It will not be used in parades or taken downtown for events like Music on Main. The first deployment of the Bear Cat was a couple months ago for use in a situation with a suicidal male with a weapon. The Team was called in to try and help with person. The vehicle wasn’t used initially, but after assessment and attempts to contact him via phone they decided to call in the vehicle and use the PA system. In addition, the Team made the call to evacuate the area. In a threatened suicide situation no one knows if they are going to kill themselves or also try to take others out as well. The other unknown is whether or not they are drunk or high. The Bear Cat allowed the Team to light up the property, get a visual on the man and get him back on the phone. If the Team is successful in getting someone on the phone then they are able to talk with proper tone and express empathy, get them talking and eventually even if they are intoxicated they will eventually come down. The negotiator is understanding, takes time to visit, and works on helping them make the decision to end the situation the right way. The Team worked with this individual for five hours, 3.5 with the Bear Cat, and eventually he put the gun down and came out voluntarily. IC McLane reported that he was taken to the Hope House [actually hospital], was deescalated and given time to detox and eventually taken to jail. Many of these situations are not always about jail, but in this case his mental health was addressed and eventually an outstanding warrant was addressed. [This is incorrect information. The individual was on probation and because he had a weapon and was intoxicated, Probation decided to issue a warrant while he was in the hospital detoxing and that is why he was later taken to jail rather than to the Hope House. IC McLane confirmed this corrected information after the meeting.] The individual also allowed law enforcement to go into his home and remove all weapons before he was released from the jail for his own protection. The use of the Bear Cat was very small in this instance. Ms. Naro stated that she was the one that brought it up to begin with because she didn’t know what went on and was concerned about why it was used and how it will be used going forward. She noted that she understands the need if used judiciously, but her concern is from the stand point of the threat. People are scared when they are in these situations and sometimes this kind of presence could escalate their feelings. The feeling and fear of being attacked is a common theme. Ms. Naros stated that it is nice to hear the explanation, but it is also important for the general public to also hear it. The public is concerned and there is a blurred line between protect and serve and military type action. IC McLane stated that it doesn’t do any good to bring out the equipment if you don’t augment it with trained staff to take care of and operate it. If people don’t use the skills that go with the vehicle, then it just looks like a military presence. The suicidal individual did have some apprehensions but Officer Munter, the negotiator, had empathy for that and was able to address it. Their conversations allowed the bad feelings to decline. The vehicle will not be a public thing that will be rubbing people’s noses in it. It is only to be used to protect citizens – the medics that are in it are not armed. He noted that the Police need to prove to the public that it will be used they way they said it would and the right way. Ms. McLaughlin stated that she didn’t realize there was public concern about the actual vehicle. She asked how often individuals with suicidal ideation actually have an active warrant and IC McLane stated that it isn’t often. IC McLane stated that sometimes these situations (where the SRT is called out) include an overt act, like shooting at a neighbor. 50% of the calls are individual suicidal ideation calls. The Hope House has had relatively recent success. Ten years ago these kinds of situations weren’t handled well and most ended up in jail, which wasn’t the appropriate solution at least 50% of the time. Mr. Peluso asked if the Bear Cat and SRT is available to the Sheriff as well. IC McLane stated that it is as it is a regional team and is also available to MSU, the schools, etc. Ms. McAtee stated that she hears the convictions expressed about the use, but asked what is in place to institutionalize the decision on the use. IC McLane stated that the City Commission directs how it is used. There are protocols on use – when, how, etc., and if it is used in a way that is contrary to those protocol then it would be stopped and someone would be in trouble. If the protocols are to be changed, it would be done so through the City Commission. Chair Wordal asked how many people are on the SRT. IC McLane stated that there are up to 20 members. He noted that the Bear Cat transports 10 adults but hold more if necessary (25 students, for example). Mr. Gale stated that SWAT teams have changed recently, and changed nationwide. Negotiators go out now with the SRT (or SWAT) Teams and are more ready to move forward and engage when needed. This is much different than 20 years ago. IC McLane stated that a recent example is Ferguson. The very first thing you have to do before buying a vehicle like this is to have a good relationship with the people you serve. If you don’t have that then you have lost the people. Local law enforcement has done a good job trying to build that relationship with the citizens here and the most important thing is keeping that relationship and trust level with the public. Chair Wordal stated that if anyone wants to get a better sense of what the Police Department does they have a ride-along program that people can sign up to participate in. IC McLane stated that they do two ride-alongs a week. It is open to the public if you have a clean record. The program shows the public what the officers deal with every night and allows them to recognize and learn that they are human beings and part of this community as well. They don’t want to do anything that is bad for the community either. It is helpful to get to know the officers personally. IC McLane encouraged folks to call the shift supervision to set up a time. He also noted that the Citizen Police Academy is another way to learn and see everything that the Bozeman Police Department does. It allows participants to process crime scenes, roll play traffic stops, review case law, understand search and seizure, etc. The next academy is full but people are welcome to apply for future sessions. Ms. Naro stated that the MHLAC may want to consider working with the Commissioners as this goes forward so that the needs of the mentally ill are always taken into account in decisions made on use of the Bear Cat. She noted that she has learned a lot in the Family to Family class by putting on the ear phones and listening to the auditory hallucinations. She was surprised by how much goes on in their hearing when they are experiencing these hallucinations, which are fairly common. Ms. Naro stated that she doesn’t want to see officers or volunteers hurt, but knowledge is power and the person that the Team is going to help may have a lot of other things going on that need to be considered. Ms. McAtee asked if most of the members of the SRT are CIT trained. IC McLane stated that negotiators are all CIT trained and most of the others, but not all, are as well. As a whole, Bozeman Police Department is about 50% trained. Mr. Bell stated that there was talk about making CIT part of the law enforcement academy itself, but often officers need to have some of the basics before they learn those skills. Generally the training is occurring around the one-year mark, but have one day of CIT type training at the academy. IC McLane stated that his door, and that of the BPD is always open, they are always available, and questions are welcome. Appointment of Representative to the Central Service Area Authority: Mr. Peluso stated that the LAC has an appointee to the CSAA but there are rules about missing three or more meetings and she hasn’t been attending and therefore needs to be replaced. The representative has voice and vote. There is also to be an alternative that has voice but not vote unless the first person isn’t there. The bylaws require 50% consumer (primary or secondary) board make up. The LAC’s emphasis has been children’s issues so it might be good to look for a representative in that area. The time commitment is 12 meetings a year, one a month, on the last Friday of each month in Helena. The meetings are from 10- 3PM and there is minimal work between meetings. The work of the board is to extend the resources the state has available to them and collaborate with the State to fill the needs that exist. Chair Wordal stated that this is a two-fold plea. We need someone who is willing to attend the meetings once a month. She attended one of their meetings and it was interesting to see what is going on across the state. Travel expenses are paid but there is also an effort to carpool with other members from the area. They also pay a subsidy if you require child care. Ms. Shirley Kaufman offered to serve as the representative. Ms. Noyes clarified that Ms. Kaufman is currently not a voting board member on the LAC but will be soon, if this makes a difference. Mr. Peluso stated that it doesn’t, the individual just needs to be a resident of the County. Ms. McAtee made a motion to appoint Shirley Kaufman as the Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council representative to the Central Service Area Authority. Mr. Peluso seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried unanimously. The alternative will remain vacant for now. Legislative Update: Chair Wordal stated that there have been a lot of articles in the paper lately. It does appear that there is positive movement forward with some mental health legislation. Mr. Kelley stated that he spent half a day Friday testifying on Medicaid Expansion. There were approximately 100 advocates there. Mr. Kelley testified on behalf of the Montana Public Health Officials Association. There were eight people that spoke in opposition. The legislation was voted down in committee. The hope now is that there will be a conversation with the Governor’s Office and Legislature in order to come to a compromise. There are 70,000 people in Montana that fall in the middle and are ineligible for insurance and Medicaid. They can’t get help on the exchange because of their income level and can only get insurance if they find an employer who offers insurance. Mr. Kelley encouraged everyone at the table to talk to their legislators and urge some sort of solutions. There is a Governor’s bill and a Republican bill and we need to find a compromise. This is going to be a major issue going forward in the next 4-5 weeks. Chair Wordal stated that the legislators are going to have to come to the middle in order to represent everyone. Mr. Peluso stated that it is important to try and understand the issues. He noted that as he understands it, for the majority the issue is state control, not an issue of whether or not there is a population that needs the help. Mr. Kelley stated that cost is also an issue. Mr. Peluso stated that the proposal will cost the state nothing until 2020 and then 10% after that. Mr. Kelley stated that the issue of cost is that we are all paying for this. We spend more on health care costs than any other country in the world. There is no one else that comes close. Our infant mortality rate is the highest and life expectancy is the lowest of all industrialized nations. People aren’t getting help until it is a crisis – medical or mental help – and the costs are higher once they are at that level. A solution is doable, we just have to get past the political squabbling. People don’t have to be for or against any one person, they just have to be for or against a solution. Mr. Kelley urged everyone to talk to their legislators and encourage them to work with each other to reach a solution. Mr. Gale asked Mr. Kelley about where veterans fall in this topic. Mr. Kelley stated that Montana has the highest rate of uninsured veterans in the nation. This is the part that has given the legislation the most political acceptability. This is definitely an issue. There are 9,000 veterans that would be addressed in this legislation. Mr. Peluso stated that Category 8, honorably discharged veterans can get service. Chair Wordal encouraged the group to contact legislators and noted that now is the time. Mental Health does have some traction right now and that is a good thing. Mr. Kelley stated that the mental health case isn’t being made very well right now. There wasn’t anyone there for mental health at the last hearing. There was a man at the hearing that went blind because he didn’t have insurance for medication and a woman who needs a kidney transplant but can’t get on the transplant list without insurance. There were no mental health stories, however. Chair Wordal stated that getting stories is very difficult. Ms. Naro stated that she did try to get them for our meeting with the legislators. Mr. Kelley stated that Senator Art Wittich is the chairman of the committee that initially killed the bill. Representative Denise Hayman was also there. Mr. Peluso stated that they need to consider as a group some sort of compromise. He also noted that as a member of the Western Montana Mental Health Board of Directors he sees the financial statements. 30% of their overall budget is not funded and is charity care. That means that all the other underfunded programs have to pay the salaries of the people providing the care. Chair Wordal encouraged everyone to contact legislators individually – make this the personal issue that it is. Many people are in the gap that aren’t going to get the help that they need.