Mental Health Oversight Committee

Print

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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

13-1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Meeting Record

9:15 AM

Review of Committee Charge

Handout: Amended Charge of the Mental Health Oversight Committee

• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

9:25 AM

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

9:30 AM

Department of Mental Health

Introduction to new Commissioner

• Paul Dupre, Incoming Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Susan Onderwyzer, Director of Quality and Care, Department of Mental Health
  

9:45 AM

Department of Mental Health

Overview of the Department of Mental Health Mission, Programs and Organization
Handouts: Attachments A-K; Psychiatric Beds in System of Care; Housing Subsidy & Care Program (Handouts also used for Act 79 Implementation presentation)

• Nick Nichols, Policy Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Susan Onderwyzer, Program Services Executive, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Interim Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

10:00 AM

Act 79 Implementation to Date

Department of Mental Health Programs

• Frank Reed, Interim Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

11:10 AM

Act 79 Implementation to Date

Community-based programs
Handout: Pathways Vermont

• Bob Bick, Director, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, HowardCenter
  
• Ivan Deutsch, Peer, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services
  
• George Karabakakis, Ph.D, Chief Operations Officier, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services
  
• Jackie Lehman, HowardCenter
  
• Sean Lynch, HowardCenter
  
• Emily Mastaler, Director of Residential Services, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services
  
• Hilary Melton, Director, Pathways Vermont
  
• Graham Parker, MyPad, HowardCenter
  
• Frank Reed, Interim Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Greg Tomasula, Clinical Director, Start Program, HowardCenter
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Act 79 Implementation to Date

Community-based programs (continued)

• Wendy Beinner, Director, NAMI VT
  

1:20 PM

Act 79 Implementation to Date

Hospitals; Update on Brattleboro Retreat Federal Sanctions

• Peter Albert, Director of Government Affairs, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• Tom Huebner, President, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Jeffrey McKee, Psy.D, Director of Psychiatric Services, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Frank Reed, Interim Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

2:40 PM

Act 79 Implementation to Date

Community-based programs (continued)
Handout: May 20, 2013 letter re: Brattleboro retreat from Disability Rights Vermont

• Ed Paquin, Director, Disability Rights Vermont
  

3:00 PM

Public Comment

Handout: packet of materials from Laura Ziegler

• Laura Ziegler, Plainfield, VT
  

3:15 PM

Future Meetings

3:20 PM

Payroll System Tutorial

Deb and Charlene available in the main office for additional assistance

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

13-6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Department of Mental Health Update

System of care, Emergency room wait times, Staff injuries in the MH system

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

11:05 AM

Comments on Staff Injuries in the MH System

• Joyce Dion, President, UNAP Local 5051, United Nurses and Professionals (UNAP)
  

11:25 AM

Mental Health Advocates and Providers Comments on Commissioner's Testimony

• Karen Lorentzon, Consumer, Vermont Psychiatric Survivors
  
• Rep. John Moran, Sponsor, Wardsboro, VT
  
• Robert Pierattini, MD, Fletcher Allen Health Care
  
• Tony Stevens, Director, Crisis Services, Northwest Counseling and Support Services
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Mental Health Judicial Proceedings

• Wendy Beinner, Director, NAMI VT
  
• Jack McCullough, Director of Mental Health Law Project, Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Dena Monahan, Counsel, Department of Mental Health
  
• Nick Nichols, Policy Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• A. J. Rueben, Attorney, Disability Rights Vermont
  
• John Wesley, Judge, Superior Court
  

2:45 PM

Vermont Collaborative Care, LLC

• Peter Albert, Director of Government Affairs, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• John Koutras MD, Medical Director, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• Robert Wheeler, Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont
  

3:15 PM

Medicaid ACO

• Julie Tessler, Director, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  

3:30 PM

Public Comment

• Dr. Betty Keller, Family practice, Fairfax
  
• Ken Libertoff, Consultant
  
• Xenia Williams, Barre Town, VT
  
• Laura Ziegler, Concerned Citizen, Plainfield, VT
  

4:10 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

13-11, 12, 13, 14

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Children's Mental Health Services

Description of program, eligibility for admission, strengths and gaps in the service delivery, budget, trends, and recommendations for improvements

• Peter Albert, Director of Government Affairs, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• Mitch Barron, Suicide Prevention Information Group
  
• Charlie Biss, Director of the Children, Adolescent and Family Unit, Department of Mental Health
  
• Annie Cressey, Health Educator, University of Vermont
  
• Kelly Deforge, Parent, Essex Junction
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Justin Lambert, Student, South Burlington High School
  
• Kindra Lundie, Student, South Burlington High School
  
• Brittany Manos, Student, South Burlington High School
  
• Charlotte McCorkel, Suicide Prevention Information Group
  
• Susie Merrick, Suicide Prevention Information Group
  
• Floyd Nease, Director of Systems Integration, Agency of Human Services
  
• Amiee Powers, Parent
  
• Jennifer Sweet, Student, University of Vermont
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Commissioner's Updates

Update on reports required by Act 50 of 2013

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

2:00 PM

Study Committee on Providing Community Support to Persons with Serious Functional Impairments

Report from the SFI Committee

• Rep. Sandy Haas, Co-Chair, Study Committee on Providing Community Support to Persons with Serious Functional Impairments
  

2:15 PM

Vermont Collaborative Care, LLC

• Rick Barnett, Psy.D., LADC, Vermont Psychological Association
  
• Colleen Coyle, General Counsel, American Psychiatric Association
  
• Rodger Kessler, Ph.D., ABPP, University of Vermont
  
• Alice Silverman, MD, University of Vermont
  

3:00 PM

Commissioner's Updates

Brattleboro Retreat Sanctions

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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

13-15a, 15b, 16, 17a, 17b, 18, 19

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Mental Health System of Care

Community Mental Health System: inventory of infrastructure

• Steve Broer, Psy.D, Director of Behavioral Health Services, Northwest Counseling and Support Services
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Nick Emlen, Mental Health Systems Coordination, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  
• Bernard Norman, Ph.D, Chief of Clinical Operations, Northeast Kingdom Human Services
  

10:30 AM

Housing

• Angus Chaney, Director of Housing, Agency of Human Services
  
• Nick Emlen, Mental Health Systems Coordination, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  
• Brooke Hadwen, Burlington Police Department
  
• Brian Smith, Department of Mental Health
  

11:30 AM

Commissioner's Updates

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Veterans: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide

• Richard Reed, Director, Vermont Office of Veteran Affairs
  

1:30 PM

Mental Health System of Care Funding

SFY2015 funding

• James Reardon, Commissioner, Department of Finance & Management
  

2:00 PM

Antipsychotic use of drugs for the Elderly

• Susan Wehry, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  

2:30 PM

Staff Injuries at Psychiatric Facilities

• Steve Howard, Legislative Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  

2:45 PM

Public Comment

3:00 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Comments

Joint meeting with the Health Care Oversight Committee

CDs

13-20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Meeting Record

8:45 AM

Joint Committee Charge

• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

9:00 AM

Mental Health System of Care

Adequacy of Level 1 System and Community System, Funding Projections, and Projected Personnel Needs at Berlin Psychiatric Hospital

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

10:00 AM

Mental Health System of Care at Level 1 Hospitals

• Paul Capcara, Clinical Nurse Manager, Adult Acute Care Unit, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• Lesa Cathcart, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Dr. W. Gordon Frankle, Directorof Psychiatric Services, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Lauren Tronsgard-Scott, Nurse Manager of Inpatient Mental Health Unit, Fletcher Allen Health Care
  

11:00 AM

Community Mental Health System

Adequacy of Level 1 System- Designated Agencies

• Nick Emlen, Mental Health Systems Coordination, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  
• Mary Moulton, Executive Director, Washington County Mental Health Services
  

11:45 AM

Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital

Personnel Needs

• Steve Howard, Legislative Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  
• John O'Brien, Senior Advisor on Health Care Financing, Green Mountain Psychiatric Care Center
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Mental Health System of Care

SFY2015 Funding

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Heidi Hall, Financial Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• James Reardon, Commissioner, Department of Finance & Management
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Jeff Rothenberg, Director of Mental Health Services, Department of Health
  

1:45 PM

Public Comment

• Laura Ziegler, Concerned Citizen
  

1:50 PM

Committee Discussion

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Legislative Council
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Comments

CANCELED

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Mental Health Oversight Committee Report

Topics covered during the Legislative Interim

• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

9:30 AM

Mental Health Oversight Committee Report

Other Topics

10:00 AM

Mental Health Oversight Committee Report

Committee Discussion

11:30 AM

Department of Mental Health

Monthly Report

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

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Public Comment

12:30 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-1, 2, 3, 4

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

9:40 AM

Committee Charge and Reports Due

Review of MHOC Charge, including changes made this session, and reports due to MHOC

• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:00 AM

Committee Discussion

Goals and topics for future meetings

10:40 AM

Level I System of Care

System overview and updates, plans for reaching capacity at the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital, 2014 Acts and Resolves No. 179, Sec. E.314.4 report

• Jay Batra, MD, Medical Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Jeff Rothenberg, Director of Mental Health Services, Green Mountain Psychiatric Care Center
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Level I System of Care

• Dr. W. Gordon Frankle, Chief of Psychiatry, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Linda Nagy, Vice President of Clinical Services, Brattleboro Retreat
  
• Jill Olson, Vice President of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
  
• Robert Pierattini, MD, Chair of Psychiatry, Fletcher Allen Health Care
  
• Dr. Geoffrey Sinner, Medical Director for the Adult Acute Care Unit, Brattleboro Retreat
  

2:00 PM

System of Care: Beyond Level I Treatment

• Jay Batra, MD, Medical Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Nick Emlen, Mental Health Systems Coordination, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  
• Jim MacDonald, Executive Director, Second Spring
  
• Amos Meacham, Project Director, Soteria House
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

3:00 PM

Public Comment

-

Committee Discussion

3:30 PM

Adjourn

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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Committee Discussion

Review of Agenda and Committee Discussion Points

• Rep. Ann Pugh, Chair, Mental Health Oversight Committee
  

9:45 AM

Emergency Involuntary Procedures

Rulemaking and Legislative Intent

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Nick Emlen, Mental Health Systems Coordination, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  
• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

10:30 AM

Children's Mental Health Services

• Charlie Biss, Director of the Children, Adolescent and Family Unit, Department of Mental Health
  
• Carol Maloney, Interim Director of Integrated Family Services, Agency of Human Services
  
• Catherine Simonson, Child, Youth and Family Services, Director, HowardCenter
  

11:30 AM

Antipsychotic drugs and Children

Overview of Children's Mental Health Services and Trends in Antipsychotic Treatment

• Charlie Biss, Director of the Children, Adolescent and Family Unit, Department of Mental Health
  
• David Rettew, University of Vermont College of Medicine
  

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Mental Health System of Care

Review of Current Status, Next Steps, Missing Elements

• Jay Batra, MD, Medical Director
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  

2:15 PM

Quality of Care and Departmental Oversight

• Clayton Clark, Director, Licensing and Protection, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Suzanne Leavitt, Director of Licensing and Protection, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  
• Jeffrey McKee, Psy.D, Director of Psychiatric Services, Rutland Regional Medical Center
  
• Susan Onderwyzer, Program Services Executive, Department of Mental Health
  
• Stuart Schurr, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  

3:50 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, October 3, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-10, 11, 12, 13

Meeting Record

8:30 AM

Department of Mental Health

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Emma Harrigan, Chief of Research & Statistics, Department of Mental Health
  
• Frank Reed, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Jeff Rothenberg, Director of Mental Health Services, Green Mountain Psychiatric Care Center
  

9:30 AM

Emergency Involuntary Procedures

• Jay Batra, MD, Medical Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Jack McCullough, Director of Mental Health Law Project, Vermont Legal Aid
  
• Jill Olson, Vice President of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
  
• Ed Paquin, Director, Disability Rights Vermont
  

11:30 AM

Emergency Involuntary Procedures

12:00 PM

Lunch

12:15 PM

Mental Health Oversight Committee Report

1:15 PM

Public Comment

1:30 PM

Adjourn

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Friday, October 17, 2014

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

14-15, 16, 17, 18

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Quality Review and Adverse Event Reporting

• Jay Batra, MD, Medical Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Clayton Clark, Director, Licensing and Protection, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  
• Tracy Dolan, Interim Commissioner, Department of Health
  
• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Emma Harrigan, Chief of Research & Statistics, Department of Mental Health
  
• Mark Larson, Commissioner, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
  
• Nick Nichols, Policy Director, Department of Mental Health
  
• Tom Simpatico, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Department of Vermont Health Access
  
• Susan Wehry, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  

11:30 AM

Mental Health System of Care

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Nick Nichols, Policy Director, Department of Mental Health
  

12:15 PM

Children's Mental Health Services

• Kathy Holsopple, Executive Director, VFFCMH, Nationally Certified Parent Support Provider
  

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Mental Health Oversight Committee Report

• Paul Dupre, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  
• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

1:45 PM

Public Comment

2:00 PM

Adjourn

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