Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Egyptian Regional Human Rights Authority met May 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
The regular meeting of the Human Rights Authority (HRA) was held at El Jalapeno (Meeting Room) 101 Leigh Ave., Anna, IL. Vice Chairperson, Ginger McBride called the meeting to order at 5:12 p.m. and read the confidentiality statement. A quorum was present.
Members Present: Ryan McAllister, Linda LaFoon, Kathy Rambeau, Victor Metzger, Ginger McBride, Heather Casner and Kay Phillips.
Members Absent: Paul Jones
Staff Present: Kim Conway
Guests: Pam O’Connor
Minutes: Victor Metzger made a motion to approve the March, 2017 meeting minutes. Kay Phillips seconded and it carried.
Communications: Kim Conway distributed the new travel forms and discussed the new procedure for reimbursement for HRA related travel reimbursement. Heather Casner’s first full term appointment was approved and will expire June 2020 and Ginger McBride’s reappointment to her second term has been approved which also expires June 2020.
Ratifications: None
New Complaints:
17-110-9012 State Operated Mental Health Facility – Alleges that a recipient’s level pass was restricted inappropriately due to the recipient selling a watch to a peer. The patient states that some staff encouraged selling items to other peers who could not otherwise afford it and other staff have since told him that it is not allowed and as a result his pass was taken away. A copy of the revised Unit Guidelines was obtained by the HRA which now included prohibitions on selling and/or trading items. The board reviewed the revisions and expressed concern that the consequences for violating the no trading policy were not specified. Linda LaFoon made a motion to table case opening to allow time for further discussion for informal resolve. Victor Metzger seconded and it carried.
17-110-9018 State Operated MH Facility– Alleges that a recipient is not being allowed unimpeded private phone calls at the facility. His therapist allows calls sometimes but then stays in the office during the call and monitors the conversation including phone calls with the recipient’s attorney, investigators and parents. Also the recipient is only allowed use of the phone on Thursday and Friday. A release of information from the recipient was received, but the HRA has since learned that he has legal guardians. Kim Conway will send a release of information to them prior to taking any more actions. Heather Casner made a motion to accept the complaint for investigation pending receipt of release of information from legal guardians, Linda LaFoon seconded and it carried.
17-110-9019 State Operated MH Facility - Alleges a recipient is not being served in the least restrictive environment. The recipient’s legal charges were dropped in lieu of civil commitment in March. He has not had aggression and doesn’t understand why he cannot be transferred to another DHS facility that is less restrictive. Also alleges that therapist refuses to meet with him and he is receiving no treatment in his current placement. A release of information has been received. Heather Casner moved to accept the complaint for investigation, Linda LaFoon seconded and it carried.
Other New Business: The board met with guest Pam O’Connor and reviewed her board member application. Some members inquired about her past experience both with work and on the HRA board. Pam left the meeting and was informed she would be contacted with the board’s vote at a later date. After further discussion, Heather Casner made a motion to approve Pam O’Connor for appointment to the board. Kathy Rambeau seconded and it carried.
Unfinished Business: Kathy Rambeau made a motion to enter into closed session at 5:40 p.m. pursuant to Section 21 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955/21) and Section 120/2 (c) (4) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2); the motion was seconded by Kay Phillips and it carried. The following summary of items was discussed in the closed session: case progress was reviewed for 17-110-9001, 17-110-9002, 17-110-9003, 17-110-9004, 17-110- 9005, 17-110-9006, 17-110-9008, 17-110-9009, 17-110-9010, 17-110-9012, 17-1109013, 17- 110-9015, 17-110-9016, 17-110-9017 and 17-110-9018 the draft report was reviewed for 16- 110-9017. Case closures were considered for 16-110-9014 and 16-11-9016. Linda LaFoon made a motion to return to open session at 7:35 p.m. having taken no action in closed session, Victor Metzger seconded and it carried.
Case Progress Reports:
17-110-9001 Integrity of Anna – Alleges inadequate care and treatment due to a stroke patient not getting the necessary treatment to fully recover. The site investigation was completed and additional information and policies were received. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9002 Franklin County Jail – Alleges inadequate treatment of a person with mental illness. Medical records have been received from the jail. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9003 Chester Mental Health – Alleges inappropriate seclusion for 11⁄2 hours for talking in the lunch line and/or hallway and no restriction of rights form given when property was restricted. The site visit was completed and the chart reviewed. Pertinent staff persons were also interviewed. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9004 Chester Mental Health – Alleges a recipient is not being served in the least restrictive environment. A second chart review was completed and the HRA interviewed the therapist regarding water intoxication and separation criteria. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9005 Hamilton Memorial Hospital - Alleges a patient with a disability was discriminated against and received inadequate medical treatment. Records from the second hospital were received showing Dilantin toxicity. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9006 Oblong Elementary School - Alleges a child’s educational and behavioral programs were not properly followed, a teacher was not properly trained to work with students with disabilities and the school failed to communicate with the parent/guardian. The site investigation was completed. The case is ready for report.
17-110-9008 Choate Mental Health Center – Victor Metzger left the meeting during discussion of this case due to a conflict of interest. Alleges inappropriate admission due to being admitted to the mental health unit with only a developmental disability diagnosis. Site investigation was completed and after that the HRA received two additional complaints that involved similar issues. Additional interviews need to be scheduled. This case is still under investigation.
17-110-9009 Chester Mental Health Center – Alleges phone privileges have been excessively restricted after making a call in April 2016 to a staff person at another facility who had filed a complaint against this recipient. The chart review was completed and the case is ready for report.
17-110-9010 Chester Mental Health Center – Alleges emergency preferences were not followed. The chart review was completed and the patient has since been discharged from the facility. This case is ready for report.
17-110-9013 Choate Mental Health Center – Alleges a recipient is not being included in his treatment planning. Site investigation was completed and the recipient and social worker were interviewed. The chart was also reviewed. Additional records have been requested. The case is still under investigation.
17-110-9015 Lakeview CILA Home/Liberty Enterprises – Victor Metzger and Ryan McAllister left the meeting during this discussion due to a conflict of interest. Alleges inadequate care and treatment. Also alleges that there are not grab bars in the bathroom area and this recipient has fallen 3 times and had injuries due to this. The site investigation was completed. The recipient, staff and owners were interviewed as well as a family member. The chart was reviewed. Additional interviews need to be completed. The case is still under investigation.
17-110-9016 Chester Mental Health Center – Alleges inappropriate admission due to signing voluntary without the presence of an interpreter. The site investigation was completed. The recipient was interviewed with the assistance of a telephone interpreter. The chart needs to be reviewed and additional interviews need to be completed. The case is still under investigation.
17-110-9017 Chester Mental Health Center – Alleges inappropriate admission due to a low functioning level and being allowed to sign voluntary after his forensic theim date passed. The site investigation was completed. The recipient was interviewed. His chart still needs to be reviewed and additional interviews need to be completed. The case is still under investigation.
Draft Report:
16-110-9017 Chester Mental Health Center – Alleges inhumane care due to negative staff interactions which violate the code of conduct policies and also alleges lack of active mental health treatment. The board reviewed the draft report and agreed with the report as stated. Kay Phillips made a motion to approve the draft report. Heather Casner seconded and it carried.
Closures:
16-110-9014 Chester Mental Health – The board reviewed the facility’s response which stated training would be completed by June 30th. The board discussed tabling case closure until training was completed. Ryan McAllister made a motion to table case closure. Kay Phillips seconded and it carried.
16-110-9016 Chester Mental Health – The board reviewed the facility’s response disagreeing with the HRA board’s recommendations regarding releases for third party information. The board discussed tabling case closure to allow discussions with legal counsel regarding third party information. Kay Phillips moved to table case closure. Kathy Rambeau seconded and it carried.
Other Unfinished Business:
The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on July 20, 2017 at Pagliai’s Pizza Meeting Room in Carbondale, IL
Kathy Rambeau made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Victor Metzger seconded and it carried.
https://www.illinois.gov/sites/gac/Press/Documents/minutes/2017/egypt05252017minutes.pdf
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