League members and guests participated in four September sessions to discuss the revised McLean County Behavioral Health Action Plan. Attendees listened to Marita Landreth, Behavioral Health Coordinator and Christina Schult, Heartland Community College facilitator, present the revised Plan.
Lively discussion identified a number of very helpful suggestions including the need for additional definition of terms, spelling out of acronyms; some grammatical notations, commas, etc. Attendees further confirmed the community service focus of the revised Plan; the need for expansion of the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; and requested a dashboard be developed and used periodically to update the community of Plan progress.
The Plan's Guiding Principles section was noted for its relatability.
There was limited discussion of funding of behavioral health services, which is the role of the Mental Health and Public Safety Advisory Council. This Council is responsible for providing recommendations to the County Board for the allocation of local sales tax funds. The Plan is the work product of the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.
The County Behavioral Health Coordinator is incorporating the feedback for the final draft of the Plan. It is anticipated the new Plan will be included at a presentation at the
8th Annual Behavioral Health Forum on November 6 (
get details here). League members are encouraged to attend the Forum, which is intended for both service providers and community members. There are a variety of break out sessions; the Forum is free. More Forum information is on the County's website
here.
The County expects to have a Behavioral Health Coordinating Council website which will include ways to contribute in a work group, and/or other kinds of issues.
We'll keep you posted on the Plan Roll-Out and new Behavioral Health website launch.