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Home My WebLink About2012 February NewsletterFranklin/Fulton County MH/ID/EIFranklin/Fulton County MH/ID/EIFranklin/Fulton County MH/ID/EIFranklin/Fulton County MH/ID/EI 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA “Heard Across Two Counties”“Heard Across Two Counties”“Heard Across Two Counties”“Heard Across Two Counties” February 17, 2012, Issue 23 From the Desk of the Administrator: Hello, all! What a challenging set of circumstances we find ourselves in now! As you are aware, the governor’s proposed budget has some ugly news for our MH and ID depart- ments. If the reductions go through, we are set to lose $1.2 million in funding! Not news that any of us want to hear and I remain ever hopeful that a portion of that funding will be restored! Nevertheless, I remain committed to doing everything possible to share in those reductions and make this transition to the new way of being as smooth as is humanly possible. In addition, if the block grants go through, MH and ID combined will also contribute another $5 million into that grant. The commissioners are taking a hard look at how to manage that block grant in the best way possible but no one has any answers yet—so, stay tuned! (Oh, and the good news….. EI managed to escape this round of budgets with an increase—a ray of sunshine!) Also, I have little in the way of updates on our transition to a non-profit. At this point, our budget reduc- tions are our priority. However, our Advisory Board has held two Open Hearings on the transition and has one more to come. After those hearings, they will compile all of the information obtained and present it to the Advisory Board, which will then be forwarded on to the Commissioners of both Counties for considera- tion. While that has been going on, we have begun to work with a law firm to develop a plan for the best way to move forward with this process. I will continue to keep you informed as infor- mation develops. Staff Updates: Some of you are aware that Sarie Dickey, ICM supervisor, retired on February 15th after 15 years of service with the County. Also, by now you may have missed Jen Lipko, the secretary for the Administration. She transferred to the Drug and Alcohol department (which means she is still in our suite :o) and we still get to see her daily). Both ladies will be dearly missed! Monthly Topics: • Mental Health • Intellectual Disabilities • Early Interven- tion Program Updates: ID: They are our neighbors, friends, coworkers and volunteers. March is Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month. We encourage people to learn more about the people in this community who have Intellectual Disabilities and to recognize that all of us have talents and abilities that we can offer to make this a better place to live. The theme in 2012 is “Our Community is Better Together”. To accomplish this Lori Young, ID Program Specialist, will be appearing on “In the Valley” on WHAG-25 the week of March 5 to promote Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month to make “Our Community Better Together”. ID Awareness month will also be listed on the WHAG-25 website as an event every day in March. You can find this information at www.your4state.com. CASSP: The Children's Provider meeting will now be a part of the larger Mental Health Provider meeting effective this month. The meetings are held quarterly and the next one is March 9 from 10-12 at the Human Services Building. Call Kim Lucas if you have any questions: 709-2307. Upcoming Meetings/Trainings: * February 22: Open Hearing on the MH/ID/EI transition to a non-profit. 7—8 pm at the Administrative Annex, 218 N. Second Street, Chambersburg. Hosted by the MH/ID/EI Advisory Board Task Force. * March 1: MH/ID/EI Advisory Board Meeting. 3:30—5 pm at Fulton County Services for Children, McConnellsburg. * March 9: Mental Health Provider Meeting. 10 am—12 pm at the Human Services Building. * HCQU trainings: 3/9~Schizophrenia, 4/13~Depression HCQU Nurse's Training Day: 4/18/12 in Mechanicsburg. Contact Deb Berg at 717-835-2275 to register * March 1: Fixed asset reports due for all providers. * March 1: Appendix A and budget due for 2012/2013 contracts. * If you haven’t already, please send us your audited financial statements (all providers), quarterly reports of expenditures (MH and ID), internal quality of service surveys (MH), and progress report on outcomes (all providers). Check us out on the web: http://www.co.franklin.pa.us/Pages/FrankFulMHMRAdmin.aspx