Milwaukee Latino Health Coalition

Mental Health Action Team

4-23-09 meeting minutes

1. Introductions:

-        Action team introduced themselves.

-        Members present included Leslie Davis, Ruth Ann Belknap, Luke Waldo, Katherine Valentyn, Stephanie Calloway, Nikki Hertel, Martina Gollin-Graves, and Terrie Garcia.

1. Announcements:

-        Katherine distributed MLHC bylaws to team for review.  Katherine informed team to send any input to Virginia Zerpa-Uriona before the next MLHC meeting (June 11^th).

-        Katherine gave overview about MAPP and Milwaukee Health Department ATODA and Mental Health Action Group and asked if anyone was interested in attending the meeting.  Martina from Mental Health of America volunteered to attend.

-        Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force meets the 2^nd Tuesday of every month.  Martina also may be interested in attending depending on her agency.

1. Martina from MH of America gave overview of the association.

-        This association has been in existence for 79 years and provides information, assistance, and referral.  Their offices are located downtown Milwaukee, 734 N. 4^th Street, and services are free.  A referral form is needed in order to receive services.  Committee members from the Mental Health Action Team can refer clients to MH of America.

-        Currently programs are not offered in Spanish; however, the majority of the literature is available in Spanish and downloadable from the website.

-        Staff from MH of America also offers presentations.  Leslie Davis suggested that she be invited to attend one of the presentations to see if Health Promoters would benefit from these presentations.

-        MHA provides a written and online resource directory.  The resource directory is printed yearly, but the online directory is kept up-to-date.  Team asked questions regarding party responsible for updating directory, a section for Spanish speakers, number of pages allowed, cost, consent from agencies to be listed in directory, and other logistical questions.  Martina to find out and report back to team.

-        Leslie asked about including services such as San Adalberto, Proyecto Salud, La Causa, Aurora Family Services, and the MLHC. Martina to find out and report back to team.

-        Katherine to send Martina email addresses of all team members.

-        Martina requested that we have a contact person from the Mental Health Action Team to include in the directory and website.

1. Proposal from UWM and SSCHC.

-        Katherine reported that UWM/SSCHC is getting close to getting a grant for a study on depression in the Latino population and would like the Mental Health Action Team to serve as an advisory council for their grant and provide feedback as the “community eye” for UWM and SSCHC.  Team had numerous questions and decided to defer a decision until representatives from UWM/SSCHC meet with team on May 28^th at 9:00 a.m.

1. Next steps regarding the interviews

-        Katherine asked who had completed their interviews.  Team continuing to work on interviews.  Some team members completed their interviews and requested more agencies to contact. Volunteers as listed:

• Martina: Will help Ruth Ann find the point person for the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Department and Leslie Davis may be willing to interview this agency once a connection is made.  Also, LSS, Aurora Behavioral Health, Crisis Resource Center, Renew Counseling Center.
• Ruth Ann: Healthy Beginnings at St. Joe’s
• Leslie Davis:  Latino Community Center
• Stephanie:  NAMI, CHW
• Nikki:  Voces de la Frontera, AA, Parenting Network, La Causa Family Resource Center and Crisis Nursery

-        A minor change will be made to the interviewing document.  Stephanie will be responsible for making this change (Tell me about your Spanish speaking staff).

1. Next Meeting:

-        May 28^th at 9:00 a.m.