Village of Homer Glen Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery Committee met June 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Trustee Mason.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call; Establish Quorum
Members present at 6:05 pm: Trustee Mason, Chief Building Official Baber, Member Calderon, Member Raber and Member Volek.
Also Presents: Committee Secretary Gia Cassin.
Not present: EMA Coordinator Ron Kus, Village Manager Carmen Maurella and Events Coordinator Alana Charboneau
4. Approval of Amendments to the Agenda
None.
5. Approval of Minutes
a) March 20, 2023
Member Baber made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 20, 2023 meeting, seconded by Member Volek. All were in favor, zero (0) opposed. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Public Comment
Karen Wirth - thankful for getting HERO trailer at the Homer Fest. She is looking for an update on getting into the schools (grade schools and high schools). She is happy to help call her if needed.
Member Baber addressed this and stated he spoke to Village Manager Maurella, who is planning to discuss this with the high school superintendent.
Member Raber asked about getting into the grade schools and Member Baber stated that the Will County Sheriff is already in the grade schools. Member Raber asked about the schools they have been involved with and John Robert's answered many schools, though none of the ones he named were in the local districts. He said that the people that are dying of the drugs are the people that have been addicted at an early age. Member Calderon added that they also need to discuss mental health - often they are connected.
John Robert's with HERO's stated that our country has fallen short on the mental health.
Karen Wirth hopped up and stated that she worked with an organization for many years, a hepatitis foundation for liver health. They assisted in getting drugs for people with Hep B and C. As an add on to what HERO is doing, if any liver information is needed, being that everything we ingest goes through the liver, she could facilitate it.
Mike Dean stated there is a fentanyl issue in our community, kids are taking a candy form of it, and he is aware of people that have passed in our community, and in other communities. He is very supportive of this committee and he wishes more parents would be here at the meeting because this is about their kids. He hopes that teachers would get more involved, so if they see something or are aware of something, they will inform the parents. He would like to see an end to this crisis, and thanked for committee for allowing him to speak.
7. Reports and Communication
a. Report from Trustee Mason
Didn't have anything to add. He is new to the committee.
b. Member Volek
Nothing to add
c. Report from EMA Coordinator Ron Kus
Not present
d. Report from Member Kelli Calderon
She indicated she would like to take the initiative to organize a panel or some sort of open discussion so parents can ask questions. She described that it will be more of an open discussion. She would like to start with education, and ways to help if you are seeing things. She would like to create a resource guide to help people know where to go.
The timeline would be for next month, but it is July 5th, will there be a meeting? Member Joe Baber discussed having an email exchange to get things started and we will have a better feel of when this would come together.
Member Raber asked what this meeting would be like and Member Calderon explained it would be a physical meeting with an open discussion and education format.
Member Baber suggested we would advertise this as a separate event.
Trustee Mason suggests a Round Table event to solicit input, and see what ideas are generated and from there get the panel together. Joe suggested putting a survey out to the residents for their input - see what the hot topics are and then go from there and then have the round table event.
Suggestions for topics:
What to look out for in terms of substance abuse?
What to look out for in terms of mental health?
What to do in the event there is a crisis?
Communication tactics.
Trustee Mason said that if we put out the 4 topics, see which comes in hot, and then set up the discussion geared toward that topic.
Member Raber suggested we put out a target date, see if we hit it, and see if we can get the survey out. Joe said he would work on that. The idea would be to have a 2 week window for the survey. Staff will work on a handout for the Fest and John with Hero's will pass information out.
Karen Wirth mentioned stigma - which is huge. She asked while planning, we should still be targeting the parents. She said it is important to reach the parents who often say "not my kid".
Member Calderon asked if there are any Homer Stats, and John said Dr. Kathleen Burke from Will County can possibly provide that data - she feels that data is very helpful.
John Robert's said we need that data, because the nickname Heroin Glen doesn't carry the impact without the stats. Nick said when a police officer uses Narcan, it is reported to the State. Member Baber will work to see if he can find out if it is broken down to County and Village. Member Calderon suggested getting in to talk to Hadley, with Lockport being multi-jurisdictional, and maybe put up the scary posters. (statistics)
Karen Wirth suggested getting photos of kids that have passed (locally) so that people might recognize and it could affect the kids. The Committee didn't feel that tactic would be good at this point in time.
Member Baber will look into community hours for kids to hand out flyers. Secretary Cassin suggested possibly utilizing kids from high school might also serve to draw kids.
Member Calderon discussed setting up a QR code, so that people can scan and keep going, so that for people that are worried about the stigma, they are not carrying anything, they are getting the info onto their phones.
e. Report from Member Mark Raber
He would like to help Member Calderon facilitate her working on getting a panel together and would like to work on bring an Al-Anon component to a round table event. He said that he can provide information on next step places to go for those that are working through.
f. Report from Chief Building Official Joe Baber
Member Baber told a story where he coordinates the adjudication process here at the village. There were 2 young ladies from the Junio High selling vape marijuana products at the school. They appeared in court, and one of the parents contacted Joe prior to the hearing, asking if the fine could be taken care of. Mr. Baber said his hands were tied, it was a school thing. When the families showed up in court, they asked for help with the tobacco shops to stop selling to minors. The Village set up a sting operation with the Sheriff's and the did catch 6 times where they sold to minors. Now the shops are posting signs about being carded.
Mr. Baber added on behalf of Ron Kus with EMA that there will be NARCAN at the fest.
8. Old Business (none to date)
a) Business cards were handed out.
b) Organize a Round Table Event - that is in process.
9. New Business
a) Discuss appointment process in progress
No discussion.
10. Next Meeting - July 5, 2023
11. Adjournment
Member Baber motioned to adjourn, seconded by Member Calderon. All were in favor, zero (0) opposed, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm.
http://www.homerglenil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06072023-2555
Alerts Sign-up