Llano Estacado Alliance for Families

Board Members in attendance:

Ron Trusler, President, CPC
Jere Newton, Vice President, Lamb Co. JPO/Leaf RCI
Cherrie Shackelford, Secretary, Family Partner
Jeffrey Tunnell, Treasurer, CFO Central Plains Center
Carrie Barden, Chief, Lamb Co. Juvenile Probation
Kathy Givens, The EDGE Mentoring
Maridel Montgomery, DRS
Sheryl Russell, CPS
Brenda Jones, CPC – ECI
Kelli Shurbet, City of Plainview HD
Beth Hoffman, RCI
Debra Flores, TTUHSC  SON

Stakeholders

Ruby Walters, Consumer
Kim Peralez, Administrative Assistant RCI
Kay Brotherton, Project Director, RCI
Michael Cox, RCI
Eugene Wang, Lead Evaluator, RCI
DeAnn Lechtenberg, TA Coordinator, RCI
Victor Madrigal, Regence Health Network
Cari Hamilton, RCI
Polly Earhart, RCI
Jose Serrano, RCI
Larry Keltz, PISD
Sharon Compton, Workforce Sol.

Welcome and Introductions
President, Ron Trusler called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Members and visitors introduced themselves.  Corrections to minutes include, Larry Keltz attending the last meeting and correction to Esperanza Lucero’s name.  Minutes stand approved with corrections.

Financial report
Jeff – So far we have 5 projects approved by the Executive board to use our remaining budget.   $3,000 for Mental Health First Aid staff training.  $400 for recycle bags for Estacado Jr. High with Leaf Logo.  $5,000 on recycle bags for proposed grocery stores with Leaf information.  $10,000 to update Muleshoe and Levelland telemed equipment.  $7,500 to help Regence Health Network pay for physician medical record sharing software license.  Also as a community collaborative we have taxes and board insurance of $1,200.  (We need to look for ways to sustain these monies.)  Possibly each board agency-paying dues.   This leaves us $22,000.  We need input on how to use the remaining funds.  This is our last year for these funds.  After buying the new telemed equipment this would leave two used telemed units to give to an agency needing them.  If you know of someone who could use these please contact Ron.

Mental Health First Aid update
The first MHFA training was completed.  16 are now trained to recognize a mental health crisis.  The board training will be Jan. 4, 11, and 18 from 8:30 to 12:30 am at the Houston School room 5.  There are 4 slots remaining.  This is 12-hour course to become certified. 
Kay will be trained to help Ron teach in the future.

Grant group consideration
Ron asked for interest in a grant research group.   Sheryl Russell, Kathy Givens, Kay Brotherton, Carrie Barden, Debra Flores, and Kelly Shurbet volunteered.  Also Texas Tech nursing school is looking out for any grants that would apply to us.

Juvenile Probation RFP
Carrie Barden applied and received a $12,500 grant to help divert juveniles away from TYC.  There will be another opportunity for more grant money in this area.

Rural Children’s Initiative update
Cari Hamilton has been hired as the RCI social marketer. 
Communities in Schools is interviewing for positions in Plainview and Lamb County.  Kendra Covington filled a CIS position in Floydada.  Applicants need a four-year degree to apply.  These positions will be trained in our wraparound trainings.  These positions will be in the Plainview and Floydada schools.
RCI services will start in January.
The Leaf and RCI board meetings will postponed till January 26th at 9:30 and will host our Federal SAMSHA people.  The location will be at Family Harvest Church at 1607 S. I-27 on the east access road.  Meetings with them will continue through the 29th.  There will be a family and youth member dinner with SAMSHA that evening.
A team of people including youth and family partners attended the Federation of Families Conference in Washington, D.C.
The 1st wraparound training will be January 14 & 15th and February 2 & 3 at Family Harvest Church from 9 to 4:30.  DeAnn is your contact to sign up at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   People needed to attend are family members, youth and child serving agencies. 
Victor Madrigal from Regence Health Network announced they have the H1N1 vaccine available for groups.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. with the RCI Steward group meeting to follow.   Please be here by 11:00 a.m. for the steward group meeting.  The next LEAF board meeting will be January 26th, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.  at Family Harvest Church, 1601 S. I-27.