Robertson County Health Council
January 8, 2020
Members Present: Anne Marie Bryant, Tony Cowan, Rachel Ellis, Stephanie Evans, Kathy Finley, Danielle Frazier, Donny King, Crystal Lemus, Rebecca Macfarlane, Ryan Martin, Lauren Patterson, Asailio Timmermeier
Members Absent: Lisa Cobb, Deshnell Cobbin, Brad Edwards, Rachel Goodman, Kelley Harris, Johnny Norton, Jackie Pipes, Jackie Rawls
Staff: Shirley Corker (Community Development Coordinator)
Guests: Emily Ballard (Occupational Therapist), Ashley Clinard (Cheatham Health Dept.), Misty Claude (MCRO), Sarah Evans and Jenni Dusky (Robertson County School Social Workers) Stephanie Gonzalez (Amerigroup Community Relations), Bettina Jones (TN Child Care Resource & Referral), Rachel Ragsdale (UT Extension), Ray Render (Congressman John Rose 6th District), David Scott and Brenda Stacey Scott and Marlanna Marion (NAMI), Melanie Stark (Juvenile Court), Kim Smith and Katie Creighton (Erica’s Safe Place), Maria Smith (THADAS), Candice Tillman (City of Springfield), Megan Williams (Cohen Clinic)
Business: The meeting was called to order by Chair Rebecca Macfarlane.
Housekeeping/Announcements:
- The welcome was extended and introductions were made.
- The December 19, 2019 minutes were approved with two corrections in attendance, adding Ace Trimmermeier, member, and Maria Smith, guest, with a motion from Stephanie Evans and a second from Donny King.
New Business:
- The application of Crystal Lemus, Commissioner’s Fellow under Lisa Piercey at the Tennessee Department of Health, was presented for membership. The application was accepted by majority vote. Ms. Lemus will be added to the membership directory.
- Brenda Stacey-Scott, Middle TN Regional Coordinator for NAMI, presented a presentation on Ending the Silence that was written by Students for Students and funded by the organization’s past president, Tipper Gore, Al Gore’s ex-wife. She distributed several pieces of information: (ETS) handout, Suicide and Prevention Apps, information on the local support group meetings, pictures of famous people who have had to deal with suicide and mental illness, a brochure called Ending the Silence, A Mental Health Awareness Program for Youth. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. It provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness. The purpose of ETS is to reach out to middle and high school students to start conversations and educate young people about their emotional health, and possible suicidal ideation and provide resources. Ms. Scott’s adopted granddaughter Marlanna Marion shared her own story about her recovery and struggles to deal with a history of abuse and mental illness. Her ending statement was a reminder that mental illness is a disease and that is okay to reach out to others and ask for help.
Old Business:
- Chair Rebecca Macfarlane gave an overview of the process engaged in to develop the Robertson County Health Council Strategic Plan for 2020- 2021. Several members stated they had not received a copy of the finalized draft. Ms. Macfarlane said she would resend the document to Ms. Corker to email out again. The document will be posted on the Council website. After the review, she asked for any last changes and with none forthcoming asked for a motion to adopt. Kathy Finley made the motion with a second from Danielle Frazier. The motion carried. Ms. Macfarlane presented some ideas for a new Council logo and then asked members to break into 3 groups, choosing one of the 3 adopted goals. Each group was tasked to choose a Lead for their group and identify 3 activities for their goal. They were asked to be prepared to present their plan of action at the February 12 meeting.
The following were named as committee Leads:
Health and Well Being – Stephanie Evans; Promotion and Awareness – Rachel Goodman; Vulnerable Populations – Danielle Frazier
Coalition Leads were identified as:
Interfaith –Deshnell Cobbin; My Father’s House – Jackie Rawls; Youth Development and Prevention Coalition – Ace Timmermeier
Adjournment:
- The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm.