HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 9/16/2014
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Committee Members Present: Lona Schmidt, Anne Green, Susan Davis, Nancy and Dale Johnson.
Staff Present: Anita Haukaas, Cheryl Hanson and Nina Bucher.
Call to order: Chairperson Lona called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. Introductions were made.
Adoption of 12/17/13 minutes: Susan made a motion to adopt the minutes, Ann seconded,
motion carried.
Public Comment Opportunity: No one was present for public comment.
Family Treatment Court Presentation: Bayfield County Human Services AODA Coordinator Cheryl
Hanson explained that Criminal Justice Coordinator Brenda Spurlock had secured a grant with a small
pot of money to develop a Family Treatment Court model in Bayfield County. The model aims to
intensively treat the whole family unit of repeat/serious offenders by using services and various
consequences for non-compliance. With departments working together (like law enforcement and
human services), the criminal case will be tied to treatment and new options of treatment will be
available. This also ensures that the whole family, as well as all the departments involved, are kept
informed of the status of the entire situation. The goal is to get the individuals out of the system and in
a healthy functional family situation. The key is to identify what is important to the offender and use
that as incentive to motivate them to modify their behavior.
In addition to mentoring, the grant allows the creation of a family visitation room that can be used for
staff observation of family interaction in a safe environment. A room in the lower level of the
courthouse is being renovated for this purpose. An intern nearing the completion of her Masters in
Social Work at UMD will be shadowing/helping with the model development for six to eight hours a
week.
The Bayfield County Family Treatment Court plans to work with four to five families at a time and the
treatment runs one to two years to complete.
Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare update: Anita relayed that Chally Topping Thompson, the Director
of RCICW, has resigned and Chris Hillart continues to be the sole case worker. In July a permanency
round-table was held to address two tribal court ordered out-of-home placements. The Red Cliff Tribe
decided to return one youth to Red Cliff, and are searching for an appropriate replacement situation for
the other child. Bayfield County received a high cost award of $55,510.06 from the State for the two
tribal youth placements.
Mental Health/AODA Services update: It has been a tough summer in Bayfield County due to
several suicides and three simultaneous placements in the State Winnebago Mental Health Facility. The
census at Winnebago is high, indicating that this trend is State-wide verses localized.
The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program in our area is scheduled to be up and running
by Oct. 1, 2014 but Anita said they have not heard from the State in regards to an on-site visit and
licensing.
Child Protective Services update: There are 21 children in need of protection (CHIPS) cases
involved in court cases so far this year.
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Foster Home providers update: Anita explained that because Family Services operates with family
reunification as their main goal, some people do not agree with their decisions on placements. Foster
care providers may include relatives and this has caused some issues recently. However, the children
are safe and reunified.
Juvenile Justice Update: There are ten juvenile referrals in September so far, and 45 year to date.
A few are repeat offenders for major offenses. Anita relayed that during a recent staffing on a juvenile
justice issue, the local Police Chief attended and gave background on the juveniles involved and
ongoing situation. This is helpful in understanding the dynamics of the situation and preparing for court
and case planning.
Other: Mary Skerik has resigned from the FSAC Committee and suggestions for a replacement were
solicited. Lona knows of someone who might be available and will contact that person to inquire as to
interest.
Family Services Social Worker Lacie Prenderville has given her notice and will end her employment on
9/24/14. Applications are now being taken until 9/21/14.
Future Meetings: Future meeting dates are quarterly on the third Tuesday of the month: 12/16/14
and 3/16/15.
Adjournment: Lona adjourned the meeting at 5:42 pm.
Minutes submitted by,
Nina Bucher
Nina Bucher