HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 11/29/2016 BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Committee Members Present: John Blahnik, Lona Schmidt, Dale Johnson, Bev Lindell & Jeremy
Oswald.
Others Present: Anita Haukaas, Elizabeth Skulan, Cheryl Hanson and Heather Gilbertson from
BCDHS.
Call to order and introductions: Lona called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm and introductions
were made.
Minute Approval: John Blahnik made a motion to approve minutes from the 9/20/16 FSAC meeting.
Bev seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Public Comment Opportunity: No Comments at this time.
Program Presentation: “What is Case Management?”: Cheryl Hanson described what Case
Management is and what it entails. Case Management can be anything from coordinating client
services such as appointments, following through with appointments or getting clients to support
groups. As a Case Worker you must be able to anticipate what is coming and instill hope and let the
client know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We must be able to congratulate the client on
what they have accomplished, even if it is just making it to an appointment that day. We also help the
clients family members with getting them information or referrals if they wish. We never turn anyone
away. We would rather help the client now with getting them the services they need then have them
end up getting an Emergency Detention at a later date. Most of the types of services we offer are
spread by word of mouth either by Law Enforcement or local Therapists, Outreach Programs or
Community Meetings attended by our Social Workers.
FSAC meeting start times and dates: The County Board has requested that we go over the times
and dates of the quarterly meetings and discuss if they need to be later so people do not have to leave
work early to come to the meetings. This was discussed and all were in agreement that 4:30 is a good
time for the meetings. Jeremy made a motion to keep the time at 4:30 and John seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
FSAC Membership/terms: The Human Services Board approved the recommendations to extend
the terms of John Blahnik and Dale & Nancy Johnson at Thursday’s October 27, 2016 Board Meeting.
Kathy Wendling (Town of Russell) was asked to serve on the FSAC but respectfully declined.
Elizabeth mentioned a person of interest that may want to serve on the committee. They have applied
to serve on another committee but are being declined due to conflict of interest. Anita will follow up on
this.
Jeremy mentioned John Bennett or Dee Kittleson as possible advisory committee members.
Advertising for a new member was talked about and The County Journal, The Connection and The
Bottom Line were all brought up as to advertise in. These papers encompass all sections of the county.
Arrowhead Juvenile Detention Center – Duluth, MN Update: The Human Service Board
approved to move ahead with using Arrowhead Juvenile Detention Center. The County Board has
approved also. The resolution has been completed and we are waiting for the contract to be set up.
We are hopeful that this will be in place as of the 1st of the year.
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Family Services Section staffing update: Crystal Clark Gregoire has given her resignation and her
last day is 11/30/2016. Mary Anich CPS Social Worker started on 09/19/2016 but will be moving over
into the Juvenile Justice position vacated by Crystal. Mary will still continue to work on a CPS cases as
needed. Interviews will be taking place for the full time position of Family Specialist and part-time
Casual Meals on Wheels/for clients in Family Services.
Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare (RCICW) update Leah Thaldorf is the RCICW Director and the only
one in the office at this time. They are looking to hire a Case Manager and have received approval for
grant funding for a Truancy Worker. Leah continues to update the Family Service Department when
she is out of town and for cases that may have something coming up. Family Services and Red Cliff
ICW will have their next cases in common staffing in January.
2016/2017 Budget: We have gone over budget for 2016. MH/AODA Emergency Detentions as of
10/26 – 61 compared to last year at this time 59. Juvenile Justice Referrals as of 11/17 – Law
Enforcement Referrals: 57 compared to 54 this same time last year; Child Protective Services CPS – the
number of cases / families look to be few but there are numerous children within the families; as noted
before the cases have significant challenges and substance abuse or mental health issues. Anita is
finishing up her Supervising Safety Child Welfare Training which she found to be very informative.
There will be a Truancy meeting on 12/08 in the Courtroom. We have had 8 truancy referrals so far
this year (2016). The schools are really trying to handle these situations if there are more than 10
unexcused absences, staff will try to work with the youth or families before making a referral. As for
law enforcement the main reason for referrals are Disorderly Conduct.
Informational Items: John requested a possible Funding Comparison from when he was on the
Board compared to now. Bev mentioned that the League of Women Voters was interested in finding
out the trends of poverty issues in Bayfield County. Jeremy brought up the group Stepping Up is
inquiring about putting in 30 Low Income Housing units across from Stage North.
Future Meetings: 03/21/2017, 06/20/2017, 09/19/2017, 12/19/2017 at 4:30 pm.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Heather Gilbertson
Heather Gilbertson