HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 10/17/2018
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A
Wednesday, October 17th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Committee Members Present: Susan Davis, Dale Johnson, John Blahnik, Bev Lindell, and
Jeremy Oswald.
Committee Members Excused: Lona Schmidt and Bev Patterson.
Others Present: Cheryl Hanson (Family Services Section Manager) and Nina Bucher
(Support Staff).
Call to order: Jeremy acted as the Chairman in Lona’s absence and called the meeting to
order at 4:30. No introductions were necessary.
Public Comment Opportunity: No public comment.
Non-Voluntary Hospitalization Process Presentation: Cheryl explained that a 72-hour
Chapter 51 Civil Commitment (also called and emergency detention, or ED) can be made in
three ways if a person is a danger to themselves or others due to a treatable mental health or
alcohol/drug dependence issue (see handout on Chapter 51). The three methods of
commitment are law enforcement, treatment facility director, or a three-party petition drafted
by the County Corporation Counsel. These non-voluntary inpatient commitments may be to a
mental health facility, detention center, or state institution depending on the circumstances
and age of the person. EDs are paid for by insurance, and if the person does not have
insurance, they are provided help to apply for it and the coverage may be backdated to the
date of commitment. The County is the payor of last resort (after all other options are
exhausted) and paid more bills before the inception of the Affordable Care Act.
The ED yearly comparison charts that Cheryl handed out showed that the number of
commitments is down, and there are less children being committed.
Staffing Update: Cheryl announced that Kelly Fitzgerald has been hired to fill the Mental
Health Coordinator position vacated by Crystal Clark-Gregoire, and that Family Specialist Susan
Miller will be moving into the AODA Coordinator position vacated by Rachel Obiden. They are
currently recruiting for the Family Specialist vacancy.
Program updates:
Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare: The Red Cliff Tribe has implemented the Customary
Adoption Code which will allow Native children to be adopted without terminating the
biological parent’s rights in order to maintain a relationship with their Tribe and cultural
Minutes Approval: John made a motion, seconded by Bev L. to approve minutes from
the 7/10/18 FSAC meetings as written. Motion passed unanimously.
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tradition. This should help alleviate expensive County placements and be better for the
children involved. Family Services staff work hard to maintain a good relationship with
RCICW, even though the Tribe is suing the County, possibly on a zoning issue. It was
suggested that we hold a FSAC meeting in Red Cliff to enable/encourage their participation. It
was noted that the Tribal Chairman and RCICW Director receive notices of the FSAC meeting.
Secure Detention Use: Cheryl relayed that there was one juvenile in secure detention for
one weekend, and another for 30 days so far in 2018. These costly placements are paid by the
County, and then billed to the juvenile’s parents/guardians.
FS Staff Retreat: The annual Family Services Staff Retreat was held today, away from the
Courthouse and was very successful. Cheryl shared the results of an educational activity that
showed what staff members felt FS did well, and what they needed to work on. She said it is
very beneficial to be away from the office and discuss things without interruptions so all are
involved and aware.
Future Meetings: 2019 meeting dates are quarterly on the second Wednesday of the month
at 4:30pm: January 9th, April 10th, July 10th, and October 9th.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Nina Bucher
Nina Bucher
