HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 1/13/2021
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A-remotes
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 at 4:30 pm
Committee Members Present via telephone: Wayne Crozier, Lona Schmidt, Bev
Patterson, Nancy and Dale Johnson, Bev Lindell, Mary Dougherty, and Kylie Vadnais.
Others Present: Cheryl Hanson (Family Services Section Manager, and Nina Bucher (Support
Staff).
Introductions and Call to order: Lona called the meeting to order at 4:38 after a moment
of technical trouble.
Public Comment Opportunity: No public comment.
Providing Family Services During the Pandemic: Cheryl relayed that throughout the
pandemic, Family Services staff have been meeting the needs of Bayfield County
residents/programs in the safest ways possible. Most staff are working remotely, which means
they begin/end their days at home, traveling directly to in-person meetings such as safe
environment visits and mandated monthly face-to-face child visits. Masks, hand sanitizer and
virtual visits when appropriate are being employed as well. All staff have had the first vaccine
shot and will soon receive their second. Meth is still the biggest drug being abused, and
isolation is keeping many cases from being reported.
Staffing Update: The Child Protective Service worker who was out on maternity leave has
returned part time and the other resigned after a prolonged medical leave. Isabel Gregorsen
will begin as the Behavioral Health Social Worker on February 8th, while the AODA Coordinator
position remains unfilled. Cheryl announced that she will be retiring in April of this year.
Program reports: 2020 brought a total of 39 emergency detentions, which is down from
2019. The Statewide Crisis Grant tracks diversions of those who were diverted from
emergency detention or hospitalization which totaled 132 adults and 14 youth under the age
of 20 during 2020. Child Protective Services cases are slower at this time, though schools are
reporting children not showing up for online learning or turning in school work. The State has
directed Family Services that this is a truancy issue and not a child safety issue, leaving
oversight to schools. Youth justice cases have also been slower, yet more complex. Red Cliff
Indian Child Welfare (RCICW) has added five more children to Bayfield County out-of-home
care costs, and are working on moving two family groups placed out of home to customary
adoptions. Monthly virtual meetings are being held between Family Services and RCICW to
discuss each situation and the plan of care for the child.
Cheryl added that Presley Nuutinen, the BC Family Specialist, has been doing a fantastic job
creatively meeting the needs of families and engaging the children and their families.
Minute Approval: Bev L made a motion to approve the October 14, 2020 FSAC
meeting minutes as written. Dale seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Minutes were approved
at the 4/14/2021 FSAC
meeting
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Other Informational Items: A lot of donations of gift cards, etc. were given over the
holidays by people wanting to help others in our community. One family “adopted” another
and bought/wrapped/donated gifts anonymously which created a memorable holiday for both
families!
A meeting has been scheduled by Memorial Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit in
February with Family Services to discuss the legal process of emergency detentions. Bayfield
County’s Corporate Counsel will also attend.
Bev P brought up that the grant request period for peer run respite services like Genesis 1990
in Ashland is now until April 14, 2021.
Mary reminded people that CORE has a food pantry that is open on Thursdays from 10-2 and
can arrange deliveries if needed along the south shore/Bayfield/Red Cliff/Washburn areas.
Committee members expressed gratitude to Cheryl for her leadership. And Cheryl thanked the
committee for their service advising on “unpopular” but important services to make a positive
impact on Bayfield County.
Future Meetings: 2021 meetings will continue quarterly on the second Wednesday of the
month on April 14th, July 14th, and October 13th.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Nina Bucher
Nina Bucher