HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/26/2011BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC, Bayfield County Annex
May 26, 2011
Board Members Present: Kenneth Jardine arrived @ 4:28 p.m., Clarence Henkel, Pat Carver
Jim Crandall, Dee Kittleson arrived @ 4:30, Wayne Williams
Board members absent: Ted Benson, Bill Bussey, Lona Schmidt
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Jeanine Spuhler,
Anita Haukaas
Call to Order and Introductions
E. Skulan called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
Opportunity for Public Comment –
None
Program Presentation – Aging & Disability Services Section, C. Linder
C. Lindner, Aging & Disability Manger, reported on the NEMT (non-emergency medical
transportation) brokerage for MA clients that will begin on July 1, 2011. Logisticare, based in
Atlanta, was awarded the contract for Wisconsin. Beginning June 17th, the call center for
Logisticare will open and prior authorize reimbursement for the medical transportation of MA
clients. At this current time, Family Care and IRIS consumers are excluded from NEMT through
Logisticare because those services are included in the consumers’ care plan.
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
WHEAP season ended on May 15th. Economic Support workers helped consumers that were
dealing with electrical disconnect notices. Bayfield County received $3,300 in Keep Wisconsin
Warm Funds (KWWF) to help residents with home heating bills. The KWWF funds provide a
safety net for the county’s most vulnerable residents including: the elderly, the disabled, and
families with young children. Bayfield County also received a monthly allocation of $3,000
from the Salvation Army. This is special grant funding that can be used to write vouchers for
amounts up to $300 to help needy families with rent, utilities or medical needs. Thirty-seven
consumers were assisted with this funding. Bayfield County’s Economic Support workers
continue to work hard to help people in need and to provide good customer service in spite of the
threat to their future employment included in Governor Walker’s budget.
Family Services –Anita Haukaas
Heidi Howes, Juvenile Mentor Project Coordinator, has tendered her resignation as of June 3,
2011. There is 18 months left in the grant and Bayfield County is looking to rehire the
contracted position through NWCEP. Currently there are 10 youth participating in the program.
The program has the capacity to serve 20 – 25 youth who meet the criteria. Out of home
placements have decreased and it is believed that this program has helped lower the number of
children who have had to be placed out of home. Social Worker Joseph Scribbins will start work
in Juvenile Justice and Child Protective Services on June 6, 2011. Anita has been working on
her narratives for the 2010 Annual Report. Bayfield County was recently notified by Red Cliff
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC, Bayfield County Annex
May 26, 2011
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Indian Child Welfare that due to their current caseloads, they are unable to investigate any new
reports of Child abuse or neglect. As a result, the Family Services unit has seen a slight increase
in child protective services reports.
Support Services – Nikki Revak
The 2010 Annual Aging & Disability Resource Center of the North expenditure report has been
completed and submitted to the State. Multiple notices were issued and mailed to MA clients
and volunteer drivers who have been receiving transportation reimbursement through Bayfield
County. These direct the clients and volunteer drives how to contact Logisticare, the new NEMT
broker. Staff is currently cleaning the vault and moving/downsizing the resource library. Staff
are currently working on collection accounts and transferring those accounts to the HE Stark
Agency.
Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
Bayfield and Ashland Counties are currently in a consortium to build stronger collaboration in
the Birth to Three Program. This consortium is ARRA funded and has increased collaboration
between families, providers and county Birth to Three staff. Karen Guski retired on May 16th.
Interviews for that position are scheduled on June 6th. Jan Bergst has tendered her resignation.
Her last day of work will be October 17th. We hope to have a replacement for Jan hired by
September 1, so that we have time for adequate cross-training. The Joint Finance Committee has
kept the Aging program funding intact. Beginning July 1, 2011 there will be a cap on Family
Care enrollment. New clients will only be enrolled through attrition, when a Family Care
members dies or moves out of the Family Care region.
Monthly Reports The monthly financial, training, and waiting list reports were reviewed and
placed on file.
2012 Budget – Discussion regarding budget development process for 2012
E. Skulan reviewed the Public Participation Planning Process and request for provider input for
the 2012 budget. On May 16th, notice of the Budget Hearing to be held on June 23, 2011 at 4:00
p.m. in the Bayfield County Board Room was sent to the media, advisory committee members
and staff.
Income Maintenance Statewide Model – Review of Power Point Presentation provided by
the Wisconsin Counties Human Services Association and update.
E. Skulan reviewed the Power Point presentation. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) is
developing fiscal papers on the two Income Maintenance (IM) models, the Department of Health
Services (DHS) model and one developed by counties. The paper will analyze both models and
it will be presented to the Joint Finance Committee next week. Both models now include a
state/county partnership. However, there are two major differences. The DHS model still uses a
statewide call center and annually reduces the Basic County Allocations by the local levy paid in
2009 for the overmatch in Income Maintenance. Whichever model is chosen, the change must
be implemented by April 2012. Bayfield County is currently discussing consortium options with
ten other northern counties.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC, Bayfield County Annex
May 26, 2011
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Review of the April 28, 2011 Minutes
Motion by D. Kittleson, seconded by C. Henkel to approve the minutes as presented. Motion
carried.
Prioritizing Specialized Transportation Policy – Review and consideration of approval of
draft policy.
C. Linder reviewed the policy that prioritizes Department of Transportation 85.21 funding for
those individuals 60 and older and individuals with a disability who are not eligible to receive
other public assistance benefits. The policy outlines the steps that staff will take to ensure that
individuals get the transportation that they are eligible for. The Aging & Disabilities Committee
reviewed the policy and recommended it to the DHS board for approval.
Motion by D. Kittleson, seconded by P.Carver, to approve the Prioritizing Specialized
Transportation Policy as presented. Motion carried.
Long-term Care District Board – Standing agenda item, update from Dee Kittleson
regarding activities and information from the long-term care district board.
D. Kittleson reviewed the “Current Membership as of April 21, 2011” handout. As noted above,
as of July 1, 2011, Northern Bridges will only be able to add clients through attrition.
Future Meetings
Future meeting dates were scheduled as follows:
A. June 23, 2011 (will include annual Public Hearing on 2012 Budget) County Board
Room
B. July 28, 2011
C. August 25, 2011 (date may change due to conflicts with Bayfield County Fair)
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned 5:45 p.m.
Submitted by Nikki Revak, Financial Manager