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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/31/2012BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC, Bayfield County Annex May 31, 2012 Board Members Present: Clarence Henkel, Rusty Williams (left @ 5:20 p.m.), Pat Carver Jim Crandall, Bill Bussey, Lona Schmidt, Ted Benson, Dee Kittleson Board members absent: Harold Maki Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Anita Haukaas, Jeanine Spuhler, Tom Moran Call to Order and Introductions R. Williams called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Introductions were made. Review of the April 26, 2012 Minutes Motion by W. Bussey, second by C. Henkel to approve the minutes as presented, with side note from J. Crandall that “Sheriff” is spelt with one “r”. Motion carried. Opportunity for Public Comment – No public comment. Program Presentation – Court Ordered Custody Studies, Tom Moran, Family Services Tom Moran, Social Worker, Family Services Section, provided a presentation on court ordered custody studies. Moran reported that when there is a dispute over custody in a divorce and the dispute cannot be resolved in mediation, the court must proceed with a custody determination. A custody study is ordered and must be performed by a county social service agency. In Bayfield County, custody studies are performed by Moran. A guardian ad litem is appointed by the court. The guardian ad litem is an employee charged with determining the best interests of the child. Moran goes into the home(s) and meets with the parties involved. Moran confers with the guardian ad litem. A written report is developed which includes Moran’s recommendations to the court. In addition, a verbal recommendation is provided by the guardian ad litem. The court considers facts relevant to the best interest of the child when making a custody decision. A fee of $150 is assessed to both parents. The fee is paid directly the county social service agency. The study is not initiated until both parties have submitted the fee. Once the custody decision is made, the court order remains in place for two years unless there is a substantial change in circumstances that weighted in the determination of the original custody determination. Monthly Section Reports Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its decision in the Helen E.F. case. The court determined that a person who has dementia is not a proper subject for treatment under Ch. 51, Stats., and therefore may not be involuntarily committed. The Court held that the Helen E.F case is more appropriately treated under the provisions provided in Ch.55. This is a challenging issue for the emergent placement of individuals with dementia. This issue is not specific to Bayfield County. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC, Bayfield County Annex May 31, 2012 2 It is a statewide problem, although the concerns are greater for small counties who lack extensive geriatric services. Work continues for the three year Aging Unit Plan. Alzheimer is one of the four focus areas included on the plan. The ADRC-N Disability Benefit Specialist (DBS) located in Sawyer County, has tendered her resignation as of June 22, 2012. Cases will be prioritized and transitioned to Jamie Mackin, DBS specialist located in Bayfield County. Two hundred seniors have applied for the Farmers Market vouchers to use for purchase of local fresh produce. Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler The W-2 program is changing. Beginning January 1, 2013, the program will be regionalized and contractors will be reimbursed based on pay for performance. Bayfield County received $238 incentive allocation based on last year’s performance and placed third statewide in the incentive allocation. Energy season ended May 15th; there were 80 fewer cases than the previous energy season. Crisis funds are now being distributed to eligible consumers and will provide additional support for those on low fixed incomes. Examples of how the crisis funds are used this time of year include proactive payments and pre-purchase of fuel to lock in at a better fixed rate. The Income Maintenance (IM) Program continues to evolve. A number of technology changes are scheduled for June 1 and the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium is currently benefitting from technical support that we receive directly from the state. Family Services –Anita Haukaas More community partners will receive training from the First Witness Program. First Witness focuses on interviewing small children to determine if they have been subject to abuse. Bayfield County applied for a grant and received funding from the Department of Justice to cover the training costs. Family Services staff met with Aging and Disability staff, Carrie Linder and Michele Ochsner, to collaborate on how both sections can better serve the needs of disabled children receiving services through both sections. These are children that are participants of the Family Support and/or Children’s Long Term Services Programs. Bayfield County Teen Court staff and Ian Meeker, met with Doug Liphart, Ashland County Teen Court to discuss how the local program differs from the Teen Court in Ashland County. It was immediately apparent that the source of referrals in Ashland County differs from those in Bayfield County, which may account for the larger number of youth participating in the Ashland Teen Court experience. In Ashland County, referrals come directly from the court and law enforcement, whereas in Bayfield County the referrals come primarily from Family Services Juvenile Court Intake. Action steps were developed to make changes that might increase referrals to Bayfield County Teen Court. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC, Bayfield County Annex May 31, 2012 3 The Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, August 22 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Bayfield County Board Room. Attendees will include staff from Family Services, Bayfield County schools, law enforcement, and the Red Cliff Tribe. Family Service staff is collaboratively working with Red Cliff tribe to purchase a Juvenile Assessment tool through the Office of Justice Assistance for fiscal 2013. The assessments will aid staff in determining the best evidence based service to refer children to so that they receive the right services at the right time. Staff is seeking additional county partners as there may be ongoing cost benefits in recruiting partners. Bayfield County Judge Anderson is anxious for this instrument to be implemented. Support Services – Nikki Revak Support staff has completed a month on the Income Maintenance Clerical workgroup call change center. Support staff is doing a fine job with these new job duties and the consensus was “that it is getting better as we do it more”. The following items have been completed and filed with the State of Wisconsin for 2011: The Aging and Disability Resource of the North 2011 Consortium Expenditure Report; the W-2 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) Report; the WIMCR (Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Report) for targeted case management and Community Support Program; and the 942 Expenditure Report and the Human Services Revenue Report. The last report is used to capture data related to total gross expenditures by revenue source for all human services programs. Monthly Reports The monthly financial, training, and waiting list reports were reviewed and placed on file. 2012 III D Preventative Health Grant Addendum – Review and approval of an addendum C. Linder reviewed the addition of the falls prevention “Stepping On” program to the Preventative Health Grant. Motion by J. Crandall, second by L. Schmidt, to approve the addition of the Stepping On program to the Preventative Health Grant. Motion carried. Budget process 2013 – Review of budget process and issues E. Skulan reviewed the 2013 budget process plan. On May 8th letters were sent to current providers asking for their input at the June 28th meeting. W2 (Wisconsin Works) Request for Proposal – Review of options, recommendation for action E. Skulan gave a summary on the State’s request for proposal and the pros and cons of the options. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC, Bayfield County Annex May 31, 2012 4 Motion by W. Bussey, second by P. Carver, to recommend the discontinuation the W-2 program as of the end of the year, unless circumstances change. Motion carried. Chair R. Williams left at 5:22 due to a prior commitment, Vice Chair D. Kittleson presided in his absence. BadgerCare Plus Changes – Review of information provided by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services J. Spuhler reported that policy changes to BadgerCare will negatively impact a number of non- disabled, non-pregnant adults across the state. The changes include higher premiums, more stringent eligibility criteria, and the elimination of retroactive eligibility. Children have been exempted from the policy changes. Economic workers will have training next week on the program changes. High Cost Placement Projections 2012 – Review of estimates for unanticipated high cost placements 2012 E. Skulan reported that due to placements at Lincoln Hills and the Mendota Mental Health Institute, the Family Services Section is currently anticipating a budget deficit in excess of $150,000 in 2012. Employment Data – Review of 2008 – 2012 data collected locally and from surrounding other counties E. Skulan reviewed data from 2008 to present that she compiled documenting Department turnover and comparative turnover in three neighboring counties. Department of Human Services Board Membership – Review of current membership and upcoming changes E. Skulan reported that T. Benson has tendered his resignation as of the July board meeting. Benson is assisting in the recruitment of a new citizen member form the Cable area to replace him. The term of Bayfield area Citizen Board Member Patti Carver is expiring in June. Patti has expressed her interest in serving another term. Carver’s appointment to another term will be placed on the agenda for the June meeting. Update Income Maintenance Regional Model – Update on information received regarding the January 1, 2012 implementation of regional J. Spuhler reported that the wait times for consumers on the call change center are decreasing; and that agents are able to complete the calls in a shorter period of time. 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 reported that she is still the Bayfield County representative appointed to the NorthernBridges Governing Board. There is nothing new to report at this time. The Department of Human Services Board may entertain a motion to move in and out of Executive Session pursuant to S19.85(1)(f); considering financial, medical, social or BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC, Bayfield County Annex May 31, 2012 5 personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where part (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations and pursuant to 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of a public employee. Motion by W. Bussey at 5:39 p.m., second by C. Henkel, to move into Executive Session. Motion passed. Motion by J. Crandall at 6:00 p.m., second by T. Benson, to move out of Executive Session. Motion passed. Discussion and possible action regarding Executive Session Motion by W. Bussey, second by C. Henkel, to recommend approval of the reclassification of Social Worker Angela Hernandez from a Social Worker I to a Social Worker II to the Personnel Committee. Motion passed. Other (Informational Items) A. Juanita Mortimer reported her past positive working experience as an Adult Home provider. She specifically enjoyed working with Bayfield County employee Patti Carlson and past employees Karen Guski and Jan Bergst. B. Anita Haukaas has been appointed to a statewide crisis work group at the request of the Department of Health Services regional office. Future Meetings Future meeting dates were scheduled as follows: A. June 28, 2012 (Will be held in the County Board Room and begin with public hearing for development of 2013 DHS budget) B. July 26, 2012 C. August 23, 2012 Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. Submitted by Nikki Revak, Financial Manager