HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 3/26/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
Bayfield County EOC
March 26, 2015
Board Members Present: Fred Strand, Jim Crandall, Kent Seldal, John Bennett, Pat Carver,
Bill Bussey arrived at 4:36
Board Members Excused: Rusty Williams, Deb Pyne, Lona Schmidt
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Jeanine Spuhler,
Anita Haukaas, Jessica Leinon-Novascone (left after her
presentation)
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Introductions were made.
Review of the February 26, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Carver, seconded by Seldal, to approve the minutes as presented. Motioned passed
unanimously.
Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person
None
Program Presentation –Mental Health Functional Screen, Family Services Section, Social
Worker Jessica Leinon-Novascone
Leinon-Novascone, gave an overview of the eligibility screen for Mental Health (MH) and
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Services which she has been trained on. The Wisconsin
Functional Eligibility Screen for MH/AODA is a secure on-line functional needs assessment with
programmed logic to determine eligibility for: Community Support Program (CSP);
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS); and Community Options Program (COP). This
functional screen determines eligibility for MH/AODA programs for persons age 18 and over.
This is an eligibility screen and not a complete assessment.
Potential consumers are referred for services through various avenues in the community. The
screening asks various questions and is normally done in the consumer’s home or here in the
agency on a paper form. Once a release has been signed by the consumer, collateral
information is gathered from counselors, doctors or community members. The functional
screen information is then entered in the software program which will then indicate if the
consumer is functionally eligible for one of the programs. The majority of the screenings are
voluntary.
All CSP consumers need to have an annual screening. There is a wait list which is date based,
although it may be modified at the Department’s discretion should there be someone with a
severe need for services.
Leinon-Novascone stated that she averages approximately five screenings per month.
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Monthly Section Reports
Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
Linder participated in Superior Days in Madison and presented on dementia issues. From
Madison, she went on vacation and brought the sun back for us.
Patti Carlson and Karen Guski have completed their limited term work in adult protective
services and training Michele Reiswig. Given the skill set and knowledge that both Carlson and
Guski possess, the training process went very well. Reiswig has been doing a nice job and is
learning quickly.
There was an enormous number of referrals to the Birth to Three program at the beginning of
the year. Currently there are ongoing issues with the lack of a speech and language therapist
for the Birth to Three program. Northern Lights is the contract provider for the Birth to Three
therapies and due to stricter accreditation criteria for Birth to Three than the standards for
schools, hospitals, and nursing home, they are finding it difficult to recruit qualified therapists.
Discussions are ongoing with both Douglas and Sawyer County Birth to Three programs to
possibly recruit a full time position for the northern region. Currently, any of the three counties
would not need a full time therapist position for Birth to Three. Staff is doing their best to
make sure that the children are getting the services they need. The team based approach is
helpful in ensuring that appropriate services are provided. If a child needs two of the
prescribed disciplines, the program identifies a single therapist to provide those disciplines and
a primary therapist consults with and gets support from the team. This is a new concept and a
way to provide services while minimizing the number of therapists needed to make home visits
to provide the service in the child’s natural environment – which is a requirement of the
program.
Birth to Three Coordinator Jennifer Leask was hired by and is contracted from Ashland County.
Jennifer Leask has hit the ground running and is moving the program forward. Unfortunately,
Jennifer missed one family contact by a few days. This missed contact will show up on the next
file review. The Birth to Three program will have a new set of recommendations after the
review and timelines may be included in the focus areas. Now that Jennifer is fully trained, the
same mistake is unlikely to occur again.
Linder attended the annual Interagency Birth to Three meeting with the Bayfield County School
Districts. The schools have asked us to find ways to assist Birth to Three families build
relationships with the school district before their child turns three years of age. Making the
school aware of the needs of children with disabilities coming in the school district will help the
school better prepare for the student’s needs and make for a smoother transition for the child
and family. Birth to Three program staff cannot inform the schools about potential special
needs students without a parental release.
On Monday, March 23rd the Aging and Disability elderly nutrition staff met for the first quarterly
meeting of 2015. Since the last quarterly meeting, there has been a change in staff. There was
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sharing of information and suggested improvements. One recommendation was as the Dairy
State perhaps we could serve butter instead of Promise margarine. The dietary
recommendation is one teaspoon of fat. The change will take effect on May 1.
Linder met with Nikki Revak to finish two financial reports for 2014.
Support Services – Nikki Revak
The final reports for 2014 were submitted to the Departments of Health Services and Children
and Families. The 2014 reconciliation process is underway for: Children’s Long Term Support
Waiver, Family Support, Birth to Three and Community Option programs. The reports are due
to the state by April 3rd.
DHS received another new vehicle, a 2015 Ford Fusion hybrid. Staff has commented that it is a
nice ride.
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
The DHS Management Team received training to open a temporary shelter in the event of a
small or large scale emergency due to a manmade or natural disaster. At the training, the
“Annex F”, which describes the role of Human Services in an emergency was updated.
Emergency Management Coordinator Jan Victorson facilitated the meeting. A second meeting
will be held to complete the update on the “Annex F”.
An agency plan was developed to respond to utility disconnects that may occur after April 16th
when the winter moratorium of disconnections (November 1 – April 15) is lifted. It is
anticipated that the majority of crisis funds will be depleted for Bayfield County once the
disconnects begin.
All members of the Economic Support section recently attended DHS training in Ladysmith. The
training focused on the April 1st implementation of time-limited FoodShare benefits for able
bodied adults without dependents.
Annual renewals for the BadgerCare childless adults program will start soon and be ongoing for
the next couple of months.
There is additional funding available to the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC)
due to the the new requirement for the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) Program
and Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs). The additional funding is ongoing and
will fund three full-time IM positions. We anticipate that Bayfield County limited term
affordable care act staff will apply for the positions. The positions are open to all NIMC limited
term staff and the hiring will be based on the employee’s performance data as well as input
from the local supervisor, their team lead, and the director of the county they are employed by.
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Family Services – Anita Haukaas
The Parent Peer Specialist that works with the Family Treatment Court has resigned. Since
Gemini Cares, Inc., the leasing firm that Bayfield County contracted with, has given notice that
they are closing, a request has been made to hire for this twelve hour per week position.
Staffing:
Courtney Rauschenbach is doing a great job. She recently attended court as the
secondary social worker on a case.
Kelsey Byard is also doing well. She had her first day in court as the primary social
worker without a secondary social worker present.
There are a number of complex child protective cases at this time. Rebecca Kruit is
handling them well.
We have recently received multiple Child Welfare reports on some families. Rauschenbach and
Byard are making contacts with those families. Some of the children are being referred to the
Comprehensive Community Services program with hopes that this will make a positive
difference to those families. Other services may be offered. However, because child welfare
reports do not rise to the level of child abuse or neglect, although we can offer services, we
cannot compel a family to accept them, to respond to contacts from DHS, or to work with us.
Family Services staff had a meeting the ICW regarding documentation for face to face meetings
with children in out of home placement.
A meeting was held with AODA Red Cliff regarding the contract for 2015.
On March 13 Haukaas attended training on Interviewing Individuals with Disabilities presented
by Pam Malin. This was held in the EOC and was well attended by area Human Services Staff.
The training was scheduled and facilitated by the Aging and Disability Services Section.
Monthly Reports
The monthly reports were reviewed and placed on file.
If excess funds are available from 2014, the committee discussed the potential for requesting a
carryover of funds. Carryover funds would be held in the Risk Reserve and used in the event
that the state declines to reimburse expenses related to the initial development of the
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program.
Status of 2015 161 Agreement
Skulan reported that the Tribe took great exception to changes made the contract at the last
DHS committee meeting. Corporation Council updated the agreement. Bayfield County will
execute the agreement yet this week and forward to the Red Cliff Tribal Attorney Dave Ujke. It
is believed the issues involving the contract have been resolved.
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Family Services Advisory Committee Appointment Approval – Beverly Lindell
Skulan reported that although the Family Services Advisory Committee lacked a quorum at the
last meeting, members present asked the DHS board to strongly consider appointing Beverly
Lindell to the committee.
Motion by Carver, seconded by Strand, to appoint Beverly Lindell to the Family Services
Advisory Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Home Delivered Meal Waiting List Policy Approval
Greater Wisconsin Area Aging Resource (GWAAR) has recommended that Bayfield County have
a Wait List Policy for the Home Delivered Meal Program. The policy would go into effect should
DHS reach or exceed its capacity to provide senior meals. The policy was reviewed and
approved by the Aging and Disability Advisory Committee.
Motion by Carver, seconded by Bennett, to approve the “Home Delivered Meal Waiting List
Policy”. Motion passed unanimously.
2015-2017 State Biennial Budget – Wisconsin Counties Association Summary of Governor’s
Proposal, Second Draft pages 4 – 21
Skulan reviewed some of the changes with regards to DHS.
Resolution 2015-01 To Retain Existing Model of Family Care
Skulan reported that this resolution recommends that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
pass a resolution supporting that Wisconsin retain its existing, successful and cost-effective
model of ADRCs and Family Care until stakeholders are included in pursuing opportunities to
improve the quality and effectiveness of the long-term care delivery system.
Motion by Bussey, seconded by Carver, to “remove the (potentially for-profit)” and the last
“and” before “BE IT…” and send on the Full County Board. Motion passed unanimously.
Other (Informational Items)
A. E-mail from Mark Hale Regarding CCS Certification
B. March 10, 2015 Memo, CCCW
C. WI Public Radio, Dementia Care Resources Stretched Thin in Northern Wisconsin
(Kudos to Carrie Linder for her presentation at Superior Days)
D. Survival Coalition Article on State Budget
E. Survival Coalition Overview of FL, KS, CA long term care (LTC) approaches in
contrast to Wisconsin Model
Future Meetings
A. April 23, 2015
B. May 28, 2015
C. June 25, 2015 (EOC, Begin with Public Hearing on 2016 DHS Budget)
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Before adjournment, question from Crandall regarding GeminiCares, Inc. Crandall asked if
notice was provided to Bayfield County or state wide. Skulan reported that it is state wide and
it is rumored to have been stimulated in part by the Governor’s proposed budget on Family
Care. GeminiCares will cease services as of May 31, 2015.
Currently discussions proposal are being solicited from a number of organizations including:
Premier Solution; Lori Knapp, Inc.; and North County Independent Living.
DHS may also request the hire of occasional or limited employees through the county.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Submitted by Nikki Revak, Financial Manager