HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 10/22/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
Bayfield County EOC
October 22, 2015
Board Members Present: Fred Strand, Jim Crandall, Lona Schmidt, Pat Carver (left @ 5:04),
Kathy Wendling, Kent Seldal
Board Members Excused: John Bennett, Deb Pyne, Rusty Williams
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Anita Haukaas,
Mark Abeles-Allison (left at 5:00 p.m.)
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Introductions were made.
Review of the September 22, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Strand, seconded by Carver, to approve the September 22, 2015 minutes as
presented. Motioned passed unanimously.
Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person
None
Program Presentation – Aging and Disability Services, Dementia Friendly Business, Jack
Holevatz Aging and Disability Services Specialist
Holevatz reported that in 2010, Bayfield County had the fourth largest percentage of
populations over age 65 in Wisconsin’s counties. With age being the biggest risk factor for
developing some type of dementia, it is of great importance to determine how we can make
changes today to support our communities in the near future.
A dementia friendly community is one that demonstrates a high level of public awareness and
understanding of dementia. Persons with dementia are enabled to live as independently as
possible and are encouraged to continue to be part of a community where they are met with
understanding and given support where necessary.
Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning serious enough to interfere with daily function.
Dementia causes changes in: memory, language, thought, navigation, behaviors,
personality/mood, planning and organizing. There are no obvious physical signs to indicate that
someone has dementia.
Good customer service skills with individuals with dementia includes: calm, positive and
friendly demeanor; smile; good eye contact; approach from the front within the individual’s line
of vision; reach out and introduce yourself; put the person at ease; allow them to take their
time; and patience.
The goal for Bayfield and Ashland Counties is to develop an educated, understanding
community to reduce the social stigma associated with memory loss. This will ease fear and
isolation. By easily accessing local resources, people are enabled to live well with dementia in
their own community.
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One in five people over the age of 65 will have some type of memory loss due to dementia. The
number increases to one in two for individuals who are over the age of 85. Look for the Purple
Angel symbol to identify businesses whose staff is trained to be “Dementia Friendly”.
Intake and Assistance staff, Jack Holevatz and Ann Marie Mackin, are both qualified to provide
the Dementia Friendly Business training. Please feel free to contact them or refer businesses to
them directly to acquire Dementia Friendly Business training.
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
The Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) Supervisors are preparing for
implementation of “On Demand Application and Renewal Interviews”. On demand applications
will begin January 1, 2016. NIMC is piloting this new state program. NIMC staff will have
changes in their job duties with the new pilot. Clerical Call Center staff will no longer assist with
telephonic signatures. The amount of Affordable Care Act funding (PPACA) available in this
biennium is still uncertain. As a result, three of seven PPACA staff has been notified that their
employment with the NIMC consortium may end December 31, 2015. One PPACA staff who
received notice is a Bayfield County employee.
The 2015/2106 Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) season began on the first
of October. As of today, 73 WHEAP applications have been processed and 71 more have been
received, but not processed. There is a marked decrease in face-to-face interviews this heating
season compared to previous years, likely due to the nice weather this fall.
Statewide Real Time Eligibility will be launched later this month. Individuals will be able to
access state data base(s) to determine eligibility for health care programs and may have
temporary cards issued to them via their home computer and printer. This will streamline
health care accessibility for a select few. Individuals without home Internet access can access
the Internet free at their local public library.
Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
A “Free Brain Wellness Check” handout was distributed. On November 4th memory screenings
will be conducted at five sites in Bayfield County. On November 12th the Iron River Community
Center will host a memory screening in coordination with the monthly senior congregate.
The 2016 – 2018 Aging Plan will be finalized shortly. A public hearing will be held on November
9th for review and approval at the Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee meeting.
The Birth-to- Three evidence based outcome process called Primary Coach to Teaming training
is going well. The team “practiced” the entire process by interviewing a few staff that has young
children. This has helped develop the process and strengthen the team. A qualified Speech and
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
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Language Pathologist (SLP) has not yet been recruited, but efforts continue to find an
appropriate therapist. In the meantime, consumers are referred to The Northlakes for SLP
therapy and the county is responsible for the payment for the therapy. Without a SLP therapist
on the team, the Primary Coach to Teaming does not work for children who only require SLP.
Linder is serving on the Member/Patient committee at Memorial Medical Center (MMC). She
has valued the experience and is learning the responsibilities that hospitals are charged with as
well as the processes they must follow with patients. Regular ongoing surveys from the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are sent to MMC patients for input. Linder asked the
DHS Board Members to share personal input or statements that they have heard from the
community regarding care at MMC.
Family Services – Anita Haukaas
Family Services is sharing an intern who is also working with the Clerk of Courts office. She will
be assisting Family Services staff with miscellaneous projects.
The Community Intervention Program for 2014 – 2015 report has been completed and
submitted to the State.
The Independent Living Program will be regionalized in 2017. Historically, Bayfield County has
not utilized all of the annual funding for this program as it is for voluntary services provided to
children aging out of out of home placements. Bayfield County has few children who meet the
criteria and usually the children are no longer interested in continuing to work with a social
worker.
On Monday, October 20th a Foster Care provider training was held. Guest Speaker Dianne
Heapy talked about grief and loss. Foster parents experience loss when children in their care
leave their homes, either to return to their biological family or if they can no longer care for
children who have been placed with them. Feedback after the training was very positive. Seven
foster parents participated in the training.
Rachel Obiden, Alcohol and other Drug Abuse (AODA) Coordinator has been doing a wonderful
job. Obiden was able to assist two organizations apply for Prevention Grant funds. Funds will
be used to inform the public about local AODA resources.
Cheryl Hanson, Mental Health Coordinator, has completed all of the functional screens for
current Community Support Program (CSP) clients. Functional screens still need to be
completed on the waitlist clients.
Family Services staff is enjoying it’s flexible work schedule and are working well together to
ensure adequate coverage.
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October 22, 2015
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Support Services – Nikki Revak
Revak reviewed the Clerk I, Clerk II, Clerk III, Bookkeeper, and Financial Manager job
descriptions and worked with Skulan to complete them for the new wage study.
Revak worked with the Aging and Disability Resource of the North (ADRC-N) Coordinator, Barb
Peterson in responding to budget questions from an ADRC-N Governing Board Committee
Member.
Work is being completed on the Northern Income Maintenance Budget for Bayfield County
Income Maintenance workers.
Revak and Ashland Financial Manager, Pete Herlevi met with Lori Hanson from New Horizon’s
North regarding the Comprehensive Community Service Program. Discussion centered on how
both counties will reconcile program expenses to program revenues for the contracted services.
Monthly Reports
EAS reviewed the year to date budget. Current projections indicated that, although we will
likely need to introduce a resolution in December to increase DHS’s annual spending limit for
2015, the budget will not exceed current county levy limits.
The monthly reports were reviewed and placed on file.
Income Maintenance Operational Analysis Next Steps
Skulan referred to an e-mail from NIMC Regional Managers Doreen Lang dated October 9th
regarding the statewide Income Maintenance Operational Analysis completed by Deloitte. The
State’s next steps will be to work with each consortium to develop a program improvement
plan that will identify areas of improvement to address deficiencies.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue – Mandate Relief Waiver Request
Skulan reported that counties are required to request an audit from any provider who is paid
more than $25,000 per year with state and/or federal funds. Audit fees can be very costly for
small businesses to meet the audit requirements. The law allows counties to request relief from
the audit requirement for providers that are paid less than $75,000 per year. Skulan requested
a waiver for the next two year period. A copy of the letter is in the board packet.
Reclassification Requests
Skulan presented the reclassifications, with Revak in attendance, to the Personnel Committee
on October 1, 2015. Social Workers Stacy Schmidt and Crystal Clark-Gregoire’s request to be
reclassified from a Social Worker I to a Social Worker II were approved.
Carver left the meeting at 5:04
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October 22, 2015
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New Wage Study and Wage Schedule
Since implementation of the current Wage Schedule on January 1, 2013, many concerns have
been raised by staff and department heads. The County Board of Supervisors has heard the
concerns and has solicited an updated study and schedule to be completed by Carlson Dettman
Consulting LLC. The DHS Management team worked with Skulan to update/revise DHS job
descriptions. Twenty-one DHS job descriptions were reviewed and forwarded to Mark Abeles-
Allison. Per the County Administrator, it is hoped that new wage study could be completed by
the end of January, 2016 with a possible implementation date following.
Motion by Sedal, second by Schmidt, to make a recommendation that any positive change in
salaries be retroactive to January 1, 2016. Motion passed unanimously.
A request was made to share the meeting minutes with this resolution highlighted with the
County Administrator, Mark Abeles Allison and the County Board Chair, Dennis Pocernich.
Staffing Updates
Four new DHS staff must complete five social work classes in order to qualify for the test to
become certified social workers within the next two years. Currently, Wausau is the closest
location where staff can complete the education. Attempts to have the courses held in Ashland
or Hayward beginning October 19, 2015 failed. Staff is finding the travel and the cost of the
training to be prohibitive. The tuition for each course is $1,600 and do not qualify for student
loans. One of the suggestions by DHS Board Members was to talk with Mark Abeles-Allison
regarding possible financial assistance from Bayfield County to assist with paying for the
courses. Also suggested was to use this issue as a topic for Superior Days.
Britt Sirrine tendered notice of her resignation. Her last day will be October 30, 2015. We are
sad to see her leave. We are accepting applications for the vacancy. Applications are due on
November 8th.
Other (Informational Items)
A. Wisconsin Counties Human Services Association Fall Conference Notice
B. Thank you note To Home Delivered Meal Van Driver Lorraine Benson
C. Two E-Mails thanking Brittany Sirrine
D. Future of Long Term Care article by Tom Frazier
E. E-mail from Lisa Hassenstab Director, Wisconsin Counties Human Services
Association (WCHSA) regarding referral of Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
F. Transcription of a voice mail from a consumer thanking Sheila Mack
Future Meetings
A. November/December Meeting – Tuesday, December 1, 2015 beginning with
Holiday potluck at 3:30
B. January 28, 2016
C. February 25, 2016
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
Bayfield County EOC
October 22, 2015
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Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
Submitted by Nikki Revak, Financial Manager