HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/26/2016BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
Bayfield County EOC
May 26, 2016
Board Members Present: Fred Strand, Jim Crandall, Rachel Coughtry; Larry Fickbohm,
Kent Seldal, Deb Pyne, Lona Schmidt
Board Members Excused: Pat Carver, Rusty Williams
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Anita Haukaas,
Jeanine Spuhler, Sheila Mack, JoAnn Paraventi, Denise Carlson
from Red Cliff Family/Human Services
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Introductions made.
Review of the April 28th, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Motion by Strand, seconded by Pyne, to approve the April 28th, 2016 minutes as presented.
Motioned passed unanimously.
Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person
None
Program Presentation – Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and General Overview of
Duties of an Elderly Benefit Specialist (EBS) – EBS Sheila Mack, Aging and Disability Services
Mack stated that the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program offers seniors an opportunity
to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from certified farmers. Guidelines
to participate in the program include income eligibility and age requirements of 60 or older, or
55 or older if Native American. Vouchers distributed in person on a first come, first served
bases. If an individual is unable to travel to the distribution site, an individual of their choosing
can pick up the vouchers on their behalf with the proper documentation. Vouchers sets are
distributed $25 per eligible household and may purchase fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs.
Bayfield County receives 154 voucher sets for distribution. The vouchers are valid from June 1,
to October 31 at participating farmers’ market or roadside stand. Farmers deposit vouchers in a
bank the same as cash.
(Item moved up on agenda)
Recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Adult Protective Services Social Worker JoAnn Paraventi announced June 15th is World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day. Bayfield and Ashland Counties are jointly raising awareness of the
“invisible” problem of elder abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation in our communities at a
Community Forum from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center on
Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Types of Elder Abuse include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect
or self-neglect, emotional abuse, exploitation, abandonment. The event is free and all are
welcome.
In 2015, DHS investigated 50 reports of elder abuse in Bayfield County. A banner about World
Elder Abuse Awareness day is on display. It is located on the lawn by the Courthouse in Bayfield
County with Pin Wheels representing each of the 50 elder abuse cases reported in 2015.
Remember to wear your purple shirt on the 15th to promote Elder Abuse Awareness.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
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Monthly Section Reports
Support Services – Nikki Revak
Due to a new hire in Aging and Disability Services two weeks prior to the anticipated start and
the vacation schedules of custodial staff, staff offices and equipment moves occurred sooner
than originally planned. It was a mad scramble to get the task done. However, everyone
pitched in and the result was great.
DHS fiscal staff is now facing a new and large challenge. We will be unable to get support for
the VW (Vissual Wissis) software used client/provider/budgeting/accounts payable systems in
the future. DHS has used VW since 1999 or 2000. The software developer will be retiring and
will no longer provide support to the program after December 2016. We are one of
approximately 14 counties statewide facing this dilemma. DHS is currently locating and
researching available options that to serve our needs. TCM or Clinical Data Solutions, a different
software will be made available to VW counties at no cost, if the counties are interested in
obtaining the software. Kathy Wolfram and Revak will attend a meeting in Waupaca with staff
from the County Clerk’s office on June 22 to see a demonstration of how the TCM software
interacts with the Waupaca County’s New World Accounting Software Program.
Revak reported that the full County Board plans to observe a moment of silence in honor of Bob
Wolfram at the next County Board meeting. DHS Bookkeeper Kathy Wolfram is very touched
by this thoughtful gesture.
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
An additional $3,600 crisis funds, for non-heating electric service is available for distribution in
the next few weeks to eligible households.
A new Veterans’ program began yesterday. Bayfield County received $4,291 to assist homeless
veterans with their first month rent, utilities hook up costs, etc.
Letters regarding the 2016 summer fill program went to Bayfield County households that heat
with propane and fuel oil. The State administers this program. Last year $30,000 of assistance
was provided to residents of Bayfield County.
Tammy Fisher the new FoodShare Employment and Training/Able Bodied Adult Without
Dependents (FSET/ABAWD) Limited term employee started on May 2, 2016. Fisher is
thoughtful, funny, motivated and halfway through her training. There were nine recent hires in
the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC). When counties in the consortium that
do not have an Economic Support Supervisor hire new staff, supervisors from other counties
are matched with the new staff to become mentors. Spuhler is currently mentoring a Forest
County NIMC worker. They are using a video connection to work together.
A question raised at a recent ES staffing inquired what increased job satisfaction. Danielle
Colby indicated that she would be very happy working on State Wage Information Collection
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Agency (SWICA) referrals full time. Colby is very motivated. Beginning May 9th Colby will be
completing this task full time. She will be able to focus on SWICA referrals, but will still working
on a team and as part of the consortium.
Family Services – Anita Haukaas
State staff met with Family Services staff for a Wisconsin Act 78 Review. Wisconsin Act 78
requires a review of reported cases of child death, serious injury and egregious incidents due to
maltreatment or suspected maltreatment. An incident involving the death of a young child
occurred in the fall of 2015 in Bayfield County. The death required a report within 24 hours.
The full investigation determined that the death that was not the result of maltreatment, but
was instead, a tragic accident. However, the State contacted DHS and indicated that a review
was required. A team arrived to conduct the review, but the case review did not occur as
anticipated. Instead, the focus of the meeting was on screening decisions. It was clear that
State staff felt Bayfield County was screening out too many child abuse/neglect referrals due to
an overall change made in the screening process. Haukaas registered to attend a series this fall
that provides extensive training on the State’s new approach to screening referrals. Haukaas
made the request for registration in May, prior to the Act 78 review. So, the discussion
centered on how Bayfield DHS can improve screening decisions prior to the training. Since DHS
embraces the concept of continual quality improvement, we are committed to continue to
work towards changing the process to improve screening decisions.
The Family Services Annual Meeting with Law Enforcement and the Bayfield County School
Districts was this morning. Doctor Lim, an Addictionologist for NorthLakes Community Clinic
opiate program was present and spoke on addiction.
There are currently eleven licensed foster homes in Bayfield County.
Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
The state has authorized additional funds for Bayfield County to serve more children on the
wait list for the (CLTS) Children’s Long Term Waiver program. Bayfield DHS is able to remove a
at least three children off the wait list and serve them with new CLTS funds. There are currently
eight children on the list.
Interviews took place last Friday. Courtney Remacle accepted the position of Social Work Aide
and will start on June 13th. The Aging and Disability Services Specialist position offer is not yet
accepted.
The First Response Approaching Alzheimer’s training was held on May 25th at two separate sites
in Bayfield County. Forty-six individuals attended.
Monthly Reports
The monthly reports reviewed and placed on file. Final numbers for 2015 are not yet reconciled
with the State.
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Office of Inspector General (OIG) Audit of the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS)
Program – Preliminary Results
Skulan reported that the full preliminary findings of the audit were in the board packet. The
State reviewed six cases each from 21 counties and found that 80% to 100% of the cases lacked
complete documentation and did not comply with administrative code. Bayfield County was
89% non-compliant. DHS worked with New Horizons North to provide the addition data
required. Skulan submitted an appeal letter and copies of the documentation to the Office of
Inspector General. We are waiting for the response.
Wage Schedule Study Appeals – Report on Status
Skulan reviewed the wage study completed and retroactive to January 1 and the appeal process
available to staff. Three DHS employees appealed. Carlson Dettmann recommended that two of
the positions move to a higher category. In both cases, rating for the education and experience
were incorrect. Skulan agreed with the recommendations of the consultants. However, the
Personnel Committee voted to deny all appeals without reviewing the appeals, the
recommendations, or considering any of the appeals on their individual merit. Skulan, Revak,
Bookkeeper Kathy Wolfram and Clerk Sarah Traaholt attended the Personnel Committee
meeting to advocate that the committee reconsider the decision to deny all appeals and to ask
that they review each appeal and recommendation individually.
2017 Budget – Review of Process
Skulan reviewed the memo to request Department Head input on one-time expenditures and
her response. She also reviewed draft documents for the 2017 DHS budget process. The Public
Hearing will be held at the next DHS Board Meeting on June 23rd beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the
County Board Room.
Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North – New Governing Board Appointment,
Bayfield County
Crandall’s term on the ADRC-N Governing Board expires June 30, 2016. DHS must identify a
County Board Supervisor to take his place. The governing board meets quarterly in Cable.
Motion by Strand, second by Fickbohm, to appoint Coughtry to the Aging and Disability
Resource Center of the North Governing Board. Motion passed unanimously.
2015 Aging Unit Self-Assessment – Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR)
Response
Linder shared the results of the self-assessment. Linder reported that due to an increase in
meal sites located at local restaurants, the State has introduced new language in the policy and
procedure manual. In the future, a staff person is required to be on site at all senior meal sites
held in restaurants to provide oversite of donations, registrations, and meals served. The new
Social Worker Aide will perform this duty. The number of meals served in the senior meal
program at the Time Out Restaurant has increased more than 5% compared to last year.
However, Linder reported that there is a corresponding 5% decrease in home delivered meals
in 2016.
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Letter from Almost Home Again, LLC
Skulan reviewed the letter from residential care facility, Almost Home Again, LLC. Residential
facilities licensed by the State of Wisconsin must notify all counties who have placements at
their facility when involved in a potential lawsuit for punitive damages related to neglect and
wrongful death. Bayfield has two residents currently placed at Almost Home Again. After some
investigation regarding the situation, the determination was that the Bayfield County residents
placed at Almost Home will remain there.
Wisconsin Child Psychiatry Consultation Program
To meet the needs in rural areas, the State is piloting this new program. Skulan contacted Red
Cliff, St. Luke’s and NorthLakes to determine if their physicians enrolled in the program. All
three facilities are using the service and find it very helpful. The professionals in the
consultation program do not treat patients but will help a local medical professional assess a
child and recommend a treatment plan or offer other suggestions. The program is free to
physicians.
Other (Informational Items)
A. Note regarding Home Delivered Meal Program
B. Family Care/IRIS @2.0 Memo from Keep our Care at Home
Future Meetings
A. June 23 (Meeting and Public Hearing for Input on the 2017 Budget)
B. July 28, 2016
C. August 25, 2016
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p m.
Submitted by Nikki Revak, Financial Manager