HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 1/25/2018BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC
January 25, 2018
Board Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, Lona Schmidt, Rachel Coughtry, Jim Crandall,
Pat Carver (left at 5:10), Deanne Allen, Fred Strand (left at 5:45),
Kent Seldal
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Jeanine Spuhler, Carrie Linder,
Cheryl Hanson, Sarah Traaholt, Mark Abeles-Allison, Barbara
Flynn, Shannon Esala (NorthLakes), April Lincoln (NorthLakes)
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Introductions were made.
Review of the December 5th Meeting Minutes
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Carver, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed
unanimously.
Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person
None
Program Presentation – Family Services – Northlakes, Opioid Treatment and Services
Bayfield County is working on informing the public about Opioid addiction and its negative
effects on individuals, children and families. NorthLakes staff April Lincoln and Shannon Esala
were introduced. Lincoln discussed the Matrix Model which is used to treat addiction.
NorthLakes uses an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) program which is used for addictions, including
gambling. There is an accelerated intake process of 24-48 hours, which sets the program apart
from others in the area. A Recovery Nurse sees patients first to assess the participant and
process a preadmission. The program often involves sessions 4 to 5 days a week, depending on
programs and therapies selected, which are customized to the individual. Treatment is offered
for a minimum of 16 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks. NorthLakes is seeing an increase in
the number of patients. They currently have approximately 200 participants enrolled in
Ashland, Bayfield and Sawyer Counties. Most participants are voluntary. Lincoln highlighted
some data that Northlakes has gathered from the 200 participants. Upon entry into the
program: 50% of the urine analysis’ (UA) tested positive for opiates; 18% were positive for
stimulant drugs; 16% were positive for marijuana; and 16% were positive for benzos and
alcohol. Approximately 50% of the participants are male and 50% female. Participants cover a
large age span, from youth to over 60. NorthLakes does not reject anyone seeking treatment
due to an inability to pay. They assist the participant in getting insurance or offer a sliding fee
scale. The preadmission program is not available to OWI offenders or teens in Ashland or
Bayfield Counties.
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
The Management Team attended the County Tribal Relations committee meeting in Red Cliff,
January 25th. Red Cliff is sponsoring a Battling Substance Abuse program on Feb 13th from
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Noon – 7:00 p.m. at Legendary Waters Event Center. The program is open to the general
public.
Neil Hulmer is retiring on January 31st. Hulmer was hired in 1989, he has provided 28.5 years of
service. Neil, and his wealth of knowledge, will certainly be missed. We wish him all the best!
Tammy Fisher submitted her resignation notice. January 31st will be her last full day. Fisher will
be working part-time through mid-March to assist during the recruitment and hiring process for
new workers. We wish her luck in her new endeavor!
Actively recruiting for three positions. One position will be hired as a regular full-time worker
funded with a combination of state and county funding. The other two positions will be hired as
limited-term employees (LTE) and paid for by the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium
(NIMC). Food Share Employment and Training/Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents
(FSET/ABAWD) funding will be used for one position. The other will be funded with Enhanced
Medicaid (EMA) funds for a period of two years. The new EMA funded LTE will be in an office
space that will be created from a full cubicle with acoustical extensions. NIMC will purchase
materials and equipment required for this position.
Desktop monitoring quality assurance and program administration review were completed for
the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) by the State. Required local reviews
were also completed by Spuhler.
Home Energy Plus requires one WHEAP worker from each county that administers the program
to attend the annual meeting. In 2017, Traaholt attended. February 2018, Spuhler will attend.
WHEAP applications taken are 8% less than those completed the same time last year.
NIMC Call Center has had more traffic due to the state distribution of 1095-B health coverage
forms.
Spuhler attended a webinar on how to better serve Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients.
NIMC is reviewing flexible work schedule options for staff. Spuhler is also on a workgroup
researching remote work options for NIMC staff.
Governor Walker’s proposal, “Wisconsin Works for Everyone” welfare reform would impose
new rules for Income Maintenance programs.
Support Services – Nikki Revak
Working on getting FY 2017 invoices paid before the end of February. Year-end financial
reports are due to the State by the end of March. 2018 contracts are being issued.
Staff helped work on the DHS strategic plan.
Kathy Wolfram will be on leave for her son’s surgery on February 6th. Wolfram may be out for
an extended period. However, she will be working part-time remotely.
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Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
After three years of being without a Speech and Language Pathologist, the Birth-to-3 Program
has contracted with a new provider, Bay Area Home Health who can provide this service.
Hosted Aging and Disability Advisory Committee meeting. The Committee reviewed the State
assessment from October. The rules governing membership requirements have changed. The
committee must be comprised of members who meet the nutrition program standards or a
second committee must be developed. The committee decided on a single group that will meet
both requirements. Linder will begin working on restructuring the committee and will hold
some meetings each year whose agenda will focus primarily on the nutrition program.
Jacqui Grimm gave birth to a baby boy, Kody. Grimm will return to work part-time in March.
Other staff have been assigned the workload in her absence.
Sheila Mack and Karen Bodin are providing Medicare 101 session in different locations
throughout Bayfield County. Presenting to groups reduces the amount of time spent with single
clients in the office. The first meeting was held in January, 17 people attended.
On Tuesdays, beginning Feb 6th and through April 10th, the AARP Foundation will be providing
free in-person tax preparation at the Bayfield County Courthouse.
Family Services – Cheryl Hanson
Richard Kamm completed his Juvenile Court Intake Training, which allows him to take children
into custody. Kamm will begin taking on-call rotation in February.
Family Specialist interviews took place January 24th. References are being made on a
candidate and we expect an offer to be extended on the position. Social Worker Aide position
posting ends February 28, 2018.
Family Services Advisory Committee met on Jan 9, 2018.
Hanson wrote a letter of support for a grant for the New Day Shelter Advocacy Center. The
grant would allow the Center to purchase audio and visual equipment for forensic interviewing.
This would not replace the interview room in Bayfield County, but would be another location
option to hold interviews.
Worked with Economic Support and Aging and Disability staff to coordinate services between
sections.
Human Services is helping to sponsor local educational presentations. The movie Resilience,
which explains how Adverse Childhood Experiences or (ACES) and the trauma that children
experience as a result of ACES can negatively affect them throughout their life, will be shown in
Iron River, January 25, 2018 and at the Washburn Harbor View Event Center Feb 21, 2018.
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“Written-off”, a documentary about the life and death due of a Crandon, Wisconsin youth as a
result of opioid addiction will be presented at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center on February
7, 2018.
Monthly Reports
Monthly reports were reviewed and placed on file.
Discussion and Possible Action – Renewal of Human Services Board citizen member
appointments, Lona Schmidt, Iron River and Kent Seldal, Washburn
Skulan stated that renewals were overlooked in June and asked the Board to approve the
recommendation retroactive to July 1, 2017.
Motion by Fickbohm, seconded by Strand, to recommend the appointments and term renewals
of Human Services Board Citizen members Schmidt and Seldal to the County Board Chair.
Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Thank you for past service, former Human Services Chair
Rusty Williams
Skulan spoke briefly regarding the Department’s appreciation for Rusty Williams and his
service, dedication, and support to Bayfield County residents and the Human Services programs
while on the County Board of Supervisors. A card was circulated for signatures.
Motion by Schmidt seconded by Carver, to recognize former Board Chair Williams for his
service on the DHS Board. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – DHS Resolution 2018-01 Resolution to Update Employer
Identification Number and Signatory Card from State Bank of Drummond to Chippewa Valley
Bank
The State of Drummond Bank was recently purchase by Chippewa Valley Bank. Due to the
change, the DHS account required a new signature card. Skulan reviewed the resolution.
Motion by, Schmidt, seconded by Allen, to approve DHS Resolution 2018-01 to update
Employer Identification Number and Signatory Card for Chippewa Valley Bank Nutrition
Program. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action Department of Human Services Strategic Planning
Skulan reviewed a draft Strategic Plan with the Board and asked for their input. Skulan will
send an e-mail to the Board and asked for input no later than February 9, 2018. The final draft
will be presented for review at the February meeting.
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Hiring Practices – Review
Skulan described the process from posting to hire to fill a vacant position. A sample
employment application was provided to illustrate the information available to the hiring panel
at the time candidates are invited to interview. The DHS ratio of female to male applicants was
compared to the same ratio for individuals hired in the last two years. They were very similar.
The County Administrator referenced a source that indicated that 82% of social workers
nationwide are female.
Other (Informational Items)
A. Governor Walker Announced a Plan to Provide a Long-Term Solution for
Wisconsin’s Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Systems.
B. Foster Care article
C. Big Pharma article
Future Meetings
A. February 22, 2018 – 4:00 p.m.
B. March 22, 2018 – 4:00 p.m.
C. April 26, 2019 – 4:00 p.m.
Adjournment at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III