HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/24/2018BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
COUNTY BOARD ROOM
May 24, 2018
Board Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, Tom Gordon, George Newago (left at 5:20 p.m.),
Jim Crandall, Pat Carver, Kent Seldal, Lona Schmidt, Jeremy
Oswald (left at 5:01 p.m.)
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Jeanine Spuhler, Carrie Linder,
Cheryl Hanson, Sarah Traaholt, Susan Rosa
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. Introductions were made.
Discussion and Possible Action - Review of the January 25th, Meeting Minutes
Motion by Fickbohm, seconded by Seldal, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed
unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action - Review of the April 26th Meeting Minutes
Motion by Gordon, seconded by Carver, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed
unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Nominations for DHS Chair
Motion by Gordon, second by, Newago, to cast a unanimous ballot for Crandall as DHS Board
Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Nominations for DHS Vice Chair
Motion by Gordon, second by, Schmidt, to cast a unanimous ballot for Fickbohm as DHS Board
Vice Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person
None
Program Presentation – Aging and Disability Services, Sip and Swipe Program
Linder presented information regarding a collaborative project with CORE Community
Resources to provide Sip & Swipe Café workshops at various locations throughout Bayfield
County. Several aging units throughout Wisconsin have already successfully offered this
program.
The Sip and Swipe Café helps older adults get connected online using a tablet. The program
requires a meeting location, two tablets, internet access, volunteer coaches and something to
“sip” while attendants swipe.
The computer application (app) was developed by Generations on Line (GoL). It provides step-
by-step instructions on how to use a tablet (swipe) to peruse the internet and download apps.
A volunteer coach guides the learner, but much of the course is self-paced. Two tablets are
available per site. Participants may bring their own tablet. CORE will have four tablets available
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for two sites. Bayfield County Aging and Disabilities Department will have four tablets available
for trainings as well.
The goal is to help seniors become more comfortable and confident using a tablet. The app is
also available without going to the training session if someone prefers to learn at home. The
training does not include help with set-up of the tablets.
Crandall asked that action items move up on the agenda so discussion and action could occur
while all members were present.
Discussion and Possible Action – Appointment of Susan Rosa, Town of Cable Area Citizen DHS
Board Member. Susan introduced herself, presented her qualifications, and spoke of her
interest in joining the Board. Susan left the room and a vote was taken.
Motion by Carver, seconded by Gordon, to approve the appointment of Susan Rosa as the
Cable Area Citizen DHS Board Member and recommend her appointment to the County Board
Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Review of Meeting Dates and Times. Current meeting times
do not meet the needs of all members. Suggestion by Chair to move future Human Services
Board meetings to 5:00 p.m. This would allow working members time to attend the meeting.
Dates were not an issue. Concerns were raised about driving in the dark for members who have
a distance to drive, especially in the winter. This may be revisited in the future as the daylight
hours decrease. Consensus was that meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month
at 5:00, until further notice.
Discussion and Possible Action – DHS Resolution No 2018-02; WCA Platform Resolution to
Request an Increase in Wisconsin’s Medicaid Rates. The rate increase is desirable to allow for
the recruitment and retention of health care providers. Rates discussion and a change to the
resolution to include a recommended increase were discussed. No changes were made to the
motion.
Motion by, Gordon, seconded by Newago, to approve DHS Resolution 2018-02 to request an
increase in Wisconsin’s Medicaid rates. Motion passed unanimously.
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program Update – Skulan provided a status report
on expansion and financial reporting.
Douglas County continues to work on their plan. They are in the process of creating the
required coordinating committee which must review the draft program plan for Douglas County
before it is submitted to the State. The target date for program implementation is January 1,
2019.
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Discussion and Possible Action – CCS Coordinating Committee appointments were considered
for Kari Lind and Andrew Austin. CCS Advisory Committee recommended the appointment of
the applicants to the Coordinating Committee. CCS requires at least 30% of committee
members to be participants of the program. Lind and Austin meet participant requirements.
Applications reviewed and discussed.
Motion by, Newago, second by, Schmidt to approve the appointments of Kari Lind and Andrew
Austin to the CCS Coordinating Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Recruitment of a County Supervisor to replace Strand on
Bayfield County on Woodland Commission (also known as the Clark County Health Care
Center). Facility works with a range of adults with dementia, behaviors, mental disabilities.
Commission requires each member county to appoint a county board representative to
governing board. Meetings held quarterly and can be attended by phone.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Fickbohm, to appoint Gordon as the Bayfield County Woodland
Commission representative. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Recruitment of a County Supervisor to the Aging and Disability
Resource Center of the North (ADRC-N) Governing Board. ADRC-N Governing Board meets
quarterly.
Motion by Gordon, second by, Oswald, to appoint Crandall to the ADRC-N Governing Board and
send on to full board for approval. Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion and Possible Action – Skulan reviewed the Department of Human Services (DHS)
Mini 10 Year Strategic Plan.
Motion by Seldal, second by, Schmidt to approve the DHS Mini 10 Year Strategic Plan as
presented. Motion passed unanimously.
Bayfield Area Citizen Member to the DHS Board – Review of City of Bayfield Citizen DHS Board
Member Applications, Aimee Kaufman and Linda Schneider.
Carver is stepping down when her term ends on June 30, 2018. Applications were reviewed.
An appointment will be made at the next board meeting.
Discussion and Possible Action – Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee
Appointment, Lynette Benzschawl. The application was reviewed by the A & D Advisory
committee and recommended for appointment by the DHS Board.
Motion by, Carver, second by Gordon, to approve the appointment of Lynette Benzschawel to
the A&D Advisory Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
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Juvenile Correction Forum – Skulan reported that Wisconsin Act 185 will close Lincoln Hills by
January 2021. State has earmarked $40 million for one State run Type I facility for juveniles
sentenced in adult court or who qualify for Serious Juvenile Offender Program. The other $40
million will be earmarked to build three to five county run Type II juvenile correctional facilities
by Jan 2021, which will be known as Secured Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth
(SRCCCY). The new law requires counties to take a more active role in the juvenile corrections
system including designing, constructing, and staffing the secured residential care centers for
non-violent children and youth. Both La Crosse and Eau Claire Counties feel obligated to open a
facility to replace the long-term corrections programs that they have which will be phased out.
Counties in the Northern region have a relatively small number of correctional placements, so
most are not considering a facility. Bayfield County has placed two youth at Lincoln Hills in the
last six years. Most northern counties hope to contract with counties who decide to build. The
State is providing 95% of funds to build or renovate two to four male youth facilities and 100%
of funds to build or renovate one female facility. Operating costs to run the facilities will fall to
the county where the facility is located. Information defining program or facility requirements
is not yet available. Committees are being formed by the Governor to develop these
parameters.
Hanson stated that Bayfield currently contracts with Eau Claire County for secure detention and
has contracted with La Crosse in the past. The goal is to place children as close to home as
possible.
Monthly Section Reports
Support Services – Nikki Revak
Working on Annual Report, hope to have first draft available in June.
Revak reported that Financial Managers were sent a survey requesting 2017 expenditure and
revenue data for Income Maintenance programs. WCHSA IM funding workgroup has been
meeting for the past several months to develop a new methodology for allocating IM funding. It
is hoped that this survey will help identify a new way to allocate funds, while supporting the
need for additional dollars. Bill Hanna, Dane County Fiscal and Management Services
Administrator, is leading the project.
Revak reported that Kathy Wolfram is in Rochester with her son, Ryan, who is struggling with
complications related to his cancer.
Family Services – Cheryl Hanson
Hanson reported that there have been nineteen emergency detentions (ED) to date this year.
This is lower compared to the same time last year. Six EDs were dropped after stabilization.
There have been twelve settlement agreements, including four juveniles, and one commitment.
The youth crisis bed opened in late April and should result in the reduction of the EDs of
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children. There have been some issues due to the new process, which was anticipated. All
admissions to crisis bed must be authorized by a county. Children and families are connected to
community based services when the youth leave the facility.
Six children are currently placed in Residential Care Centers. One youth is transitioning out and
moving in with foster family; three are in long term placement; and two are going home in the
next few months.
Met with Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Director, Gretchen Morris, and Wisconsin Department of
Children and Families Permanency Consultant, Alicia Woodford, to discuss tribal children that
have been placed in out of home care for more than 15 months. The State requires a plan to
find a permanent home. Family Services and ICW staffed eight Red Cliff children in out of home
placement. The Red Cliff Tribe is developing a customary adoption code to allow tribal children
to be adopted without a termination of parental rights so that they might retain their
connection to the biological family and the tribe.
With changes of staff at New Horizons North, Family Services staff are jointly working on
transitioning CSP consumers to other programs or services.
Mental health and AODA coordinators are both working with jail inmates. Rachel Obiden is
working with a pregnant mother to facilitate a transition to treatment.
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
Busy last month with staff development. Economic Support has three seasoned employees and
three new staff. New staff have finished the extensive on-line training and will complete
performing calls with assistance today. New staff will begin working independently on the call
center tomorrow.
With the end of the school year, calls for child care assistance have increased.
May 15th marked the end of energy assistance for the 2017-2018 heating season. The State had
funds at the end of the season. As a result, heating assistance providers will get another small
distribution for each applicant in either May or June. Furnace calls are still being addressed.
Spuhler reported that one participant in the Interim Assistance program has had success
applying for disability. The client has contacted DHS to repay their Interim Assistance. Interim
Assistance provides a minimal temporary financial assistance to a client who is in the process of
applying for or appealing a disability determination who meets certain criteria for basic living
expenses.
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Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
Reflecting on prior year, while working on gathering data and information for the DHS Annual
Report.
Allie Bochler was hired and will be working this summer as Social Worker Intern in a position
shared by Aging and Disabilities and Family Services. Linder reported that she will also be hiring
another short-term intern later this summer to help conduct the transportation survey.
Northland College statistics class will tabulate the surveys and compile information on the
transportation needs of Bayfield County residents.
Preparing for Aging program plan 2019-2021. Surveys sent out, some have been returned. The
plan will be used to direct programming in the next three years.
June 15 is Elder Abuse awareness day. Working with an AARP Driver Safety program
representative, to provide the Car Fit Program at the 2018 Health and Wellness fair held on
June 15th. The Car Fit Program is an AARP volunteer program. One of three trained volunteer
technicians will work with each participant. There is a 12-point checklist. Technicians review:
how drivers fit into their vehicle; how they enter; and how they exit the vehicle. Each session
lasts approximately 20 minutes. Data is compiled and AARP shares this information with
insurance and automotive companies. Design changes have been made by at least one car
manufacturer due to previous AARP Car Fit data.
Monthly Reports
Monthly reports were reviewed and placed on file.
Skulan reported that overall DHS is within budget, however Substitute care costs are high.
Skulan reported that Nikki has been in regular contact with the State and is still waiting for CCS
2015 and 2016 reconciliation numbers.
Wait and training list were reviewed.
Other (Informational Item)
A. Tax Cut/SNAP article
Future Meetings
A. June 28, 2018 5:00 p.m. – Regular monthly meeting; 2019 Budget Public Hearing;
and Opportunity for Comments Regarding Bayfield County’s Policies and
Procedures for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Services Delivery and
Language Access. Please note: The meeting will be held in the County Board
Room
B. July 26, 2018 – 5:00 p.m. EOC
C. August 23, 2018 – 5:00 p.m. EOC
Adjournment at 5:44 p.m.
Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III