HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/23/2019BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC
May 23, 2019
Board Members Present: Larry Fickbohm, Jim Crandall, Aimee Kaufmann Jeremy Oswald,
Sue Rosa (arrived at 4:03 p.m.)
Board Members Excused: Lona Schmidt, George Newago, Tom Gordon, Kent Seldal
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Nikki Revak, Carrie Linder, Jeanine Spuhler,
Cheryl Hanson, Sarah Traaholt, Mary Anich (arrived at 4:02 p.m.)
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Introductions made.
Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes) - None
Program Presentation – Youth Justice Overview, Social Worker, Mary Anich, Family Services
Anich presented a Youth Justice overview for Bayfield County and provided handout.
Discussion and Possible Action – Review of the April 25, 2019, Meeting Minutes
Motion by Kaufmann seconded by Oswald, to approve the April 25, 2019 minutes as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support – Jeanine Spuhler
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance (WHEAP) season closed on May 15th. Wisconsin Home
Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) has provided assistance to 590 Bayfield County
households by providing $361,753 in heat and electric assistance; $42,894 for repairing or
replacing furnaces; and $14,797 for additional crisis payments. WHEAP funds have been
exhausted. Economic Support is now limited to utilizing other resources and making referrals to
other agencies when there are requests for financial support.
The Interim Assistance Program provides a small monthly loan for essentials for qualified
individuals who are waiting for a disability determination. Funds are recovered after a disability
award is determined.
Aging & Disabilities – Carrie Linder
Natalie Schmaltz started employment as Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) for the Aging and
Disability Resource Center (ADRC) last week. Schmaltz attended the Aging and Disability staff
meeting in Bayfield County. Schmults will also meet with Sawyer, Iron, Ashland and Price to get
familiar with all five ADRC counties.
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EOC
May 23, 2019
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June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Posters will be hung in several locations
throughout the county to help raise awareness on elder abuse reporting. Magnets have also
been ordered for distribution. Red Cliff has invited Bayfield County Aging and Disability Adult
Protective Services staff to set up a table and display at Legendary Waters on June 15, 2019 for
their World Elder Abuse Awareness Day luncheon.
Working with Sheriff’s department to provide a drop box for the Take Back Program in June for
each of the congregate meal sites. The Take Back Program allow people to safely dispose of any
excess prescription drugs, vitamins or supplements. Permanent drug drop boxes are located
throughout Bayfield, Ashland and Iron Counties. Proper disposal of medications keeps
medications out of the watershed and out of the hands of people who might use the drugs
inappropriately.
The Alzheimer’s Association is presenting an Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia program
at the Port Wing Fire Hall at 10:00 a.m. and at the Bayfield Carnegie Library at 1:00 p.m. on June
12, 2019.
Support Services – Nikki Revak
One Support Staff is out on Family Medical Leave.
Bayfield County has a new phone system as of May 9, 2019. Staff are busy learning the new
phone system’s capabilities and administration functions.
Three new Comprehensive Community Service (CCS) staff now have offices in the three offices
outside the Family Recovery Room.
Revak and staff are working on finding old resolutions and paperwork for the new auditors.
Family Services – Cheryl Hanson
Three CCS and the open Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Coordinator positions were filled. All
new staff hired were previously employed with New Horizons North. Amy Severinghaus, the
new AODA Coordinator, has already tendered her resignation. The position will be reposted on
the county website.
May is Foster Care Appreciation month. A display was created by the Courtroom entrance to
raise awareness of foster care in Bayfield County.
A CCS participant meeting was held in the EOC on Wednesday, May 15th. After the meeting, a
memo was issued and mailed to all CCS participants summarizing responses to all questions
posed at the meeting, so those who were not able to attend received the information. CCS
Service Facilitators are busy updating participant plans. Hanson is looking into how we might
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC
May 23, 2019
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streamline the comprehensive assessment. Staff are working on expanding the number of
providers and are requesting that current providers expand services.
Red Cliff ICW created a Child Protection Multidisciplinary Team to discuss effective ways to
achieve safety and well-being for tribal children identified as abused or neglected.
Hanson attended a grant meeting with Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board on
May 16th. The group is developing an application to apply for a Community Collaborations to
Strengthen and Preserve Families grant. Hanson is unsure at this time what role DHS would
play.
Monthly Reports
Monthly reports reviewed and placed on file.
Re-appointment of Doug Defoe to Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee – Carrie
Linder
Doug Defoe was previously an Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee member.
Terminated his appointment when he took a job out of the area but is now back. Defoe is
requesting reappointment to the committee now that he has returned to the area.
Motion by Rosa seconded by Oswald, to approve reinstatement of Doug Defoe to the Aging and
Disability Services Advisory Committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Child Protective Services Presentation, If not this, then what? Building a new BIG, BOLD and
BRAVE way together! – Review of handout and presentation provided by Dr. Amelia Franck
Meyer, LISW, APSW, CEO Alia
Skulan reviewed most of the presentation with the group.
Budget 2020 Process – Notices, etc.
Referred to budget handouts included in packet. County Board meets on May 28, 2019 to start
planning for the 2020 budget.
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program Update
Skulan reported that the three employees hired to work in CCS program are Mental Health
Professional Duane Majeres and Service Facilitators Julie Winters and Jennifer Dietrich. The
balance of this report was provided earlier in the Family Services monthly section report.
Other (Informational Items)
A. E-mail re: Economic Support Specialist Jessica Soulier
B. Other
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC
May 23, 2019
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Future Meetings
A. June 27, 2019 – County Board Room, meeting to include the annual Public
Hearing on the 2020 DHS Budget and opportunity for comments regarding
Bayfield County’s policies and procedures for equal opportunity in employment,
service delivery and language access.
B. July 25, 2019
C. August 22, 2019
Adjournment at 5:29 p.m.
Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III