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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 5/28/2020BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 Board Members Present: Kent Seldal, Jim Crandall, Larry Fickbohm, Susan Rosa, Jeremy Oswald, Lona Schmidt, Stephanie Haskins, Marty Milanowski, David Zepczyk Board Members Excused: Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Carrie Linder, Jeanine Spuhler, Cheryl Hanson, Nikki Revak, Heather Gilbertson, Mark Abeles-Allison Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. New committee members Milanowski, Zepczyk, and Haskins were welcomed. Introductions were made. Discussion and Possible Action - Review of the February 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes Motion by Fickbohm, seconded by Oswald, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Nominations for Chair Skulan opened the floor and called for nominations for DHS Chair. Milanowski nominated Crandall. Skulan called for nominations two more times. There were no additional nominations. The floor was closed to nominations. Motion by Fickbohm, seconded by Milanowski, to cast a unanimous ballot for Crandall as DHS Chair. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Call for Nominations for Vice Chair Crandall opened the floor and called for nominations for DHS Vice Chair. Milanowski nominated Fickbohm. Crandall called for nominations two more times. There were no additional nominations. The floor was closed to nominations. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Oswald, to cast a unanimous ballot for Fickbohm as DHS Vice Chair. Motion passed. Opportunity for Public Comment – Limited to 3 minutes per person none Program Presentation – Department of Human Services, programs and services, how DHS is funded, the value and importance of DHS. Skulan gave a short summary of DHS. The definition of Human Services, the programs provided, the target populations, and how services are funded. The Department’s mission statement is “Protect and improve the quality of life.” The federal government mandates most of the services, the state of Wisconsin then requires Wisconsin counties to provide the services as “an arm of the state”. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 2 Monthly Section Reports and COVID19 Updates Support Services –Nikki Revak Support staff has been working on the 2019 Audit. Three weeks ago, the county fiscal audit was performed. The last two weeks, DHS has been working will Baker Tilly on the annual program compliance audit. The audit is being done remotely. Documents have been scanned and uploaded at the auditor’s requests. This year, a major program area audited was mental health/substance abuse. Three Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) clients were pulled in the auditors’ random record review, the date(s) of records requested were when New Horizons North, Inc. (NHN) administered the program. NHN went out of business in 2019 and filed for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, as the organization closed their doors, some program requirements were neglected. The provider did not complete a 2019 audit and DHS’s request for a state waiver of program requirements for NHN in 2019 was denied. As a result, there will be at least two findings of non-compliance related to NHN in the 2019 audit. We welcomed Kathy back into the office last week. Kath’s help completing the audit was invaluable. Family Services – Cheryl Hanson Staff has been diligent in finding creative ways to meet clients’ needs remotely. When mandated, child protection services (CPS) staff continues to work in the community using masks, gloves, social distancing when meeting with children and parents. Three forensic interviews were held at the Sheriff’s Department. Staff completed four initial assessments using protective gear and meeting outside. We anticipate an increase in youth justice referrals (child under 17 commits crime it comes to us) once school is out and summer begins. Tom Croteau was hired as the new Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Manager. Tom’s first day will be July 27, 2020. There has been an increase in mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) referrals. Most referrals are due to struggles individuals are having with isolation caused by COVID19. Family Services staff is collaborating with staff at the Behavior Health Unit of Memorial Medical Center and at the Red Cliff Community Health Center on two individuals. There is still a vacant social worker position. Economic Support – Jeanine Spuhler Economic Support determines eligibility for the Public Assistance Programs known as the “safety net”. Through this pandemic, the state has been trying to stabilize vulnerable households and the economy through these programs. The state has issued emergency pandemic benefits to help households with school age children. Additional benefits, up to the maximum per household size, were issued in March, April and May. There has been a slight increase in Foodshare participation. Through the pandemic, FoodShare benefits locally have increased from $100,000.00 to $300,000.00 per month. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 3 If individuals or families had health care (BadgerCare) before the pandemic, they will not lose coverage for the duration of the pandemic. There has been a decrease of approximately ten percent in the number of Wisconsin Heating and Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) applications statewide. The application deadline has been extended from May to September 30, 2020. Unemployment compensation is not considered income for WHEAP. Eligibility criteria has changed to consider the last month of income, rather than the last three months of income due to the pandemic. Bayfield County applied for and received additional Crisis Funding. Utility Companies cannot disconnect during the pandemic. However, once the pandemic is over, people will reach out for assistance as utilities are disconnected to homes with overdue unpaid utility bills. Energy assistance has been issued to 520 Bayfield County households since October. The state of Wisconsin has waived or extended some requirements and deadlines for public assistance programs due to the pandemic The Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) workload has been reduced as a result. NIMC has had an increase in health care applications and a small increase in Foodshare applications. NIMC received 1200 phone calls this week. A significant increase in workload is anticipated when pandemic is over or the state’s waivers and deadline extensions end. Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder The last few months there have been many changes as a result of COVID19 and the elimination of face to face visits. The state indicated today counties can begin to provide face to face visits in the Birth to Three program. All therapies have been provided remotely via technology during the pandemic. Congregate Meals ended in March. Grab and go meals are currently being considered as an alternative. Home Delivered Meals continue to be served, but drivers now have minimal contact with clients. The Volunteer Driver Program was suspended. Bay Area Rural Transit is providing on-demand response throughout Bayfield County to meet priority needs, such as medical appointments. Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North (ADRC-N) is providing all services via phone. All face to face in-home appointments were suspended. Call volume is lower than prior to COVID 19 and staff rely on the U.S. Postal Service and technology to distribute information or secure signatures. Adult Protective Services is a challenge to provide remotely. Workers gather most of their information by conducting investigations in the community. There are three staff in the office. The rest are working remotely. Several individuals and agencies have reached out to volunteer to support the elderly. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 4 Monthly Reports Monthly reports reviewed and placed on file. A. Financial B. Training Appointment of Dale Irwin as citizen member to the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. Dale Irwin has applied to serve as a citizen member of the local and regional CCS Committees. Dale is a former mental health provider. His appointment is recommended. Motion by Rosa, second by Seldal, to appoint Dale Irwin to the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. Motion passed. Reappointment of Andrew Austin and Kari Lind as participant or family members to the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. The CCS Committees must include a minimum of 30% program participants or family members of participants. Andrew Austin and Kari Lind’s appointments expire at the end of May. Reappointments are recommended. Motion by Oswald, second by Fickbohm to approve the reappointment of Andrew Austin and Kari Lind the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. Motion passed. Reappointment of Tom Mittlestaedt as alternate participant or family members to the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. The CCS Committees must include a minimum of 30% program participants. The alternate member is a voting member of the local CCS committee for a participant who cannot attend the meeting. The alternate is a regular voting member on the regional CCS committee. Tom’s appointment expires in May. His reappointment is recommended. Motion by Milanowski, second by Defoe-Haskins to approve the reappointment of Tom Mittlestaedt to the Bayfield County local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Committees. Motion passed. Recommendation for Appointment to the Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission, candidate must be on the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors and Serve on the Human Services Committee. Bayfield County is a member of the Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission. The membership allows Bayfield County DHS to place individuals at Clark County Health Care Center (CCHCC) at a discounted rate. Each member county is required to appoint a representative who is on the County Board of Supervisors and the DHS/HHS/SS Committee to the Commission. Tom Gordon is no longer be able to serve on the Commission. DHS is seeking another qualified representative so a recommendation for appointment can be made to the Bayfield County Board Chair. Fickbohm stated he would like to serve on the board. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 5 Recommendation to County Board for an appointment to the Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission Motion by Milanowski, second by Rosa to recommend Fickbohm’s appointment to the Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission to the full County Board. Motion passed. Appointments of Dougherty to the Transportation Coordination Committee: Jeremy Oswald, Samantha Ray, Perri Shuga, Carol Salminen, Jeff Benton, Lori Keefe, Carla Becker, Beth Probst, Rachel Pufall, and Mary Dougherty The authority to develop a Transportation Coordination Committee (TCC) was approved in February. The TCC includes public and private partners and interested stakeholders. The TTC’s task is to develop a plan to address public transportation per the requirements of WIS. Admin. Code Trans. 2.10. The TCC will make recommendations to the Human Services Committee for changes to improve access and meet the needs of the Human Services target populations. The following individuals have expressed interest in an appointment to the TCC: Jeremy Oswald; Samantha Ray; Perri Shuga Campbell; Carol Salminen; Jeff Benton; Lori Keefe; Carla Becker; Beth Probst; Rachel Pufall; and Mary Dougherty. Their appointments are recommended. Motion by Fickbohm, second by Defoe-Haskins to approve appointments of Jeremy Oswald, Samantha Ray, Perri Shuga, Carol Salminen, Jeff Benton, Lori Keefe, Carla Becker, Beth Probst, Rachel Pufall, and Mary Dougherty to the Transportation Coordination Committee. Motion passed. Recommendation to the County Board to approve appointment of Ann Bartocci as citizen representative to the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North to fill vacancy left by Dick Compton Motion by Oswald, second by Milanowski to recommend to the full County Board the appointment of Ann Bartocci as citizen representative to the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North. Motion passed. 2021 DHS Budget Process – Distribution memos and Notices for remote Public Hearing and input solicited (handouts attached) Building Remodel – Update on building remodel The remodel is almost complete. A punch list was developed and is pending completion. Furniture and equipment are being identified so a quote can be provided to the County Administrator. DHS Advisory Committee Openings – Family Services Advisory Committee, to fill vacancy left by Susan Davis There is one opening for a Bayfield County citizen member to Family Services Advisory Committee. An application for the vacancy has been submitted and a recommendation for appointment expected at the June meeting. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC May 28, 2020 6 Other (Informational Items) A. Emails regarding exceptional staff performance: a. Kathy Wolfram b. Marianne Johnson c. Mary Hamel d. Rosie Kozeneski B. Elder Nutrition Program Updates, May 5, 2020 C. Lessons from a Pandemic: Everyone Needs Health Insurance, April 30, 2020, William Parke-Sutherland Future Meetings A. June 25, 2020 – including Public Hearing on the 2020 DHS Budget and opportunity to provide comments regarding Bayfield County’s policies and procedures for equal opportunity in employment, service delivery, and language access. B. July 23, 2020 C. August 27, 2020 Adjournment at 5:30 p.m. Submitted by Heather Gilbertson, Clerk II