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BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY & BEHARIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FBHSAC)
MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A & Remote
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, at 4:30 pm
Committee Members Present: Darlene Neff*, Bev Lindell (via Telephone), Lona Schmidt*,
Mary Dougherty*, Nancy & Dale Johnson (via Telephone), Bev Patterson*
*attended virtually
Others Present: Tom Croteau (Behavioral Health and Community Services Manager), Mary
Anich (Family Services Section Manager), and Sarah Traaholt (Support Staff).
Introductions and Call to order: Schmidt called the meeting to order at 4:36 p.m.
Minute Approval: Review and approval of the October 11, 2023, FBHSAC meeting minutes.
Motion by Neff to approve, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried.
Public Comment Opportunity: No public comment.
Neff requested a purpose statement for the committee. Anich will investigate as she thought it
was being sent out. Croteau stated that it will be sent out to the group before the next
meeting.
Section Updates:
Family Services- Anich notes that the Trunk-or-Treat event was not held this year due to a
planning issue. Briana Aldaba, Foster Care Coordinator, arranged a wonderful Christmas event
for foster families at the Bretting Center, which included a potluck and appearance from Santa.
A $1,000 donation from CNS design allowed Aldaba to provide gift cards to each family. Event
also allows foster families to network and exchange information.
2024 ushers in big changes for the Family Services Section. Children’s Disability Programs
which include Childrens Long-Term Services (CLTS), Children’s Community Options Program
(CCOP) and Birth to Three (B-3) have moved from Aging & Disability to the Family Services
Section. Anich will be the overarching manager. Hayley Weyers, former CLTS Case Manager,
was hired as a mid-level manager to oversee all three programs and provide some case
management. Family Services is currently recruiting an additional CLTS Case Manager to
replace Weyers.
Family Services also has an opening for a Coordinated Services Team (CST) Case Manager.
Bayfield County applied to the State to partially fund the CST position. Funding became
available as of January 1st. CST is a family centered, community-based initiative that aids with
the development of a coordinated system of care for youth with behavioral health needs. CST
focuses on team building using the wrap-around philosophy to keep children in their own
home or community versus sending them to an institution.
Approved at 5/8/24
FBHSAC meeting
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Alice Wilson submitted her resignation in December as Child Protective Services (CPS) Case
Manager. Katherine Bland was hired to take the position and will start January 29th. Bland
brings a lot of CPS and law enforcement experience to the position. Anich is looking forward to
the knowledge and expertise she will bring to the Family Services team.
One Family Services team member is out on medical leave for a month.
Patterson noted that if Bayfield County needed assistance with interviews that she would be
interested and has a lot of experience with interviewing. Anich will pass that along.
Anich noted that Family Services staff are extremely busy and are stretched in serving some
children locally. Staff are struggling mostly with 14–15-year-old girls with serious violent
behaviors resulting in expensive placements including detention centers. Anich noted that
detention is the last place Family Services staff want to place a child. Anich and Croteau
described the types of placements and services available with the committee. Anich also noted
that staff were dealing with a complex CPS case over the holiday that resulted in a lot of extra
hours for three staff. Anich stated her staff are amazing and dedicated. It has been a tough
and stressful month.
Anich stated that the budget is going to be large this year with the expensive placements.
Croteau noted that these are programs mandated by the State of Wisconsin so services must
be provided regardless of budget. Dougherty stated she is willing to advocate for these
programs to the personnel committee and board for additional funding.
Behavioral Health- Croteau noted that Behavioral Health staff continue to be busy. Hailey
BeBeau has been doing a great job coordinating monthly meetings between law enforcement,
DHS staff, school systems, and Red Cliff to get all services involved on the same page and
develop relationships between agencies.
Croteau continues to work on Chapter 51 emergency detention procedures. Meetings with
involved staff and agencies began to take place because cases were being dismissed due to
procedural problems. Croteau notes that we need to do better to protect people’s mental
health and the community. Larger meeting will be held on March 11th. Subgroup will meet on
Friday to discuss a way to make paperwork that needs to be submitted to Winnebago more
efficient. Paperwork often takes Behavioral Health Case Managers several hours to gather from
various agencies when all basic information is available to nursing staff at Tamarack. Hoping
to formalize and have discussions on procedures that can free up hours for Behavioral Health
Case Managers.
Croteau states that Northland Counseling, who is contracted by Ashland and Bayfield County
for services, is under new ownership. Former owner Carol Lund passed away in August, and
two employees have purchased the business and are moving forward. Northland Counseling’s
services are extremely valuable to the community.
Croteau provided an overview of a day in the life of a Behavioral Health Case Manager.
Croteau also shared a positive outcome of a participant utilizing the preemptive services that
are provided by the Behavioral Health and Community Programs (BHCP) department.
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Croteau noted that Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is short two coordination
services meeting members. CCS advisory committee is similar and shares many of the same
goals as this group but has more peer representation. Croteau states if they are interested or
you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them reach out to Croteau.
Budget Updates: Anich states that a lot of money was spent this year. State institutions,
group homes and detentions are all going up in cost. Detention can cost up to $500.00 a
night. Both Anich and Croteau note that these services are mandated by the State.
Dougherty reiterated that she is willing to advocate for these programs. Croteau mentioned
the statewide advocacy day. Wisconsin County association picks the topics. Great way to
advocate, participate and get involved. Croteau will share information with the group once
details are available.
Future Meetings: 2024 meetings will continue quarterly on the second Wednesday of the
month: April 10, July 10, and October 9.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Sarah Traaholt
Sarah Traaholt