HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Agenda - 8/17/2023K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Agendas\2023 DHS Board Agendas\Meeting Notice 08 17 2023.docx 1
FROM:
Elizabeth Skulan, Director
DATE:
August 8, 2023
RE: MEETING NOTICE
The Bayfield County Department of Human Services Board will hold the July/August monthly meeting
on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. An in person and remote meeting will originate from the
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Bayfield County Courthouse Annex, Washburn, Wisconsin.
Remote participation is available via Microsoft Teams or by phone using the information below.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
To join on your computer or mobile app, please ‘Control, Click’ the link below or left click and
choose ‘Open Hyperlink” to connect.
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 223 898 840 858
Passcode: kDarRm
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 715-318-2087,,558634733# United States, Eau Claire
Phone Conference ID: 558 634 733#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
Notice is hereby given, in the event the standing committee does not have a quorum, the County Board
Chair or Vice Chair may act as an ex officio member (County ordinance, Chapter 3, section 2-3-1(c).
Department of Human Services 117 East Fifth Street P.O. Box 100 Washburn, WI 54891 - 0100 Telephone (715) 373 - (715 Fax 6144 - )373 - 6130 Email: baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Agendas\2023 DHS Board Agendas\Meeting Notice 08 17 2023.docx 2
Any person wishing to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodation, should
contact the Department of Human Services at 715-373-6144, at least 24 hours before the scheduled
meeting time, so appropriate arrangements can be made.
The agenda: Approval of the June 22, 2023, Meeting Minutes; Program Presentation; 2024 Proposed
Budget; 2022 DHS Annual Report; Resolution 2023-01 Coordinated Servies Team Program;
Appointments to the Family and Behavioral Services Advisory and the local and regional
Comprehensive Community Services Coordination Committees; Reclassification Recommendation;
Foster Parent Grant Award Notice; Department Section Reports; Monthly Financial and Training
Reports; Informational Items; and other business that may come before the Board.
c: County Board Chair
County Board of Supervisors
Post (bulletin boards and website)
e-mailed:
DES Ashland Health Department
DCS, Rhinelander New Day Shelter
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. Daily Press
1
Department of Human Services
117 East Fifth Street
P.O. Box 100
Washburn, WI 54891-0100
Telephone (715) 373-6144 Fax (715-)373-6130
Email: baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
James Crandall (Chair) Marty Milanowski Mary Dougherty
Jeremy Oswald (Vice Chair) Madelaine Rekemeyer Susan Rosa
Lona Schmidt Stephanie Defoe-Haskins Patrick Irvine
RE: August 17, 2023, Department of Human Services Board Meeting
Notice is hereby given, in the event the standing committee does not have a quorum, the County
Board Chair or Vice Chair may act as an ex officio member (County ordinance, Chapter 3, section
2-3-1(c).
Dear Committee Members:
Please be advised that the July/August meeting of the Bayfield County Department of Human
Services Board will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. in the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) of the Bayfield County Courthouse Annex Remote participation is
available via Microsoft Teams, a link, phone number, and conference ID are included below.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 223 898 840 858
Passcode: kDarRm
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 715-318-2087,,558634733# United States, Eau Claire
Phone Conference ID: 558 634 733#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Any person wishing to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodations, should contact the
Department of Human Services at 715 -373-6144 at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time, so appropriate
arrangement can be made.
2
The agenda for this meeting is as follows:
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Welcome and Introductions
3. Discussion and Possible Action - Review of the June 22, 2023, Meeting Minutes
4. Program Presentation –Parenting Assessment and Family Specialist Role Presentation,
Family Specialist Val Gurske-Westlund, Family Services
5. Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit to 3 minutes please)
6. Monthly Section Reports
A. Economic Support Services – Elizabeth Skulan for Jeanine Spuhler
B. Support Services – Stephanie Eder
C. Behavioral Health and Community Services – Tom Croteau
D. Aging & Disability Services – Carrie Linder
E. Family Services – Mary Anich
7. Monthly Reports
A. Financials
B. Training
8. Discussion and Possible Action - 2024 Budget – Review of the DHS 2024 Budget
Narrative and Budget
9. Discussion and Possible Action – 2022 DHS Annual Report – Review and
Recommendation to present to County Board of Supervisors
10. Discussion and Possible Action – Resolution No. 2023-01, Resolution to Designate the
Department of Human Services to Receive Coordinated Services Team (CST) Funding –
Review and approval of resolution to recommend the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors accept funding and establish a committee to oversee the program.
11. Discussion and Possible Action – Review application and recommendation to reappoint
Beverly Lindell to the Family and Behavioral Health Advisory Committee
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12. Discussion and Possible Action – Review applications for the reappointments of
participant members Sandra Notzke and Tom Mittelstaedt to the local and regional
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordination Committees
13. Discussion and Possible Action – Reclassification of Christopher Beirl, review of
materials submitted to Human Services, County Administration, and the Personnel
Committee to request the reclassification of Service Facilitator Chris Beirl to Service
Facilitator/Substance Abuse Counselor; voice support and recommend reclassification.
14. Grant Award – Notice of Award of $5,800 Foster Parent Grant to Bayfield County to
improve normalcy opportunities for children.
15. Other (Informational Items)
A. Call Quality Review Scorecard for Economic Support Specialist Aaron Kalmon
B. Office News, Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) Newsletter,
highlighting Bayfield County location and work done by Economic Support
Specialist Danielle Colby
C. Email regarding Adult Protective Services Social Worker Brynna Watters-Moffitt
16. Future Meetings
A. September 28, 2023
B. October 26, 2023
C. November/December – December 5, 2023 (Meeting starts at 3:30 with a holiday
potluck)
17. Motion or Chair’s Announcement to Adjourn
Thank you and have a safe trip home!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Skulan
Elizabeth A. Skulan, Director
c: Mr. Mark Abeles Allison, County Administrator
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Bayfield County Department of Human Services Board
Bayfield County Department of Human Services Managers
Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Clerk
Email to: Other Interested Parties Requesting
K: agendas & minutes/DHS Board/agendas/agenda narrative
Department of Human Services
117 East Fifth Street
P.O. Box 100
Washburn, WI 54891-0100
Telephone (715) 373-6144 Fax (715-)373-6130
Email: baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS) BOARD MEETING
August 17, 2023
4:00 PM
AGENDA NARRATIVE
8. 2024 DHS Budget – There are a number of 2024 proposed budget documents included in
the packet. A summary of the differences between 2023 and 2024 will be provided under
separate cover prior to the meeting. The presentation will focus on the 2024 Budget
Narrative.
9. 2022 DHS Annual Report – The first draft of the report is included in the packet for
review. There is one financial report DHS will need to update due to a difference between
the Department’s report and the County Clerk’s office. That difference should be reconciled,
and new pages will be presented at the meeting.
10. Resolution 2023-01 – This resolution is required for DHS to apply for the Coordinated
Services Team (CST) funding through the state Department of Health Services. It must be
approved by the County Board of Supervisors, but first must be supported and recommended
by the Committee.
11. Appointment to the Family and Behavioral Services Committee – Beverly Lindell is an
existing member of the committee whose term is expiring. Bev is interested in serving
another term. The committee has recommended Bev’s reappointment to the Human Services
Board.
12. Appointments to the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordination
Committee – Sandra Notzke and Tom Middelstaedt are both existing participant members
of the Bayfield County CCS Cordination Committees whose terms are expiring. Both are
interesting in serving another term. The committee has recommended their reappointments
to both the local and regional CCS Committees.
13. Reclassification of Christopher Beirl – Service Facilitator Chris Beirl has requested a
reclassification from CCS Service Facilitator to CCS Service Facilitator/Substance Abuse
Counselor. Chris recently received his Counselor in Training credentials and requested the
reclassification. At the same time, the substance abuse counselor DHS was contracting with
for services submitted her notice. For this reason, the request was expedited to the Personnel
Committee who will consider the request on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. We are hopeful
the request will be approved. However, it is important for the DHS Board go on record
saying whether they are in support of the request. The reclassification is supported by both
K: agendas & minutes/DHS Board/agendas/Meeting Notice
Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section Manager Tom Croteau and DHS
Director Elizabeth Skulan.
14. Foster Parent Grant Award – The grant award notice is included in the packet. Bayfield
County was awarded $5,800 to improve normalcy opportunities for children in foster care.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
June 22, 2023
K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2023 DHS Board Minutes\2023-06-22_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -DRAFT.docx 1
Board Members Present: Jeremy Oswald, James Crandall, Patrick Irvine, Lona Schmidt, Stephanie
Defoe-Haskins*, Mary Dougherty, Madelaine Rekemeyer*, Sue Rosa*
(*attended virtually)
Not Present: Marty Milanowski
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Carrie Linder, Tom Croteau, Mary Anich, Jeanine Spuhler,
Stephanie Eder, Heather Gilbertson, Ellie Webb – Dementia Care Specialist
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Introductions were made.
Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes please.)
No Public Comment
Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the May 25, 2023, meeting minutes.
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Oswald to approve the May 25, 2023, meeting minutes. Motion passed.
Program Presentation – Dementia Live Presentation, Ellie Webb, Dementia Care Specialist
• Webb is the Dementia Care Specialist for Ashland and Bayfield Counties, who works through the
Aging and Disabilities Resource Center of the North.
• Webb gave a brief overview of what dementia is, the symptoms of dementia, the percentage of
residents in Bayfield County who have dementia and ideas on how to make the community a safe
place to live for residents with dementia.
• A ten-minute interactive presentation was provided that simulated dementia. Most participants
agreed that they felt frustrated, confused, and irritated from the simulation.
• Some takeaways from the presentation: make eye contact with the individual when speaking;
keep conversations short and simple; and never argue with the individual.
Discussion and Possible Action –Open the Floor for Public Hearing for Public Comment, Input on the
2024 DHS Budget, and/or Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in
Employment, Service Deliver, and Language Access.
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Dougherty to open the floor for Public Hearing for Public Comment, Input
on the 2024 DHS Budget, and/or Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in
Employment, Service Deliver, and Language Access. Motion passed.
DRAFT:
Subject to change at
the next BCDHS
meeting
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
June 22, 2023
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Opportunity for Public Comment, Comments on the 2024 Budget, and/or Comments Regarding
Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Service Deliver and
Language access. (Limit 3 minutes please.)
No Public Comment
Review any Written Comments
• Skulan read a letter from a kinship provider thanking the County for financial help she received raising
her grandson.
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
• State issued funds were sent out for the summer fill program which is available to customers who
heat with fuel oil or propane. As of mid-June, $121,000 was issued to 235 households.
• There has been a 14% increase in call volume to the Northern IM Consortium call center since
April.
• The Northern IM Consortium is offering overtime to employees due to the increased workload
due to the unwinding process.
• Maggie Morrison has accepted an offer for employment. Maggie begins her work as an Economic
Support Specialist on July 24, 2023.
• Economic Support appreciation week is July 10, 2023.
Family Services – Mary Anich
• Anich praised her team, in her words, “a great bunch of ladies who work well together and are
hard workers”.
• Anich participated in a permanency plan with Ashland County. Plans are done every six months
children placed out of the home. The plan lists goals for families who hope to be reunited with
their child. The plans are fluid and change as needed.
• Anich attended a statewide permanency planning meeting focusing on the Putting Families First
initiative.
• Bayfield County has five children placed out of home. The Red Cliff Tribe, for whom Bayfield
County DHS is the Fiscal Agents for, has 41 children placed out of home. Permanency Plans are
not required for Tribal children.
Support Staff – Stephanie Eder
• Support Staff currently has a vacant Clerk Receptionist position.
• Eder has begun working on the 2022 Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Reporting (WIMCR).
• Kathy Wolfram-Moran and Eder have begun pulling together documents for the auditors to
review during the 2022 audit.
• Information for the 2022 DHS Annual Report is being compiled and organized into the first draft.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
June 22, 2023
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Behavioral Health & Community Programs – Tom Croteau
• CCS
o Echo is the new electronic health record program used for the program. The system is
very new, and staff are still learning the program.
o Service Facilitators are diligently entering information into the Echo system so that
providers can start entering their notes to avoid any delays in payments issued for
services rendered.
o Croteau stated that there have been several discharges in the last week and seven to
eight new referrals.
• BH
o Staff are providing case management for individuals who were emergently detained.
o One placement may need to be extended.
o Funds for Mental Health Institutional stays have already exceeded 171% for the year.
However, supplemental funds, private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare are anticipated
to offset some of these expenses.
o Essentia Health has allowed Bayfield County DHS to access their grant funding for the cost
of room and board for residential placements. Essential is also willing to provide funding
for some of the treatment provided .
Aging & Disability (A&D) Services – Carrie Linder
• Service Coordination in the Birth to Three program is contracted from Ashland County.
• Children’s Long-Term Care(CLTS) staff are busy completing the unwinding requirements.
o Seven functional screens, four annual reviews, and three new referrals were completed in
the last month.
• Adult protection staff recently processed twelve new referrals and established three new
guardianships for individuals who were hospitalized.
• The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) events were well received. There were many
positive comments on the surveys from the event.
• Elder Benefit Specialist Marianne Johnson and Disability Benefit Specialist Jamie Mackin were
recognized for Benefit Specialist Recognition week.
• Linder hosted a Transportation Coordination Committee (TCC) meeting this week. Most of the
meeting was used to discuss Door2Door program. A recommendation was made to increase the
hours transportation is available each week from 50 to 60 hours. The most use has been in the
Cable and Mason areas. The most common destination has been Ashland.
• Linder will be hosting the first Seniors’ Social Connection meeting next week; the focus of the
workgroup will be how to address loneliness and social isolation.
Monthly Reports
Monthly Financial and Training reports were reviewed and placed on file.
2024 Budget Guidance – Preparation Memo to Department Heads from County Administrator Mark
Abeles-Allison, May 31, 2023
• The 2024 Budget focuses on two key factors: housing, youth and senior services.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
June 22, 2023
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2024 DHS Budget Priorities
• DHS is advocating for a Mental Health Professional/Service Facilitator and a Children with
Disabilities Services Manager/Youth Services Coordinator position which both address issues
related to the Aging and Disability Services Section Manager’s workload and the growing
caseloads in the CCS and CLTS programs.
• Unused space in the County is being considered to address the additional office space needed to
house additional staff.
High-Cost Pool Fund for Tribal Placements Award
• Skulan received an award letter for the High-Cost Pool Fund for Tribal Court Placements. Bayfield
County was awarded 4.96% of the funds, a total of $31,872.87.
Discussion and Possible Action –Close the Floor for Public Hearing for Public Comment, Input on the
2024 DHS Budget, and/or Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in
Employment, Service Deliver, and Language Access.
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Oswald to Close the floor for Public Hearing for Public Comment, Input
on the 2024 DHS Budget, and/or Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in
Employment, Service Deliver, and Language Access. Motion passed.
Other (Informational Items)
• Irving stated that as a citizen of Bayfield County, he feels Bayfield County could improve
promoting itself and providing information regarding new projects, programs, and partnerships.
• Oswald noted Bayfield County is the first fully carbon neutral county in Wisconsin.
• It was pointed out that Bayfield County is proactively researching options for increasing housing
in our communities.
• Crandall stated that Bayfield County is one of the most progressive counties in the state.
Future Meeting Dates
• July/August Combined Meeting, Thursday, August 17, 2023
• September 28, 2023
• October 26, 2023
Crandall Adjourned the meeting at 5:33 p.m.
Submitted by Heather Gilbertson, Clerk III
DRAFT
Department of Human Services
July/2023
Photo taken by: Heather M. Gilbertson
2022 Annual Report
Elizabeth A. Skulan, Director
117 E. 5th Street, PO Box 100
Washburn, WI 54891-0100
(715) 373-6144
www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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Contents
Function……………………………………………………………… 3
Main Responsibilities……………………………………………… 3
Organization………………………………………………………… 4
Budget……………………………………………………………….. 4
2022 Budget Monitoring Unaudited Budget………………….. 5
Support Services Section………………………………………… 16
Economic Support Section………………………………………. 17
Family Services Section………………………………………….. 22
Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section……… 28
Aging and Disability Services Section…………………………. 34
FY 2022 Accomplishments……………………………………….. 43
FY 2022 Goals………………………………………………………. 44
Performance Indicators…………………………………………… 46
Organizational Chart………………………………………………. 55
Program Listing by Section……………………………………… 56
Summary……………………………………………………………. 57
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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Bayfield County
Department of Human Services
2022 Annual Report
FUNCTION
The mission of the Department of Human Services is: Protect and Improve the Quality of Life.
The Department’s vision is: Building on a foundation of motivated and dedicated staff, providers,
and adequate resources, the Department of Human Services will promote integrated services that
are valued. This will be accomplished by partnering with individuals and a responsive and
proactive community. What we do WILL make a difference!
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The Department of Human Services is divided into five sections: Aging and Disability Services; Behavioral
Health and Community Programs; Economic Support Services; Family Services; and Support Services.
Each section has its own mission and unique set of responsibilities.
The mission of the Aging and Disability Services Section is “to support independent community living
by respecting personal choices”. The Aging and Disability (A & D) Services Section is responsible for a
wide range of assessments and services related to disabled and elderly residents of Bayfield County.
They also provide information and assistance to the public regarding local resources available to those
who do not qualify for public assistance.
The mission of Behavioral Health and Community Programs (BHCP) Section is “We are a voluntary
behavioral health support service system believing in people and their recovery and assisting
participants to meet and achieve their needs Above Expectation.”. The Comprehensive Community
Support Section is responsible for CCS program and oversees the Community Support Program (CSP).
The mission of Economic Support (ES) Services is “to assist individuals to achieve economic well-
being”. Economic Support is responsible for the eligibility determination for numerous federal, state, and
county public assistance programs.
The mission of the Family Services (FS) Section is “to provide a safe and stable environment for
identified children and families through empowerment and support”. The Family Services Section is
responsible for a wide range of assessments and services related to individuals, children, and families.
The mission of the Support Services (SS) Section is “to provide support services in a professional,
courteous, and efficient manner “. The Support Services Section provides reception, clerical, and
accounting support to the entire agency.
IN 2020, the number of sections was increased to five by separating the Comprehensive Community
Services (CCS) program staff from the Family Services Section. DHS hired another section manager and
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CCS staff worked under the CCS Section Manager until 2022 when other behavioral health staff positions
were transitioned to the section. When this transition occurred, the CCS Section was renamed the
Behavioral Health and Community Program (BHCP) Section.
ORGANIZATION
The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors voted on November 10, 1998, to develop a Department of
Human Services (DHS) uniting the three Departments of Aging, Community Programs and Social
Services. The Department of Human Services was officially created on April 1, 1999.
The Human Services Board has primary responsibility for oversight of the Department. The Board
consists of nine members, five County Board representatives, and four citizen members. Citizen member
applications are reviewed by the County Administrator and appointments are approved by the County
Board Chair. There are also committees that act in an advisory capacity to the Human Services Board:
the Aging and Disability Advisory Committee; the Nutrition Advisory Council; the Transportation
Coordination Committee (TCC); the Family Services and Behavioral Health Advisory Committee; and the
Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP) Advisory Committee, the local and regional
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordinating Committees; and the Aging and Disability
Resource Center of the North (ADRC – N) Governing Board. Advisory committees include a mixture of
citizens; program participants; family, friends, and advocates of program participants; providers of service;
County Board members, and/or staff as program rules or regulations dictate. Most advisory committees
include at least one member of the County Board who also serves on the Human Services Board.
BUDGET
The Department of Human Services (DHS) 2022 authorized budget was $5,300,785. There was one
amendment to the budget, which increased the Department’s spending authority by $793,383 for a total
2022 budget of $6,094,168. The 2022 final budget was $1,497,482 or 23% higher than the previous year
(Budget 2021 $5,696,686) due to the addition of two new fully funded positions, COVID supplemental
funds, and the unanticipated cost of: one high-cost out-of-home placement; one youth assessment at a
state facility; one Youth Justice case where the youth ended up in the state’s juvenile correctional facility
and forensic mental health program; and the transition of the contingent fund for the Aging and Disability
Resource Center of the North (ADRC-N) to Ashland County who is the new fiscal agent.
Included in the 2022 budget, there was $1,817,788 or approximately 30% is county levy. Barring any
significant differences due to year-end audit adjustments, the DHS expects to balance the budget without
any increase to the county levy. The Department anticipates excess funds from 2022 will be returned to
the County’s General Funds.
Preliminary Human Services budget reports are attached. They are presented in the format in which
expenses were monitored by the Department, the County, and the State in 2022. The reports may change
after adjustments due to state program reconciliation processes and once the State and the County’s
single audit is complete. The Department will be well into the 2024 budget process before the 2022
financials are complete. These adjustments to 2022 will result in changes to the final DHS balance sheet
and income statements. As already indicated, the initial conclusion is that barring any significant changes
in the County’s financial year-end entries, the Department operated within its 2022 budget.
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Bayfield County DHS Percentage
2022 Budget $37,085,248 $5,421,425 14%
2022 Levy $11,484,814 $1,817,788 15%
2022 Budget Summary
Budget Program Source
$2,729,660 Purchased Services State, Federal & County
$2,063,585 Provided Services State, Federal & County
$ 628,180 Support & Overhead State, Federal & County
$5,421,425
2022 Public Assistance Benefits Paid Directly
$30,937,213 Medicaid State & Federal
$ 4,465,968 Foodshare State & Federal
$ 448,197 WHEAP Grants Federal
$ 205,596 WHEAP Crisis Assistance Federal
$ 79,230 Child Care State & Federal
$36,136,204 Total*
*Does not appear in the county books.
However, these dollars represent funds that are introduced into the local economy.
The department is audited, and quality control is tested on the eligibility determinations of these
programs.
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Bayfield County Department of Human Services
2022 Budget Monitoring
UnAudited Budget
County Levy
$1,817,778
34%
All Other Revenue
Sources
$3,603,647 66%
2022 DHS BUDGET - COUNTY COSTS
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SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION-Stephanie Eder, Manager
The Support Services Section is responsible for the management of department operations, providing
support services to the other sections, all accounting functions, state reporting requirements, reception
services, scanning documents, file maintenance, correspondence, preparing marketing materials, and
numerous other duties. With our mission statement in mind, “Provide support services in a professional,
courteous, and efficient manner”, we strive to be of service to our coworkers and our community.
The search for a new accounting software system continues, as reported in the previous year’s Support
Services narrative. Unfortunately, the need to replace the Comprehensive Community Support (CCS)
Management Information System (MIS), which is failing and no longer supported took precedence in 2022.
Once that system is implemented, DHS will continue its search for accounting replacement software.
There are very few available options which make the replacement more difficult.
The year started with Support Staff being fully staffed, however, a resignation mid-year provided the
opportunity to hire a full-time receptionist. We spent the remainder of the year cross-training all Support
Staff to ensure continuity of services in the event of future staff turnover.
In January, Bayfield County hosted a Martin Luther King Training Day. This was a great opportunity to
learn about diversity and inclusion. There were many trainings to choose from and we found the diverse
offerings to be informative and enlightening.
February and March are always busy with reconciling the prior year; Children’s Long-Term Service
(CLTS), Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP), and Birth to 3 programs as well as closing out
our year-end Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), Greater Wisconsin Area on Aging Resources
(GWAAR), Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Wisconsin Department of Children and
Families (DCF), Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), and Northern Income Maintenance
Consortium (NIMC) reporting.
We began audit preparation in April and worked closely with the County Clerk’s office to gather all
requested information. Support Staff also attended the annual statewide HIPPA meeting in April, via
Zoom.
In May we began working on the DHS Annual Report. The Annual Report is a large undertaking, and all
Support Staff get involved in the preparation of charts, compiling data, and preparing the report. The
Wisconsin Human Services Financial Management Association (WHSFMA) conference was held in May in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Bookkeeper and Financial Manager attended, and it provided useful
information and a good networking opportunity.
The DHS single audit process for the fiscal year 2021 was conducted in June. Support Services Staff are
fortunate to have a good working relationship with the audit team and could prepare “audit ready”
documents prior to the start date of the audit.
In August, the Management Team, the agency Director, and Financial Manager developed the 2023
Annual Budget within the parameters established by the County Administrator, which included a zero-
county levy increase.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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In September, as part of our ongoing cross-training and succession planning, one of the Support Staff
completed an online bookkeeping class. The class provided a focus on governmental accounting and
budget preparation.
In October the Director and Financial manager submitted a DHS Board Resolution for the 2022 Budget to
increase spending authority. Additional revenues and expenditures were captured by the Aging and
Disability Resource of the North (ADRC-N), the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program, and
third-party payors for mental health institutional placements.
Support Staff were busy all year with the orientation of new DHS staff. Due to a combination of turnover
and new staff, there were fourteen new staff persons who joined the DHS team in 2022. New staff training
and orientation require a lot of Support Staff time and most of the Support Staff are involved in some
aspect of the onboarding of new staff.
In 2022, we worked on building a well-trained, dependable, and positive Support Staff team. The Support
Services team continued to learn, update their skills, and worked together to ensure we provided superior
customer service to our fellow Human Service coworkers and to the people we serve.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION-Jeanine Spuhler, Manager
The guiding principle of the Economic Support Section is the mission: To assist individuals to achieve
economic well-being. The mission is supported with a variety of public assistance programs including
health, nutrition, childcare, and energy-related services.
Since 2012, Bayfield County Economic Support works with a group of counties called the Northern IM
Consortium (NIMC). NIMC is a partnership of twelve counties including Ashland, Bayfield, Florence,
Forest, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Wood. This partnership means that eligibility
and benefit determination is managed by a regional team of workers. The primary programs administered
regionally are Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare (SNAP), and Wisconsin Shares.
2022 was a year focused on ensuring continued access to essential benefits for county and regional
residents in a response to the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency. Public assistance program
policies helped to ease some of the financial pressures caused by the pandemic. In 2022 there was a
delicate balance between maintaining the safety net with programs for low-income individuals and a surge
of administrative preparation for the forecasted end to the public health emergency.
Health care coverage continued for those who were found eligible at the start of the public health
emergency in 2020. Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus are health care programs that help low-income
children, pregnant people, and adults in Wisconsin. Reported changes in circumstances, that would
otherwise result in ineligibility, did not impact coverage. Premiums, work-requirements, cost-shares, and
the requirement for eligibility renewals for Medicaid continued to be waived. Individuals who applied
during the public health emergency and were found eligible for coverage, continued to be eligible until the
end of the public health emergency. Although eligibility coverage did not change, Medicaid policies
continued to change and expand. For example, in late February of 2022 a military invasion in Ukraine
resulted in the immigration of some Ukrainian people to the U.S. By April 2022 the section began
processing applications for public assistance benefits from Ukrainians seeking asylum.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
18 | P a g e
The goal of the FoodShare program is to stop hunger. Program participation increased by 30% in 2022
compared to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019. Benefit payments increased by 231% in 2022
compared to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019. In 2022 $4.4 million was issued to Bayfield County
residents in FoodShare benefits. The primary factor for the significant increase in benefits was a program
that issued supplemental Emergency FoodShare. Recipients were issued the maximum allotment
amount for their group size. This was a significant source of financial support for program participants.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and its related services assist county
residents in reducing their energy burden. In addition to regular heating and electrical assistance, services
also include crisis assistance and emergency furnace repair and replacement. Two new initiatives were
the Wisconsin Low-Income Household Water Assistance program and the Home Energy Plus Water
Conservation Program. Program outreach was completed in several communities in Bayfield County
from Cornucopia to Barnes. Overall, there was an 11.58% increase in program applicants in 2022
compared to the previous year.
In May of 2022 planning for COVID-19 Unwinding began in earnest. Every three months the public health
emergency was extended, but preparations to change eligibility policy was occurring behind the scenes.
Biweekly policy calls, countless meetings, and a tremendous amount of training helped to prepare the
section for what was to come.
There were several staffing changes in the Economic Support section in 2022. The team bid farewell to
some members and welcomed new members. A significant amount of time is invested in training new
staff and the training process takes an average of eight weeks. The state launched a new innovative
training program mid-year that accelerated the training process. At the end of the year the section was
fully staffed with six Economic Support workers.
The focus of the Economic Support Section is to help. Through excellent customer service, the team is
dedicated to helping people connect to public assistance benefits that will help individuals achieve
economic well-being.
$55,472
$90,027
$96,213
$88,220
$79,230
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Child Care Payments
17
18 16
17
16
15
16
17
18
19
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
AVERAGE MONTHLY CHILDREN
RECEIVING CHILD CARE PAYMENTS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
19 | P a g e
$27,909,106
$30,937,213
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
$35,000,000
$40,000,000
2021 2022
Medicaid Cases
$1,520,368 $1,347,451
$2,418,304
$4,038,996
$4,465,968
$0
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total FoodShare Benefits Issued
4312
4587
4300
4550
4800
2021 2022
INDIVIDUALS ON
MEDICAID
1257 1140 1261
1477 1486
1000
1250
1500
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
AVERAGE MONTHLY
FOODSHARE INDIVIDUALS
PARTICIPATING
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
20 | P a g e
$3,078
$2,064
$564 $700
$373$350
$655 $655
$1,644
$1,314
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Interim Assistance
Assistance Issued Assistance Collected
$259,931
$286,927
$300,831
$345,206
$373,455
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
WHEAP (LIHEAP) Heating Assistance Paid
5 4 3 2 1
1
3
5
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
INTERIM ASSISTANCE
RECIPIENTS PER YEAR
522 533 560 570
636
520
570
620
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING
HEATING ASSISTANCE
(LIHEAP)
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
21 | P a g e
$323,549
$368,188 $377,182
$418,368
$448,197
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
$500,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total WHEAP Benefits Paid
(Heating and Public Electric Benetifs)
$187
$238
$216
$203
$182
$100
$125
$150
$175
$200
$225
$250
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Annual Average Public Benefits Paid
595
541 568 576
642
525
575
625
675
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
TOTAL NUMBER OF
WHEAP APPLICANTS
340 342 354 361 411
300
500
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING
PUBLIC BENEFIT ASSISTANCE
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
22 | P a g e
FAMILY SERVICES SECTION-Mary Anich, Manager
The mission of the Family Services (FS) Section is “to provide a safe and stable environment for identified
children and families through empowerment and support.”
Family Services staff work with some of the most vulnerable people in Bayfield County. Mandated
services fuel much of what is done in Family Services. Child protection, which includes taking children
into custody and placing them out of their home in foster care or residential treatment centers, is a
24/7/365 mandated service. All Family Service social workers/case managers, take a rotating week of on-
call requiring a response to any issues with children that falls within the purview of child protection or youth
justice after hours. Coordination of court involvement and services for juveniles who commit criminal acts
is another mandated service Family Services staff provide. Sometimes these youth only need a meeting
with a social worker/case manager and their parent to get them on track again; sometimes for the safety of
the community, the child must be sent to secure detention. Often these children come from families that
are facing complex issues that staff attempt to address.
Child protective services and child welfare concerns make up a large percentage of the work the family
services unit does with Bayfield County citizens. There is a worker on intake/access 24 hours a day every
day of the year to receive reports. All family services workers fulfill the duties of workday access in
rotation. On call/after-hours staff require specialized training, so not all family services staff fulfill on call
duties when the offices are closed for business. In addition to the family services staff, the two behavioral
health case managers for DHS also participate in access and on call duties. These reports can be made
by mandatory (those who must, by law, make a report) or permissive or non-mandatory reporters, often
family, friends, or other concerned citizens. Educational professionals and law enforcement make up the
majority of our reporters but anyone who works with children during the course of their professional duties
likely is required to be a mandatory reporter. These include, but are not limited to human services staff,
medical and mental health providers, child care providers, and legal and educational providers. The
statutes list those who must report.
In 2022, we received 145 child protective services reports alleging abuse or neglect of a child/children. 41
or 28.3% of those reports were screened in, meaning they met the state standards for a child protective
services assessment/investigation. There is a differing level of response times within five working days
once the report is screened in. Of the total responses, 12% required a same day response, 7% a 24-48
hour response time, and the rest a response time within 5 working days of the report being made. Of the
41 reports assessed, 37 were unsubstantiated, meaning that the information collected did not meet the
statutory definition or standards in Wisconsin that outlines what is defined as child abuse, or what is
referred to as maltreatment. two of the reports were substantiated, meaning they did meet the definition of
abuse/maltreatment as alleged. Two assessments also were unable to be completed as the source could
not be located, meaning we were not able to make contact with the family. The vast majority of the those
alleged to have maltreated a child were parents of that child or children. The largest portion of the alleged
types of maltreatment was neglect, which covers not meeting a child’s basic needs, which can include
medical, dental, and environmental/housing needs, followed by physical abuse or physically harming a
child. Other allegations are sexual abuse, emotional damage, and unborn child abuse, which covers a
pregnant person exposing a fetus to drugs and/or alcohol.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
23 | P a g e
Family Services’ biggest expenditure is the cost of out-of-home placements for children who cannot be
safely maintained in their own homes for a variety of reasons. The cost of substitute care in 2022 was
$653,855. This represents a 1% increase from the $645,865 out of home placement costs in 2021. Most
of the increase was due to two very costly residential care center placements of youth with significant and
complex behavioral needs. The residential care center portion of the out of home costs in 2021 was
$346,665. The 2022 costs for these placements was $349,239.02, or less than 1% increase year to year.
Across the country, 2022 saw the continuation of increases of both children and adults struggling with, and
seeking treatment for, a variety of behavioral health issues. A lack of local mental health service options
and providers, combined with a lack of local out of home care providers who are specially trained and
licensed to safely manage the behaviors and challenges that many children in out of home care exhibit,
can make it very difficult to keep children in their homes and connected with services in their home
community.
$668,083
$489,844
$607,063 $645,865 $691,041
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Substitute Care Placement Cost
Foster Care/Treatment Foster Home Group Home Residential Total
Group Home,
$1,587, <1%
Foster Home,
$343,598, 49%
Residential,
$345,855, 50%
2022 Substitute Care Placement Cost
net year total= $691,041
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
24 | P a g e
Service 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Corrections $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Treatment Foster Home Admin
Costs
$21,604 $0 $0 $0 0
Group Homes/Shelter Care $49,736 $51,687 $61,680 $988 $1,587
Foster Home/Treatment Foster
Home (TFH)
$248,552 $222,827 $269,891 $298,212 $343,598
Residential Care Center $369,795 $215,330 $275,492 $346,665 $345,855
Total $689,687 $489,844 $607,063 $645,865 $694,041
Offsetting Revenues $45,794 $36,157 $35,957 $33,641 $44,593
Bayfield County licenses foster homes for the care of children who cannot reside in their parental homes
for a variety of reasons. In 2022, we had 14 homes that were already licensed, and three additional new
homes were licensed in the calendar year. Three of the homes were specifically licensed in order to care
for relatives, and the rest were licensed in order to take non related children. Three of the homes chose
not to renew their licenses and closed in 2022. Additionally, Bayfield County had six homes certified as
Kinship Care providers, which are relatives that care for children through a less stringent set of rules than
the foster care licensure process. One additional home was certified during the calendar year. Two of the
homes that were certified were not renewed as kinship providers.
10
$33,900
5%
47
$230,979
35%
17
$388,976
60%
2022 Foster Home & Kinship Care Placements
Kinship
Red Cliff
Bayfield County
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
25 | P a g e
Family Services also handles referrals to juvenile intake and works in an ongoing capacity with youth
(ages 10-17) who have been alleged to have committed criminal offenses (a violation of a Wisconsin
criminal law) or status offenses (delinquent acts allegedly committed by someone under 10 years old, a
violation of the law that only applies to those under 18 such as school truancy and run away from home).
The delinquency referrals come from law enforcement. The status offense referrals come from schools
(truancy) or parents (run away from home) mainly. In 2022, youth justice intake staff saw 42 total referrals.
$682,840
$466,317
$530,284
$578,283
$653,855
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total Cost of Foster Home & Kinship Care Placements
$14,756 $13,908
$31,750 29,464
$33,900
0
20,000
40,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Bayfield County Kinship Care Placements
54 58 64 73 74
0
100
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Out of Home Placements
Number of Children
7 8
16 14 10
0
10
20
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Kinship Number of Chidren
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
26 | P a g e
Of these 42 referrals, 17 were closed at intake, 15 were placed on a Deferred Prosecution Agreement
(DPA), three were sent to court for a juvenile delinquency or juvenile in need of services petition, 6 were
transferred to another county based on where the referred juvenile resides, and one was a county
ordinance violations/citations. The top three crimes that juveniles were referred for were disorderly
conduct, truancy, and battery. Bayfield County utilized secure detention for youth for a total of two days in
2022. At times, a juvenile must be relocated to a locked facility but utilizing secure detention is a last
resort for family services workers. If a youth has committed an act that could endanger the safety of their
family or community, a secure option can used to assure safety. Our social workers temper that with not
overutilizing this as an option; treating a youth with an institutional solution, only teaches them how to be
institutionalized. It takes a lot of work directly with the juvenile to change their patterns of behavior and
thinking. Using assessments, coordination of services and direct contact checking in with the youth and
their family, the youth justice social workers try to facilitate change. Overall, Family Services saw a 20%
decrease from 2021 in referrals to intake.
Juvenile Court Referral Numbers
January-December 2022
Ordinance Violation, 1, 2%
Counseled/Closed, 17, 41%
Transferred 6, 14%
Petitions, 3, 7%
DPA/IDA, 15, 36%
42 Referrals
Male, 21, 50%
Female, 21, 50%
42 Juveniles
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
27 | P a g e
27 33
26
40
21
13
12
12
13
21
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
JUVENILE COURT REFERRALS
Male Female
24
6
0
7
9
5
0
3
13
9
2 1
5
3 3 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
Disorderly
Conduct
Truancy Operate w/o
Owner's
Consent
Criminal
Damage to
Property
Battery Obstructing
an Officer
Terroristic
Threats
4th Degree
Sexual
Assult
Most Common Juvenile Court Records by Crime
2021 2022
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
28 | P a g e
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SECTION-Tom
Croteau, Manager
The Behavioral Health and Community Programs (BHP) mission is “We are a behavioral health support
service system believing in people and their recovery and assisting participants to meet and achieve their
needs Above Expectations.” BHP was newly formed in 2022 when the County’s Behavioral Health (BH)
programs moved from Family Services on July 1st and integrated with the Comprehensive Community
Support (CCS) and Community Support Program (CSP). This brought the two BH staff into the section
with the three CCS staff and an occasional intern position. This year was spent strengthening each
program, integrating them as a cohesive unit, and creating an effective behavioral health program for the
citizens of Bayfield County. The following covers some of the highlights throughout the year for the BH
section.
The year 2022 was marked by unprecedented growth and some cost reductions for some programs.
Growth was seen in client access, staffing, and resources. The CCS program more then doubled their
active caseload from a year earlier with most of those intakes coming in the first quarter. Due to this
increase in workload, a new service facilitator position was created and successfully filled in May. Staffing
was also increased when the BH programs transitioned to the BHP section. Historically, there have been
two BH care coordinator positions, but the county has only been able to retain one coordinator at a time
over the recent years due to a high turnover rate for these positions. The program was able to hire a new
BH care coordinator in May and a second BH care coordinator in August to focus more on the mental
health and substance use needs of our citizens. This growth was also accompanied by an increase in
resources including grants from Essentia Health to pay for the room and board for people to attend
substance use treatment and the beginning of the county receiving opioid settlement funds. A team
comprised of Human Services and Health Department staff began working to determine how best to utilize
these funds and more will develop throughout 2023.
There were other staffing and resources that grew in 2022 to match the demand for services. This
included utilizing two interns in 2023. This included a MSW student from St. Scholastica in the Spring and
a UMD MSW student in the Fall. There was also a concerted effort put on increasing service providers in
the CCS program. As the caseloads grew for service facilitators, they were no longer able to continue
providing the level of skills training they had been providing, and venders were needed to meet this
growing demand. Staff worked with our Regional CCS Administrator to recruit new service providers to
contract with the CCS program. This included meeting with a local gym owner to begin providing personal
training and fitness for our participants for the first time. Other new providers were also contracted with for
skills training, psychotherapy, and peer support.
Community outreach and partner coordination was also completed in 2022. This was evidenced by
several of the following examples. The manager met with the Criminal Justice Director and Bayfield
County Jail Administration along with local medical doctors and the contracted nursing staff with the jail.
This meeting led to a more effective system for inmates in jail to continue receiving psychiatric
medications including buprenorphine for opioid use disorder while they are in jail to reduce the likelihood
of relapse or an exacerbation of their psychiatric symptoms. BH staff also regularly met with Northland
Counseling staff who manage the County’s crisis services and CSP program. A meeting of the Sheriff,
Chief Deputy, DHS Director, and Northland Counseling staff was also completed to better address how
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
29 | P a g e
crisis situations are managed and coordinated in the county. DHS staff also met monthly with law
enforcement to discuss joint mental health/behavioral health cases, monthly with regional community
mental health providers to discuss care options in the area, and Northern Region crisis monthly meetings
to discuss how the 15-county consortium will work together to provide better regional crisis services.
This year was a year of growth and expansion for behavioral health services. The next few pages will
review each program in the Behavioral Health and Community Programs section.
Comprehensive Community Services
The goal of the CCS program is to utilize the services and supports available to participants and in the
end, reduce hospitalizations and involuntary services. This reduction in turn decreases costs for Bayfield
County’s mandated expenditures and increases the overall wellbeing of the individuals served. We provide
services to Medicaid eligible adults and children. Services include behavioral health service planning and
facilitation, medication management, physical health and monitoring, psychotherapy, substance abuse
counseling, daily living skill development, and employment and educational supports.
2022 was another good year for the CCS program. The program served 64 consumers. This is an
increase of 21 participants from the previous year. Active caseloads averaged 46 throughout the year
which was up from an overage of 30 in 2021. Services costs were $580,141 compared to $419,476 in
2021. This increase in costs is reflective of the significant increase in consumers and services offered. The
hallmarks of 2021 were increased services and greater efficiency. These allowed the significant growth in
the program in 2022 as the program was prepared to serve more people and more efficiently.
** Bayfield County took over the CCS program on May 1, 2019
$808,127
$527,557 $524,999
$419,476
$580,141
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
$900,000
2018 2019**2020 2021 2022
Comprehensive Community Services Program
Costs Per Year
54 47 32 43 64
0
50
100
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF CCS
CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
30 | P a g e
Community Support Program
Bayfield County contracts with Northland Counseling out of Ashland/Washburn to provide Community
Support Program (CSP) services. Referrals for the program come through Human Services staff who
determine their eligibility through a Functional Screen. To meet eligibility, individuals must have a
qualifying mental health diagnosis that imposes challenges in daily living. Once eligibility is determined
they are referred to Northland Counseling. The County provides general oversight of the program
including budgeting and ensuring consumers needs are being met. This is primarily done through regular
clinical staffing meetings between BH staff and CSP staff at Northland.
CSP tailors to the individual needs of participants. Staff meet with participants to develop a supportive
relationship and develop an individual service plan for their mental health related needs. This program is
designed with the goal to reduce hospitalizations or long-term institutional placements and improve overall
wellbeing for the participant.
There were no new referrals to the program in 2021 compared to 3 in 2021. CSP served 10 participants in
2022 with expenses at $160,915. CSP tends to have a more stable population then CCS with participants
generally in the program longer term due to their presenting concerns and symptomology.
$189,925
$109,949
$161,416 $161,772 $160,915
$100,000
$110,000
$120,000
$130,000
$140,000
$150,000
$160,000
$170,000
$180,000
$190,000
$200,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Community Support Program
Costs Per Year
14 10 7 10 10
0
25
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF CSP
CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
31 | P a g e
Substance Use Disorder (SUD):
In 2022, Bayfield County funded 14 consumers for a total cost of $51, 492 for residential treatment. This
is a doubling of the cost from last year but still down from previous years. Medical Assistance has begun
paying for the treatment portion of a residential placement in 2021 and the county is then only responsible
for the room and board portion for people with that insurance. For example, this means that a placement
that cost $12,000 in 2020 now only costs the county $1,200. The reason for the increase in costs in 2022
over 2021 is reflected in the increase in people served.
Methamphetamine and opioids (including fentanyl often laced in other substances) continue to be primary
drugs that are abused and staff are supporting for treatment and recovery. However, requests for alcohol
use treatment continues to be the primary reason for SUD services funded by the county. The program
has also emphasized and served more individuals on a voluntary basis for SUD treatment then in previous
years as funding was available.
Mental Health (MH):
Bayfield County supported/funded 23 consumers in 2022 at a total cost of $67,985. There are several
factors why the numbers of consumers dramatically increased, and the total costs significantly decreased.
The primary reason is that the program saw less people needing access to higher levels of care like
residential treatment and hospitalization. The Affordable Care Act has decreased Bayfield County’s costs
for providing necessary behavioral health services. Utilization of the Northland Counseling Crisis Bed for
adults assists in keeping costs down as these services are mostly reimbursed by insurance. Staff are also
$46,785
$63,000
$74,488
$53,633 $51,492
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Substance Use Disorder
Costs Per Year
26 13 22 27
14
0
25
50
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDER CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
32 | P a g e
focusing on supporting individuals seeking mental health support and connecting them with supports in the
community where their insurance typically covers the cost of care versus the high cost expenses the
county might be charged. This is beginning to show some numerical support for the BH care coordinator
roles providing case management to those other then emergency detentions to try and reduce these high-
cost treatments. It is better for consumers (less traumatic) and there can be a cost reduction for the county
at the same time.
Emergency Detention (ED) Services:
An emergency detention (ED) or Chapter 51 hold is used when a person presents behaviors that are a
danger to themselves or others due to mental illness or substance use. These involuntary hospitalizations
are initiated by law enforcement and often result in a court order of either three or six months for treatment
and/or case management services by the BH care coordinators. 2022 experienced a continued reduction
of ED’s. Nineteen individuals, both children and adults, were hospitalized against their wishes due to
presenting behaviors. This was down from twenty-eight in 2021. Law enforcement officers work to have
people go voluntarily to the hospital to get help, often getting rides with law enforcement if needed.
Training for law enforcement through Crisis intervention Teams (CIT) is scheduled in 2023 and should
further assist with this. It is important to remember that Bayfield County is mandated to provide these
services and the services are necessary to protect residents from acts of harm to themselves or others.
Northland Counseling has a Crisis Bed facility in Ashland that enables an individual adult to “check
themselves in” for 24/7 mental health support services. Local law enforcement agencies can utilize this
facility for voluntary inpatient admissions if an individual is willing to go. Unfortunately, the youth
stabilization facility operated by Northland Counseling in Ashland remains closed due to staffing issues.
They have received accreditation for this service pending sufficient staffing levels, which would be a great
service for youth struggling with behavioral health stability. The closest facilities to Bayfield County that
takes youth currently are in either Eau Claire or Wausau.
$36,131
$6,255
$41,933
$114,979
$67,985
$0
$25,000
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Mental Health ServicesCosts Per Year
5 2 4 3
23
0
10
20
30
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF MH CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
33 | P a g e
There is also a Crisis Line that is available toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a
year to receive calls from people experiencing a mental health issue or any kind of emotional distress.
This is a shared regional program between 11 counties in Northern Wisconsin. Callers are immediately
connected with a mental health professional who can offer support or information about local behavioral
health resources. The county is notified of these calls for follow-up as needed.
The combination of mental health and substance abuse disorders in individuals can be a stubborn medical
and social issue to address. Substance abuse often starts early in a child’s life and can lead to depression
and anxiety disorders that are difficult to treat. These same issues in the elderly are a growing concern as
there is a lack of services for this population both locally and statewide. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead
to accelerated cognitive decline and can become difficult to discern from dementia. Bayfield County will
continue to invest in treatment, recovery, and support services for all citizens to meet their behavioral
health needs.
$253,349
$314,100
$233,051 $236,027
$193,184
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Emergency Detentions
41
34
39
28
19
7 11 6 3
10
0
10
20
30
40
50
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Emergency Detention Consumers
Emergency Detentions Number of Consumers Emergency Detentions Number County Funded
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
34 | P a g e
AGING & DISABILITIES SERVICE SECTION-Carrie Linder, Manager
The Aging and Disability Services section comprises over 35 % of the annual department budget and 34
% of the department full time equivalent (FTE) employees, not including contract employees for the Birth
to Three Program, CLTS, or the extensive list of over 45 volunteers that contribute their time and talents in
a variety of ways to support our programming. There is a wide array of services provided by this section,
and often complicated cases may begin within other sections of the department and are referred to one of
many of the programs for ongoing care and coordination.
The list of highlights throughout the year is extensive, but there are a few areas to note. Section staff
began the year with a focus on reopening senior meal sites, splitting home delivered meal routes from two
to four, re-starting an updated Transportation Assistance Program (TAP), monitoring the ever-increasing
case load of Children’s Long-Term Support and fostering a newly created Door2Door transportation
service in partnership with Bay Area Rural Transit.
February brought three new CRVs in anticipation of splitting the two home delivered meal routes into four
routes. Two additional drivers were hired and orientated and by May the two routes became four. Now
higher quality meals are delivered within a much shorter timeframe. A little later in the year, a partnership
was formed with CORE Community Resources and Northwest Community Services Agency. One
additional frozen soup was added to the weekly delivery and a monthly food box were added to address
food insecurity and poor nutrition of home delivered meal participants.
In partnership with the Transportation Coordinating Committee, Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) and the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors, who allocated ARPA funds, the BayCo Door2Door transit project
began offering on demand door to door transportation services throughout the county. A two-year funded
project got underway providing much needed transportation services to rural and often isolated residents,
within our county and to Hayward.
A new Dementia Care Specialist was hired by the ADRC of the North to support Ashland and Bayfield
Counties and began employment in August. She hit the ground running with many new program
offerings, one on one informational and support meetings with families and caregivers, and actively
promoting and facilitating Dementia Friendly training and simulations to local businesses and
organizations across the county. The individual and group efforts have resulted in positive feedback from
families and organizations alike.
The Elder Benefit Specialist had a banner year assisting older adults with the Medicare Open Enrollment
from Oct 15-Dec 7. She successfully strategized how to reach as many individuals as possible efficiently
and effectively during this period. Using Medicare Plan Finder software tool, she completed 175 requests
for individual assistance and guidance on Medicare plan options, including Medicare Advantage plans,
Medicare Part D plans and Medigap supplemental policies. This was 125% higher than the previous year.
This will be an area of continuous expansion and revisioning how we can continue to provide excellent
service delivery withing in the means of what staff have to offer.
In August, our APS staff offered Advance Directive workshops in nine communities across the county.
They were well attended with over 50 people completing their individual Powers of Attorney of both Health
Care and Finance. This will no doubt save both families and this department time and money that may in
the future have been spent on the guardianship process.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
35 | P a g e
As always, the end of the year was upon us before we knew it. Sixteen (16) full time, part and occasional
time staff performed a variety of tasks and remained focused and committed to serving the residents of
Bayfield County.
Birth to Three Program
The Birth to Three program provides services to children ages birth to three who have at least a 25%
developmental delay. Services, including physical, occupational, speech therapy, and educational
instruction, to parents and are provided primarily in the home and day care settings.
An increase in the number of children referred to and served by the program in 2022 occurred. Families
were more receptive to allow providers into the home to work on skill building for their children. There was
a decrease in expenses, which reflects most therapies being provided in a virtual setting in 2022. The
contracted staff providing the PT, OT, SLP and Specialized Education services started in 2021; they have
become more efficient in their work throughout Bayfield County and the families. Travel time in a very
large and sparsely populated county is a significant expense and this change on program operations will
save funds for years to come without jeopardizing service delivery.
$60,868
$57,644
$38,642
$44,115
$28,688
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Birth to Three Program Costs Per Year
18 20 15 11 18
1020
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
B -3 PROGRAM
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
36 | P a g e
Children’s Long-Term Support
The Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS)Waiver Program is a Home and Community-Based Service
(HCBS) Waiver that provides Medicaid funding for children who have substantial limitations in their daily
activities and need support to remain in their home or community.
Historically, there was a waiting list for CLTS. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
established the continuous enrollment initiative in 2021. Continuous enrollment is a process that helps
kids join the CLTS Program faster. This new initiative has allowed Bayfield County to serve many more
children with disabilities. By May, it became apparent that continuous enrollment of eligible disabled
children into the Children’s Long-Term Support created a significant workload issue for a single support
and service coordinator to manage. Additional staffing for this program was requested to keep up with
the projected number of children in need of support and services. The Personnel Committee reviewed
and approved the request, and one additional support and service coordinator was hired in August to
provide quality services to children with disabilities and their families.
$13,948 $12,711
$28,577
$10,191
$15,300
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Children's Community Options Program Cost Per Year
$398,288
$581,744 $571,303
$659,079 $631,538
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Children's Waivers Cost Per Year
16 19 26 28 30
10
25
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
CCOP PROGRAM
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
31 32 33 45 48
10
35
60
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
CLTS PROGRAM
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
37 | P a g e
Aging and Disability Resource Center
The ADRC provides information and assistance to older adults, people with physical and intellectual
disabilities, and their families, friends, caregivers, and others who ask for assistance on their behalf.
People need help and the ADRC is often the first place they look for answers.
Information and Assistance is the cornerstone service provided by the ADRC staff. 2022 saw a decrease
in the service units. This can be attributed to an employee who was out for a significant number of days
under the FMLA. Some of the workload was temporarily shifted to the regional staff of the ADRC of the
North.
Supportive Home Care
Some older adults and people with disabilities are not eligible for other publicly funded programs, such as
Family Care. Or a program may not cover certain services and supports. The Supportive Home Care
program provides a gap filling means for individuals who need a little support rather than an extensive
program to meet their needs. One individual was supported in 2022. There are several small grant
programs used to meet this need so the total cost of service is not accurately reflected here.
1582 1495
1135
2000
1262
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
2500
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Information & Assistance
$2,028 $1,989
$0
$1,411
$246
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Supportive Home Chore Program / Community Aids
Cost Per Year
1 1 1 1 1
0
1
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
SUPPORTIVE HOME CARE
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
38 | P a g e
Elder Nutrition Program
Senior Dining sites, except for the Barnes site, remained closed at the beginning of 2022. Five senior
dining sites were opened or reopened in March. The Aging Services Coordinator worked hard to recruit
and train many volunteers and train staff to make this happen. A group of 30 volunteers provided 1242
hours to support operations for the dining sites. If using the Federal Volunteer rate of $29.95 per hours,
this represents an in-kind-match of $37,205 for meal site operations alone! The number of participants
grew to over 300, which is still half of who were served prior to the pandemic. This appears to be a
statewide trend.
Home delivered meals remained available to home bound older adults who, for health reasons, physically
or emotionally unable to travel to obtain and or prepare food, and those seeking to self-isolate during the
pandemic. The number of participants and meals delivered was lower than 2021. This was due to the end
of serving Grab & Go meals early in 2021, which per Federal guidelines, are considered home delivered.
Contributions rose above pre-pandemic levels. It is believed to be due to implementing a sliding scale of
$3.00-$5.00 per meal and more education as to the importance of contributing to the cost of the service
provided.
$94,009 $90,898
$18,788
$3,139
$36,477
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Congregate Nutrition Program Costs /
Consumers / Meal Count
Cost Per Year
635 640
310
27
358
0200400600
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
CONGREGATE
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
12958 12421
2535 495
4109
475
4475
8475
12475
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
CONGREGATE
NUMBER OF MEALS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
39 | P a g e
$139,508
$127,887
$148,236
$170,398
$151,951
$50,000
$75,000
$100,000
$125,000
$150,000
$175,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Home Delieverd & Grab & Go Nutrition Program
Costs / Consumers / Meal Count
$59,435
$53,616
$41,272
$44,479
$59,389
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Nutrition Program Contributions
16919 15247
21071
24143
21429
15000
20000
25000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
HOME DELIVERED/GRAB & GO
NUMBER OF MEALS 142 133
315 306
205
100
300
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
HOME DELIVERED/GRAB & GO
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
40 | P a g e
Specialized Transportation for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
The purpose of this program is to promote health and welfare by providing transportation services to
seniors and individuals with disabilities. Bayfield County utilizes the S.85.21 grant to fund a variety of
transportation services to fit individual needs. Some services are contracted out and some are provided
within the department. The expenses and individuals receiving services in this chart reflect what the
department has provided directly to riders within the county. The volunteer driver program was restarted in
2022, and renamed the Transportation Assistance Program (TAP). The volume of riders increased, as
well as the overall expenses, as people began to feel more secure in venturing out of their homes to take
care of their personal needs.
$39,074
$52,676
$48,387
$58,006
$61,587
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
$55,000
$60,000
$65,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
DOT Consumer Transportation
58 69 72
29 35
25
50
75
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
DOT CONSUMER TRANSPORTATION
NUMBER OF CONSUMERS
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
41 | P a g e
Elder and Adult At Risk Abuse
Adult Protective Services are provided to support elder adults and adults-at-risk who have been abused,
neglected, or exploited. Abuse can include any of the following: physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse,
treatment without consent, unreasonable confinement or restraint, financial exploitation, neglect, and self-
neglect.
Once a referral is received, staff follow up and investigate to see if it can be substantiated and what
interventions are needed to protect the health and safety of the victim. The pandemic has added an
additional barrier of isolation to an already vulnerable population. The number of referrals was slightly
lower than 2021g.
.
$12,817
$11,241 $10,833 $10,480 $10,459
$0
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
$14,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Elder Abuse Services Cost Per Year
6 7 6 8 8
53
87
71 70 65
21
29 32 26
17
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Elder Abuse Services
Elder Abuse Number of Consumers Elder Abuse Investigations (60+)
Adult at Risk Investigations (18-59)
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
42 | P a g e
Protective Placements
Protective placements occur when an individual is incapable of providing for their wellbeing in a safe
manner. Staff intervene and work with the judicial system under Chapters 54 and 55 to ensure needs are
met and to protect the vulnerable adults. The number of new protective placements tripled in 2022 and
most were more complex than usual. Many had dual diagnoses and underlying mental health disorders,
making it very challenging to secure long-term placements suited to meet their needs. In addition to the
new protective placements that occurred in 2022, APS staff continued to support and oversee 28
additional individuals who have been protectively placed in prior years.
9
3 3 3
9
29 29
26 27 28
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Bayfield County Protective Placement
New Protective Placement Continued Protective Placement
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
43 | P a g e
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CALENDAR YEAR 2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
√ Improved support to the Department by restructuring the workload in the Support Services Section
to allow for more equitable workloads and to maximize the use of the skills and strengths of the
new team.
√ Strengthened section operations and promoted succession planning in Support Services by cross
training one staff member to provide backup for all DHS Bookkeeper duties and one staff member
on performing additional website and accounting functions.
√ Increased customer service and access by petitioning and adding an additional Service Facilitator
to address increased enrollment in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program.
√ Improved and expanded services in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program by
increasing direct services and the number of individuals enrolled in the CCS program by 35%, from
31 participants in December 2021 to 42 participants in December 2022.
√ Improved services to individuals with mental health and substance use disorders while addressing
some inequities in management workloads. Restructured the Department to allow all behavioral
health staff to be in the same section and assigned CCS work to those staff. Renamed the
Comprehensive Community Section to the Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section.
√ Better met the needs of juveniles by having 100% of youth justice workers trained by the state on
the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI), which assesses the youth’s needs, risks,
and chances of reoffending.
√ Improved the infrastructure of public and specialized transportation in Bayfield County by
partnering with Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) to implement the Door2Door transportation project.
√ Increased customer service and expanded the number of children served in the Children’s Long-
Term Services (CLTS) program by successfully petitioning and hiring an additional Youth Services
and Support Coordinator.
√ Improved nutritional options for seniors throughout Bayfield County by identifying and opening six
locations throughout the county and serving congregate meals at those sites.
√ Improved customer service and quality of meals provided to the elderly participants of the Home
Delivered Meal program by restructuring the delivery routes from two routes to four. This allowed
the Department to shorten the routes; deliver the meals closer to mealtimes; and improved the
quality of meals.
√ Maintained continuity of superior customer service by successfully transitioning the Northern
Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) call center operations to Genesys.
√ Improved public awareness and access to the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program by
expanding public outreach and marketing efforts and increased the number of household
applications by 11.58% over the previous year.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
44 | P a g e
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CALENDAR YEAR 2023 GOALS
√ Ensure transportation is available to older adults and people with disabilities by evaluating the
current services; developing an outreach and marketing plan; and identifying options to support
transportation to medical services in the Superior/Duluth area.
√ Continue to provide ongoing services to youth and adults in the Community Options, Birth to
Three, Childrens Long-term Services, IRIS, and Family Care programs by ensuring a minimum of
disenrollment during the unwinding of benefits as the Federal Public Health Emergency ends due
to technical issues rather than choice.
√ Increase or maintain the number of seniors who can access congregate meals by conducting a
feasibility study to determine if relocating the Barnes senior meal site and/or hosting mobile pop-up
senior meal sites will improve the number of individuals served.
√ Study and address the health effects of social isolation by creating a task force of consisting of the
public and members of interested agencies and organizations to identify vulnerable seniors;
develop strategies to combat isolation; implement interventions; and evaluate outcomes.
√ Increase capacity to serve individuals in the CCS program by hiring a new Mental Health
Professional/Service Facilitator to serve additional participants eligible for the program and to
address the workload of the Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section Manager’s
clinical and managerial responsibilities.
√ Enhance efficiency and improve customer service to individuals in CCS by training, implementing,
and fully utilizing a new electronic health record to replace the antiquated and failing Management
Information System (MIS).
√ Improve behavioral health supports by providing timely case management to individuals seeking
health and substance use stabilization and offering linkages to other supports and services, such
as law enforcement, community providers, the hospital, other county departments, other counties,
and tribal services.
√ Continue to improve public awareness and access to the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance
Program by expanding public outreach and marketing efforts to increase the number of household
applications by 6% over the previous year.
√ Maintain quality customer service by successfully implementing the unwinding of the public health
emergency policies in public assistance cases beginning in June 2023, confirmed by the timeliness
reports issued by the state showing established contractual performance standards are met.
√ Assist Bayfield County households prepare for the 2023 heating season by coordinating payment
for at least 60 households through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program Summer Fill
program.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
45 | P a g e
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CALENDAR YEAR 2023 GOALS (continued)
√ Improve services to children and youth with disabilities while addressing inequities in management
workloads. Restructure the Department to allow for the youth with disabilities programs to be in a
separate section with its own manager while expanding the number of children served in the
Children’s Long-Term Services (CLTS) program by petitioning for a Youth with Disabilities Section
Manager/Youth Services and Support Coordinator.
√ Improve services to children, youth, and families by recruiting and filling a vacant child welfare case
manager/social worker position and expanding the capacity of the section to provide additional
services including the Community Services Team (CST) program.
√ Expand the Department’s ability to conduct forensic interviews by training all new child welfare
case manager/social worker staff within their first year of employment.
√ Continue to strengthen customer service and administrative operations by cross-training DHS
support staff to ensure at least two staff have the knowledge to perform each support section task.
√ Preserve the future quality of customer service and administrative operations by beginning
succession planning with two senior, highly skilled support staff who perform complex contract,
accounting, and audit functions.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
46 | P a g e
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CALENDAR YEAR 2022
PERFORMANCE INCICATOR(S)/SUMMARY
ECONOMIC SUPPORT-Jeanine Spuhler, Manager
Bayfield County is committed to providing the best possible service to all customers. Bayfield County is
proud to be a member of the Northern IM Consortium (NIMC). NIMC is a partnership of twelve counties
including Ashland, Bayfield, Florence, Forest, Iron, Lincoln, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Wood
counties. Together the consortium delivers public assistance benefits to over 38,000 low-income
households. The primary method used to interact with customers is through the NIMC regional call center.
In 2022 the Northern IM Consortium Call Center answered over 85,000 phone calls. The goal of
Economic Support is to provide the best possible customer service in a timely and efficient way. The
Northern Trends chart includes data that measures the efforts of the section the past several years to
reach the goals established for customer service and program participation. There was a notable increase
in calls in 2022 as people began to resume pre-pandemic activities.
Obtaining and sustaining health care coverage during the public health emergency was critical in 2022.
The Northern IM Consortium saw an additional increase in health care cases in 2022 as a direct result of
strategic changes to the program. The following chart reveals the increasing trend in health care
coverage from 2019 to 2022.
109,188 110,698
81,100
70,921
91,943
101,212 100,997
77,552
69,290
85,712
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Northern Consortium
Calls Offered Calls Answered
4.09 5.05 2.14 1.43 2.57
1
5
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
AVERAGE SPEED OF ANSWER-
IN MINUTES
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
47 | P a g e
Similar to health care, FoodShare was also impacted by the easing of the COVID-19 emergency. The
case growth rate reflects a trend impacted by seasonal employment. The goal is to provide nutritional
support to eligible members through program enrollment.
27,273 27,229 26,974 27,190 27,145 27,077 27,096 27,082 27,045 27,116 27,114 27,182
27,291 27,438 27,462 28,113 28,516 28,960 29,383 29,667 30,168 30,599 31,085 31,49331,849 32,122 32,448 32,709 32,971 33,186 33,362 33,556 33,801 34,040 34,285 34,46034,699 34,821 34,982 35,208 35,437 35,599 35,770 35,940 36,137 36,284 36,477
37,675
25,000
27,000
29,000
31,000
33,000
35,000
37,000
39,000
Northern IM Consortium
Health Care Cases 2019-2022
2019 2020 2021 2022
13,430 13,239 13,105
13,102 12,980 12,936 12,865 12,764 12,672 12,643 12,570 12,64412,656 12,713 12,861
14,171 14,442 14,419 14,508
15,106 14,831 14,859
15,327
15,758
16,265 16,514 16,790 16,951 17,103 17,063 17,147 17,036 16,902 16,604 16,422 16,384
17,516
16,157
16,255 16,120 16,069 16,005 15,889 16,012 16,267
16,299
16,223
16,416
12,000
13,000
14,000
15,000
16,000
17,000
18,000
Northern IM Consortium
FoodShare Cases 2019-2022
2019 2020 2021 2022
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
48 | P a g e
The Economic Support section increased marketing efforts in Bayfield County for the Wisconsin Home
Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). Efforts included direct mailings, calls to residents, and
participation at outreach sites throughout the county. Bayfield County had a 9% increase in program
participation in 2022 compared to 2021.
595 595
637
662
724
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
HOUSEHOLDS WHO APPLIED FOR WHEAP
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
49 | P a g e
FAMILY SERVICES-Mary Anich, Manager
The cost of substitute care in 2022 was $653,855. This represents a 1% increase from the $645,865 out of
home placement costs in 2021. Most of the increase was due to two very costly residential care center
placements of youth with significant and complex behavioral needs. The residential care center portion of
the out of home costs in 2021 was $346,665. The 2022 costs for these placements was $349,239.02, or
less than 1 % increase year to year. Across the country, 2022 saw the continuation of increases of both
children and adults struggling with, and seeking treatment for, a variety of behavioral health issues. A lack
of local mental health service options and providers, combined with a lack of local out of home care
providers who are specially trained and licensed to safely manage the behaviors and challenges that
many children in out of home care exhibit, can make it very difficult to keep children in their homes and
connected with services in their home community.
The total cost of Red Cliff ICW’s out of home placements in 2022 was $230,979, which represents a 9%
increase over the previous year’s total of $213,308.
$144,729 $152,542
$192,125
$213,308
$230,979
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Red Cliff Foster Home Placements
$523,355
$299,867 $306,409 $335,511
$388,976
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Bayfield County Foster Home Placements
23 19 17 18 17
15
30
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF CHILDREN
PER YEAR
24 31 31 41 47
10
30
50
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
NUMBER OF CHILDREN
PER YEAR
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
50 | P a g e
AGING & DISABILITY SERVICES-Carrie Linder, Manager
A Disability Benefit Specialist (DBS) provides free confidential services to individuals, ages 18 – 59 with a
physical or developmental disability, mental illness, or substance abuse disorder. The DBS answers
questions related to Social Security, Medicare, health insurance and/or other public and private benefits.
They also assist those who have barriers to access benefits for which they are eligible.
Tracking the activities of the Disability Benefit Specialist (DBS) Program provides a measurement to
gauge the efforts, activities, and success of the DBS. It also provides an idea of the financial impact due to
the efforts of the Disability Benefit Specialist.
The 2022 data comes from an internet-based DBS Secure Website. It is important to note that in 2022
many decisions made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) continued to take longer than the four to
six months they have taken in the past, with no change to this pattern in the future. Initial applications took
longer to be processed by the local SSA field office before being sent to the Disability Determination
Bureau. Currently, the SSA is telling the DBS that initial applications are expected to 12 months after they
reach the Disability Determination Bureau. Reconsideration appeals are expected to 12 months or more
after they reach the Disability Determination Bureau. This means the number of open cases is growing
while many wait for a formal decision from the SSA.
Per the Summary Report, the Disability Benefit Specialist closed 174 cases with a total positive monetary
impact of $478.474 in 2022. Of the 174 cases closed, 130 (75%) were income benefit applications,
including Food Share, General Assistance, SSI/SSDI eligibility and post entitlement applications.
In comparison, the preliminary DBS State Program Summary indicates the average positive monetary
impact per individual DBS in 2022 was $571,540. Additionally, the preliminary DBS State Program
Summary shows a continued decline in the positive monetary impact, while showing an increase in the
average number of hours spent per client in 2022. Clients continue to contact the Disability Benefit
Specialist more frequently due to the length it is taking for decisions to be made.
The Disability Benefit Specialist provides individuals with assistance on both the first and second appeal
when applying for a disability determination with the Social Security Administration. If the decision needs
further work in a third appeal, it is recommended the DBS turn the case over to private practice. If that
private practice attorney is successful in assisting the individual obtain a disability determination, it is not
reflected in the overall monetary impact of this program. Ten cases, approximately six percent, were
referred to a private attorney for further assistance in 2022.
$993,991
$887,599
$692,709 $683,444
$478,474
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Monetary Impact of Disability Benefit
Specialist Cases Closed 116 121 131
177 174
100
150
200
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
DISABILITY BENEFIT
SPECIALIST CLOSED CASES
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
51 | P a g e
The Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS) helps solve problems associated with obtaining and keeping private or
governmental benefits. The EBS is trained to understand and master the extensive and complicated
paperwork associated with benefit programs. The EBS is available to provide information, assistance, and
representation to individuals 60 years of age and older who need help accessing public benefits such as
FoodShare, Medicaid, Medicare, Private health insurance, and Social Security.
Over the past five years the number of clients served on a yearly basis has continued to increase, over the
past five years there has been 165% growth in number of people served. That increase represents
individuals served, not duplicate client contacts.
When client data is entered by an EBS there is often a monetary impact associated with that interaction.
The dollar amount of monetary impact is determined by the state or federal government for various
programs. After the assistance has been entered in the database the amount of money associated with
that assistance is also logged. Monetary impact is a significant component of the EBS program, the
money that is brought to individuals in our county by working with the EBS is money that can be spent
fueling our local economy. Over the past five years the amount of monetary impact has increased by
227%; in 2022 the total value brought to Bayfield County by the EBS was $2,138,897.
Another benchmark for the EBS role is time spent on direct legal services work. The expectation for
billable time is that an EBS will bill 40% of their time to specific clients. The remaining time is spent on
general office work, training, and other program areas such as Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program,
supporting the AARP Tax Aide Program and other duties. The billable time for the Bayfield County EBS
meets the standard in 2022 and has increased by 200% over the past five years.
208 241 310 340 342
478 431
631
764
957$943,906
$687,843
$1,135,202
$1,372,823
$2,138,897
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
$0
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
$1,200,000
$1,400,000
$1,600,000
$1,800,000
$2,000,000
$2,200,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Elder Benefit Specialist Program Statistics-
Including number of clients and
hours spent on legal/benefits assistance
Number of Clients Hours Spent on Legal/Benefit Assistance Monetary Impact
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
52 | P a g e
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SERVICES-Tom
Croteau, Manager
CCS has been focusing on increasing the number of quality referrals that lead to quality intakes with
consumers that actively participate in the program. CCS is committed to improving the quality of referrals
(referrals that become intakes and are with the program for a minimum of three months) being made to the
program. Staff have been investing in educating the community and provider networks about CCS and the
services are offered to not only increase referrals to the program but increase the percentage of people
referred that then actively participate and receive the benefits of being in the program. Examples of
actions staff have taken to affect these numbers are facilitating regular groups on the unit at Memorial
Medical Center- Behavioral Health Unit, connecting and educating individuals about the CCS model with
staff at BHU, with law enforcement, and with county social work staff. Time was also given to educate
individuals that self-referred to help them better understand the program and services offered.
You will see in the graphs that the program received a similar number of referrals as last year and the
percentages of quality intakes remains the similar. There is a separate graph that breaks down the source
of the referral. A new table for 2023 shows the source of referral versus the number of those referrals that
resulted in being quality referrals. This shows which referral sources the program can focus on for more
education and networking.
35
45 44
12
31 27
10
24 22
0
10
20
30
40
50
2020 2021 2022
CCS: Referrals, Intakes and Quality Intakes
Referrals Intakes Quality Referrals
12 14
10 866
3
7
0
10
20
County Social Services MMC-BHU Self/family Other-professional
2022 Source of CCS Referrals for Quality Number of
Referrals, Quality Intakes
Quality Number of Referrals Quality Intakes
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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The Crisis Line is a shared regional program between 11 counties in Northern Wisconsin. It is available
toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year to receive calls from people experiencing
a mental health issue or any kind of emotional distress. Callers are immediately connected with a mental
health professional who can offer support or information about local behavioral health resources. In the
event of a mental health crisis, the Crisis Line is a valuable resource to county residents, clients, and their
family and friends. Law enforcement agencies utilize the Crisis Line when responding to situations in the
field to get more information about services and intervention options and to immediately connect an
individual to a supportive ear.
In 2022, the Crisis Line received a total of 47 calls which continues to show a downward trend over the
previous two years. However, this seems to be normalizing as compared to similar years from 2017-2019
which averaged 47 calls per year over those three years. The Crisis Line is promoted by actively
distributing the number and urging its use as after-hours support with current clients. The number is
posted on the County’s website and provided in printed materials created by DHS. The number is
routinely provided to local clinics to distribute to patients. The inpatient Behavioral Health Unit at MMC
provides the County’s crisis line number to all patients being discharged.
7 15
35
9
16
10
5
21 17
913
18 21 18 1410121214
8
40
50
89
58
47
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Crisis Line Calls
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Annual Total
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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Emergency Detentions (ED) occur when an individual has a Mental Health (MH) or Substance Use
Disorder (SUD) emergency and needs to be committed to a hospital or institution for their own safety and
protection or for the safety or protection of others. Detentions are a law enforcement action that are
confirmed by a qualified crisis screener. County staff assist with gathering the required information from
providers, family members, and law enforcement and coordinating with the County’s Corporate Council to
file the legal paperwork and is then presented at a legal hearing. If a commitment or settlement agreement
is deemed necessary through this legal action, then Behavioral Health staff monitor and support the
individuals while on the commitment/settlement.
There was a total of 19 emergency detentions in 2022. This was down from 28 in 2021. There were no
substance use EDs in 2022 and two of the total were for juveniles. This was down from four juvenile EDs
in 2021. BH staff are actively trying to support more individuals that seek services voluntarily by providing
case management and support in participating in outpatient and inpatient MH or SUD treatment. These
are now being tracked and may explain a decrease in the number of emergency detentions last year.
There is a significant cost savings to the department if the BH staff support people voluntarily vs.
involuntarily through the ED process.
12
10
3
0
21
27 28
17
5
10
4
2
5 4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2019 2020 2021 2022
Emergency Detentions by Category
SUD MH JUV Voluntary Treatment Supported-SUD Voluntary Treatment Supported MH
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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AGING &
DISABILITY
SERVICES
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
& COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS
ECONOMIC
SUPPORT
SERVICES
FAMILY
SERVICES
*Adult Family Home
Certifications
*Advocacy and Outreach
*Birth to Three
Case Management
*Children’s Community
Option Program
*Children’s Long-Term
Support
Dementia Services and
Support
Disability Benefit Specialist
*Elder Abuse/ Adult
Protective Services
Elderly Benefit Specialist
Emergency Referrals
Family Caregiver Support
Functional Eligibility
Determination for Long-Term
Care Services
Health Promoting Prevention
Activities
Home Delivered Meals
*Information and Assistance
Long-Term Care Options and
Enrollment Counseling
Senior Dining
*Specialized Transportation
Services
*Supportive Home Care and
Chore Services
Case Management
Communication Skills Training
Community Skills Development
and Enhancement
Comprehensive Assessments
Community Support Program
*Court Ordered Treatment – SUD
& MH
Employment Related Skills
*Emergency Detention – SUD and
Mental Health
Medication Management
*Mental Health Functional
Eligibility
*Mental Health/SUD Resource
Information and Assistance
Physical Health Monitoring
Psychoeducation
Recovery Education and
Management
Residential Support Services
Substance Use Disorder
Therapy
Training
Treatment
*Treatment – SUD and Mental
Health
*Caretaker Supplement
(CTS)
*FoodShare (FS)
*Front-end Verification and
Public Assistance Fraud
Investigation and Collection
Interim Assistance (GR)
Information and Referrals
Judicare Referral
Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund
(KWWF)
*Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus
*Wisconsin Home Energy
Assistance Program
(WHEAP)
*Wisconsin Shares (Child
Care Subsidy Program)
*Case Management Services
for Children and Families
(Voluntary and Court Ordered)
*Child Abuse/Neglect and
Child Welfare Assessments
Child Crisis/Respite Day Care
*Child Day Care Provider
Certification
*Child Protective Services – on
call 24/7
*Custody and Stepparent
Adoption Studies
*Foster Home Licensing
*Independent Living
*Information and Referral
In-Home Family Services
Jail Inmate Case Management
*Juvenile Court Intake
*Kinship Care Program
*Out-of-Home Placements
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
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SUMMARY
The first quarter of 2022 began a slowing down of the pandemic and all things COVID, even though the
federal public health emergency would not be formally ended until May 2023 more than a year later. The
pandemic resulted in many changes, including the continuation of many things virtual - remote work,
telehealth services, meetings, conferences, and trainings - although on a smaller scale. Due to the
efficiencies gained with some of these measures, they are likely to continue to be available as options in
the future.
Finding and retaining qualified employees continues to be an issue, in the Department, within Bayfield
County, in the state of Wisconsin, and nationwide. The need for adequate housing, in addition to the lack
of available interested and qualified applicants, has compounded the issue. Bayfield County continues to
employ creative strategies to improve recruitment and retention.
The reinstatement of services after the pandemic, which began ever so slowly in 2021, continued in 2022.
Unfortunately, the numbers of providers, vendors, and contractors has not resumed to the pre-pandemic
levels. When services could no longer be provided in person, many businesses laid off workers and
volunteers were advised their services were not needed. In some instances, providers of service and
volunteers did not return to their previous work assignments for any number of reasons - because they
found other work during the pandemic; they retired; they moved from the area; they were no longer
interested or healthy enough to work, etc. This continues to negatively impact services available in the
county, region, and state.
Some highlights from 2022:
• Due to an unusually severe winter, DHS saw an increase in staff working remotely due to
inclement weather. This is a win-win for the County and its employees. Employees do not miss
work; they do not need to claim paid benefit time or leave without pay; they can still be productive
and provide services.
• Staff struggled to find funding for: one youth placed in a state institution; one youth who was sent
for a short-term assessment in a state institute that ended up being a longer-term stay; and one
youth who was sentenced to the state’s juvenile correctional facility – all very expensive services.
• The number of tribal out-of-home placements did not change. There was a total of 41 placements
in 2022.
• The Children’s Long-Term Services (CLTS) program, while not considered sum sufficient,
continued to serve all eligible children, resulting in the Department petitioning for and receiving
permission to hire a second Youth Services and Support Coordinator for the program.
• In partnership with the Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) authority, the Department launched the
Door2Door program, an on-demand transportation option offered to the public throughout the
county. ARPA funds will continue to fund the County’s share of the pilot through December 31,
2023.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
58 | P a g e
• DHS staff met several times with Washburn School District staff to problem solve on students
presenting with complex mental health needs and/or risky behaviors.
• The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new Management Information System (MIS) for the
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program was released. A vendor was identified and
development of a new Electronic Health Record system for CCS will begin in early 2023.
• The balance of the Behavioral Health staff was transitioned from the Family Services Section to the
CCS Section, which was then renamed Behavioral Health and Community Programs (BHCP)
Section.
• Due to the increased census in the CCS program, the Department petitioned for and was allowed
to hire a third Service Facilitator.
• DHS transitioned the contingent fund of the Aging and Disability Resource of the North (ADRC-N)
to Ashland County, the new Fiscal Agent.
• The Community Support Program (CSP), a community-based program that provides intensive
services to individuals with severe and chronic mental illness, was transitioned from the Family
Services Section to the Behavioral Health and Community Programs Section in April 2021.
• The state of Wisconsin and each of its counties began to receive Opioid Abatement funds from the
state’s settlements with drug companies over the opioid epidemic. DHS staff participated in state
summits held throughout the year to help identify how the funds will be distributed (in small
amounts over many years in Bayfield County) and how the funds may be used. A small county
workgroup was established to provide recommendations on their use.
• There was a marked increase in the number of financial abuse cases of adults, some vulnerable,
some seniors and vulnerable, and some adults who would be considered neither vulnerable nor
elderly, but who were searching for something to fill a gap in their lives due to loneliness.
• DHS staff with Criminal Justice staff attended a Methamphetamine Recovery Summit focused on
Harm Reduction. Until abstinence, Harm Reduction acknowledges that addicts of
methamphetamine rarely recover using a total abstinence model. The goal in a harm reduction
model can be just to keep the individual alive for one more day.
• Barring an unforeseen audit adjustment, the 2022 budget was balanced, and a small excess will be
returned to the General Fund.
Delivering Human Services continues to be challenging. Ensuring safety and protecting the children,
individuals, and families in Bayfield County continues to be the priority for the Department. DHS staff will
continue to do everything they can to accomplish this goal.
Bayfield County Department of Human Services
59 | P a g e
In closing, I would like to thank the Department of Human Services staff. DHS staff excel in their
commitment, creativity, resiliency, and persistence in providing services to those in need. The
staff are Bayfield County’s greatest asset. They extend every effort to ensure that Human Services
are available to Bayfield County residents who need them. They empower clients to improve the
quality of their lives while treating them with the dignity, respect, and kindness that they deserve -
no matter what circumstances bring them to the Department.
It is both an honor and a privilege to work with such dedicated, professional, talented, and caring
staff.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Skulan
Director