HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 8/17/2023BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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Board Members Present: Jeremy Oswald, James Crandall, Patrick Irvine, Lona Schmidt, Mary
Dougherty (arrived at 4:02), Sue Rosa*, Marty Milanowski (*attended
virtually)
Not Present: Madelaine Rekemeyer, Stephanie Haskins-Defoe
Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Tom Croteau, Mary Anich, Stephanie Eder, Sarah Traaholt,
Val Gurske-Westlund
Call to Order and Introductions
Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Introductions were made.
Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the June 22, 2023, meeting minutes.
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Milanowski to approve the June 22, 2023, meeting minutes.
Motion passed.
Program Presentation – Parenting Assessment and Family Specialist Role Presentation, Family
Specialist Val Gurske-Westlund, Family Services
Anich introduced Val Gurske-Westlund to the Board. Anich noted that Gurske-Westlund came to the
Department of Human Services (DHS) two years ago and brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, life
experience and history of advocacy to the Family Specialist position. Gurske-Westlund noted that her
background in probation and parole and position with the New Day Shelter made this position an easy
transition for her.
The role of a Family Specialist is to ensure child safety by working with families involved with Child
Protective Services to assist them in improving their parenting and household management skills and to
help them develop positive coping mechanisms. Participants can be court ordered or voluntary.
Gurske-Westlund shared some of the different tools used with families including the parenting
assessment included in the Board packet. The parenting assessment is a set of questions integrated into
conversations with families to gauge where they are at and pinpoint needs. Gurske-Westlund involves
families in the case planning and together they set goals. The plans require goals and how success will be
measured is identified with the Family Specialist. Gurske-Westlund helps families find tools and
resources to help them move toward their goals to establish a productive and healthy family
environment.
Anich stated that due to fluctuating caseloads and capacity, Gurske-Westlund has taken the training
necessary to work in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. Gurske-Westlund provides
FINAL:
Approved at the
9/28/23 BCDHS
meeting
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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direct service to CCS participants. She also worked with the Family Services youth justice staff when
needed. Anich indicated Gurske is a valued member of the Family Services team.
Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes please.)
No Public Comment
Monthly Section Reports
Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler
Spuhler was on vacation and unable to attend the meeting.
Support Services – Stephanie Eder
• Support Staff reception position is still open. Vacancy was posted three times. Two interviews are
scheduled for Monday. Hoping to find a good fit and fill the position.
• Support Staff member was out for a few weeks after surgery.
• Working as a team to make sure tasks and adequate coverage for vacancy, surgery and summer
vacation schedules.
Behavioral Health & Community Programs – Tom Croteau
• Behavioral health continues to process many emergency detentions (ED). Behavioral Health staff
provide support for individuals who have been hospitalized due to their mental health and/or
addiction through various treatment options, voluntary and involuntary, and case management.
This includes providing support to individuals transitioning from placement back to their homes
and communities. There have been several emergency detentions conducted on individuals who
reside in another county or state. In Wisconsin, counties are mandated to ensure that individuals
found within the county who need emergency mental health or substance use disorder services
receive them. Once emergency services are provided, the case is transferred to the individual’s
county or state of residency.
• Croteau noted there are many individuals currently seeking voluntarily services. Hailey BeBeau,
Behavioral Health Case Manager, received five requests in a single day for voluntary services.
Croteau attributes this to outreach and educating other departments and professionals regarding
the services that are available. While not mandated, providing voluntary services may help
reduce the cost of care if they prevent emergency situations.
• Behavioral Health staff, Croteau, and Skulan met with Corporation Counsel to discuss the steps
required to process emergency detentions. Croteau noted MMC will be hosting an event in
September to review the process and ensure staff in agencies who process emergency detentions
understand the legal requirements.
• Croteau reported on the positive outcomes of two clients who been in treatment multiple times
who are now enjoying some stability. One has transitioned back into community. BeBeau worked
extensively with this client to ensure everything was in place for a successful transition. The other
client found success with new medications and outside providers. Positive outcomes are good for
clients and staff morale.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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• Irvine inquired whether there were adequate psychiatrists in the area. Croteau noted there is a
lack of providers for most medical professionals in the area as providers are scarce. He reported
there are no child psychologists in the area and one child current psychiatrist will be moving and
will be serving local children virtually only.
• Crandall inquired about secure detention facilities. Croteau stated the closest locked state mental
health institution is Winnebago. Irvine stated he finds the lack of providers worrisome. Croteau
states that depression, substance abuse and complex children’s cases are increasing. Croteau
reported that Douglas County will open a peer run crisis bed in approximately one year for
voluntary placements. Anich noted Northland Counseling has the infrastructure for a youth crisis
facility, but they have been unable to attract the staff to open.
• Croteau noted a law has been proposed to allow Advanced Practice Nurse practitioners who have
worked two years under a physician’s supervision to practice independently of physicians. This
might positively affect the number of providers available in the future.
• Croteau noted CCS currently has several new intakes. CCS currently has more intakes than
discharges. This comes at a time when staff are already stretched due to caseloads.
• Croteau received notice that the contracted provider who completes substance abuse screens is
ending the contract. Croteau states that this change will shift some clinical time back to him.
However, the team has been working to develop a plan for other staff to become qualified to
complete the screens.
• August Gordon’s limited-term employment ended last week. Gordon is pursuing her master’s
degree.
• CCS staff continue to work through issues related to using EchoVantage, the new electronic
health record (EHR).
• Chequamegon Bay Overdose Awareness Day Virtual 5K walk/run will be on August 31st. Overdose
Awareness Day is recognized internationally every year on August 31. This year, area
organizations, coalitions, committees, and groups have banded together to organize an event to
raise awareness about the overdoses occurring locally. The event is free and open to the public.
The first 200 participants registered for the event will receive a medication lock box that includes
information about overdose and local resources including those available at Bayfield County.
Aging & Disability (A&D) Services – Carrie Linder
Linder was unable to attend the meeting.
Family Services – Mary Anich
• DHS said goodbye to August Gordon. She was hired in late 2021 as a behavioral health case
manager. She transitioned to a youth justice case manager, then served as an intern and limited
term employee in CCS while she attended her first year of grad school. August continued to
support the family services unit as part of the on-call rotation up until several days before her
final day with Bayfield Co. August will be working with the Bayfield School in her final year of grad
school. August’s efforts were noted and appreciated. We wish her well.
• Anich reported the last several weeks there have been many afterhours calls, primarily for mental
health and aging, rather than for child protective services. Family Service’s staff are often asked
to trouble shoot mental health, substance use, homelessness situations, adult protective
services/dementia issues, and heating and fuel emergencies in the colder months. Anich states on
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
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August 17, 2023
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call staff does their best to offer suggestions, but responses to most of the calls are not available
until the next business day.
• Bayfield Co DHS was awarded a Foster Parent Grant to promote normalcy activities for children in
out of home care. The proposal included paying for drivers’ education, work/internship support,
cultural activities, sports/clubs/extracurriculars, school trips, school supplies, camps, etc.
• Anich attended the monthly Child Care Program Committee call which reviews updates to
childcare providers requirements and happenings.
• Family Services has one vacancy and one staff member on a brief leave of absence until later
August.
• Anich and Alice Wilson attended a tour of the proposed new space being rented in Ashland for
the forensic interviews of children. Bayfield Co currently uses a room at the sheriff’s offices for
these sensitive interviews, which can be very intimidating to children and their families. Bayfield
County DHS has partnered with Ashland Co DHHS to rent the space for the next six months. Its
use will be reviewed after the first of next year.
• Anich also attended a brief overview of how to use the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fleet
vehicles. County vehicle use has increased substantially.
• Hailey BeBeau finished Juvenile Court Intake Training and will now be included in the on-call
rotation.
• Ashley Maki completed the WiLearn Child Protective Services (CPS) training. Anich states it is a
good way to onboard staff and orientate them to CPS.
Monthly Reports
Monthly Financial and Training reports were reviewed and placed on file.
Discussion and Possible Action –2024 Budget – Review of the DHS 2024 Budget Narrative and Budget
Reviewed proposed budget documents included in packet.
Skulan reviewed narrative for Human Services 235 which is placed in counties budget book and reviewed
all budget changes for 2024.
Due to an accounting issue that has yet to be decided between County Administration and BakerTilly, the
counties auditing firm, Skulan asked the DHS Board to approve the 2024 budget for $6,710,344 and
contingently for $7,710,344. The additional $1,000,000 is the total of anticipated 2024 purchases
Bayfield County will contract and authorize payment for through the Children’s Long-Term Services
(CLTS) program. The funds are paid directly to vendors through the state’s third-party administrator
(TPA). The auditors feel these funds should be included in the budget and in the financials as DHS is
responsible for the contract and authorization of payment of funds. By approving both amounts, the
budget will not be detained if the funds must be added.
Skulan explained the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program helps children with disabilities and
their families through supports and services that help children grow and live their best lives. It is a home
and community-based service waiver. It uses a Medicaid waiver to fund services for children with
disabilities. A waiver lets states use Medicaid to fund additional non-medical services and supports not
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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normally offered. The CLTS Program aims to keep children at home instead of at an institution. Oswald
was thankful for the information on how the program works and noted that placement costs versus
buying items to keep the children in the home is much less costly than institutionalization and better for
the children. Bayfield County DHS tries to use best practices and alternatives for purchases that minimize
cost. Large credit card purchases require the director’s approval. Very high-cost non-standard purchases
must be submitted to the state for approval.
Motion by Dougherty, seconded by Milanowski to approve the proposed DHS budget for 2024 at
$6,710,344 and contingently for $7,710,344 should the decision be made to include pass through CLTS
purchases to the budget. Motion passed.
Discussion and Possible Action –2024 Budget – Review and Recommendation to present to County
Board of Supervisors
The first draft of the annual report reviewed. Three changes were noted: updated the budget summary
on page 5, repositioned table in graph on page 32, and added one staff to the organizational chart page
55.
Crandall had a question related to the historical CCS numbers. Skulan noted Bayfield County took over
the program in 2019 when New Horizons North filed bankruptcy. At that time, enrollment dropped.
Enrollment also dropped due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 face-to-face services were not offered,
and many providers laid off direct service staff. The program is still recovering from these events. The
census is still growing, and it appears Bayfield County can provide the services more cost effectively
than New Horizons North, Inc. had in the past. Crandall also noted the number of children enrolled in
the program have tripled. Croteau stated that regional CCS Administrator Val Levno has put
considerable effort into outreach efforts to schools which has helped increase referrals.
Oswald stated the report includes valuable information. He is excited to have the report to use it to
show the community what DHS does. Irvine agreed on the value of the information and the format of
the report.
Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Schmidt to receive and place 2022 DHS Annual Report with noted
changes on file and recommend presentation of the report to the County Board of Supervisors. Motion
passed.
Discussion and Possible Action – Resolution No. 2023-01, Resolution to Designate the Department of
Human Services to Receive Coordinated Services Team (CST) Funding
The committee reviewed the resolution and recommended it to the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Milanowski to accept Resolution No. 2023-01 and recommend to full
County Board. Motion passed.
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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Discussion and Possible Action – Review application and recommendation to reappoint Beverly Lindell
to the Family and Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Beverly Lindell is an existing member of the
committee whose term is expiring. Bev is interested in service another term. Her reappointment was
recommended by the committee Family and Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
Motion by Oswald, seconded by Schmidt to approve the reappointment Beverly Lindell to the Family and
Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Motion passed.
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.
Both Mittelstaedt and Notzke are interested in serving another term. The local and regional CCS
Committees have recommended their reappointments.
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Irvine to approve the reappointments of Sandra Notzke and Tom
Mittelstaedt to the local and regional Comprehensive Community Services Coordination Committees.
Motion passed.
Discussion and Possible Action – Reclassification of Christopher Beirl
The committee reviewed the materials submitted to Human Resources, the County Administrator, and
the Personnel Committee to request the reclassification of Service Facilitator Chris Beirl to Service
Facilitator/Substance Abuse Counselor. The Personnel Committee approved the reclassification at their
August 9, 2023, meeting. The reclassification was brought to the Human Services Committee to allow
them to support the reclassification.
Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Schmidt to support the reclassification of Christopher Beirl from
Service Facilitator to Service Facilitator/Substance Abuse Counselor. Motion passed.
Oswald voiced his appreciation for the foresight on this reclassification which both affords employees
the opportunity for professional development and retains employees longer.
Grant Award – The committee reviewed the Notice of Award for $5,800 Foster Parent Grant to Bayfield
County to improve normalcy opportunities for children provided in the packet.
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
BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING
EOC & Virtual
August 17, 2023
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Future Meetings
• September 28, 2023
• October 26, 2023
• November/December - December 5, 2023 (Meeting starts at 3:30 with a holiday potluck)
Crandall Adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m.
Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III