Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 3/28/2024BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 28, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-03-28_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 1 Board Members Present: Marty Milanowski (virtual), Sue Rosa, Madelaine Rekemeyer, Jim Crandall, Lona Schmidt (by phone) Not Present: Jeremy Oswald, Mary Dougherty, Patrick Irvine, Stephanie Haskins Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Jeanine Spuhler (virtual), Stephanie Eder, Sarah Traaholt, Tom Croteau, Mary Anich, Shawna White (virtual), Val Levno (virtual) Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:02 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 February 22, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rekemeyer to approve the February 22, 2024, meeting minutes with a correction that Rekemeyer attended the meeting in person, rather than virtually. Motion passed. Program Presentation – Shawna White, Resolution Coordinator, Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) Shawna White introduced herself to the group as Economic Support Supervisor for Sawyer and Resolution Coordinator for the NIMC. As the Resolution Coordinator, White oversees the benefit recovery team. White’s recovery group works to ensure payment accuracy, identify fraud, recover overpayments, and prevent future loss. White notes that program integrity is the responsibility of Economic Support. White reported recovery efforts are currently focused solely on FoodShare. White explained that there are three overpayment scenarios that may trigger overpayment: • Accidental client error with no clear fraud intent. • Agency error through system error or worker miscalculation. • Intentional program violation including misleading, concealing, or giving false information to gain additional benefits, or violating FoodShare rules such as trading food benefits for cash or other goods. White notes that the lookback benefit period for client or non-client error is twelve months from the date the overpayment claim was established. The look back period for intentional fraud cases is up to six years. Claims are time sensitive and require immediate action to recoup as much of the overpaid benefits as possible. Final: Approved at the 04/22/2024 BCDHS Board Meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 28, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-03-28_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 2 Intentional violations are very involved and labor intensive. A careful examination of case records by the agency is essential in determining whether it should be referred for fraud investigation. Suspected intentional fraud cases may be referred for investigation with a contract provider. If the investigator determines an alleged intentional program violation was committed, the agency must decide whether to or not to refer the case to one of the following on to an Administrative Disqualification Hearing and/or to the District Attorney for prosecution. In 2023, eighty-one investigation referrals were referred for investigation and seventy were completed. Program violations in 2023 resulted in the identification of $282,000 in overpayments. Of those, Bayfield County had three intentional program violations and $27,787 in overpayments. White also noted that investigations also promote cost savings. Investigations that result in a case correction ensure the proper amount is being paid to the household. This results in less overpayments. White responded to questions from the board about underpayments, penalties, and percentages of fraud. Monthly Section Reports Family Services – Mary Anich • Anich reported there are plans for a new forensic interview room as part of the remodeling project in the lower level of the courthouse. • In 2024, the Childrens with Disability Services moved from Aging and Disability to Family Services. Hayley Weyers was promoted to a supervisory position overseeing Childrens Long Term Services (CLTS), Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP) and Birth to Three (B-3) under Section Manager Anich. • Anich and Liv Garramone, new Coordinated Services Team (CST) Case Manager, attended meetings and training for the CST program. Garramone has been tasked with developing the program plan and policies for the CST program. • Anich noted that ten children have been placed in out of home placement (OHP) since Christmas. • One youth was placed in secure detention and Anich stated staff are having difficulty finding an appropriate placement for that youth as well as other complex needs children. • Family Services staff have been providing mandatory drug testing for Economic Support since July for the FoodShare program. Any participant with a felony in the last five years must present a passing drug test within 30 days of filing for FoodShare. Tests, suspended during the pandemic, are now required again. Support Services – Stephanie Eder • Eder noted that Support Services is fully staffed, and cross training continues. • Eder stated Sarah Traaholt will be moving from the front reception office to Suite B. • Eder and staff are busy closing the 2023 financials while simultaneously working on the current year and beginning work on the 2025 budget. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 28, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-03-28_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 3 Aging & Disability (A&D) Services – Elizabeth Skulan for Carrie Linder • Skulan noted that updates for Linder will be included in the weekly report emailed on Monday. • Crandall reported he has attended a few senior meals. Crandall noted that nutrition is very important, but socialization is key for senior at the congregate meals. • Skulan answered questions on congregate meal eligibility, costs, program funding, and how important the programs are for connected seniors to additional services as they are needed. • Rekemeyer reported that a neighbor is very thankful for the Home Delivered Meals program and their connection with driver Jon Berthel. • Croteau noted that the drivers who deliver the meals make valuable contacts with Behavioral Health clients. They provide an extra set of eyes and ears, making sure CCS staff are informed and can respond quickly when something seems out of the ordinary. Behavioral Health & Community Programs – Tom Croteau • Croteau reported Tamarack will be reducing beds for several weeks during renovation. More clients will be placed out of the area. • Emergency Detentions, which decreased over the last couple of weeks, have increased again. • Suicidal ideation is more common in the spring because people expect to feel depressed in winter months but expect to feel better in spring. • Croteau reported serving individuals with very severe psychosis and schizophrenia. • Croteau reported three-party petitions require a large amount of coordination and funding. While not mandated, three-party petitions might save the County money by reducing personnel (DHS, law enforcement, court), emergency detentions, and placement costs. • DHS contracts with Northland Counseling to administer the Community Support Program (CSP). CSP provides community-based services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Northland Counseling is hiring new staff to serve more individuals in CSP. • The number of participants in the CCS program is climbing slowly. There are currently forty-eight participants and a few referrals that have not been processed. • CCS Administrator, Val Levno, is retiring as of May 3, 2024. Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler • Spuhler reports that Economic Support has been recruiting to fill a vacancy since January. Interviews are scheduled for next week. • Children’s premiums, suspended during the pandemic, are being reinstated. • Katy Hansen and Isabel Ford are currently training to process Elderly Blind, and Disabled cases. When a caller is transferred to the wrong team it is often frustrating when they are redirected to the correct team. Cross training eliminates the need for transfers. • Aaron Kalmon has completed Family Care and Long-Term Care training. • The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program has developed and will implement an HVAC emergency assistance benefit for air conditioning. More information to come. • There will be a summer bulk fuel program this year. With the mild temperatures, less people are in emergency situations. • The heating moratorium ends in April. Spuhler anticipates an increase in phone calls when residents receive disconnect notices. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 28, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-03-28_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 4 • Earlier this month, Spuhler participated in a virtual management review. The review went well but Spuhler is waiting for results. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial and Training reports were reviewed and retained. Discussion and Possible Action – Recognition of Val Levno, CCS Administrator Val Levno is retiring on May 3, 2024. Val has worked for many years to assist individuals in Bayfield County with mental health issues and substance use disorders. Levno was employed by New Horizons North, then by Ashland County when New Horizons closed their doors in 2019 and the CCS programs transitioned to the counties. Levno was instrumental in helping structure, develop, and implement the CCS program in the Ashland Bayfield County region in 2015. Levno has been committed and dedicated to the populations she has served. This resolution recognized Levno’s many years of service to the residents of Bayfield County. Motion by Rosa, seconded by Milanowski to approve the resolution recognizing Levno and recommends its approval to the County Board for consideration at their April 16, 2024, meeting. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Recognition of Jeremy Oswald’s service on the County Board and DHS Committee Jeremy Oswald did not run for reelection to the County Board this term. Oswald has been an engaged, contributing member of the committee since his first appointment to the committee in April 2018. Oswald’s commitment to ensuring Human Services are available and accessible to the residents of Bayfield County has always been apparent in his work on the committee. Oswald’s dedication, perspective, and humor will be missed. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rosa to approve resolution to recognize Jeremy Oswald for service to the Bayfield County and Human Services Boards. Motion passed. Bayfield County Comprehensive Plan – DHS Status Report The County Administrator directed Departments to report quarterly to their oversight committees on progress made on the county’s comprehensive plan. At the last meeting, the committee did not have the time to review the Department’s update and a request was made to provide progress on the plan to the committee annually. As a compromise with county administration, DHS will provide a written update to the committee quarterly then add the plan to a committee meeting agenda for discussion once a year during the fourth quarter. County Levy and 2025 Budget Skulan reported an update on the County Levy discussion. There is no tax exemption for mandated services. As a result, the Department will request additional tax levy in the upcoming 2025 budget cycle. DHS also plans to petition for another support staff position. The increased number of individuals served in the CCS and Children’s Long-term Services (CLTS) programs has resulted in an increase in the BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 28, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-03-28_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 5 clerical and accounting tasks that must be performed for the programs. The current support staff team does not have the capacity to accommodate the extra workload. The Department will request a Clerk III position due to the complexity of duties that will be assigned to the new position, which will include clerical work, accounting tasks, and tech support for the new Electronic Health Record system. Other (Informational Items) • Email February 27, 2024, from NIMC Administrator Steve Budnick, recognizing Economic Support Specialist Jessica Soulier. • Email from Tai Ji Leader Suzanne Rooney recognizing Social Work Aid Michele Reiswig. • Rekemeyer reported compliments were shared with her by a Peer Support Specialist complimenting Tom Croteau and the work. Future Meetings • Monday, April 22, 2024. (Please note Monday meeting date.) • May 23, 2024 • June 27, 2024, in the County Board Room, will include 2025 Public Hearing Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III