HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 5/8/2024
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08_FBHSAC_Meeting minutes-draft.docx
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BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY & BEHARIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FBHSAC)
MEETING MINUTES
Courthouse Conference Room A & Remote
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 4 pm
Committee Members Present: Bev Patterson, Lona Schmidt, Darlene Neff, Bev Lindell, and
Nancy Johnson (via Telephone).
Others Present: Tom Croteau (Behavioral Health and Community Services Manager), Mary
Anich (Family Services Section Manager) and Nina Bucher (Support Staff).
Introductions and Call to order: Schmidt called the meeting to order at 4 pm.
Minute Approval: Schmidt asked for any changes or a motion to approve the 1/10/24
FBHSAC meeting minutes. No changes were cited so Neff made the motion to approve, and
Patterson seconded. Motion carried.
Nomination/election of Committee Chair: Schmidt was nominated for Chair, Patterson
called for a unanimous ballot, and all voted to elect Schmidt as Chair.
Nomination/election of Committee Vice-Chair: Lindell was nominated for Vice-Chair,
Patterson called for a unanimous ballot, and all voted to elect Lindell as Vice-Chair.
Public Comment: Patterson shared that Super One in Ashland just donated a sizable amount
to Genesis through their “chip-up” program and encouraged other non-profit organizations to
contact store manager Dustin to be considered for the program.
Section Updates:
Family Services-Anich presented staffing changes since the January meeting which
included: Katie Bland starting as a CPS Social Worker; Liv Garramone starting as the
Coordinated Services Team (CST) Worker; and Val Gurske-Westerlund leaving that has
resulted in and opening for the Family Specialist position. The CST grant is a new program to
Bayfield County and is similar to CCS but for children. The CST approach has the family of the
child identify a team of people (can be friends, social workers, law enforcement, etc) to
develop a plan of care to address the issues and keep the child safe. The goal is to empower
the family to eventually be their own team/support system for the child.
Anich stated that after the busy/difficult beginning of the year with complex cases, her
section is now pulling out of crisis mode and reshuffling duties. Expensive placements have
already put their section over the annual budget. Discussion was had about the relationship
with Red Cliff Tribal Indian Child Welfare system and roles and responsibilities of each agency.
Behavioral Health-Croteau stated that 2024 Behavioral Health services have already
spent 82% of the annual budget in the first two months of the year. Grants are being pursued
Minutes are subject to
change before approval
at next FBHSAC meeting
K:\Agendas and Minutes\Family & Behavioral Health Services Advisory Committee\FBHSAC Minutes\2024 FBHSAC minutes\2024-05-
08_FBHSAC_Meeting minutes-draft.docx
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to help with the cost and it was suggested that a dedicated person be hired to write the grants
so that valuable behavioral health workers time is not being taken up doing so.
Tamarack Health’s Behavioral Health unit’s available beds are being lowered to three in
number during the next 6-7 weeks during a renovation. It is expected that ten beds will be
available again in September.
The CCS section continues to learn to use the ECHO system for electronic health records to
help streamline record keeping and billing.
Review of advisory committee roles, responsibilities and expectations: Croteau
handed out a list of roles, responsibilities and expectations of advisory committee members
and asked it there were any questions and should they create a purpose statement for the
group. The purpose statement was opted out of but the group decided they should focus on
advocacy by developing formal suggestions (resolutions) on topics to be presented to the
Human Services and County Boards, and Personnel Committee. Initiatives and priorities should
be on education/prevention “upstream” to attempt to shape behavior/positive decision making
before negative activity actually happens.
Review/recommend Patterson’s reappointment: Dougherty made a motion to
retroactively approve Patterson’s reappointment to the Family & Behavioral Health Services
Advisory Committee as of July 2023. Schmidt seconded and the motion carried.
Future Meeting dates and time: Anich requested the Committee move the meeting to
normal business hours and proposed a 10 am start time. All were in agreement so the
remaining 2024 meetings will start at 10am on July 10, and October 9.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Nina Bucher
Nina Bucher