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Home My WebLink AboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 6/27/2024BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 BUDGET, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS REGARDING BAYFIELD COUNTY’S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS County Board Room & Virtual June 27, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-06-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 1 Board Members Present: James Crandall, Lona Schmidt, Marty Milanowski, Patrick Irvine, Madeline Rekemeyer Not Present: Carrie Linder, Sue Rosa, Mary Dougherty, Stephanie Defoe-Haskins Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Mary Anich, Tom Croteau, Jeanine Spuhler, Heather Gilbertson, District Attorney Kim Lawton, Hayley Weyers, Diane Foris- phone, Laura Westerlund, Karen L. Scheider, Heidi Kontny, Gifty Cook Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. Introductions were made. Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the May 23, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rekemeyer to approve the May 23, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion passed. Program Presentation – Family Services • Hayley Weyers-Children with disabilities program Supervisor for Bayfield County and Laura Westerlund, Birth to Three Service Coordinator for both Ashland and Bayfield counties provided a presentation on program. • Services are provided in the child’s natural setting(s). • Referrals come from self-referrals, childcare providers, medical professionals, early childhood centers, HeadStart, the WIC program, Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Child Protective Services staff. Most referrals come from medical clinics. • B3 is a voluntary program. • Bayfield County’s enrollment is generally between three and 13 children. Currently there are seven children enrolled. Action - The Floor was opened for the Public Hearing on the 2025 DHS Budget, opportunity for comments regarding Bayfield County’s policies and procedures for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Service Delivery, and Language Access. • Karen L. Scheider had concerns regarding Bayfield County’s decision not to issue a contract to HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. in 2024. Scheider wanted the DHS Board to respond to questions. When told the floor was opened for public comment and input on the budget and equal opportunity, Scheider requested that HEC Hooves of Joy be added to the next meeting agenda. FINAL: Approved at the 8/15/24 BCDHS Board meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 BUDGET, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS REGARDING BAYFIELD COUNTY’S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS County Board Room & Virtual June 27, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-06-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 2 • Heidi Kontny testified on behalf of HEC Hooves of Joy. Kontny advocated on behalf of the provider as they are helpful to her daughter. Kontny conveyed her shock, anger, and frustration and said that although she understood some of the issues that led to the decision, she hoped Bayfield County would reconsider. • District Attorney Kim Lawton addressed the Board and stated she is deeply concerned about Child Protective Service, Youth Justice, and Child Welfare. DA Lawton stated that DHS is losing an experienced social worker and is experiencing a crisis in the Family Services Section. DA Lawton offered to be a resource going forward to maintain the quality of services provided to the community. • Diane Foris stated the HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. 2023 audit complete, Diane stated Joy is still doing what she does best which is providing services. Foris would like Bayfield County to reconsider their decision not to contract with HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. • Madeline Rekemeyer addressed the public stating that the best way to address concerns would be to write a letter or email their district representative. Rekemeyer was unable to complete her comments when Scheider abruptly left the meeting. At 4:38 pm Crandall indicated the Board would leave the floor open for public comment in the event anyone else from the public arrived and wanted to speak. Written Comments – Review • Skulan read a letter from Janice Tuominen in support of HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. Monthly Section Reports Support Services – Stephanie Eder • Currently working on 2023 DHS Annual report. • Eder is finishing up the Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Reporting (WIMCR) for 2023. • Support Services is fully staffed and continues to cross train. Behavioral Health and Community Programs – Tom Croteau • The Community Support Program (CSP), a voluntary program that provides community-based intensive case management services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness , received two referrals last month. Program enrollment is now ten participants. • The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program has received six referrals in the last month. • CCS remains understaffed as program enrollment has increased to a high of 52 participants. Recruitment continues for a Mental Health Professional for the program. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 BUDGET, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS REGARDING BAYFIELD COUNTY’S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS County Board Room & Virtual June 27, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-06-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 3 Economic Support Services – Jeanine Spuhler • Spuhler stated the section is fully staffed with six employees. • Colleen Detjens completed new worker training, trained side by side with coworkers for a week, and will be taking calls on her own going forward. • June 28, 2024, is the last day of the Covid unwinding process. • The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program was successfully completed. This program provides a one-time payment to qualifying families with school age children to help with food costs during the summer months. • The Summer Fill program implemented through the Energy Assistance program provided a payment to 121 households for propane or fuel oil costs. Family Services – Mary Anich • Anich reported she received a resignation from Social Worker Katie Bland. • Family Service has recently had several difficult, complex cases. • Weyers and Anich have been working together on a difficult Children’s Long-Term Services (CLTS) case. They are working with the state to redefine the scope of services to better serve the family. • CLTS referrals continue to increase. An addition CLTS Youth Support and Services Coordinator is needed to serve the number of children enrolled in the program. • Anich submitted her section’s DHS 2023 Annual Report data and will now focus her efforts on developing her section of the 2025 budget. Aging & Disability Services - Carrie Linder by Elizabeth Skulan • Skulan stated that Linder has been dealing with significant health issues for some time and was recently diagnosed with cancer, which may be determined to be a late-stage cancer. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial and Training reports were reviewed and retained. 2025 DHS Budget Priorities • Budget Priorities are developed through input from staff and the management team. • The Department’s priorities for 2025 include: o Hiring new staff, continuing to provide competitive wages and fringe for both new and senior staff, and supporting employees’ need for a healthy work-life balance. o Provide adequate funding for voluntary services. o Support the County in their decision to remodel the lower level of the courthouse to provide additional office space and to establish a forensic interview room for children and youth. o Continue to fully fund aging services. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 BUDGET, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS REGARDING BAYFIELD COUNTY’S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS County Board Room & Virtual June 27, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-06-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 4 Discussion and Possible Action – Skulan voiced the Department’s need for additional staff in the CCS program and requested support to pursue hiring an addition Service Facilitator for program in 2023 since efforts to hire a Mental Health Professional to date have been unsuccessful. This is a fully funded position. Motion by Milanowski, second by Rekemeyer, to support the Request to hire a new Service Facilitator for the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program in 2024 as soon as possible to address the workload while continuing to recruit a Mental Health Professional. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Recommendation to request a new Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Social Worker/Case Manager position in the 2025 DHS Budget. This is a fully funded position. Motion by Rekemeyer, second by Milanowski, to request a new Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Youth Support and Services Coordinator position in the DHS 2025 Budget. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Skulan reviewed DHS Resolution 2024-03 Line-Item Budget Adjustment to move monies to account numbers that were not available when the 2024 DHS Budget was developed. The adjustment is necessary to move positions from A&D to FS so 2024 expenditures can be more easily monitored. Per the County Administration, this internal budget adjustment does not need to be forwarded to the full County Board for approval. Motion by Malinowski, seconded by Rekemeyer, to approve DHS Resolution 2024-03 as presented. Motion passed. Action – The Floor was closed for the Public Hearing for Public Comment, Input on the 2025 DHS Budget and/or Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Service Delivery, and Language Access at 5:24. Executive Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c) Marty Milanowski made a motion at 5:25 p.m. to go into Executive Session to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Madelaine Rekemeyer seconded the motion. Motion passed. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c) Marty Milanowski made a motion at 5:35 p.m. to reconvene the meeting in open session. Patrick Irvine seconded the motion. Motion passed. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 BUDGET, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS REGARDING BAYFIELD COUNTY’S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND LANGUAGE ACCESS County Board Room & Virtual June 27, 2024 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2024 DHS Board Minutes\2024-06-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 5 Discussion and Possible Action – Action required from Executive Session Motion by Marty Milanowski, second by Rekemeyer to approve requests for reclassification from an Economic Support Specialist I to an Economic Support Specialist II for Danielle Colby, Isabel Ford, Katy Hansen, Aaron Kalmon, and Jessica Soulier effective January 1, 2025. The recommendation will be forwarded to the County Administrator, the Human Resource Director and the Personnel Committee per County policy. Motion passed. Other (Informational Items) • April 29, 2024, email from Behavioral Health Case Manager Jamie Allen regarding Social Worker Briana Aldaba. • May 17, 2024, email from Wisconsin Department of Family Services Social Worker Lori Wagnitz regarding Family Services social Worker Katie Bland. Future Meetings • The July/August meeting will be held on August 15, 2024, in the County Board Room from 1:30 to 3:00. Please note special meeting date, time, and location. The meeting was moved to accommodate the County’s 2025 Budget timelines, lack of meeting space during remodel, and a Zoning Committee meeting in the same space following the DHS meeting. This will be an abbreviated meeting focusing on the budget to accommodate these restrictions. • September 26, 2024 • October 24, 2024 Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Submitted by Heather Gilbertson, Clerk III