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BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
JOINT MEETING OF THE AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AND THE NUTRITION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Conf A and Remote via
Teams February 25, 2025
3:00 p.m.
Committee Members Present: *Bill Bland (ADAC), *Karen Anderson (ADAC), *Frances Renn-Malcheski
(NAC), *Sue Aiken (NAC), *Fred Strand (NAC), Alice Evenson BRICK
Representative (ADAC)
*In Person
Committee Member Absent: Tracey Snyder (ADAC), Mary Dougherty (ADAC), Dee Sweet (ADAC)
Others Present: Carolyn Novak, Heather Gilbertson, Elizabeth Skulan, Timothy Whelan
Aging & Disability Services Advisory Committee, Christopher
O’Dell.
Call to Order and Introductions
Renn-Malcheski called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. and introductions were made.
Discussion and Possible Action-Review of November 19, 2024, ADAC Meeting Minutes
Discussion and Possible Action-Review of October 21, 2024, NAC Meeting Minutes
Program Reports:
ADRC
ADRC is working on a new marketing campaign that includes a new logo and tagline. While there
has not been a lot of information provided, there will be more marketing dollars made available
to Bayfield County. There will be a promotional video made for ADRC using a mix of new and old
footage. The video will be shared on social media and shown in local theaters.
Ann Marie Mackin is the Peer Place Champion. Peer Place is not as efficient or streamlined as
SAMS, but we are making it work for us.
Lindi Olson is the Bayfield County Resource Lead. Olson has been ordering marketing materials
and oversees putting together events (setting up the table, providing information and
giveaways).
Inclusa has had a steady turnover of case managers, which is a growing issue. One client has had
five different case managers in the last year.
Clients have disenrolled from Family Care due to lack of services and available workers.
The October 21, 2024, meeting minutes were presented to the Committee. The Committee accepted
them and approved them to be placed on file.
The November 19, 2024, meeting minutes were presented to the Committee. The Committee
accepted them and approved them to be placed on file with the discussed correction.
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Congregate Meals
The program is doing very well. The Cable location is averaging 40-45 participants,
Cornucopia is averaging 20-25 participants and Iron River averages 50 participants for each
meal.
The Cedar Lodge Steak House in Barnes is interested in hosting a congregate meal on
Thursdays. Guests would have the entire place to themselves. Due to the current funding
freeze, this will have to be something to discuss in the future, but it is good to see the
community wanting to help those in need.
There has also been discussion about a church in Bayfield wanting to host a meal if funding is
available in the future.
Home Delivered Meals
With the closure of Northland College and with it, Chartwells, there will need to be some
restructuring of the process. Chartwells has informed us that the week before Northland’s
graduation (May 24) will be the final week they will provide meals. Mark Abeles-Allison is in
talks with Bayfield County Jail to see if they would be able to take on the additional meals.
There are certain logistics that need to be discussed, but it would be a very good option.
Specialized Transportation
With Carrie Linder leaving and a new manager being hired to take her place, the Find Your
Own Driver Program is currently on hold. Once the new person is hired, this can be revisited.
Adult Protective Services
There is a new database/charting software being used called WRAPS. It is not as efficient as
the old software, but the staff is getting used to it.
The Sheriff’s Department stated that scams were on rise and older adults can usually be
victims of them. Do not give out any information to anyone!
There have also been some cases of self-neglect. Winter is difficult for some people, and they
do not always take care of themselves physically or financially.
There have been a few reports of bedbug infestations. Novak stated they met with Plunkett’s
about how to handle this problem. There was some discussion of other companies that
provide services to handle different aspects of the infestations.
There was discussion about clients who suffer from dementia and finding the balance
between letting them have their freedom and stepping in to protect them.
National Family Caregiver Program
The NFCSP has an opening for one more family. They have a total of three spots, but two are
already being utilized.
The AFCSP has three openings available, with only one currently being used. However, there
is a lack of available caregivers.
Evidence Based Programs
We added more instructors and classes last year, which is GOOD NEWS!
The Strong Bodies class in Port Wing is doing very well, and the classes are well attended.
Tai Ji Quan classes will start again in March and April. There will be classes in Drummond,
Cable and Herbster.
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Other (Informational Items)
Carrie Linder retired on February 12. Skulan confirmed that the department is currently in
the process of finding a replacement and interviews are being done.
The Older Americans Act funding is being looked at by the current presidential administration
to see if the project will be kept or cut. Due to that there will be no new projects or contracts
unless necessary.
The Social Isolation Grant is wrapping up. The coalition plans to keep it going and they do not
feel they need a grant to continue their work.
The Repair Café in Cable has been a great success, and they plan to continue the project. The
Repair Café allows people to bring in a household item that is broken and see if someone can
fix it there. They hope to also have a bike clinic this Spring.
As part of the Vaccination Grant, Public Health was at the meal sites in February to discuss
vaccines and heart health (February is Heart Health Month), and they will be doing Covid
boosters in April. Public Health is also targeting public housing buildings. Aging and Disability
will be meeting with Public Health on February 26 to discuss collaboration between the two
departments. There is discussion of possibly having a Power of Attorney workshop. It would
also be good to get some of these people to meal sites to make sure they are getting healthy
food and avoiding social isolation.
Renn-Malcheski asked if there was any place that would take extra food that would otherwise
be thrown away. Evenson suggested checking with New Day Shelter in Ashland. She further
stated that any canned good could be donated to the BRICK. Novak added that for prepared
food, we must make certain to know how the food was prepared and stored due to having a
vulnerable population.
2025 Meeting Dates
ADAC NAC
May 20, 2025 May 16, 2025, Conf Room A, meal to follow at St. Louis Meal Site
August 26, 2025 August 19, 2025, at 11:00 Cornucopia Meal Site
December 9, 2025 October 23, 2025, at 10:45 Iron River Meal site
Renn-Malcheski adjourned the meeting at 3:59pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Christopher O’Dell, Clerk I