HomeMy WebLinkAboutFamily Services Advisory Committee - Minutes - 4/9/2025
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09_FBHSAC_Meeting minutes-final.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, April 9, 2025 at 10 am
Committee Members Present: Lona Schmidt, Darlene Neff, Bev Lindell*, Mary Dougherty &
Bev Patterson. (*=virtual)
Others Present: Tom Croteau (Behavioral Health and Community Services Manager), Jo Beth
Gonzalez (Family Services Section Manager), and Nina Bucher (Support Staff).
Call to order and introductions: Chairperson Schmidt called the meeting to order 10:05.
Minute Approval: Patterson made a motion to approve the 1/8/25 minutes as is and Neff
seconded. The motion carried.
Public Comment: none.
Avel Virtual Crisis Care: Croteau explained that a three-year contract is now in place with
Avel to provide virtual assistance to law enforcement when they are on the scene with
someone in a mental health crisis situation. Avel’s mental health professionals connect with
the person via i-pad or telephone to ask questions to assess stability and create a safety plan
for them. The service has been used three times by separate Bayfield County deputies who
have found it extremely helpful. The safety plan is determined by Avel and the individual in
crisis, then communicated to the deputy who prints out the plan then acts on it. Croteau gets
a copy of the plan as the Behavioral Health Services Manager and follows up with the
person/plan. Statistics show 80% of the people in crisis that use Avel stay in the home and are
not emergently detained (ED: placed in a facility for a 48-hour hold). EDs are expensive and
this tool will not only save the County money, it will serve the community better. The cost is
$28,000/year and Croteau received a grant for $24,000 and will be applying for a $75,000
Federal grant to cover future years.
Section Updates:
Family Services-Gonzalez said: the Family Specialist position has been filled by Sophia
Henneman who will be starting on 4/14/25; the Youth Justice position is still vacant and
actively recruited for; the CST Manager position is on hold until all other positions are filled
and there is time to get the CST program off the ground; and cases are steady.
Behavioral Health-Croteau shared: that Jamie Allen, the sole Behavioral Health Case
Manager, will be providing mediation services through the court approximately two to four
hours per month; The annual CCS review will take place in two weeks; The Behavioral Health
Case Manager vacancy will not be advertised until May to allow Jamie time to train in on the
Minutes were approved
at the 4/9/25 FBHSAC
meeting
K:\Agendas and Minutes\Family & Behavioral Health Services Advisory Committee\FBHSAC Minutes\2025 FBHSAC minutes\2025-04-
09_FBHSAC_Meeting minutes-final.docx
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mediation services and the section to get past the annual review; $50,000 in supplemental
post-covid grant funding was unilaterally terminated by the Federal Government on 3/24/25
which will now need to be covered by the county levy; and the Behavioral Health Section
office space should be ready to move in in May in stages.
Committee Membership: Croteau relayed that Dale and Nancy Johnson have resigned
from the Committee and that he had thanked them for their time. Christie Branagan from
Bayfield has completed a citizen application and would like to join the FBHSAC. Her application
was reviewed and Dougherty made a motion to recommend her for appointment by the
Human Services Board. Neff seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Other: Schmidt informed the group that she would be moving out of the area before the next
meeting, so would be stepping down from the Committee. All wished her well and thanked
her for her service!
Future 2025 Meeting Dates: July 9 and October 8 at 10am.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Nina Bucher
Nina Bucher