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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 2/27/2025BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual February 27, 2025 2025-02-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL 1 Board Members Present: James Crandall, Marty Milanowski, Mary Dougherty, Teri Hanson, Sue Rosa, Jeff Holte Board Members Absent: Lona Schmidt Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Stephanie Eder, Jeanine Spuhler (virtual, left at 4:44 p.m.), Jo Beth Gonzalez, Sarah Traaholt, Tom Croteau, Corporation Counsel John Carlson Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Discussion and Possible Action – Jan 23, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rosa, to approve the January 23, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion passed. Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes)- No comment. Program Presentation – Confidentiality and Child Protective Services, Corporation Counsel, John Carlson • Carlson shared copies of state statutes that speak to confidentiality requirements in programs that Human Service Departments administer and the duties of a Human Services Board. Carlson provided some clarification regarding what information, due to confidentiality requirements contained in the statute, can and cannot be disclosed to the Board as they provide oversight to the Department. • Carlson stated that Human Services is very limited in what information can be provided and to whom; there are no exceptions for the Human Services board. Information must remain broad and non-specific to ensure client confidentiality. • Carlson stated that the Human Services Board serves as an oversight and policy committee responsible for staff management, program monitoring, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements. Oversight should be focused on the Department level and should not focus on individual clients or cases. • Skulan noted that Family Services can report the number of maltreatment cases each month to provide a broad overview to the Board. • Skulan stated that the State reviews every egregious case of child abuse or neglect – those that result in serious injury or the death of a child. • Carlson pointed out that most people only know about a small percentage of the daily operations of child protective services. Chapter 48 hearings are closed to the public, including DHS Board members, for confidentiality reasons. Carlson also noted that social workers experience high levels of burnout due to the demands of their day-to-day responsibilities. FINAL: Approved at the 3/27/25 BCDHS Board meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual February 27, 2025 2025-02-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL 2 • Rosa asked how board members could support the Department and aid in keeping children in the community safe. It was noted that the DHS Board can advocate for sufficient staffing, tools, training, and resources that are essential for staff to perform their duties effectively. • DHS staff currently attend monthly collaboration meetings with staff from the District Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement. • Dougherty emphasized that approaching situations with openness rather than defensiveness is crucial for moving forward. Monthly Section Reports Economic Support – Jeanine Spuhler • Spuhler reviewed the enrollment numbers for the FoodShare and Medicaid programs in Bayfield County. Spuhler noted that there are currently 1,436 individuals enrolled in FoodShare and 3,229 of Bayfield County residents are enrolled in Medicaid, of which 2,205 are enrolled in the BadgerCare Plus program. It is the BadgerCare Plus members who may be most significantly affected locally by any cuts to the Medicaid program. Spuhler will provide more information to the Board as it becomes available. • Spuhler noted that 559 families in Bayfield County receive energy assistance. A total of $260,000 in assistance has been paid out for this heating season. In addition, 55 furnace referrals and 45 crisis payments were also made. • Spuhler emphasized that the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) is regional. Economic Support workers in Bayfield County are fielding calls from twelve counties. NIMC serves approximately 60,000 members. The uncertain federal budget impact has led to increased calls from anxious program participants. • Spuhler reported that the state recently conducted an energy assistance review. No further action is needed. • Dougherty questioned if there is anything the County can do to help pay medical bills for residents if reductions are made. Skulan noted that in the last DHS annual report, more than $30 million was paid in Medicaid benefits on behalf of Bayfield County residents, and it was unlikely the County would be able to fill this gap (the cost equates to more than 80% of the County’s current annual budget). Behavioral Health and Community Programs – Tom Croteau • Sarah Peterson joined the Behavioral Health team as a Case Manager on February 17, 2025. Peterson has been training for the last two weeks and will be accompanying Jamie Allen, Behavioral Health Case Manager and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) staff, on home visits soon. • Behavioral Health staff continues to assist Family Services with youth justice clients. • Croteau announced that officer training on the Avel virtual crisis care program is now complete and the system is officially live. Croteau and Chief Deputy Runice have a meeting scheduled to discuss implementation now that the training is complete. A press release will be distributed soon. • Croteau, Gonzalez, Skulan, and Child Protective Services (CPS) continue to collaborate with the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement. This helps improve relationships. Croteau hopes that all area law enforcement will eventually attend. All are invited to the meeting. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual February 27, 2025 2025-02-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL 3 • Molly Randa and Alan Spaude-Filipczak are becoming comfortable in their respective roles. Spaude- Filipczak has successfully processed referrals, which has freed up a significant amount of time for Croteau to focus on other tasks. • Croteau mentioned several of his staff members are attending additional substance abuse counseling and training. This will allow them to provide counseling to participants, aids them in their professional development, and benefits the program. • Croteau shared a success story about a participant who is leaving or “graduating” from the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program. • Dougherty inquired about funding for the Avel contract. Skulan reported the Department has committed to a three-year contract. There is grant funding that will pay for most of the first year of the contract. However, if participants can be diverted from costly institutional placements, the program will pay for itself. • Croteau also mentioned that deputies can use Avel’s service for debriefing or for their personal mental health support as a benefit of the contract. Family Services – Jo Beth Gonzalez • Gonzales stated that she is entering her fourth month of employment at Bayfield County. • Melissa Berthiaume, hired as a temporary employee through February, has accepted a full-time position in Family Services as a Child Protective Services Social Worker. • Keldi Merton has transitioned from the role of Family Specialist to a Child Protective Services Case Manager. • Gonzalez noted Family Services is currently recruiting to fill vacancies for a Family Specialist and a Youth Justice Case Manager/Social Worker. • Gonzalez notes that staff are continuing to get training specific to their job duties. • Children’s Long-Term Services (CLTS) program will be reviewed by Metastar in March. The CLTS staff are working well as a team. Support Services – Stephanie Eder • Eder reported that DHS is recruiting for a new Clerical position. Recently, two candidates were interviewed for the position. The position is funded 40% by CCS, 40% by CLTS, and 20% by county levy. This staff member will assist in expanding the use of EchoVantage, the electronic health record program used by DHS. • Christopher O’Dell has been with the team since December and is doing well in his new position. Aging & Disability Services – Elizabeth Skulan • Carrie Linder will be on extended family leave until her paid leave has expired. She will not return to work and essentially retired from work on her last day in the office, February 12, 2025. • Skulan noted that Brynna Watters-Moffitt, formerly an APS social worker, was hired for the position. Watters-Moffitt's first day in her new role will be on March 3, 2025. • Skulan has been administering two grants that Linder managed before retirement. One grant concludes in March. The other ends in June. There is still a significant amount of work left to complete. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual February 27, 2025 2025-02-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL 4 • Northland College’s Chartwells has been providing meals for most home-delivered meals (HDM) and one congregate site for many years. With Northland College closing, Chartwells will discontinue operations on May 24, 2025. DHS is considering its options, one of which may be the Bayfield County kitchen. • There will be no expansion in services in 2025 due to the uncertainty of how changes to the federal budget might affect county operations. • Dougherty questioned what DHS would do if programs were cut. Skulan noted that some of the changes will be dictated by the federal and/or state government (e.g., eligibility criteria). DHS will do whatever is in the Department’s control and budget to continue to serve residents. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial and Training reports were reviewed and retained. Discussion and Possible Action –Appoint Timothy Whelan to the Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Holte, to approve the appointment of Timothy Whelan to the Aging and Disability Services Advisory Committee. Motion carried. Discussion and Possible Action – DHS Resolution #2025-01, Line-Item Budget Resolution This budget resolution does not increase the Department’s spending. The resolution allows the Department to move amounts from one account to another within the 2025 budget to allow for better monitoring of funds. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rosa, to approve resolution #2025-01. Motion carried. Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) Update – Elizabeth Skulan • The DHS Management team met with the CASDA Ashland/Bayfield County Advocate Desiree Otterino on Friday, January 31, 2025, to discuss how DHS and CASDA can improve the services provided to mutual clients. Human Services Department Updates – Elizabeth Skulan, District Attorney Kimberly Lawton • Skulan reported Lawton was unable to attend the meeting. Skulan read an email Lawton sent expressing her gratitude for the ongoing improvements. Lawton is currently working part-time and is in regular contact with Gonzalez regarding the development of new policies. Other • Rosa requested a review of current vacancies in Human Services. Skulan noted the positions include Family Specialist, Youth Justice Case Manager/Social Worker, Clerk III, and Adult Protective Services Case Manager/Social Worker. There is also one position, a Child Protective Services/Community Services Team (CST) Case Manager/Social Worker position, which is not being posted at this time. That position is expected to develop and implement the CST program. • Rosa inquired whether Dougherty had discussed recruitment options with the Personnel Committee such as Bayfield County paying for moving costs or providing housing to new employees if needed. Dougherty responded that she has been unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting since BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual February 27, 2025 2025-02-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL 5 these topics were discussed. Milanowski mentioned that he had spoken with Dennis Pocernich, the County Board Chair, about the housing options. Future Meetings • March 27, 2025 • April 24, 2025 • May 22, 2025 Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m. Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III