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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 3/27/2025BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 27, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-03-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 1 Board Members Present: James Crandall, Mary Dougherty (arrived at 4:04), Teri Hanson (virtual), Jeff Holte, Marty Milanowski, Sue Rosa (arrived at 4:05), Lona Schmidt Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Stephanie Eder, Jeanine Spuhler, Jo Beth Gonzalez, Sarah Traaholt, Tom Croteau, Brynna Watters-Moffitt, Teri Ovaska (virtual), Jeremy Oswald (virtual, arrived at 4:31) Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Discussion and Possible Action – February 27, 2025, meeting minutes. Introductions were made, and Brynna Watters-Moffitt was welcomed as the new manager of the Aging and Disability Section. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Schmidt, to approve the February 27, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion passed. Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes)- No comment. Introduction of Applicants for DHS Citizen Board Openings Responses from applicants for citizen member vacancies on the DHS board were included in the board packet or provided as a handout. The Board reviewed the responses. Applicant Jeremy Oswald, a representative from the City of Washburn and a former member of the DHS and County Boards, attended the meeting virtually. Oswald shared that he has eight years of experience with the Human Services Board, which aligns with the mission of his employer, Northlakes Community Clinic. Oswald expressed his strong support for Human Services programs and expressed concern about how government changes and funding could impact these services. Oswald is eager to contribute and advocate for Human Services and their clients through local legislation. Program Presentation – Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program Annual Consumer Satisfaction Survey Results, Teri Ovaska, Administrator of the Ashland Bayfield CCS Region • Ovaska reviewed the results of the annual satisfaction survey of CCS participants. Bayfield County has been collecting data since 2020. Data collected is provided to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, who uses data from all counties and tribes to produce a statewide analysis of the CCS program. • Surveys were distributed in person by service facilitators to three different groups: o Adult participants over the age of 18 (89% completion rate, with 37 out of 47 completing the survey) o Youth participants aged 13-17 (80% completion rate, with 4 out of 5 completing) o Family satisfaction surveys for the caregivers of participants aged 12 and under (80% completion rate, with 4 out of 5 completing). FINAL: Approved at the 4/24/25 BCDHS Board meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 27, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-03-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 2 • In total, 41 of 47 distributed surveys were completed, resulting in an overall response rate of 87%. This marks a significant increase from the response rates of 79% in 2023 and 68% in 2022. • Ovaska shared survey data from 2023 and 2024. o Adult surveys indicated that participant satisfaction was above the state mean score. o Youth and family surveys met the state mean satisfaction in many categories, although a few fell short. ▪ Ovaska emphasized the data is based on only four surveys, meaning results can be significantly influenced by a single survey. ▪ The most consistent low responses were associated with topics surrounding family relationships and progress in school. ▪ Some children are enrolled in multiple programs in Bayfield County, and families may not be providing a rating that is solely based on CCS services. • Ashland and Bayfield staff will have additional training focused on working with youth. • Ovaska noted that the results do not affect recertification. However, they do help the program make changes that result in program improvements. Monthly Section Reports Economic Support – Jeanine Spuhler • The Wisconsin State Department of Human Services is creating a comprehensive experience survey to comply with new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. This survey will be accessible at local offices, through QR codes, and via after-call surveys. Spuhler noted that this is the first large-scale statewide survey of this kind for Wisconsin's public assistance programs. • Bayfield County received its first call of the year for central air repair. Energy assistance offers support for both heating and cooling repairs. • There has been an increase in the volume of calls due to the upcoming end of the annual utility disconnect moratorium. • Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is being implemented in Income Maintenance. Workers can now access an A.I. guide to assist with inquiries during case processing. Although workers must verify the answers, the guide can serve as a helpful resource. Spuhler noted A.I. document processing is anticipated in the future. • Spuhler reported on federal changes anticipated. The annual application period for open enrollment to the federal health care marketplace may be shortened. This will lead to an increase in call volume, reduced access to consumers, and potentially more uninsured ineligible individuals who will contact the counties trying to secure health insurance. • Staff who have called Social Security offices to verify case information often find themselves waiting on hold for twenty minutes, only to hear a message stating that no representatives are available. This is negatively affecting operations, productivity, and consumers. • Crandall inquired whether there has been an increase in calls from participants who are concerned about potential federal funding reductions. Spuhler responded that the phones have been very busy, and it is challenging to respond to questions without adequate information. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 27, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-03-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 3 Family Services – Jo Beth Gonzalez • Gonzales noted that child welfare cases are steady. • Family Services is collaborating with Red Cliff Indian Child Welfare, who also has new staff. Building good relationships and establishing a working partnership is a priority. • Family Services regularly collaborates with law enforcement to streamline processes and foster relationships. Having a dedicated child protective services investigator with an effective process has been very beneficial. • Gonzalez mentioned that due to the vacant Youth Justice position, a significant portion of her time is dedicated to youth justice. Gonzalez reported she is fortunate to have Social Worker Brittany Anderson, who has been willing to participate in youth justice training to assist with the caseload. • The Family Services team continues to collaborate with the District Attorney’s office. • In addition to the Youth Justice position, there is also a vacant Family Support Specialist position. • Gonzalez is working with the Children’s Long-Term Services (CLTS) staff. The annual state MetaStar review is currently being completed. Support Services – Stephanie Eder • Eder and staff are in the process of completing fiscal year 2024. • Eder and Gonzalez are working on establishing rates for out-of-home placements to ensure consistency and adherence to guidelines. • Several interviews for the new support staff position are scheduled. Two previous candidates were offered the position but declined. Rosa asked if the wages offered were too low. Eder said there were several reasons why the candidates declined, but that one reason was that candidates misunderstood the hiring range. Since the posting included the full ten-year wage scale for the position, candidates thought they could negotiate an hourly rate that was not available to them on hire. This is being addressed with Human Resources. Aging & Disability Services – Brynna Watters-Moffitt • Watters-Moffitt has been the Aging and Disability Manager for one month. She reported she is learning more about the role while continuing to assist in her previous position in Adult Protective Services (APS). • Watters-Moffit mentioned that a candidate is being considered for the vacant Adult Protective Services position, and negotiations are ongoing. • Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) staff are busy with referrals. • At the end of this month, all APS workers must complete and submit data to the Wisconsin Reporting in Adult Protective Services (WRAPS). Data in WRAPS is used to create statewide statistical data that is used to advocate for funding and policy change. • Carrie Linder was working on two grants at the time of her retirement. Skulan is in the process of completing and closing out the grants. • Elder Nutrition Supervisor, Carolyn Novak, is on vacation. She is returning next week. • Carolyn Westerberg, meal site coordinator at the Barnes congregate meal site, resigned. The position is posted. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 27, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-03-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 4 • Novak spoke with vendors and distributed requests for proposals to those interested in providing meals when Chartwells closes. • Health promotion programs such as Tai Chi, Strong Bodies, and Mind Over Matter are resuming. Many program leaders take a break during the winter and return in the spring. Behavioral Health and Community Programs – Tom Croteau • Croteau reported on Behavioral Health services. He spoke in general terms about an individual seeking voluntary service. • Croteau stated he is addressing some performance concerns with Behavioral Health staff. • Croteau mentioned that three Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) participants were successfully discharged from the CCS program in 2025. There was a total of eight discharges in 2024. Croteau reviewed the positive reasons individuals are discharged and highlighted the progress made by the participants. • In another instance, a participant felt they were ready for discharge, but things decompensated quickly prior to the discharge date. • Croteau reported the CCS program will be recertified by the state in April. • Croteau noted that the compliance officer who completes the recertification will need access to both paper files and files in the new electronic health record, EchoVantage. This will require extra effort to locate some information. Croteau also noted that the recertification process typically takes one full day in each county, Bayfield and Ashland. However, this recertification will be conducted for both counties in a single day. • Croteau noted that the office renovations are nearing completion. The tentative date for office furniture delivery is the end of May. The furniture was included in the County’s capital improvements budget. However, some of the cost will be reimbursed by the state when Eder completes the 2025 Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Reporting (WIMCR) report for the CCS program and the 2025 Children’s Long-term Support (CLTS) annual program reconciliation. • Croteau reported that CCS staff will no longer create Catch plans. These are mental health crisis plans that CCS staff have offered to complete with CCS participants. The plans have been available to law enforcement. Croteau and Skulan met with stakeholders to explain that the staff would no longer create the plans because those plans have not been used by CCS participants. Oswald asked if the Sheriff’s Office is still participating in the program. Croteau did not know. • Croteau will be on vacation next week. • Croteau, Andy Runice, and Tristan Kern had another interview with the news yesterday regarding the Avel program. Croteau appreciates the positive media coverage. Croteau spoke briefly about the successes law enforcement and individuals have experienced to date since using this service. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial was reviewed and retained. There were no overnight trainings, so no training report was presented. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual March 27, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-03-27_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 5 WDIO News Clip – Avel’s partnership with Bayfield County was featured on the nightly news with WDIO, out of Duluth, Minnesota. The clip was presented. Discussion and Possible Action – The board reviewed the four citizen applications. Skulan reported applicant Suminski had withdrawn her application. The DHS Board discussed the three remaining applicants. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rosa, to recommend to the County Board Chair the appointments of Jeremy Oswald and Donna Lundin as Citizen Member vacancies to the DHS Board. Motion carried. Other • February 6, 2025, email from Northwest Passage • Skulan read an email from District Attorney Lawton indicating that she was out on leave, things were going well between the departments, and she will begin attending the DHS Board meetings quarterly beginning in June. Future Meetings • April 24, 2025 • May 22, 2025 • June 26, 2025 Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:26 p.m. Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III