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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 4/24/2025BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual April 24, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-04-24_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 1 Board Members Present: James Crandall, Mary Dougherty, Teri Hanson, Jeff Holte, Donna Lundin, Marty Milanowski, Jeremy Oswald, Sue Rosa (arrived at 4:01 virtual, left at 4:57), Lona Schmidt Others Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Stephanie Eder, Jeanine Spuhler, Jo Beth Gonzalez, Sarah Traaholt, Tom Croteau (4:12 virtual) Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Discussion and Possible Action – March 27, 2025, meeting minutes. Introductions were made, and Jeremy Oswald and Donna Lundin were welcomed as Citizen Board Members. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Hanson, to approve the March 27, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion passed. Opportunity for Public Comment (Limit 3 minutes)- No comment. Program Presentation – Current Affairs from an Income Maintenance Perspective • Spuhler provided an update on the state's response to reductions in federal government programs. Currently, there are no changes to these programs. Call center staff are unable to answer questions and are directing individuals to contact the offices of elected officials in Washington, DC. who are currently discussing the budgets for these programs. • Spuhler reports Medicaid is state and federal partnership, funding is provided by both entities. Individual states determine policies, including who is eligible for services, what is covered, and payment. The federal government provides general guidance on services that must be covered, how to cover the services, and the cost of those services. Medicaid serves approximately one in five Americans. In Bayfield County, 3,115 people currently receive Medicaid. • Spuhler states that the federal proposal is to cut $880 billion in programs that include Medicaid over the next 10 years. Insurers, providers, and advocacy groups have launched a large-scale campaign to prevent Congress from drastically reducing the federal match to Medicaid. • Sphuler points out that one group significantly impacted may be the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD). Many believe that individuals who are capable of working should not be eligible for Medicaid. However, the reality is that many individuals who are employed full-time in low-wage jobs will still be income eligible for Medicaid and some seniors, who cannot work, are income eligible for Medicaid as well. • The federal proposal also includes additional ongoing monitoring of eligibility. While this approach makes sense in theory, many people on Medicare face challenges, such as lacking a phone, not having paid leave from work to attend renewal appointments, or adequate transportation to travel several hours to confirm their eligibility in person. • Skulan noted that state legislation has been introduced that would require renewal every six months, rather than annually. The Wisconsin Counties Association has gone on record opposing FINAL: Approved at the 5/22/25 BCDHS Board meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual April 24, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-04-24_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 2 this change, as it will double the workload for staff and make it more difficult for individuals to qualify for and access the Medicaid benefits, they are eligible to receive. • The federal proposal includes a reduction in the federal match for state Medicaid expansion. The federal government promised states additional funds as an incentive to expand Medicaid. This would not be in keeping with that agreement. • Spuhler noted that Medicare does not pay for long-term care services; Medicaid provides this funding. Individuals should understand the crucial role Medicaid may play for them as they age. While Medicare covers skilled nursing facilities, it only does so for a limited time and does not extend to long-term stays. In Bayfield County, 163 people are currently enrolled in Long-Term Care (LTC) programs. • The proposed federal budget will reduce the funding for FoodShare, also referred to as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A proposed reduction of $230 billion includes the elimination of a 2021 rule, the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), and permanently freezes benefit amounts without annual inflation adjustments. States pay half the costs of administering SNAP. The federal government funds 100% of the cost of benefits, which represents most of the program’s expenses. In Bayfield County, there are 1,428 people who receive FoodShare, approximately $210,000 in benefits are issued to residents each month. • Spuhler stated that due to misinformation being circulated publicly and a lack of understanding by some program participants, some individuals are not renewing their benefits. • Dougherty spoke of the proposed changes for unemployment. • Board members discussed the proposed program changes and explored ways to advocate on behalf of residents. Skulan will draft a resolution for review at the next Board meeting that can be recommended to the full County Board. Monthly Section Reports Economic Support – Jeanine Spuhler • Spuhler noted that the energy assistance program is facing significant federal cuts. However, to date, there are currently no changes at the local level. • Spuhler requested additional funds from the state to administer the program through the end of the heating/cooling season on September 30, 2025. Administration funds have already been exhausted. • Spuhler shared an example of a recent issue with a customer who received a disconnect notice, but whose bill was too large for Bayfield County to address. The intake worker was able to find other community resources and negotiate a reconnection. Spuhler commended the Economic Support staff for using all available resources to assist people in need. Family Services – Jo Beth Gonzalez • Gonzalez noted that the Family Services section still has three vacancies: the Youth Justice Case Manager/Social Worker and the Social Worker Aide positions, which are posted, and the Coordinated Services Team (CST) Case Manager/Social Worker position, which is not currently being advertised. The CST position will be advertised once the other positions have been filled and staff have been trained. Gonzales stated that staff are putting in a lot of extra effort to cover the gaps. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual April 24, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-04-24_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 3 • Collaborated with Law Enforcement last week. Gonzalez is organizing joint training for DHS staff and Law Enforcement with Northwoods Technical College. Gonzales continues to look for other tools and resources for staff training. • Most DHS staff attended statewide HIPAA staff training on April 22, 2025. • Gonzales continues to learn the supervisor role. • Gonzalez attended an Access Report screening decision virtual forum, collaborating with supervisors across the state. Access reports are created when DHS receive Child Protective Services (CPS) calls or referrals alleging child abuse and neglect. • Rosa asked Gonzalez if Family Services staff had the tools to address serious allegations of child abuse and neglect. Gonzalez reported that staff feel any allegation of child abuse or neglect is serious. Staff do their best within the confines of state law, rules, regulations, and the standards to ensure child safety. The risk to the health and safety of children, the emotional toll on staff, and the potential for burnout are pervasive in this line of work. Support Services – Stephanie Eder • Eder reported that Nina Bucher, who has been with DHS for 26 years, is retiring on June 20, 2025. • Eder noted that there is still one vacant position in the Support Team that has been difficult to fill. This retirement, combined with the vacant position, may allow for a restructuring of staff and tasks assigned to the positions that may positively affect recruitment for the vacancies. Aging & Disability Services – Elizabeth Skulan for Brynna Watters-Moffitt • Watters-Moffitt is out attending a conference. • There are ongoing efforts to replace Chartwells. One local business in Ashland submitted a Request for Proposal (RFP) and offered a competitive price. However, the RFP was not completed in full despite a face-to-face meeting with the provider, an onsite tour of the facility, and a discussion with the vendor about exactly which forms and data were still missing and required. A meeting with Bayfield County Food Service is scheduled for next week. • Michele Reiswig has been promoted to Adult Protective Services (APS) Case Manager. Most recently, Reiswig has been employed by DHS as a Social Worker Aide. In the past, though, Reiswig had been employed by DHS in Aging and Disability as an APS Social Worker. • Karen Bodin, APS Case Manager, resigned. Bodin is leaving to assist with her husband’s business in May. • The Adult Protective Services Case Manager/Social Worker and Social Worker Aide positions are currently posted. Behavioral Health and Community Programs – Tom Croteau • Croteau attended the meeting virtually. Croteau was in Wisconsin Dells with the treatment court. • Croteau stated that due to ongoing performance issues with a staff member mentioned in last month's meeting, separation was necessary. • Behavioral Health is currently recruiting a Behavioral Health Case Manager/Social Worker. • Croteau spoke about a complicated emergency detention. Croteau noted that when people are struggling with active psychosis, finding housing and treatment in the community has proven difficult. When individuals cannot be served locally despite ongoing meetings with providers and BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual April 24, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-04-24_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 4 Corporation Counsel, they may be, as in this instance, placed in costly out-of-area residential treatment facilities. Since the services are mandated, this expense cannot be avoided. • Croteau noted that in another case, his team worked closely with Adult Protective Services staff. • The CCS program was recertified on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Croteau and the team invested considerable amounts of time in preparing for the state review. Croteau was pleased to report that there were no deficiencies or concerns noted during the review, and staff received many compliments. The next review will be scheduled in approximately two years. • Caseloads have not changed. • Croteau is pleased to announce that he has now transitioned tasks to the new clinical mental health professional and can now dedicate more of his time and attention to management and supervision. • One participant was transitioned from CCS to the Community Support Program (CSP). CSP provides intensive case management. It is beneficial to have both programs in DHS. As individuals’ needs change, those needs can still be met. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial and Overnight trainings were reviewed and retained. Discussion and Possible Action – Appointment to Family Services/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee The Family Services/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee recommended the appointment of Christine Branagan to the Committee. Christie previously applied to serve as a citizen member of the DHS Board. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Schmidt, to appoint Christie Branagan to the Family Services/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Other • Reviewed the email from Shawna White, the Fraud Coordinator at Northern Income Maintenance Consortium, praising Katie Hanson, Economic Support Specialist’s efforts. • Lona Schmidt announced that this will be her last meeting. Schmidt will be moving out of the area. Future Meetings • May 22, 2025 • June 26, 2025, in the County Board Room, will include the Public Hearing on the 2026 DHS Budget and Opportunity for Comments Regarding Bayfield County’s Policies and Procedures for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Service Delivery, and Language Access • July 24, 2025 Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Submitted by Sarah Traaholt, Clerk III