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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Board - Minutes - 10/23/2025BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 1 Board Members Present: James Crandall , Mary Dougherty, Jeff Holte, Donna Lundin, Marty Milanowski, Amy Nigbor, Jeremy Oswald, Sue Rosa Board Members Absent: Teri Hanson (excused) Others Present: Colleen Brewer (ADRC of the North), Tom Croteau, Stephanie Eder, JoBeth Gonzalez, Christopher O’Dell, Jeanine Spuhler*, Brynna Watters- Moffitt *virtual Call to Order and Introductions Crandall called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Introductions were made. Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the September 25, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Holte, to approve September 25, 2025, meeting minutes. All in favor. Motion passed. Program Presentation – Colleen Brewer, Dementia Care Specialist for the ADRC of the North  Brewer provided a presentation discussing an overview of her work as a Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) and the education and support she provides and answered questions from the board. Her presentation included: o What is a DCS? o What is Dementia? What Does It Look Like? o Greatest Risk Factor o A Few Facts – Did You Know? o The Three Pillars of the Program  Create a dementia-capable ADRC.  Collaborate with community partners to develop a dementia-friendly community.  Provide opportunities for people with dementia to remain in their own homes. o Local DCS Program: Crisis Responses o Local DCS Program: Client Interactions to Date 2025 o The Reality for Our Community o What Can We Do?  Brewer explained that Wisconsin is the only state with DCS.  Crandall asked how we end Alzheimer’s. Brewer responded that the first step is raising money for research, which will help to find cures.  Crandall asked how many Dementia Care Specialists are in the area. Brewer responded that there were three in the area. FINAL: Approved at December 2, 2025, DHS Board Meeting BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 2 Monthly Section Reports Behavioral Health and Community Programs (BHCP) – Tom Croteau  Croteau announced that we are still searching for a BHCP Section Manager. He wanted to remind the board that the main reason the previous candidate was unable to accept the position was because of the county’s current lack of paid time off (PTO).  Croteau stated that the Chapter 63 certification for the Community Support Program (CSP) used through Northland Counseling is no longer valid to be used by the county, and we will have to acquire our own certification. Croteau and Eder will be attending a meeting to learn more about this and will be working on getting the certification to bring the county into compliance.  Croteau announced that CCS has approximately 50 active case management cases. There were several discharges in September. The CCS staff would benefit from managerial oversight, but they are doing great work in the interim.  Behavioral Health is fully staffed. From January to mid-August, there were six to eight emergency detentions. Since August there have been 10, eight of which were in the last three weeks.  Nigbor asked about the emergency detention process. Croteau stated that law enforcement will take the person to the emergency room, and the emergency room social workers will find a facility to accept the person.  Croteau discussed some struggles the department has in working with other facilities.  Rosa asked if there was anything the committee could do to help support the department. Croteau responded that the committee already does a good job of offering support. Family Services (FS) – Jo Beth Gonzalez  The Birth to Three Program had a compliance review earlier this year for the period of July 2004- June 2025 and was found to be in 100% compliance. That is excellent news! Family Services contracts with Ashland County and CESA 12 to provide services to both local communities  CLTS (Children’s Long-Term Support) remains steady in the referrals and incorporating these into the caseload for the Service and Support Coordinators. Staff are also getting ready for a review to be held this Spring.  After almost one year, LTE worker Abe Neuberger is wrapping up his contact as of 11/9/25. He assisted primarily on youth justice referrals and intakes. We are thankful for his assistance. Becky Benton will be the primary Youth Justice worker. Becky remains in training but has jumped in to learn and assist as able and available.  Regarding youths in out-of-home placement: one youth exited a high level of care at the end of their Youth Justice Order. Another is likely moving from a residential group home to a treatment foster home so stepping down in care and trying to bring the family in to work on their relationship and obtain permanency. Another was accepted into a Department Juvenile Corrections Program-restorative justice program. Lastly, a youth is in a residential center for an unknown length at this time, but it is necessary to match the level of services/support based on their LON.  We are wrapping up applications for state/federal assistance this adds into our budget yearly (PSSF, TSSF, IVE). BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 3  We are continuing our truancy work group which includes the court, school districts in Bayfield, and the district attorney's office to update our agreement related.  Gonzalez and Croteau met with Judge Anderson, a Bayfield School representative and District Attorney Lawton to discuss Restorative Justice practice in Youth Justice and opportunities moving forward.  There was a virtual training information session held by DCF to enhance all counties in engaging tribal Nations and working together as they roll out updates to our standards and best practice. This is very helpful to us as we routinely work with Red Cliff and several regional tribes.  Gonzalez attended a virtual CPS & Youth Justice Northern Region Supervisors meeting. It’s always nice to get together with the other supervisors and managers in the area along with Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) staff for collaboration, updates, and hot topics.  There is always ongoing education or training, changes, or updates to our practice to incorporate and as such it is never a dull day in the Family Services hallway!  Crandall asked if there is a lot of Youth Justice activity. Gonzalez stated it is steady, and the clients have complex needs.  Rosa asked for more information about the Truancy Program. Gonzalez explained it starts with the school and trying to figure out the reasons why students might not be attending. They can then be referred to Family Services. There is not a lot we can do, but we can deal with it punitively to figure it out together.  Croteau asked who was on the truancy committee. Gonzalez stated it is comprised of Judge Anderson, District Attorney Lawton, district superintendents and other citizens from within the district. Aging and Disability Services (A&D) – Brynna Watters-Moffitt  Watters-Moffitt announced the Barnes Congregate Meal site will be reopening Thursday, November 6, 2025. The site manager position will be shared by two people who have worked as site managers in the past.  A job has been posted for a home delivered meal driver. That route is a shared position and both current drivers will be away for the winter.  Carolyn Novak and a community member completed the training for Healthy Living with Diabetes (WIHA Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging) and is hoping to start in January at perhaps the Washburn Library. Need to have 8 people signed up to start. The workshop will meet for 2.5 hours, once a week, for six weeks. The program offers tools and resources to enhance a person’s understanding of what it means to have diabetes. Participants will practice strategies, support others, and gain new tools to take better care of themselves.  Tai Ji Quan is going on in Cable and Drummond (Wed. & Fri.) until December 5th. Tai Ji Quan Herbster until December 12th and Tai Ji Quan in Bayfield (very self-sufficient group) ends November 26.  Strong Bodies, Port Wing (Mon. & Thurs.) until December 18th. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 4  AFCSP & NFCSP are still struggling to find caregivers/supports for those in need. We’ve been working on the upcoming Caregiver/Family Newsletter in collaboration with UW-Ext. Printing is scheduled for Nov. 11 and mailing Nov. 18.  Watters-Moffitt is working on the 2026 85.21 Application for Specialized Transportation Assistance Program for Counties. The Transportation Coordinating Committee met this week, Tues., Oct. 21.  Adult Protective Services continues to be very busy with complex/intensive investigations, guardianships and protective placements. APS has had some APS cases shared with Behavioral Health Case Managers. It is great to collaborate and work together on these matters as well as to learn about each other’s roles/responsibilities and the differences between Chapter 51 and Chapter 55.  Ann Marie Mackin is on FLMA until Nov. 13.  Lindi Olson continues to be very busy and covering for Mackin, scheduling appointments out 2-3 weeks. Olson received a lot of intakes last week and had two referrals from BHU which is unusual.  Marianne Johnson has started the busiest time of her year with Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, 2025. Last year she assisted 240 people.  Jamie Mackin continues to be very busy with a high caseload, yet referrals have slowed down a little. He has found it very difficult to help people as efficiently as usual due to the government shutdown and its effect on working with Social Security. He is unable to request files, notices or talk to the Social Security Administration without a client with him, even with a release. Clients should have a My Social Security account to request information and files. The clients can only get their files on a CD which poses issues.  Oswald asked about Open Enrollment. Watters-Moffitt and Crandall answered what Open Enrollment entails. Support Services (SS) – Stephanie Eder  Eder and Croteau met with Human Resources to review 2026 Support Staff planning in anticipation of Kathy Wolfram-Moran’s retirement in January.  Work is ongoing in transitioning additional programs into our electronic health record system, Echo. Ann Ehler has played a key role in implementing Children’s Long-Term Services, Adult Protective Services and Mental Health programs in coordination with Ashland County.  Eder has been busy for the past few weeks preparing and revising the 2025 Budget Amendment.  Eder announced they are planning to do the annual food drive earlier this year due to the loss of SNAP benefits.  Crandall asked who is doing the food drive. Croteau stated that Mark Abeles-Allison will be sending out an email. Economic Support Services Section Manager – Jeanine Spuhler  Spuhler discussed the impacts of the Federal Shutdown:  Emergency Energy Assistance remains available; regular assistance is suspended. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 5  FoodShare:  October benefits issued; November benefits delayed.  QUEST cards may stop working Nov. 1 — residents should use benefits now.  Medicaid and Wisconsin Shares are unaffected.  Outreach includes texts, emails, website updates, and mailed notices.  County expects higher demand at local food pantries.  Spuhler discussed Food Stamp Program Funding:  $69.2 million increase in Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget for the Department of Health Services.  Funding supports administrative costs for the Food Stamp Program (s. 49.79) and related initiatives under Section 2m.  Aims to improve operations and service delivery.  Assembly Bill 387 (technical correction bill) remains pending.  Spuhler discussed Disaster SNAP (DSNAP):  D-SNAP provides food replacement benefits for households affected by federally declared disasters.  Activated in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Washington Counties following the August disaster declaration.  Bayfield County has three staff ready to assist with applications once the federal shutdown ends.  State will cover all administrative costs for participating staff.  Croteau asked if the D-SNAP assistance provided by Bayfield County will be considered overtime. Spuhler stated it is supposed to be, but there is nothing in writing yet.  Spuhler discussed the Safe at Home Program:  Katy Hansen is now managing all Northern Consortium Safe at Home cases.  The program protects victims of violence or those fearing their safety by providing a confidential substitute address.  The transition ensures better compliance and customer service.  Crandall asked how the programs will be affected if the federal shutdown continues. Spuhler answers that FoodShare is the only program that should be affected.  Crandall asked how much a family gets in FoodShare. Spuhler stated that the default amount for a single person is approximately $25. A small family can receive $500-600, and larger families will receive more. Monthly Reports Monthly Financial and Overnight trainings were reviewed and retained. Discussion and Possible Action – Department Resolution 2025-06: Consider recommendation to approve proposed 2025 Budget Resolution and forward to the full county board.  Eder discussed the resolution with the board. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Milanowski, to accept DHS Resolution 2025-06 and recommend approval by the full board. All in favor. Motion passed. BAYFIELD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEETING EOC & Virtual October 23, 2025, 2025 K:\Agendas and Minutes\DHS Board\Minutes\2025 DHS Board Minutes\2025-10-23_BCDHS_Board_meeting_minutes -FINAL.docx 6 Discussion and Possible Action – Department Resolution 2025-07: Consider approval of the proposed resolution to support state investment for Income Maintenance Administration.  Spuhler discussed the resolution with the board.  Crandall had questions about the Northern Income Maintenance Consortium (NIMC) and their finances, which were answered by Spuhler and Croteau.  Oswald suggested making changes to the wording of the resolution and that it should be sent to the Joint Finance Committee and our Congressional Representatives. Croteau stated the resolution was provided to us and should only be approved as is, but would see that it gets sent to those mentioned by Oswald. Motion by Milanowski, seconded by Rosa, to approve DHS Resolution 2025-07. All in favor. Motion passed. Discussion and Possible Action – Consider proposed committee recommendation to appoint Anna Hanson as Community Member to the Regional Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordination Committee Motion by Dougherty, seconded by Oswald, to accept the appointment of Anna Hanson as Community Member to the Regional Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Coordination Committee. All in favor. Motion passed. Future Meetings  December 2, 2025 (November/December meeting, begins with potluck at 3:30)  January 22, 2026  February 26, 2026 Crandall adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Submitted by Christopher L. O’Dell, Clerk III