Human Services Board

Sauk County Human Services Board Minutes August 10, 2020 (217 KB)

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting:                August 10, 2020, 2 p.m., County Board Room 326A, West Square Building, Baraboo, WI

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was conducted in person, virtually, or by phone.

Chair, Patricia Rego called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law at 2:02 p.m.

Roll Call.   PRESENT:  Patricia Rego, Valerie McAuliffe, Delmar Scanlon, Joel Chrisler, James Bowers, Cliff Thompson; Via Zoom:  Kristin White Eagle, Michelle Bushweiler.  ABSENT:  Jennifer Watts.

Others Present:  Dan Brattset, Stephanie Box, Lori Dee, Jessica Mijal, Cathy Warwick; Via Zoom:  Niki Steele (VARC), Jenny Getter (VARC).

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Valerie McAuliffe, to adopt agenda moving Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center presentation after Public Comment.  Motion carried.

Motion by Valerie McAuliffe, seconded by Joel Crisler, to approve the minutes for the previous Human Services Board meeting held on July 13, 2020.  Motion carried.

Motion by Valerie McAuliffe, seconded by Joel Crisler, to approve the minutes for the closed session meeting held on July 13, 2020.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:

None

Department Updates

Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center (VARC) – Niki Steel Presentation:  Niki introduced herself as Director of Client Services along with Jenny Getter, Program Manager of Child and Youth Services.  Niki indicated they are just starting services in Sauk County but have been providing similar services in several other counties.  Jenny stated referrals are received from County staff for children who participate in the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) programs.  Children attend day service activities which will also be offered during the school year.  Services are determined by the child’s needs and goals set together by the parents and social worker such as working on individual daily living skills.  Community open house is being scheduled.

Michelle Bushweiler left Zoom meeting at 2:15 p.m.

Director’s Report:

Board Materials:  Distributed electronically.  Dan Brattset stated Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and Wisconsin County Human Service Association (WCHSA) continue with weekly Zoom meetings to discuss COVID challenges.  A meeting with the Baraboo School District included discussions on mental health resources and school liaison office’s role.

Michelle Bushweiler rejoined Zoom meeting at 2:20 p.m.

Communications Received by the Department:

Undated Letter from Lory Seffrood, InCourage RCL, re:  Outstanding Invoice:  Dan Brattset discussed correspondence received from Lory Seffrood regarding an outstanding invoice to which he has responded.  Dan pointed out some inaccuracies in the letter and feels the Human Services staff responded and acted appropriately in attempting to communicate and gather documentation.  Stephanie Box stated she exchanged emails with Ms. Seffrood several times to obtain a signed contract and required audit.  Ms. Seffrood requested specific contract language be removed which was not permissible and refused to comply with the audit.  Stephanie indicated her last email to Ms. Seffrood requested any unpaid invoices she would like to submit; no response has been received.  Cathy Warwick from the Health Department indicated similar experiences with Ms. Seffrood.

07/23/2020 Email from Joy Swantz, State of Wisconsin, re:  Thank You:  Dan Brattset stated Joy Swantz sent an e-mail commending two Human Services supervisors for going above and beyond in providing outstanding service during a recent experience with a youth.

07/07/2020 Email from Kevin Stieve, Baraboo Fire Chief, re:  Crisis Counseling Thank You:  Dan Brattset stated Kevin Stieve appreciated the quick action during a recent crisis response.

Business Items:

Review and Approve Monthly Vouchers:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box reviewed the Monthly Voucher Report.  Motion by Valerie McAuliffe, seconded by James Bowers, to approve monthly vouchers for $1,675,558.43.  Motion carried.  

Accounts Receivable Report:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box reviewed the Accounts Receivable Report for June 2020.  No hardships have been approved to date.

Approve Collection Requests:  Stephanie Box stated there are two requests, as none were submitted last month.  Motion by Valerie McAuliffe, seconded by Cliff Thompson, to approve sending 28 accounts for $9,619.58 and 23 accounts for $8,575.43 to Credit Management Control.  Motion carried.

Monthly Reports:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box discussed the June 2020 Volatile line report.

Approve the Department of Human Services’ Request for Personnel Committee to Hire and Fill Vacancies for a Child Protective Services Social Worker and an AODA Credentialed Psychotherapist:  Dan Brattset stated the Human Services Department is requesting to fill two out of five current open positions.  He indicated the importance of filling a Child Protective Services investigator position.  Child protection is expecting more referrals and is challenging when down a worker.  Mental health concerns have increased during the pandemic.  Jessica Mijal, Mental Health and Recovery Services Manager, stated there are more severe situations coming through the crisis system and the normal ability to access resources has been hampered by the pandemic.  Dan requested approval to take a letter to the Personnel Committee requesting these two positions be filled.  Both positions are included in the 2020 Budget. 

Authorizing the Department of Human Services to Hire Replacement Positions of One Full Time (1.0 FTE) Child Protective Services Social Worker and One Full Time (1.0 FTE) Psychotherapist AODA/Mental Health to Ensure Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Discussed possibly taking a resolution before the County Board if Personnel Committee denies request.

Motion by Valerie McAuliffe, seconded by James Bowers, to approve signing a letter for the Department of Human Services’ Request for Personnel Committee to Hire and Fill Vacancies for a Child Protective Services Social Worker and an AODA Credentialed Psychotherapist and resolution Authorizing the Department of Human Services to Hire Replacement Positions of One Full Time (1.0 FTE) Child Protective Services Social Worker and One Full Time (1.0 FTE) Psychotherapist AODA/Mental Health to Ensure Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Motion carried.

Department Updates:

2021 Budget Update:  Stephanie Box discussed changes to the proposed budget since the last meeting.  The cost of placements increase every year and there are not many more areas that can be cut.

COVID-19 Services Update, Crisis Volume, Homelessness:  Dan Brattset stated being worried about potential evictions and unemployment.  The crisis system has seen an increase in the homeless requesting services.  Dan indicated Federal funds are distributed to urban areas, but not as much in rural areas.  Dan has suggested to County Board Chairman to set up a subcommittee to address homelessness.

COVID Federal Stimulus- Possible Implications of Delay:  Dan Brattset discussed FoodShare expansion.  Dan is concerned about extra unemployment benefits expiring and the challenges that may bring.  Dan has called his State legislatures to discuss.  Dan praised Human Services staff for searching out solutions.

Next Meeting: 

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board will be September 14, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. in the County Board Room 326A. 

Public Comment

None.

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Valerie McAuliffe, to adjourn at 3:20 p.m.  Motion carried.