Members Present: Stoeckmann, Bowers, Earl, Fordham, Dippel, Vaillancourt, Endres
Members Excused: Vertein
Members Absent: Alexander
Others Present: Brattset, Horkan, Green, McNames and Orth
Vice Chair Endres called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
Motion by Bowers, seconded by Dippel to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Dippel, seconded by Earl to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Communications: None.
Department Updates:
E. Homelessness: Brattset gave an update on the October 22 state summit on homelessness. In addition Brattset, Orth and Bowers gave an update on local collaborative initiatives group working on homelessness. Orth spoke briefly about CWCAC "Project Change" (please see attachment). Earl noted that there has been an increase in homeless families in counties surrounding Sauk County and this could also have an impact on Sauk County. It is a good thing that there are considerations for this issues.
H. Thanksgiving Food Baskets: Orth reported that the National Theater Owners of Wisconsin and Central and Upper Michigan have donated food baskets for Thanksgiving for needy families. Employees from this company will deliver them after a release of information which has been approved by Sauk County Corporation Counsel and has been signed. Contact is made with the family and baskets are delivered to families who are referred to the program by Sauk County Department of Human Services staff.
I. Mission/Vision: Orth asked committee members if they have thoughts on the Mission/Vision statements to please forward them to him as soon as possible. Sauk County Department of Human Services managers are pursuing additional comments with employees and Orth plans to develop this statement in the next weeks.
Business Items: A. Medical Records Copier Purchase: The proposal was discussed by Horkan. This is a copier for the medical records area. The State bid was used and the Canon IR-2800 is the suggested model to purchase. This model is priced a little higher at $5,772.00 however, considering the maintenance plan the total is lower than others with a total price, including maintenance $6,801.00. The maintenance plan is supported by Gordon Flesch who has a good reputation for maintenance. Motion by Fordham, seconded by Stoeckmann to purchase the Canon copier as proposed. Discussion included clarifying that this is a replacement purchase. Bowers noted that it should be looked into if it is more cost effective to use a printer contract than to make copies on higher volume jobs. In addition, a question of if the toner is included in the maintenance contract was discussed. Orth will check on printer contracts for high volume jobs and if the toner is included in the maintenance contract. Motion carried.
B. 2005 Billing Rates: Horkan distributed copies of the 2005 proposed rates for Sauk County Department of Human Services (see attached). Horkan noted that the case management rate is actual cost as opposed to set rates of previous years. This was an estimate based on CSDRB. The average overall rate increase was 10.72%, however, Bowers noted some errors in the mathematical formulas figuring the percents. Therefore, this percentage is inaccurate and will be corrected. Vaillancourt noted that at times there is concern about accountability and it would be nice to know outcomes for various activities. Orth indicated that the question of how can we evaluate what is done is valid. Orth and Brattset commented on efforts in the next year will include consumer satisfaction, evaluation of treatment goals, and standards of care. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Bowers to approve 2005 rates as reviewed. Motion carried.
C. Voucher Approval: Horkan presented the voucher report with comments that there were more working days in September verses October and therefore an increase in expenses. Institutional line has decreased and a decrease in CCI's in $7,000.00 from previous month. In addition, W-2 amounts were small due to no bill from CWCAC, but it will be forthcoming. Motion by Earl, seconded by Bowers to accept the vouchers as presented at $1,415,658.88. Motion carried.
A volatile line report was presented by Horkan with comments that alternative care is favorable to budget this month and family care is somewhat high. However, this keeps alternative care down. There was considerable decrease in alternative care with a decrease of 6 placements. Horkan will estimate year end totals for the December meeting.
Department Updates:
A. Intensive Supervision Services: Tim Green, Youth Services Manager, and Stuart McNames, Intensive Youth Services Social Worker presented on Intensive Youth Services. (See attachment) McNames described enhancements of local program versus state and better response time, more local relationships and local resources used, as well as use of Department resources. Services are designed to be proactive and include rehabilitative measures. Lutheran Social Services is a partner in this process. Current future goals for the program include: global positioning satellite monitoring (GPS), vocational counseling and school liaisons.
Orth referenced the committee to the child protective services PEP plan and associated handout attached to the agenda. Noted by Orth was the fact that there will be increased regulations and increased funds to support enhancements. For example, there will be up to $45,000.00 increase to increase investigations and other enhancements in 2005 to be determined at the department level.
Orth noted that Youth Aids has been increased for the year at 2.0% however, noted is the fact that the correctional facilities rate increase is 21%. A WCHSA committee is reviewing this concern and will respond to the state.
D. Health Care Center Ad Hoc Committee: Orth reported briefly on the process of the Health Care Center Ad Hoc Committee. It was noted by Endres that the decisions made on the Health Care Center could have significant impact on Sauk County Department of Human Services. Therefore, collaborations in these deliberations are a positive product on this process.
F. General Discussion of Personnel Philosophy: Orth discussed briefly a general personnel philosophy including delineated expectations at orientation and providing adequate training to staff to understand their job with clear expectations. Orth noted that this does not work progressive discipline process will be followed in coordination with area managers and the Personnel Department. Stoeckmann commented that it is important to give clear reasonable expectations that are timely and in writing per due process and agreed that if this was done the discipline process should be followed if necessary.
G. Wagner Foundation: Orth reported on the Wagner Foundation from Walworth County, Wisconsin is willing to donate $10,000.00 per year to go to Sauk County Department of Human Services families determined to be in need. This family has a summer home in Sauk County and a desire to contribute to local resources. The monies would be determined at the Human Services Department level with a $100-$200 per year, per family allocation if approved. A brief discussion took place on the possible use of these monies for families.
J. State Contracts: Horkan spoke on the State Contracts and noted that some are now, such as Youth Aids. Preferably they are to be sent to the County Board Chair for signature and there will be a number of others coming in soon to be signed. It is important that they are done on time. Endres suggested in the future that the Human Services Board get to review these contracts. For the next meeting, Horkan indicated a review of all State/County Contracts and amounts will be done for all the Board to review.
Motion by Dippel, seconded by Earl to adjourn until December 6, 2004 at 5:00p.m. Motion carried.