Human Services Committee Minutes

Date: January 10, 2005
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Place:
County Board Room
Baraboo, WI

Members Present: Alexander, Earl, Vaillancourt, Dippel, Bowers, Endres, Fordham, Vertein, Stoeckmann
Members Excused: None
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Hirst, Wiegand, Jeffers

Chair Alexander called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.

Motion by Bowers, seconded by Fordham to adopt the agenda.
Motion Carried.

Motion by Fordham, seconded by Dippel to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.
Motion Carried.

Communications:

Orth noted that Family Partnerships Initiative (FPI) rate had decreased for 2005, having gone from $3,570 per month to $3,520 per month.

Orth noted that there is a social work position open in Long Term Support due to a recent resignation.

Business Items:

1. Review and Monthly Voucher Approval: Endres reviewed the monthly vouchers. There was an increase in payroll due to the annual accrual. A number of areas were high this month to include an increase in community living support areas as well as CBRF vendors having submitted two months worth of bills. Institutions also submitted several months worth of bills so this was high as well. There were some higher than usual funeral expenses in 11/05 however these are reimbursed by the state. Motion by Endres, seconded by Earl to approve the vouchers in the amount of $1,919,427.65. Motion Carried.
2. Mission/Vision Statements: Orth presented the rewritten Mission/Vision statement. Fordham noted that she liked the phrase "enhancing self reliance". A number of other board members indicated that the Mission Statement had good substance. Motion by Bowers, seconded by Stoeckmann to approve the Mission/Vision statements. Motion Carried.
3. Commission on Aging Joint Board Meeting: The Board discussed having a joint meeting of Human Services and Commission on Aging. Wiegand indicated that he would like the Human Services and Commission on Aging boards to discuss the possibility of the Commission on Aging becoming a unit within Human Services. Wiegand further indicated that the Commission on Aging Director position could become an area manager within the Human Services Department. This would require some board rule changes and specific actions at the board level to approve. Wiegand would like to have both boards think about this as a possibility and Wiegand indicated that it is time to explore these options. Fordham indicated that this could be the agenda topic for a meeting in and of itself. Vaillancourt indicated that it is important to discuss thoroughly. Stoeckmann wants to hear from leaders from both areas and find out what would be the fiscal considerations? Wiegand indicated that there will not be fiscal considerations at this present time in this meeting, but that area directors will speak and various aspects will be explored. Orth noted that he could perhaps discuss his experience previously with Marquette County. Endres and Vaillancourt spoke about increased possibilities of effectiveness and collaboration among areas. Wiegand agreed that this could be a positive synergy. Wiegand also indicated that he would like to get the discussion started and begin to get information for people to react to in the future. Wiegand would like to know by February 2005 which direction in order to plan for the position being vacated by the current Director of Commission on Aging. Stoeckmann was concerned with this timeline and the need to do the process thoroughly. Fordham agreed. Vaillancourt indicated that the change needed to take time in order to allow for an appropriate transition for consumers. Wiegand stressed that this effort would be designed to increase resources, not the reduction in aging services. Stoeckmann indicated that there could be pros and cons and there needs to be assurance that the elderly are served in an appropriate manner. Endres noted that if any reduction in services to the elderly occurred he could not support the change. The decision was made to have a joint meeting at 9:00 a.m., on January 19, 2005, room to be determined, agenda to be forwarded to concerned parties later.
4. State/County Contract Addendum: Orth noted that there was an addendum of $3,184 for the Children's Waiver which is 60% Federal money if we match with local funds. This would be for, at this time, two individuals which the county had been paying 100%. Motion by Endres, seconded by Dippel to accept this addendum. Motion Carried.

Department Updates:

1. Orientation for County Board Members: Orth made an offer to board members to attend a one to two hours orientation to Human Services presentation. He indicated to the board that this could be done in the near future if it was desired. Stoeckmann indicated that this would be good to do sometime in the spring, perhaps after strategic planning. Orth indicated he would keep that in mind and pursue with asking the county board sometime this spring if there is interest.
2. B. Six Month Assessment: Orth noted that his six month review as Director is coming due soon. He indicated that he had submitted a memo which asked staff and board members to provide feedback for him on his first six months as Director. Orth indicated that he would update the board as this information becomes forthcoming.
3. Lutheran Social Services Shelter Status: Orth and Brattset indicated that the LSS Shelter has changed to a CBRF license. This will give the facility multiple use ability and will continue to provide traditional non-secure shelter, but will add crisis stabilization and assessment options for youth. This will have a favorable impact in that clients that we currently send out of the area for psychiatric and psychological testing can be done locally with our own contracted professionals.
4. Sauk-Prairie Schools Meeting: Brattset summarized the current status of ongoing meetings with Sauk-Prairie school by indicating that overall this process has been favorable in increasing the understanding of the various aspects of human services as well as understanding the schools' perspectives. There continues to be an ongoing dialogue about work issues between Human Services and the schools. Orth indicated that there still are plans in the future to interface with other school districts and school district superintendents. In addition, the possibility exists to expand the meetings with Sauk-Prairie Schools to include multiple school districts within the county in order to allow school districts to benefit from interactions with human services in a multiple issue forum.
5. Homelessness: Brattset and Orth gave a report on the Coalition on Collaborative Initiatives continued efforts to provide a system of single entry for homelessness. There would be one phone line via Central Wisconsin Community Action Council (CWCAC). The group is gathering data from various agencies that give vouchers to track patterns of volume and utilization and will be looking at using the job center phone line that can go over to St. Clare during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
6. Upcoming Department Training: Brattset indicated that a number of training's will occur this quarter at Human Services to include the Bridges Out of Poverty training done by UW-Extension, Sue Nagelkerk on February 3, 2005. Board members were invited to attend this meeting and a handout was distributed. This training is funded by the state CST grant and LSS staff will also be invited. Brattset reported that additional training initiatives in the near future for Human Services.
7. Wagner Foundation: Orth noted that the Wagner Foundation was approved by the full board and the process for consumers to apply for funds is set up to allow access. Funds will be available to consumers in the next several weeks.

Motion by Dippel, seconded by Fordham to adjourn until February 7, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.
Motion Carried

Respecfully Submitted: Beverly Vertein