DATE: February 7, 2005,
TIME: 5:00 p.m., Room 213, Baraboo, WI
Members Present: Alexander, Earl, Vaillancourt, Dippel, Endres, Fordham, Vertein
Stoeckmann
Members Excused: Bowers
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Hirst, Horkan, CWCAC (Susan Tucker and Linda Faivre)
Chair Alexander called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
Motion by Fordham, seconded by Dippel to adopt the agenda. Motion Carried.
Motion by Earl, seconded by Stoeckmann to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion Carried.
Communications:
None.
Business Items:
A. Review and Monthly Voucher Approval: Horkan reviewed monthly vouchers for January 2005 with several comments to include: this month's vouchers include the Lanier system upgrade, decreased costs in institutions due to 12/04 being higher due to batch billing by Mendota, W-2 was slightly increased this month due to 11/04 and 12/04 contracts due from CWCAC. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Vaillancourt to approve vouchers in the amount of $1,418,779.64. Motion Carried.
Horkan reviewed the monthly volatile line report and associated data was distributed. Horkan noted that the Birth-to-Three Program was less favorable to budget with revenues down due to less hours in therapy billed as a result of shortage of providers in speech and physical therapy. However, recruitment is currently occurring. Also reported by Horkan was the fact that alternative care figures are final and favorable to budget by a little over $50,000. General Relief was also found to be favorable to budget.
Department Updates:
A. Homelessness Services Presentation by Central Wisconsin Community Action Council: There was a presentation on homelessness presented by CWCAC staff Susan Tucker and Linda Faivre. Susan Tucker noted that the number of clients are difficult to ascertain, however, Sauk County Coalition is working on identifying numbers and providers for homelessness hotel vouchers. Tucker continued to note that there is a national goal of the elimination of homelessness in ten years, however, she indicated that this seems unlikely. Tucker further described that CWCAC provides rental subsidies distributed by the Federal government, case management services, individual food share, employment, and other counseling. Faivre stressed that case management as a necessary mechanism to prevent the cycle of homelessness. In addition, Linda Faivre spoke about poverty being a large factor for some in respect to the cost associated with housing. A number of examples were given describing how minimum wage jobs do not provide the necessary financial needs for adequate housing. Also noted was there is a lack of shelters which is a concern in general with the only shelter being in a rural area. This is particularly hard and there are some populations that are in a "gap" particularly single men. Reviewed was CWCAC intake and case management processes. On a statistical review noted was that about 1/3 of homeless clients have mental health issues. About ½ have AODA issues, and about 6% are women and children. In a 2004 survey of homeless individuals the number one priority with help paying the rent. The second priority was in finding housing. The number three priority was obtaining food. CWCAC makes referrals via Human Services, Job Service, health providers and police. Under review is an 800 number and subsequent referrals to CWCAC for case management as well as data collection to evaluate needs for services. Sauk County Coalition is working on this. Noted was the fact that CWCAC is funded by HUD grants and emergency shelter grant from the state and United Way funds. Clients who are assisted in gaining apartments gradually assume responsibility for their own rent.
B. Homeless Update: Orth noted that the Sauk County Coalition is attempting to create a single 24 hour 800 number as well as informational cards. CWCAC and Job Center interface with CWCAC doing case management. Fiscally, the information line would cost an estimated $1500 per year and Orth noted that Sauk County Department of Human Services will provide 50% of this. It is the hope that other agencies in the coalition could provide the remaining 50%. In addition, Brattset noted that agencies in this coalition are attempting to draft a Memorandum of Understanding so that each agency can understand their role in working on the homelessness issue.
C. WCHSA Spring Conference: Orth noted that May 11 through May 13, 2005 is the annual WCHSA Spring Conference. He will forward additional information as it becomes available.
D. Summary of Staff/Board Comments-My First Six Months: Orth noted generally favorable comments overall on feedback on his being Director in the first six months. A survey was distributed with about 25-30 percent returned. Noted were some comments about it being nice that Orth says hello to people by name and is spending time in Reedsburg. There were also numerous positive comments about the Mission and Vision statements. In addition, there were noted continued areas of work needed on the Health Care Center, interface with other departments, consistent personnel issues, as well as increase in formal recognition and appreciation of staff.
E. Joint Meeting-Commission on Aging: Alexander noted that he felt it was positive to have the first meeting. There are no current follow-up meetings, but Alexander noted that the directors of Human Services and Commission need to discuss in greater detail before future meetings would occur. Stoeckmann noted that there needs to be more information before an opinion could be made on her part. For example, if the Coalition on Aging Board would lose status due to becoming more advisory as opposed to its current policy and decision making abilities, this would be of great concern to her. Continuing, Stoeckmann noted that this could perhaps reduce the voice for those 60 and over. Vaillancourt commented that one meeting could give the appearance that the process to merge is already there and she further indicated that she does not think enough discussion and information has been reviewed. Endres noted that there have been some citizen comments, but these seem to be based on the assumption that services would be decreased. He noted, however, that there is a need for more information on what would be the process and end result. Endres further noted that there needs to be more meetings to evaluate the situation. Alexander stated that it is agreed that there will be more meetings, but that the two directors will meet to bring more information to these future meetings for discussion. No current joint meeting for Human Services and Coalition on Aging is scheduled at this time.
F. Families Come First Case Review: Brattset reviewed feedback received and shared with FCF staff as a result of a recent audit on several cases. In general, one case went very well, the other case provided more challenges. Reviewed were several recommendations to include some enhancements when working with resistive families, use of supervision and clarification of supervision, clarifications of roles of administrative teams, and service coordination decisions within the collaboration between LSS and Sauk County Department of Human Services.
G. Health Care Center Ad Hoc Committee: Orth noted that he had missed the last meeting. Fordham noted that the recommendation was to continue in the business, but to defer to another committee to determine the specifics on how to do this. This recommendation will go to the full County Board this month or next month at the latest depending on the timing. The original ad hoc committee is therefore done. Fordham noted that it was a very good process and asked hard questions that needed to be asked.
Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Dippel to adjourn until March 7, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Motion Carried
Beverly Vertein