Human Services Committee Minutes

DATE: Meeting: May 9, 2005
TIME: 5:00pm
PLACE:
County Board Room
Baraboo, WI

Members Present: Alexander, Stoeckmann, Vertein, Earl, Vaillancourt, Dippel, Bowers, Endres, Fordham
Members Excused: None
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Horkan, Boesl

Chair Alexander 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 Fordham to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.
Motion Carried.

Communications:

Orth presented a letter from the Long Term Support Planning Committee for the appointment of Alice Moyer to the Long Term Support Planning Committee. Motion by Earl, seconded by Stoeckmann to approve the appointment.
Motion Carried.

Business Items:

  1. Review and Monthly Voucher Approval: Endres reviewed the monthly vouchers (see attached). The following comments were made: There was an increase in contracted labor costs due to the timing of foster treatment bills in April of 2005. Community Living and Support services were slightly higher due to March and April 2005 paying for modifications and improvements. Community residential was also increased due to offset of monthly days paid in February and March, 2005. Community Treatment was somewhat increased due to late bills. Institutions were down due to paying bills in March 2005. Motion by Endres, seconded by Bowers to accept the vouchers in the amount of $1,581,854.13. Brief discussion included regarding the variance on salary and benefits. Horkan explained that this is due to the days in the month being varied and benefit fluctuations. Endres noted that Horkan will add a column to show monthly average versus budget in future reports. Motion Carried.
  2. Notice of Claim for Damages: Horkan explained that the Human Services agency collection procedure for HFS-1 where Sauk County Department of Human Services was not in compliance on a collection notice pertaining to bankruptcy. Human Services was in violation of attempting to collect on bad debt and the individual had declared bankruptcy. This was an error due to a name change. Since this incident, the situation where accounts are checked has been corrected. Damages are estimated to be $1,000 and the attorney is requesting $3,000.

Department Updates:

  1. Substance Abuse Services - Sharon Boesl: Boesl spoke about substance abuse services at Sauk County Department of Human Services and gave an overview of client populations and treatment options. In addition, Boesl spoke about the use of support systems and family in the recovery process.
  2. Jail Mental Health/AODA Services: Orth and Boesl spoke about Human Services' delivery of services in the jail. There will be a meeting between Human Services and the jail on June 17, 2005 to discuss the implications of additional inmates if they are taken in, in the future. Fordham indicated that she will check with the committee looking at jail issues pertaining to increased inmates and the impact of additional on AODA/mental health services.
  3. Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner: Orth announced that the Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner is this Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farm Kitchen.
  4. ICFMR Downsizing: Orth passed out a handout of a draft resolution titled "Opposing the Mandate to Relocate Certain Residents from Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) to More Integrated Community Settings Unless and Until Sufficient Funds are Provided for this Purpose". Orth spoke about the Wisconsin Counties Association meeting where this draft resolution was discussed as well as issues pertaining to the concerns around down sizing ICF-MR. Motion by Vaillancourt, seconded by Bowers to accept the resolution "Opposing the mandate to relocate certain residents from intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR) to more integrated community settings unless and until sufficient funds are provided for this purpose.
    Motion Carried. (See attached)
  5. Marquette County Status: Orth noted that Carol Wright, Director of Marquette County is back and he will not need to cover for her any longer. This went well and did not occupy much time.
  6. UW-Extension Collaboration: Orth reported the UW-Extension is starting a program called "Struggling Families" targeted to help families in need. The Sauk County Department of Human Services will cosponsor with paying UW-Extension $1500 to support this initiative locally.
  7. W-2 Update: Orth reported that the W-2 state audit has been completed and there has been some concern that state resources have been running low, however, roles of participation have been increasing, particularly, in areas pertaining to maternity leaves. Currently, there is a 12 week maternity leave provided to those eligible. Sauk County has seven (7) W-2 cases and all but one case has this concern. Orth further explained that Governor Doyle has indicated that he may plan to double this leave period, however, this is without any increase in monies. Sauk County Department of Human Services W-2 contract expires the end of 2005 and in three to four weeks new contract information will be forwarded. The consortium will work on this, particularly Dane County, however there are concerns that the State may lower allocations. Orth will have more information on this as it becomes available.
  8. SCAN Concerns: Orth spoke about the SCAN Program and the relationship of SCAN staff with Human Services staff. There has been some difficulty with these interactions, particularly the Human Services social worker and lead teacher. Orth further described that a temporary plan of interfacing with all social workers with SCAN has been implemented while during summer break CESA management and Human Services management will discuss the future direction of SCAN.
  9. Health Care Center Process: Orth noted that there will be a new continuum of care committee per County Board resolution to discuss future plans of the Health Care Center.
  10. 2004 Year End Update: Horkan reviewed a handout on the 2004 Year End (see attached). Auditors were at Sauk County for one day and the audit went very well with a few adjustments being made. There has been a slightly more favorable bottom line. ($221,183)

Motion by Bowers, seconded by Earl to adjourn until June 6, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.
Motion Carried

Respectfully Submitted: Beverly Vertein