Human Services Committee Minutes

DATE: September 12, 2005
TIME: 5:00pm
PLACE:
County Board Room
Baraboo, WI

Members Present: Alexander, Earl, Dippel, Bowers, Endres, Fordham, Vaillancourt, Stoeckmann, Vertein

Members Excused: None

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Horkan, Ethun

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

Communications:

None

Business Items:

1. Review and Approval of Monthly Voucher: Horkan distributed monthly vouchers (see attached). Endres noted comments that August 2005 was down as was July 2005 due to less hours in the month for contracted services. Community Living and Support lines were up due to extra VARC payment. CBRF line was up in July 2005. Community Treatment was up due to an increase in CESA payment this previous month. Institutional CCI payments also occurred. Income Maintenance funeral costs were down. In addition, two months energy assistance contract was paid in August 2005. Motion by Endres, seconded by Stoeckmann to approve monthly vouchers in the amount of $1,644,535.85.
   Motion Carried.
2. 2006 Budget: Orth noted that the 2006 Human Services budget has been presented to the administration team. Wiegand noted to Orth that he will recommend to Finance Committee to fund as requested. Horkan distributed a summary of the 2006 Human Services budget. (see attached) Endres noted that an increase in energy costs could be a factor to consider in all county budgets this year. Motion by Vaillancourt, seconded by Earl to approve the 2006 Human Services budget as requested in the attachment.
   Motion Carried.

Department Updates:

1. A. Community Support Program Presentation: Scott Ethun, Community Support Supervisor, spoke about the Community Support Program (CSP) and gave a brief description of services in this program. Ethun reviewed various program statistics (see attached), which documented the ratio of staff to clients, which has been decreasing over the last 12 years. Particularly notable is significantly less psychiatry time.
2. B. Homelessness Update: Brattset reported on the Sauk County Coalitions work group on homelessness and several handouts were reviewed to include: universal access information cards; and updated resource guide. Brief discussion occurred on the work group focusing on shelter options in the future.
3. C. Jail Mental Health/AODA Services: Orth reported on mental health services in the jail, indicating that he had determined that actual costs were about $90.00 per hour to provide these services. Since this could potentially be for out of county residents, we could not keep the current $45.00 per hour rate. The $90.00 per hour rate was offered to the Sheriff’s Department with contingencies to have them pay the difference of what they are currently paying. The Sheriff’s Department is concerned about the $90.00 per hour costs. Consideration is being made currently by the Sheriff’s Department for finding an outside vendor. Orth will speak with the sheriff in regard to this issue. Stoeckmann noted that it is important to consider continuity of care issues whereby it would be advantageous to continue to have Human Services staff provide services as opposed to an outside vendor.
4. D. Energy Assistance Contract: Orth reported on the Energy Assistance Contract, stating that he thinks the contract should be treated like any other contract and would intend to continue to utilize Energy Services Incorporated (ESI). Endres noted that he is okay with the contract for this year, but oversight should be done regarding the difference in furnaces that was described in the presentation between ESI (Energy Services Incorporated) and CWCAC. Stoeckmann understands the value of the energy assistance contract, but there is also value in multiple collaborations, something that CWCAC seems to excel in. Bowers noted that he is concerned that the ESI office is only open 15 hours per week and crisis calls could be difficult. Orth clarified that the 15 hours per week is during the summer and that local office hours are expanded during winter months to usual business hours. Vaillancourt noted that there is benefit in networking with all of these agencies. Vaillancourt also noted that resources are at times limited. There should be better coordination as needed and there should be good evaluation of how good a job is being done. Orth noted that previous evaluations have considered Barb Berlin’s comments and staff comments from Economic Support that there have not been problems. Stoeckmann noted that ESI focuses on earnings where CWCAC is more of a case management model. Orth will check for what evaluation is done by ESI for other services and referrals. In addition, Orth will check on what quality measures are being used. Orth spoke about internal program evaluations being pursued within the Human Services Department and later expanding program evaluation expectation to contracted entities. Earl noted that he agrees with concerns and that CWCAC has rehabilitated houses and done a very good job with prevention of problems. Earl noted that the contract is settled for this year and perhaps other discussions could be held in the future regarding the contract. Earl noted that if we give ESI a Sauk County contract, then there needs to be Sauk County numbers not just large state wide numbers. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Earl to review program evaluation of ESI and the current contract for the agenda of the May or June 2006 meeting. Motion Carried.
5. E. Personnel Changes: Mary Griffin, Account Clerk resigned, position filled by Wendy Eng; Julie Arendsee accepted Barb Berlin’s position as ES Supervisor; Cheryl Brickl accepted the ES Lead Worker position vacated by Julie Arendsee; vacant ES Worker position; Edie Udulutch, Program Support Specialist, accepted a position with the Commission on Aging which has left a vacant Program Specialist position in Access, two candidates have posted at this time; Julie Saner, Accounting Assistant resigned, position filled by Jennifer Hahn; part-time R.N. position held by Lisa Hollett was vacant due to Public Health needs and Andy Gorsuch has posted into the full time R.N. position.
   
   Motion by Endres, seconded by Endres to adjourn.
   Motion Carried.

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board is scheduled for Monday, October 10, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted: Beverly Vertein