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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging 03-14-08 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING Friday, March 14, 2008, 9:00 a.m. County Board Room, St. Croix County Government Center 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion regarding resignation of Director ADJOURN SUBMITTED BY Sue Nelson, Council on Aging Chair, Wednesday, March 12, 2008 COPIES TO County Board Office County Clerk News Media/ Notice Board Committee Members Senior Center Board Members Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 03/12/2008 11:19 AM COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING March 14, 2008 St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER: Council Chairperson Nelson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Pledge of Allegiance was said. ROLL CALL: Supervisors: Gerald Peterson; Councilmembers: Judy Harrison, Al Schrank, Inge Bleier, Jeanette O'Connell, Vince Tubman, Olive Terpstra, and Sue Nelson. Also present were: Department on Aging Director Kjersti L.O. Duncan; Community Outreach Coordinator Tracy Davis; Administrative Assistant Renea Aeschliman; Elderly Benefit Specialist Liza Gibson; Clerical Worker Cindy Ahrens; St. Croix County Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting; Regional Area Agency on Aging Field Representative Dianne Rhein; Nutrition Program Managers: Vivian Kemling, Faye Simone, and Sallie Dull; Marge Wolske, Art Jensen, Merlee Jensen, Irene Burch, Rich Young, Sharon Fregine, Darlene Peterson, Marie Terkelsen, Viola Roquette, Willetta Breault, Delores Vrieze, Pete Vrieze, Laura Rebhan, Mary Lou Smith, Rich Peterson, George Barringer, Fran Moniken, Evelyn Thill, Al Kongshaug, Ed Velaski, and Howie Bleier. Absent members were Supervisor Mortensen, Supervisor Grant, and Councilmember Bette Norman. 1. Resignation of St. Croix County Department on Aging Director: Director Duncan expressed to the Council her reasons for resigning. She stated that the decision was a very difficult one to make, but she feels it was the right choice. She clarified that her decision was based on both professional and personal reasons. She stated that she is in full support of the formation of an ADRC in St. Croix County; it is the right direction for the Department on Aging and St. Croix County. There will not be Aging Units in the state of Wisconsin; there will be ADRCs. ADRCs will not only benefit the elderly population in St. Croix County, but the younger persons with disabilities as well. Currently, the Department on Aging receives calls from people under the age of 60 in needed information, assistance, services and support but we are not able to provide those services. Director Duncan expressed that she respects the fact the Council on Aging and Health & Human Services Board fully supported the Compact which merges the services historically provided by the Department on Aging into the ADRC as a unit within Health & Human Services. She stated that the Council on Aging did an excellent job advocating for the Council on Aging & Disabilities as a separate governing board from the Health & Human Services Board. That governing board will help to hold individuals and the ADRC accountable. She expressed she believes that having an Aging Unit separate from the ADRC would not work. She also stated that, in St. Croix County, an ADRC separate from Health & Human Services would not work. She recognized that the timing of her resignation could be misinterpreted. She made a commitment to write the application for the ADRC, and it would have been irresponsible to have resigned prior to completing that task. After a great deal of work, the application was submitted on Friday, February 29 Director Duncan stated she and her husband then went on vacation allowing them space to discuss their situation beyond the specific circumstances at Council on Aging Page 1 04/11/08 hand, but within the broader context of their lives. She expressed appreciation for his support in this decision. Director Duncan clarified that she did not resign because the ADRC Director position would be open for other applicants. As a new unit and a new position, she stated she's expressed full support of new positions being open for any interested parties to apply. This was a stance she took often with the ADRC Ad Hoc committee with regards to the I &A Specialist and Disability Benefit Specialist positions. Her opinion is that positions should not be shaped around people, but that the best person should fill the position; it is only fair to the employee to consider whether or not a job meets his/her professional goals and it is in management's best interest to insure the right person/skill set/values are in the job. Director Duncan also clarified that she is not resigning because the ADRC Director will have to report to the Health & Human Services Director. She also understands and respects the decision by the Finance Committee that this position will not be a Director's position, but a Section Manager's position. She reiterated that her reason for leaving was based on personal and professional philosophies that she has identified as being different from St. Croix County as a culture and as an organizational structure. Director Duncan reiterated that she does not want her decision to hinder all the work that has been done for the formation of the ADRC. She acknowledged the strong commitment expressed in this process by Health & Human Services and the County Administrator to ensure current Aging services will continue to be provided through the ADRC. The job of the ADRC board members, and the Council on Aging & Disabilities, will be to ensure that those services continue. Chairperson Nelson asked if the ADRC application has been approved and if there will still be a Council on Aging. Director Duncan stated that the application has not been approved by the state, and the County Board has yet to approve a resolution regarding the formation of the Council on Aging and Disability Board. A resolution to approve this new structure will go before the County Board on March 18, 2008. If the resolution passes at that time, the new Council on Aging & Disabilities will be appointed by the end of April and the process for hiring an ADRC Director will begin. The Council on Aging will cease to meet once the Council on Aging & Disabilities has been appointed. Applications are currently being sought from those interested in serving on the Council on Aging & Disabilities. Chairperson Nelson asked how sure Director Duncan was that the State would accept the application. Director Duncan stated that she was very sure. Chairperson Nelson questioned what involvement the local Senior Centers will have in the Council on Aging & Disabilities. Director Duncan stated that having each of the Nutrition Program Managers at the Council on Aging meetings is beneficial; however that requirement will be up to the new ADRC Director. She pointed out that within the Compact there is a key commitment that outlines the ability to form advisory committees that will report to the Council on Aging & Disabilities; this could include a Nutrition Advisory Council. Director Duncan also mentioned an attempt was made in the Compact to address the concern regarding County Council on Aging Page 2 04/11/08 wide representation. To try and ensure this representation, the application for a Council on Aging & Disabilities inquires into if a person has a relationship with a Senior Center. As the Community Services Coordinator, Tracy Davis will continue to meet with the Senior Center Boards every month to also keep lines of communication open. Councilmember Schrank stated that he disagrees with Director Duncan's resignation. He felt that it was a little premature since no one knows what will happen after the County Board meeting on Tuesday. He also stated that he disagrees with the statement that the ADRC will bring about improvements. He stated that Kjersti has been a great director and has led the Department on Aging in the right direction. He hoped that she would reconsider and hates to see her go. Director Duncan restated that she believes the ADRC will bring improvements because it will help people younger than 60 that the Department on Aging can not serve. She pointed out that the Department on Aging is a strong department with a great commitment and dedication to the elderly population. That service and support does not exist for persons under 60 in St. Croix County unless they qualify for Medical Assistance, and even those folks face waiting lists. The question was asked why there is a waiting list. Director Duncan informed the Council that the waiting list is there because there is not enough funding to pay for community - based waiver services under the current system. The State believes that by implementing Family Care, and offering care through self - directed services or a Care Management Organization, the waiting list will be eliminated. Supervisor Peterson asked if the ADRC application was done by the Department on Aging. Director Duncan responded that the ADRC application was the responsibility of the ADRC Ad Hoc Committee — of which she was a member, along with Peg Gagnon and Norma Vrieze. Supervisor Peterson stated that he understood that and Director Duncan was part of that committee, but the real hard work was not done by the Ad Hoc Committee. It is his belief that the majority of the work was done by the Department on Aging. He questioned how the ADRC Ad Hoc Committee, which was advisory, could overrule the Council on Aging, which is a governing committee. He finds it very disturbing that the Council on Aging was eliminated; he inquired if there was a way to amend the decision. Supervisor Peterson went on to say that the Council on Aging hired Kjersti. He feels that an ADRC is good for the aging people, but has reservations on how it will be run without Kjersti. He stated that she has been out there on the point and played the devil's advocate and took the heat. Without her, the seniors will be left out in the wind. Director Duncan responded by stating that the Ad Hoc Committee held stakeholder meetings, met with the Council on Aging and Health & Human Services Board, as well as a planning group. The result of this process was the Compact. The Council on Aging approved this Compact, which proposed a restructuring of the board and the department, at the January 2008 meeting. Director Duncan commended the Council on Aging for advocating for a separate governing board to oversee the ADRC, which creates a structure unlike any other unit within Health & Human Services. The ADRC Director will have to report to the Health & Human Services Director, however the Council on Aging and Disabilities will have input into Council on Aging Page 3 04/11/08 the hire and fire and evaluation of the ADRC Director. The governance board will also have oversight of the policies and procedures of the ADRC and direct contact to the Finance Committee and the County Board if and when that is needed. This advocacy was important to not only ensure older adults have a voice and stake in the ADRC and the County, but younger persons with disabilities as well. Director Duncan encouraged members of the council, whether they serve on the new Council on Aging & Disabilities or not, to make sure that governance committee holds the ADRC accountable. That role is not just up to one person in the Director's position, but the role of representatives and consumers. Chairperson Nelson called on County Administrator Chuck Whiting to speak to the Council. He stated that the resignation of Director Duncan is a great loss. She has always been a good advocate for the seniors of St. Croix County. He said Aging has always been a unique department and serves more individuals directly than any other in the county. Aging has always found a way to serve individuals. The creation of an ADRC was not the county's idea, but the state's. With the formation and merging of the Department on Aging with Health & Human Services, it is important that the Aging services not be diminished. Organizing the County structure to ensure this does not happen should be the priority. The time going forward is crucial and there will be a gap between the time when Director Duncan leaves until a new ADRC Director is hired. If it looks as though services are in jeopardy of being cut or looked at differently, contact should be made to the County Board. Whiting stated that he wants to help ensure that services for the elderly remain. Administrator Whiting said that he would help out where he could. Baldwin Nutrition Program Manager Dull asked if they will need to go through the County Board for issues that take place at the Senior Center. Administrative Coordinator Whiting said that there is no reason why the Senior Centers should not continue doing the things that usually would do during this transition. Director Duncan stated that questions and concerns at the sites should still be brought to the office and if there are any ethical or other issues that arise at the Senior Center, they will be referred to Administrative Coordinator Whiting. Chairperson Nelson asked if the ADRC Director will be doing two jobs — what Director Duncan currently does and ADRC responsibilities as well. Whiting responded by stating that the ADRC Director will be responsible for the current Department on Aging Director's responsibilities and will learn the functions of Health & Human Services. Kjersti's energy gave him a lot of confidence that she would do very well working in New Richmond and getting her point across. When looking to fill the position, it will be important to find a balance between someone who is coming from an aging background and/or someone who comes from a Health & Human Services background. Regardless, it is important for the group present and others in the future to understand the need to articulate the aging component. There are a large number of seniors in the county and they have the ability to articulate their needs. Chairperson Nelson asked if Whiting will be writing the May SCAN. Whiting stated that he will help out, but will be looking for assistance from the staff. Marge Wolske, Roberts, asked why there is only one caregiver for older adults on the Council Council on Aging Page 4 04/11/08 on Aging and Disabilities. Director Duncan stated that the guidelines for the formation of the governing board were laid out by the state and the representation of the Council on Aging & Disabilities meets those requirements. In addition to the various representatives who could be caregivers for younger persons with disabilities, the Ad Hoc committee included a slot for a caregiver for older adults. This decision was made out of respect for the number of persons who balance caregiving for their elderly parents. Director Duncan reiterated that members of the Council on Aging & Disabilities will most likely represent more then one target group — everyone is impacted, if not part of, the target groups served by the ADRC. Laura Rebhan, New Richmond, questioned why the title has been changed from Director to Section Manager. Whiting stated that titles are bureaucratic. Not only will there be a change within the ADRC, there will be title changes within Health & Human Services. The position will have a different title, but will have the additional responsibilities and higher pay. Rebhan then asked if the ADRC Section Manager will report to the Health & Human Services Director. Whiting stated yes and that he /she would be responsible for working for the Council on Aging and Disabilities. Rebhan then asked what the timeline would be. Whiting stated that when the new County Board is in place they will pick a Chair and officers. The County Board Chair will then make committee appointments. Once the committees are appointed, including the Council on Aging and Disabilities, the process for hiring will occur. Rebhan asked where the ADRC office will be located. Director Duncan stated that current office space used by the Department on Aging will be used as well as space in New Richmond. Services will be the same no matter which location a person visits. Calls will be directed through the 1 -800# currently advertised and used by the Department on Aging. Calls can be transferred from this number to New Richmond. Rebhan then asked why there has not been any publicity regarding the change with the Department on Aging and the formation of the ADRC. She stated all of the local newspapers need to be notified. She stated that there seems to be lots of loop holes that need to be filled and she hopes that they are ready for it. There is a large population of individuals that are caring for autistic children that will be knocking on the doors of the ADRC. If it falls on its face in the beginning, it will be harder to get it back on track. Director Duncan stated it will be a role of the Council on Aging and Disabilities to help with the changes that nees to take place. Marge Wolske, Roberts, asked about the funding that currently is received by the Department on Aging; the Department on Aging receives grants, program income, and other donations — she asked if that would be spread to other programs within Health and Human Services. Director Duncan stated that it was specified in the Compact that 100% of ADRC funding would stay within the ADRC to provide services within the ADRC — which include the nutrition services and other aging programs. Dianne Rhein, Regional Area Agency on Aging Field Representative, stated that all over the state there are changes and opportunities that exist. She stated that without a good structure there will be no services. The money from the state is getting tighter and will be tighter as time goes on. Maintaining the governing board is also very important. There are not many counties that have a governing board separate from the Health and Human Services. Individuals on the Board and others need to be vigilant to ensure that services continue. Another thing is to keep an eye on is the budget Council on Aging Page 5 04/11/08 tp ensure that money allocated for Aging services is used for Aging services. She stated that she sits in on a lot of meetings where the disability interest groups feel that aging will dominate; that concern should also be taken into consideration. It is important to get the word out regarding the change. Rhein suggested that a record be kept of questions asked and talk to other Counties with ADRCs. Issues will need to be addressed and vigilance is important. Whenever an Aging Unit changes its structure the Area Agency on Aging needs to be involved. Currently the Department on Aging is a stand alone agency and with the formation of an ADRC the Department will be within Health and Human Services. The AAA can be there for technical assistance to ensure that the Aging mission is not lost within the ADRC. They can assist with the application process for the ADRC Director. Rhein commended Director Duncan for her leadership; Rhein stated Duncan is very articulate and knows what she is talking about. She also commended the staff for their hard work over the years. Community Services Coordinator Tracy Davis asked Administrator Coordinator Whiting about the county's pay scale, as current Department on Aging staff are paid less then comparable positions within Health and Human Services. Whiting agreed that there has historically been a difference in pay between the Department on Aging and Health & Human Services. Many of the positions within Health and Human Services are within the Union. Davis pointed out that historically wages were lower within the Department on Aging because there was the possibility that services would be cut if wages were higher. Administrative Assistant Aeschliman asked what positions within the ADRC will be part of the Union. Whiting was not ready to answer the question at this time. Whiting stated the only Department on Aging position that will change is the Director's position. The new positions in the ADRC will be three I &A Specialists, and one Disability Benefit Specialist. Director Duncan reiterated that there are no positions that will be eliminated within the Department on Aging. Whiting stated that the Department on Aging should continue to do what is currently being done until told differently. Director Duncan stated that before she leaves, she will lay -out directions for Nutrition Program staff regarding whom they should contact with concerns. She also mentioned that it will be beneficial for Nutrition Program staff to continue to attend the Council on Aging and Disabilities' meetings. In the application, it was outlined that this committee will meet once a month at locations throughout the county. It could be assumed that the meeting time and date would be the same as the current Council on Aging. A question was raised regarding the upcoming volunteer appreciation banquet and other special events that are held annually. Director Duncan reiterated that Administrative Coordinator Whiting has stated services will continue like usual and the banquet is just one example. Laura Rebhan, New Richmond, stated that she became involved with the Department on Aging around 2000. She stated that Sandy Gehrmann worked and worked for 25 years to establish services and that Kjersti has done more for the Department on Aging. She asked that Whiting review Kjersti's most recent annual report to the County Board and note the variety of services, Council on Aging Page 6 04/11/08 accomplishments, and goals. Ms. Rebhan then asked if the ADRC Section Manager will have the same opportunity to articulate to the County Board the services which have been provided. Director Duncan stated that a commitment was made in the Compact to ensure the ADRC Director will report annually to the County Board; other opportunities could also exist as there is a direct relationship between the County Board and the Council on Aging and Disabilities. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Tubman and seconded by Councilmember Schrank; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 7 04/11/08