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Home My WebLink AboutHuman Resource Network 05-08-95V St. Croix County � T • !i !N • . . l� ,r I • CHANGE IN DATE TO: Human Resource Network Members FROM: Marilyn Fruit, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Human Resource Network Meeting DATE: Monday, May 8, 1995 TIME: 1:30pm - 3:30pm LOCATION: St. Croix County Health &Human Services (Conference Room) 1445 N. Fourth Street New Richmond, WI 54017 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Legislative Forum -May 3, 1995 Come prepared to share your concerns on any of the proposed changes affecting your programs and clientele with some of our legislative representatives. NEW BUSINESS: Agency Sharing ANNOUNCEMENTS &CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Marilyn Fruit DATE: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 COPIES TO: Committee Members HUMAN RESOURCE NETWORK OF ST. CROIX COUNTY May 8, 1995 Present: Marilyn Fruit, St. Croix Co. DHHS - Economic Support; Barbara Nelson, St. Croix Co. DHHS - Public Health; Bill Knuth, St. Croix Job Center; Peter Kilde, West CAP; Sue Kramer, Dept. an Aging; Al Baldus, 29th Assembly District; Debbie Willink, 5t. Croix Co. DHHS - Long Term Support; Paula Welch, Turningpoint; Beverly Rehwaldt, PIC; Carol Jones, Even Start The meeting was called to order by Chair, Marilyn Fruit at b� 45 pm. The next. meeting was announced to be July 5, 1:30 pm, in the DHHS Conference Room. Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting by Bev; second by Paula; motion passed. Chair Fruit opened the meeting to discussion on legislative concerns. Sue Kramer addressed personal care. Al responded that Joint Finance increased the budget, possibly to current levels. Sue expressed concern regarding proposed cuts with the small pot of Alzheimer's support monies. Al recommended to "keep the pressure on". Deb Willink addressed Family Support noting that $51,000 is received from the state for children with special needs living at home. The Governor proposed a block grant to county and concern is with the loss of funds within the agency. Currently there are 25 on the program and 42 on the waiting list. A statewide survey was completed. Currently there is an advisory board which the Governor recommends eliminating. These families are dedicated to keeping their children at home --respite care is a big need. Major impact on family relationships --marriage, sibling behavior, etc. Al shared his views on what is happening in legislature. Some of. cuts will be revisited in next biennium. Governor's plan with DNR, Dept of Ag, DPI, Secretary of State, Treasurer's office -- setting up cabinet -- more control in Executive office. Joint Finance deliver budget -- Assembly caucus,-- Assembly floor -- Senate -- ultimately to Governor. 450 line item vetoes by Governor last year. Paula Welch shared information on a hearing Thursday on prohibiting purchase of firearm by person charged with domestic violence. Another hearing to extend no contact hours from 24 - 72 hours to maximum 72 hours to 10 days. Rally in Madison May 18. Al says -the climate in Madison is that domestic abuse is growing and knowledge is growing. Feeling is "need to do something". Paula expressed desire to mandate services in the county. Barbara Nelson addressed state Prevention and Lead grant dollars are being reduced. Impact will be serving less. WIC changes unknown although expect that federal dollars will be in block grant to state. Wisconsin has in past budgeted state dollars to be spent on the program. There is no match required. WIC has a long track record of being a good investment with $3-4 savings in health care for every dollar spent. Carol Jones explained Even Start is a federal family literacy program through Chapter 1 - DPI. It has expanded to a family program to break the cycle of intergenerational illiteracy. Community flekibility is offered depending on needs; i.e., daytime programming with daycare, adult basic skills. It is not income based, but approximately 90% have financial need. Currently serving New Richmond, Baldwin -Woodville and St. Croix Central school systems. Eliminate duplication -- next year working through Head Start. $4500 cost/pupil. Federal - 6 year program, St. Croix 4 years -- need long term study results. Peter Kilde states WestCAP has identified 17 funding streams (federal and state). Expresses concern re: federal dollar block granting to state. Currently in DHHS with community service block grant. Question if will be in new Economic Support, Housing or where. Unsure of all implications. Most of people working with are not on AFDC but receiving assistance. Intertwined with other service agencies providing resources. Applying for Early Head Start program -- 0-3 age. Ultimate goal: eliminate poverty. Biggest concern is that large resource base is shrinking. Harder and harder to get out of poverty. Bev Rehwaldt spoke about the Rescissions Bill stating that it looks Like they will have to lay off 1/4 of the staff in July. Concern what support is at state level for job center, one -stop shopping concept. Al says "favorable" noting a trip to Germany. St. Croix has two job centers - Job Service and PIC together. Al stated we need to start with people in lower grades. Health care, child care, transportation are the biggest barriers to getting people off welfare. Marilyn Fruit indicated Economic Support has "lots of concerns". "Will we be located in Jobs Centers, will jobs change -- ? case managers, will we be state employees, talk of privatization". Concern with benefits being cut -- i.e., spousal impoverished -- went from high side to lowest end. Glad to see closing divestment gap.. Highest cost in M.A. is nursing home care. Concern with federal talk to cut energy assistance -- 199 plan -- meeting in Wausau. Agree with work emphasis (to a point). Concern with no cash benefits for anybody. Low income, working poor -- where's all the money going to come from to make people job ready. General Assistance -- Governor's proposal to eliminate mandate for and also eliminate dollars to do so. 5t. Croix average time on is 4 two months; longer ones waiting for SSI (automatic qualifier for Medicaid). General feeling that some program needed -- major differing philosophies of neighboring counties. Bill Knuth stated we need reform of health system first and asked, "What about privatization of services versus civil service structure?" Al stated he is "not a big fan of it. Big companies make mistakes too." Attitude that it's cheaper. Al responded re: highway department; county hospitals cut costs by paying people less. May show some short term savings but doesn't in long term. Don't think can run Social Security cheaper than being run now; administrative costs 1/2-2%. Agency Sharing -- PIC is recruiting for summer programs; has staff of job coaches. WestCAP is designated as Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Eight unit housing development in Clayton; all low income. Contract through WHETA. There are 37 CHDO throughout state -- funding received to develop. Three phases: 1) Clayton development; 2) Dunn Co. - highest poverty rate and need of 7 counties WestCAP serves. Wheeler or Colfax for initial studies; 3) ideas welcome - no plan yet. Part of program is for financial counseling. LHOG (local housing organization grant) Public Health received a grant from DOT for pedestrian/bike safety. Offering optional education component with well child screening for parent and child. Child will receive helmet for $5.00. Grant runs through end of September with intent to serve 100 low income children. Turningpoint planning a border shelter meeting. Trying to form unit so can be heard in Madison. Hired Children's Program Coordinator; currently revamping. Chair Fruit announced the July meeting will be devoted to general review, review of existing policies and programs, and scheduling non-member agencies. Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ��.� Barbara Nelson Secretary