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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHealth & Human Services 06-02-05 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Tom Dorsey (Fred Johnson, 246 -8223) COMMITTEE TITLE: St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board DATE: 06/02/05 TIME: 6:00 p.m. LOCATION: St. Croix Industries /Extended Opportunities Building, 1525 N. 4 Street New Richmond CALL TO ORDER ADOPTION OF AGENDA NEW BUSINESS: 1. Review letters and take public testimony regarding the 2006 Health and Human Services budget process ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Fred Johnson DATE: COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE * *ADDITIONS /CHANGES /CORRECTIONS �J ST. CROIX COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARD PUBLIC HEARING June 2, 2005 The St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board conducted an "Open Hearing" on June 2, 2005, at St. Croix Industries in the small production area. MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Dorsey, Chair Tom Caflisch Dr. Michael Kretz Lois Burri Linda Luckey Deb Rasmussen Ralph Swenson Esther Wentz Tom Dowd Thomas Dorsey called the Open Hearing to order at 6:00 PM noting that the meeting was properly and legally publicized. Dorsey welcomed everyone to the hearing. Dorsey introduced Health and Human Services Director Fred Johnson. Johnson introduced himself as the new_ Health and Human Services Director. Johnson stated he was pleased to see everyone in attendance tonight. Johnson stated the only agenda item tonight is the open hearing. Johnson asked Board members to introduce themselves and the district they represent. Johnson stated that Tom Dowd, new Board member, would be late. Johnson asked staff to introduce themselves: Fred Johnson, Health and Human Services Director Ron Lockwood, Long Term Support Supervisor Barbara Nelson, Public Health Supervisor - ,Health Officer Ron Eichstaedt, Director, St. Croix Industries Kathy Dunlap, Family & Children's Coordinator Mary Squyer, Economic Support Supervisor Norma Vrieze, Early Intervention Director Carolyn L. Krieger, Nursing Home Administrator Ron Kiesler MH /AODA Coordinator Steve Kirt, Mental Health /AODA Clinical Services Supervisor Becky Ruka, Accounts Receivable Supervisor Kathy Leisch, Secretary Wendy Barringer, Long Term Support Social Worker Kathy Carlson, Long Term Support Social Worker Denise Gillen, Long Term Support Social Worker Mary Herzog, Long Term Support Social Worker Vicky Lyon, Long Term Support Social Worker Deloris Mosay, Long Term Support Social Worker Marian Mottaz, Long Term Support Social Worker Mike Traynor, Long Term Support Social Worker Debbie Willink, Long Term Support Social Worker Dena Ryttie, Long Term Support Social Work Supervisor Lisa Leahy, Nursing Home Director of Social Services Colleen Hammer, Rehabilitation Coordinator -St. Croix Industries Sonya Skramstad, Job Placement Specialist -St. Croix Industries Kristie Tellijohn, Director of Nursing Johnson thanked the staff for attending. Johnson stated that it is important for everyone to hear the needs of the community and the open hearing is an excellent way for that to happen. Johnson stated that next week the Health & Human Services Board will be discussing department strategic planning for Department of Health & Human Services Department and Nursing Home staff. Johnson stated this means looking at long -range planning on what the department hopes to accomplish and how to best meet the goals'of St. Croix County. Johnson stated there were people attending who would like to give testimony and 1 ©1St• "�S invited all those who wished to speak to do so. Johnson introduced Mona Flanum from the Five Loaves food and clothing center. Flanum gave a summary of the services of Five Loaves and stated they have to be out of their current facilities by October 1, 2005. She told the Board that Five Loaves is currently looking for space to rent and asked if Health & Human Services would have any space available for them. She stated that Five Loaves currently has food and clothing. She stated they are willing to eliminate the clothing aspect of Five Loaves and keep only the food shelf if there was a small place available in Health & Human Services. Johnson stated he has been in discussion with . Flanum regarding any space that may be available for Five Loaves to rent in Health & Human Services. He stated he has also been in discussion with Mary Squyer in Economic Support to see if there would be space available in the Economic Support Unit. Johnson introduced Carol Appel, Development Director for Turningpoint and . Shannon Nelson, Program Director of St. Croix County Outreach Office. Appel stated that in the past they have received support from St. Croix County. They did not receive any support last year but are hoping to renew that relationship. Appel gave a summary of Turningpoint's services. She stated that services in 2005 have already doubled some of the services given in 2004. Kiesler stated that Mental Health had previously supported Turningpoint in the amount of $4,000 from the County Levy but in mid -2004 the Board voted to end funding. Caflisch asked for statistical information to be given to Johnson along with any other financial support they are receiving from Pierce County. Johnson introduced Naomi Silver, Pierce County coordinator for "People Can't Wait campaign and also the Director of "Western Wisconsin Alliance for Self Determination ". She stated she is here to speak on behalf of the Long Term Support Unit. She said there have been some great things happening with the Board in Pierce County. She said her goal is to see that fellow citizens with disabilities are able to create meaningful lives. Her strategies are to educate individuals who are disabled and the people caring for them about County, State and Federal funding issues that directly affect their lives and how elected officials represent those issues. She stated she is also a parent of a child with cerebral palsy. She stated the waiting list is huge in St. Croix County. She stated that we can have a bigger impact if we all work together to dig deep and try to eliminate the waiting list for special needs children in St. Croix County. Lockwood stated that the County has continued to increase their funding and do their part but the State of Wisconsin is not doing their part. Johnson introduced Danette Tellijohn, President of "Parents in Partners" Group. Tellijohn thanked Steve Kirt and Don Gillen for help that was given to them when their son was admitted to Winnebago Mental Health Institute. She was concerned with police procedures that were followed when her son was taken from the hospital and admitted to Winnebago Mental Health Institute. She wished to voice her complaint about those procedures and would-like to see them changed. She would also like to see more information given to parents on their rights and what options are available to them during this'difficult time. Johnson stated there were letters that would be read from those who could not attend or did not wish to speak. See attachments in minute book. Kretz asked if follow -up letters would be given to those who had submitted letters. Johnson stated the letters could be reviewed at the next staff meeting and written responses could be sent out at that time. Johnson suggested updating the forms to include addresses if they would like a written response mailed to them. Johnson introduced Corrine Hahn, parent of a son who has autism. Hahn requested to have her letter read by Dena Ryttie from Long Term Support and then she would like to make a statement herself. Hahn stated that her son has been on the waiting list for CIP /COP for 10 years. She stated they are grateful for the respite dollars they receive but it is not nearly enough. She asked the Board to consider increasing the dollars for disabled citizens. Margi Miller distributed a handout to Board members and gave testimony in 2 r ` regards to her 18 year -old daughter, Shea Miller, with Down's syndrome. She expressed concern that her daughter is number 32 on the waiting list for the CIP program and has been on the waiting list since she was 12 years old. She is concerned because her daughter will need supervision to be able to move to a group home versus an institution and the funding will not be available for her. She said it is very difficult to ask for money from people that she doesn't know but they will need the money so her daughter can move out on her own. She said it is very expensive for daily care in a group home. She feels there is a need for more CIP funding or to get the waiting list moving somehow. She asked the Board to keep her daughter in mind when they make their decision on the budget. Johnson introduced Debbie Brennan who is a parent of a child with autism. She stated that she agrees with the other parents present about the growing needs in Long Term Support and with the Family Support Program. She stated there are great social workers in St Croix County that have helped her child but we really need to support their efforts in trying to get the needs met for children with special needs. Rasmussen requested a synopsis of all the County waiting lists in Long Term Support, Community Support Program and Mental Health. Rasmussen stated it is important for all Board members to see the numbers on the waiting lists. Johnson stated it would be added to the June 10 agenda for review. Johnson stated that on behalf of the Board we appreciate everyone coming to the Open Hearing. Johnson stated that staff members and the full Board were represented tonight. Johnson stated the information given tonight will be reviewed and we will do the best we can to serve the needs of the community. Johnson thanked everyone for coming tonight. Hearing adjourned at 7:44 PM. Chairman: Attest: Secretary 3