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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2011 (52) RESOLUTION TO REFILL CONTRACT BENEFIT SPECIALIST POSITION Resolution No. t 5 ( -,-) 6 t I St. Croix County, Wisconsin WHEREAS, on October 5, 2010, the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution requiring any position in which a vacancy occurs to be reviewed by the parent committee, the Administration Committee and the County Board prior to refilling; and WHEREAS, the Health and Human Services Committee is the parent committee for the position of Social Worker in the Health and Human Services Department; and WHEREAS, a vacancy has occurred in this position; and WHEREAS, the Health and Human Services Committee has reviewed the position and determined the position is necessary and there are no viable alternatives to filling the positions, and therefore recommends that the vacant position be filled; and WHEREAS, the Administration Committee has reviewed the position and agrees with the conclusions of the Health and Human Services Committee and recommends the position be filled; and WHEREAS, the County Board has reviewed the position and agrees with the conclusions of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Administration Committee and concludes that the position should be filled. THEREFORE, be it resolved by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors that the position of Benefit Specialist in the Health and Human Services Department be filled. Offered by the Administration Committee YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE N ❑ ❑ ❑ Ryan Sicard Z ❑ ❑ ❑ Esther Wentz ❑ ❑ ❑ M Roger Rbh,l, ❑ ❑ ❑ Lorin Sather Sharon Norton- El ❑ Bauman El F ❑ Buck Malick n . - - q ,, ❑ ❑ ❑ Daryl Standaf,, - This Resolution was adopted by the St. Croix County ]gBoard of Supervisor Reviewed as to form on s IF on Greg Timmerman, Corporation Counsel Cindy Campbell, County Clerk Department: Aging & Disability Resource Center of St. Croix County Position Reques Benefit Specialist 1) What has been the recent annual monthly trend of work performe by the position? Between October & December of 2010, the Elderly Benefit Specialist has fielded more than 400 phone calls and assisted at least 200 individuals with Medicare choices. Not only has the volume of people served increased, but also the complexity of the issues have become more difficult. The volume of people served by the Disability has also increased. Currently there is a six week wait for individuals to receive assistance through the Disability Benefit Specialist. The complexity of the issues has also changed and can be very time consuming. 2) Who fills in for the position during absences for PTO? Currently, when the Elderly Benefit Specialist and Disability Benefit Specialist are absent, messages are taken for call backs upon return of the staff. If there is an immediate need, the call is referred to the ADRC Manager to handle as needed. 3. What will be the impact to the public of delay in filling the position? Benefit related matters are extremely time sensitive. Failing to match staffing levels with public need will contribute to economic challenges in our country as those in need of benefit related services could be left without health insurance, disability benefits, energy assistance, and prescription drug coverage. Larger economic implications are related to the notion that some residents served by these positions represent some of the most economically challenged residents of our county. In addition, some of our country's most contributing members (i.e. those whom have worked and paid taxes for many years but have been struck by disability, job loss, home foreclosure, etc) will be left alone to navigate the extremely complicated benefit world as well. 4. How much is the net savings for each month the position is unfilled? This position is a contracted position at $25,000/year with no benefits offered. This position is fully funded through a combination of state and federal dollars in addition to funds already secured by the ADRC through additional sources. This position is also a revenue generating position. The contracted employee working in this position will generate revenue through Medical Assistance reimbursement. In a larger economic picture, failing to fill this position will result in economic challenges identified in the answer to question #3. In other words, leaving the position unfilled will result in net cost to St. Croix County government, and its residents, not a net savings. 5. Rational for the position: Both the Elderly Benefit Specialist and Disability Specialist complete public service duties facing an increasing demand in recent changes in the state and local economic challenges. There is one St. Croix County employee, the Disability Benefit Specialist, available to serve each St. Croix County resident between the ages of 18-59. Likewise, there is one Elderly Benefit Specialist available to serve each St. Croix County resident age 60 or older, regardless of financial status. Both the current Elderly Benefit Specialist and the Disability Benefit Specialist provide their respective public service through offering office appointments, home visits, and phone consultation. Consultation, regarding Medicare and Medicaid benefits, with St. Croix County residents, includes consultation with former and current St. Croix County employees. The vast majority of the St. Croix County employees are referred, by the St. Croix County Human Resource department, to the Elderly Benefit Specialist as they are nearing retirement. 2009 Census Bureau statistics indicate that there were 7,336 disabled residents of St. Croix County from January 2008 - June 2009 St. Croix County experience a 54% growth in Family Medicaid enrollment as compared to 28% growth in the remainder of the state (2009-2014 St. Croix County Community Health Improvement Plan). Between 2000-2030 St. Croix County will experience the fastest rate of growth (67.9%) as compared to all other WI counties (WI Population Projection 2000-2030 http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=2114). The second fast growing county is projected to be Calumet at 45.10. The new census data indicates St. Croix again is the fastest growing counties in Wisconsin. The complexity of cases handled by both the Elderly Benefit Specialist and the Disability Benefit Specialist has increased exponentially. There are a number of factors that have accounted for these changes. Nonetheless, this increase in complexity translates to less staff time to provide these essential public services, fewer St. Croix County residents being served, and ultimately, and larger scale economic implications.