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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD January 20, 2021 5:00 PM Room 1284-County Board Room St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 - Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin NOTICE Due to Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Health and Human Services Board members and staff are encouraged to attend the meeting via the use of technology utilizing the Zoom platform. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join. <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83680076907?pwd=SFFsQzR3YisvRXV5RVU5RlhHNWhVZz09> Webinar ID: 836 8007 6907 Passcode: 901831 Or join by phone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 Webinar ID: 836 8007 6907 Passcode: 901831 International numbers available: <https://us02web.zoom.us/u/krvhhQryD> CALL TO ORDER Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this January 20, 2021 Health and Human Services Board meeting to order at approximately 5:00 PM. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Supervisor Present Carah Koch St. Croix County Supervisor Present Dave Ostness St. Croix County Chair Present Scottie Ard St. Croix County Supervisor Present Greg Tellijohn St. Croix County Supervisor Present Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Natasha Ward St. Croix County Board Member Present Paul McGinnis St. Croix County Board Member Late 5:04 PM All Board members appeared remotely via Zoom Others in Attendance Remotely: Assistant County Administrator Ken Witt, Public Information Officer Adam Kastonek, Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret, Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen, Epidemiologist Elle Klasen, Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Children Services Administrator Julie Krings, Behavioral Health Administrator Shar Lopez, CCS Administrator Becky Kerr, CDD staff Tim Stieber & Cole Webster, several other community members Excused Absences: NA Unexcused Absences: NA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting December 16, 2020 5:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the December 16, 2020 HHS Board meeting if any editing was needed. With nothing noted the minutes were accepted as written. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness opened the meeting to public comment for items on or off the agenda. Chair Ostness informed that public comment will be kept to 30 minutes. Several community members addressed the Board via ZOOM regarding ongoing support of this Board and Public Health as well as concerns within the community around COVID-19. One community member thanked the HHS Board for addressing the manure spill issues and asked that the Board approve the Spill Response Plan from Community Development. A few others that appeared in the Boardroom shared some concerns and asked that the Board consider hearing about the alternative ways of dealing with health and wellness that are provided in area communities. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Public Health Updates St. Croix County Epidemiologist Elle Klasen presented information to the Board regarding current COVID-19 data, where Public Health is at with the vaccination process and their next steps. The focus for vaccinations moving forward will be on the 65+ age group and sign up can be done via a form found on the County website. (sccwi.gov) Questions and discussion followed. Board members are wondering the number of consumers that have filled out the form that is available on the county website (sccwi.gov). Klasen said at this time it is about 5383 individuals. These forms are then populated onto a spreadsheet where the info is collected for followed up. Another question raised is what the vaccine allocations look like? Public Health continues to request vaccine each week based on determined need and the ability to complete the clinics. They are never certain if they will receive the amount requested until they get the delivery, so scheduling is difficult. There are about 5 vaccination sites approved in St. Croix County. Board Member Leaf questioned the need for additional resources. HHS Director Rohret shared the needs are currently being looked at, as well as the best ways to get vaccinations done within the appropriate roll out order. Many people are working on this. He also shared that the Nursing Home residents and staff were vaccinated this week and Orchard View will be receiving it next week. Lastly the Board asked about education and information resources that are available. Klasen shared there is much information on the County website and also Public Information Officer Adam Kastonek informed the Board that newsletters are coming soon to inform and educate about the vaccine. Dr. McGinnis shared his view of the vaccine as a physician. He has seen lots of vaccine roll outs over the years and the information he has seen about this vaccine's efficacy and safety are very reassuring. There have been some allergic reactions but nothing alarming. This is going to take time, but the Public Health & Healthcare partnership is very encouraging. Keep the guard up! RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financial report with the Board. She shared that there will be both expenses and revenues that will need to be posted back into 2020 budget when received and finalized. Strenke informed that HHS is on track in both revenues and expenses, though purchased services continue to run high in Children Services. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. A ground water study group was formed in 2017, they have since developed a spill response plan which was reviewed by the Health and Human Services Board in November of 2020. The Community Development Department (CDD) is here tonight looking for the HHS Board to approve this plan. HHS Director Rohret informed the Board that Community Development Department (CDD) staff were available for questions, but if there are no questions, he would ask that the Board consider approval of this Spill Response Plan. CDD staff Tim Steiber and Cole Webster addressed the question raised in Public Comment about a spill on a Friday night or over the weekend. They shared that CDD is notified via the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spill response hot line. CDD will then determine on how soon they would need to respond. Unfortunately, the plan may not allow for immediate alerts to residents as they would like to be able to have time to determine how severe the spill is and where the water or bacteria may go before alerting consumers. This plan is made to use the tools they have in a time sensitive and informed manner. They do have 24/7 coverage via phone and email notifications though that information isn't listed in the plan. A motion was made by Supervisor Ard to approve the St. Croix County Manure Spill and Brown Water Response Plan and was seconded by Supervisor Leaf. A voice vote was taken and all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Scottie Ard, Supervisor SECONDER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Scottie Ard, Greg Tellijohn, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis 4. Children Services Update on Foster Care and child out-of-home placements Children Services Administrator Julie Krings reviewed a power point with the Board highlighting the reasons for and the work being done to address out- of- home placements. One of the things she highlighted included the ongoing work in Foster Care recruitment. Krings shared there is a child welfare issue nationally and is mainly due to parental substance use. In St. Croix County we primarily see alcohol and Methamphetamine (Meth) as the most common drug used. Children Services works to keep children safe within their home, but if that is not possible then they look to other family members prior to using foster homes. They always look for school stability for a child as the "Every Student Succeeds Act" requires schools and social services to work together. Krings shared the schools in our area are great to work with. Social Workers continue to meet with families in person during the pandemic and cases continue to be more complex. Krings commended the work her staff has done. Foster care families are the backbone in our county and are willing to take in a child even during COVID-19 and in the middle of the night. Many families have stepped up to a Level 1, which means they are a relative and have become licensed, or a Level 2 which are those people in the community who want to be a foster parent. St. Croix County now has 24 Level 2 homes and continue to add more. Children Services had started a Foster Care recruitment team pre COVID-19 and are now trying to come up with new strategies to move forward with this. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact our foster care coordinators and get the process started. Krings also informed the Board off the many strategies, funding, and prevention programs they are implementing to work with families in St. Croix County. Discussion and questions followed. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Behavioral Health Administrator Shar Lopez along with Comprehensive Community Support (CCS) Administrator Becky Kerr presented information to the Board around the efforts these two divisions have in place and continue to work on in addressing children's and adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board thanked staff for their work. Discussion and questions followed. One question was regarding if youth are aging out of services. Fortunately, most programs for youth are able to be continued beyond 18, and in CCS they would transition into adult services if needed. Board members wonder if there is a wait list for services and currently for St. Croix County the answer is, no. The state has implemented a "wait list" but this doesn't delay services for consumers in St. Croix County. Also discussed what takes place if a youth needs an emergency mental health detention. This varies dependent on each situation though they always try for the least restrictive outcome. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. Update on Work Being Done to Address Housing Concerns in St. Croix County Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret updated the Board on areas of work being done to address the housing concerns in the County and the State. He's been involved in some discussions in how we can resolve some of the emergency housing issues. We were part of a task force that looked at the motel vouchers system which does present some issues such as damage costs etc.. This evolved into a broader discussion on what would be most helpful to these people facing these housing issues. After discussion we saw a case management and care coordination need for these people and feel HHS could possibly assist that. We recognize there is need for housing assistance and we need to support programs already in place and determine what HHS has and can offer. Questions and discussion followed. Discussed the possibility of opening warming shelters. Director Rohret informed that Robyn Thibideau from WestCAP shared in the past that there are barriers to these due to licensing and zoning. Supervisor Ard reminded that these are open for limited use and there is a need to pay insurance, staff these shelters and pay those staff. There is a point-in-tine count coming next week to look in the community for those that are homeless. There is a significant economic impact from COVID-19 and loss of jobs which has put people behind in rent and utilities, so concern is high that homelessness and housing insecurity will increase in our county. The community needs to embrace a shelter. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No requests tonight, but Board Members are encouraged to contact Chair Ostness or HHS Director Rohret if topics arise. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE No announcements tonight. ADJOURN Chair Ostness called this January 20, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board adjourned at approximately 7:10 P.M. DATE OF NEXT MEETING February 17, 2021 @ 5:00 PM