HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
May 19, 2021 5:00 PM
Room 1284-County Board Room
St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1284 -
Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson,
Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this May 19, 2021 meeting of
the Health and Human Services Board 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 Late 5:10 PM
Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present
Deb Lindemann St. Croix County Board Member Present
Natasha Ward St. Croix County Board Member Excused
Paul McGinnis St. Croix County Board Member Present
Board Members that Appeared Remotely : Board Members Deb Lindemann and Paul
McGinnis
Others in Attendance: Assistant County Administrator Ken Witt, Public Information
Officer Adam Kastonek, Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret and several
other community members
Others in Attendance Remotely: Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen, Public Health
Supervisor Laurie Diaby, Public Health Epidemiologist Elle Klasen, Children Services
Supervisor/Interim Adminsitrator Michelle Leccia, Behavioral Health Administrator Shar
Lopez, Economic Support Administrator Ronda Brown, Records Supervisor Tammy
Wilson, Aging & Disability Resource Center Administrator Brad Beckman, Fiscal Manager
Fay Strenke, Office Team Supervisor Colleen Linder
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting April 21, 2021 5:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after
review of the minutes from the April 21, 2021 HHS Board meeting if any editing was
needed. With nothing noted the minutes were accepted as written.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness opened the meeting to public
comment for items on or off the agenda.
Several community members were in attendance and one addressed the Board regarding
testing, vaccinations, and other concerns around SCC Public Health's recommendations in
dealing with COVID-19.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. COVID-19 Summary of Current Disease Activity and Vaccine Distribution Efforts
Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret introduced St. Croix County
Public Health Epidemiologist Elle Klasen and shared that she is now a full time county
employee and has filled the first Epidemiologist position for St. Croix County. PH
Epidemiologist Klasen then reviewed a power point with the Board providing a brief
update on COVID-19 cases in St. Croix County (SCC) and the vaccination distribution
process.
Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen shared an updated Public Health Advisory with
the Board. On Thursday May 13, 2021 the CDC released updated guidance that fully
vaccinated people can resume activities they did before the pandemic, including
participating in indoor and outdoor activities - large or small - without wearing a mask
or physically distancing. You are considered fully vaccinated if it has been more than two
weeks since you received your last dose in your vaccination series. Public Health
recommends wearing masks for those not fully vaccinated as well as those in K-12,
healthcare settings, and most public transportation as an important tool to fight this
virus. They are encouraging those who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 to get
vaccinated at a location that is convenient for them. Engen informed that this change
came very quickly so they are working with Public Information Officer Adam
Kastonek to get information updated on the county website regarding this new
guidance as well as how and where to get vaccinated. They hope to have that
completed by tomorrow.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials
Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financials with the Board. Strenke
informed that currently, revenues this year for HHS are a bit ahead of last year mainly
due to the addition of property tax payments this month. The Health Center Campus is
still showing a bit of a loss, but admissions continue so are hopeful for an increase in the
census. Veterans continues to do well. Strenke shared that the Health and Human
Services 2020 audit should be complete in the next few weeks at which point
CliftonLarsonAllen will provide a report to the Board of Supervisors.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Presentation of the 2020 Health and Human Services Annual Report
Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, along with several of the HHS
Division Administrators, reviewed and highlighted areas of the Health and Human
Services 2020 Annual Report. Many divisions highlighted the transition from in person
services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and thanked the staff for
the hard work they put in to still meet consumer needs throughout 2020.
Discussion and questions followed.
One question was regarding if there are processes that were changed during the
pandemic response that were found to be beneficial and may be continued as we
moved forward. Director Rohret shared that one in particular is the increased use of
telehealth, but believes there could be others, so he will look into this and bring
more information back at a later meeting.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Ostness asked if there are any requests for future
agenda items. Board members are encouraged to contact the HHS Director Bob Rohret or HHS
Board Chair Dave Ostness if items arise.
* Follow up on housing/homelessness-- Supervisor Ard shared that information is being
compiled and planned to be presented in July and likely at the County Board of Supervisors
* Update on service delivery changes that may continue after pandemic response
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
HHS Director Bob Rohret announced that:
* Michelle Leccia has accepted the Interim Children Services Administrator position with the
resignation of Julie Krings. The position of Children Services Administrator is currently posted
* Shar Lopez has assumed the Operation's Manager position
* Elle Klasen has excepted the Epidemiologist position in Public Health
*** Congratulations to all
* BH received a $75,000 State Opioid Response Grant- Substance Use Supervisor Kristin
Deprey wrote and submitted the proposal with funding received this week. This can help
with uninsured consumers.
* Substance Use Disorder and Block Grant funds are expected to increase
* Have started a provider meeting in an effort to design a continuity of care for addiction
treatment and withdrawal management
* No updates on legislative action on the 2022 budget
* ADRC Administrator Brad Beckman informed of grant funds received to assist in providing
vaccines to the home bound or in need to transportation to a vaccination site. They are
working with Public Health on this. Please contact the ADRC if you need assistance. Also he
shared that Music by the Heart sing along will be taking place on Sunday June 13th @ 1:00
PM in Hudson. This is to promote and support dementia awareness
* Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen shared that the annual WI Public Health
Association Conference is next week. She will share this info with the Board if they would
like to attend
* Chair Ostness informed that this is the last Zoom meeting, all in person next month
ADJOURN
HHS Board Chair Dave Ostness called the May 19, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human
Services Board adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
June 16, 2021 @ 5:00 PM. This will be the Open Public Participation meeting for the 2022
budget and service planning process.