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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD August 18, 2021 5:00 PM 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 August 18, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM. ROLL CALL Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Carah KochSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountyChairPresent Scottie ArdSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Greg TellijohnSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyVice-ChairPresent Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Natasha WardSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Paul McGinnisSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Others in Attendance:Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, County Administrator Ken Witt, Finance Manager Fay Strenke, Public Health Epidemiologist Elle Klasen & Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen (Via Zoom), Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, Nursing Home Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller (Via Zoom) and several members from the community APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting July 21, 20215:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the July 21, 2021 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 Ostness opened the meeting to public comment for items on or off the agenda. Three members of the public addressed the Board regarding concerns around the handling of COVID-19 in the community including the lack of use of focus on alternative treatment methods, encouraging healthy lifestyles, as well as COVID-19 masking and vaccinations. Another resident from the Town of Forest addressed the Board regarding large wind turbines and health issues. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. COVID-19 Summary of Current Disease Activity and Vaccine Distribution Efforts Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen and Epidemiologist Elle Klasen presented information to the Board regarding the current infection and transmission rate of COVID-19. Engen shared St. Croix County (SCC) is currently at a high transmission rate with masks recommended for everyone. There were 41 positive cases today in SCC with a 7- day average of 20 cases per day. In under 1 month, per Centers for Disease Control(CDC) data, WI went from moderate to high transmission rates. Currently the highest case numbers are among the unvaccinated and continue to climb. Delta variant is currently the dominant variant within St. Croix County and is highly contagious. Engen informed that vaccination is still the best tool to mitigate the virus along with masking, social distancing and staying home when sick. Washing hands and Vitamin D are also good standards to follow. Public Health is asking for cooperation from the community. In regard to booster doses for the immunocompromised, Engen stated they are currently being recommended and will be administered with a tiered approach beginning in Sept. 2021. St. Croix County Public Health is still determining if they will be giving these doses as pharmacies and other health partners should be able to administer them. Also, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending pregnant women get vaccinated. Internally, Engen shared, PH has implemented Crisis Standards of Care as well as reconvened in working with community partners as COVID-19 cases increase, bed availability is dropping, and school staff are looking forward to fall. Schools will not be helping with contact tracing this fall and will be the responsibility of the Public Health Department. They are also working to get the Community Health Needs Assessment completed and one of the areas of this assessment is implementing a survey. The survey can be found on the County website as well as various places around the community. Please take this survey and encourage others to take it as well. Board Member Dr. McGinnis shared his concerns with the Delta variant for the community, especially with youth and the fact that school will be starting soon. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. 2022 Proposed Rate Increases for St. Croix County Health Care Campus Health and Human Services Administrator Bob Rohret and Nursing Home Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller reviewed the proposed 2022 pay rates for the St. Croix County Health Care Campus with the Board. These rate changes will include a private pay increase of twenty dollars per day for the Skilled Nursing facility bringing it to $295 per day. In the Kitty Rhoades Memorial Memory Care Center crisis stabilization rates will increase by twenty-nine dollars bringing the daily rate to $416 per day. These rates are in line with other area facilities. Questions were raised and discussion had. A motion was made by Supervisor Ard to approve the 2022 pay rate increases for the St. Croix County Health Care Campus and was seconded by Board Member McGinnis. A voice vote was taken, all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Scottie Ard, Supervisor SECONDER: Paul McGinnis, Board Member AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Scottie Ard, Greg Tellijohn, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis 3. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Health and Human Services (HHS) Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the financial report with the Board. Strenke shared that purchased services continue to trend high in Behavioral Health for this year due to some high cost placements. At the Health Care Campus revenue is running low, they are working to increase staff and intakes. Veteran Services continues to run right on track. The Finance Department is now working on the 2022 budget process with each of the HHS Divisions and with County Administrator Witt. The budget will be presented to the Board in the coming months. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Review Information Regarding Housing Needs in St. Croix County County Board Supervisor and Housing Navigator for Western WI, Scottie Ard reviewed a power point with the Board regarding housing in St. Croix County. Discussion and questions followed. The Board would like to see the mapping of housing units available in SCC and begin discussion on what steps can be taken to implement Integrated Housing in St. Croix County/WI., something similar to the Minnesota model as it allows for stabilization and access to services. HHS Director Rohret shared that this all takes time to build and some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding requests were intended to lead to provide supportive services and recovery housing subsidies for those struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Also, discussions must continue at the state and federal levels to address housing as a healthcare issue. Supervisor Tellijohn would like to see this as a recurring agenda item. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS * Continue the discussion on housing within St. Croix County ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE No announcements tonight. ADJOURN Chair Ostness called this August 18, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board adjourned @ approximately 6:30 PM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING September 15, 2021 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom.