HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
September 15, 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 September 15, 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 MemberExcused
Others in Attendance:Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, County
Administrator Ken Witt, HHS Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Public Health Epidemiologist
Elle Klasen & Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen (Via Zoom), Behavioral Health
Administrator Shar Lopez, Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, and several
members from the community
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting August 18, 20215:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after
review of the minutes from the Aug. 18, 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. Chair Ostness informed everyone that public comment will be
kept to 2 minutes per person.
To promote social distancing, Chair Ostness asked for a quick break to set up over flow
seating for audience members.
A resident from the Town of Forest addressed the Board regarding large wind turbines and
health issues. Several other members of the public addressed the Board regarding
concerns around the handling of COVID-19 such as; the need for improved
communications on the county website, in particular on breakthrough cases, as well as
freedom of choice and more information on ways to improve and support your natural
immune system.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. COVID-19 Updates
Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen and Epidemiologist Elle Klasen presented
information and data to the Board regarding the current infection and transmission rate
of COVID-19.
Currently St. Croix County (SCC) Public Health has implemented crisis standards of
care and SCC is still under a health advisory recommending best practices to reduce
the spread of COVID-19. This advisory will be looked at again in October. Engen
reminded that Public Health's role is to keep all SCC residents safe and healthy.
Public Health continues to do contact tracing under crisis standards of care, but is
not a testing site. They do their best to contact positive cases, but persons may also
be contacted by our alert system as cases continue to increase. It is everyone's
responsibility to inform their close contacts if positive for COVID-19, watch for
symptoms, and stay home if you aren't feeling well. At this time the average number
of positive COVID-19 cases is 44 per day and continues to rise. The increase in cases,
right now, is primarily within the 4-17 year old age groups. Engen emphasized that
the vaccine continues to be our best tool to slow and prevent the disease.
Questions and discussion followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. 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 each month she compares year to year and
then what was budgeted each year. Strenke highlighted that in 2021 we can see we have
received additional funds due to COVID-19 as well as additional grant funds. Otherwise,
Strenke informed, that she sees no real specific area of concern, other than they
continue to monitor the purchased services line.
Strenke also highlighted that the Health Care Campus (HCC) revenues hadn't been
posted in time for this report, so the losses look higher than they actually are. The
HCC is also working to access additional funds to support their COVID-19 response
such as the need for additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Review of 2022 Department Budget Request
County Administrator Ken Witt reviewed the proposed 2022 Health and Human Services
budget with the Board. Witt highlighted the budget priorities of the County Board, but
also noted that there isn't enough funding to balance all of the requests. Witt shared
that Health and Human Services has requested an additional $ 868,000 of tax levy funds
for 2022 and informed of where those increased funds might be used. The main portion
of the increases are in position requests with very little additional requests from the
various programs. Witt hopes that due to the increased need that one position request
in Children Services and one in HHS Admin can be approved.
The entire proposed 2022 budget will go before the Board of Supervisors for their
approval.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Addressing Housing Needs in St. Croix County
County Board Supervisor and Housing Navigator for Western WI, Scottie Ard reviewed
some information and data regarding housing in St. Croix County. Supervisor Ard
provided some basic information on the numbers of housing units, types of housing
available, and how county residents might access this in St. Croix County. Ard also shared
her understanding of where things are moving towards in the housing industry, how this
might work in our communities, how they are being funded/financed, and the barriers to
housing.
Questions and discussion followed.
Board members thanked Supervisor Ard for sharing this information tonight.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
5. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Initiatives
Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret informed the Board on the
initiatives that Health and Human Services proposed and plan to implement with the
funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
A few comments and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ostness asked for any future agenda items. Board members are encouraged to contact
Chair Ostness or HHS Director Rohret if items come up.
Supervisor Ard would like to investigate and discuss the possibilities to establish a scatter
garden for the medical examiner to use for unclaimed remains.
She will also share more information regarding housing in SCC and block grant funding.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
HHS Director Rohret announced that several funding opportunities have come up:
*Have applied for supplemental block grant dollars; an additional $50,000 for substance use
and $25,000 for mental health each year for next 2 years
*The state opiod response grant that was previously applied for has been extended by the
state for another year. Expecting $180,000 dedicated towards opiod and stimulant use and
treatment. This will be an expansion of services with other health providers in the
community
*Also anticipating opiod settlement dollars from the pharmaceutical companies
* Closed the nutrition sites earlier this week due to COVID-19 outbreaks in 3 different
locations. Will go back to grab and go
* POI Adam Kastonek informed that the Health Care Campus is offering a Nursing Assistant
program. Information is available on the SCC website home page. www.sccwi.gov Also, the
Health Care Campus has open positions and they are posted on the website as well
ADJOURN
This Sept. 15, 2021 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board was adjourned by Chair
Ostness at approximately 6:55 PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
October 20, 2021 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson