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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-2021 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD December 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 December 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 CountySupervisorExcused 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) DirectorBob Rohret, County Administrator Ken Witt, HHS Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Health Care Campus Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller (Via Zoom), Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen (Via Zoom), President of Westfields Hospital & Clinic Steve Massey (Via Zoom), Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, and several members from the community APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting November 17, 20215:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the Nov. 17, 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. A resident from the Town of Forest addressed the Board regarding large wind turbines and health issues. Another written comment was submitted regarding the decommissioning of solar energy projects and the need for ordinances to protect St. Croix County. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. COVID-19 Updates Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen introduced President of Westfields Hospital & Clinic, Steve Massey. Engen shared that Massey has been a critical partner for 2 years as we have worked through the COVID-19 pandemic and is here to give his/a hospital perspective on things regarding COVID-19. Mr. Massey thanked the Board for having him. He informed that cases continue to rise in this region and is stressing all hospitals. They continue to deal with space issues, staffing issues and supply needs in trying to keep up with the demand. The nuance with this recent surge is that people are sicker and are staying longer in the hospitals making beds less available. He stated they are admitting only the seriously ill and are holding off on non-urgent visits and care and have suspended many procedures. Hospitals are providing quality care with compassionate staff, though they have many constraints with lack of staff due to their own COVID-19 exposures. They are all committed to providing quality care, and all across Health Partners are doing their best to respond to the demand. Massey shared that this past week across Health Partners (New Richmond, Hudson, Amery & Stillwater) there were 190 patients hospitalized, which is 90% of our peak from last year. Westfields is averaging 8 COVID -19 patients per night that are hospitalized which is about where they were last year. He also informed that 40 % of the deaths throughout the pandemic have occurred in the last few months and 9 out of the 10 deaths last week were among the unvaccinated; 8 of 10 on ventilators are unvaccinated and they ventilated 2 more unvaccinated people today that were between the ages of 55 & 60. People in their 20 & 30's are ending up on ventilators as well. He stated they've had more people on ventilators in the last week than in the previous 9 years. Massey doesn't think people are aware how bad things are. In the last week 3 people have died from COVID-19 and another 6 have been transferred out that were in very bad condition. The challenges are back; they are delaying care, wait times are high, staff are being tested to handle patients they can't transfer, and people are the sickest he has seen in 10 years. Massey emphasized the need for the communities help in getting vaccinated and getting boosters, wearing masks and socially distancing. The hospitals hear about those unhappy about mandates, but the vaccines work as they are seeing 80 % of deaths and those on ventilators as being unvaccinated. You may still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated, but the vaccine can help in preventing serious illness and death. On the positive side, on Dec. 24th of last year vaccines became available and in all 4 Health Partners facilities they have administered 65,000+ vaccines since that time. Hospitals continue to look at all the efficacious treatment options and are doing what they can to build capacity. Questions & discussion followed. The Board also extended their thanks and Happy Holidays to Mr. Massey and all the staff at Westfield's for the work they continue to do. Following Mr. Massey, Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen presented information and data to the Board regarding COVID -19 cases and vaccines within the county as well as the state. She shared COVID -19 cases continue to be high in SCC and in comparing 2020 to 2021 it appears we will surpass last year's numbers. Engen also provided updates on where things stand on testing and vaccinations. She stated the WI National Guard (WING) testing has been with us since May 2020 but will likely be reduced by the end of 2021. With that, St. Croix County Public Health has decided to do testing at the St. Croix County Services Center in New Richmond. Information on this will be on the County website but they will be starting this next week on Mondays & Wednesdays. Discussion and comments shared by the Board. Board Member McGinnis reiterated the need for the community to help out by wearing masks, by getting vaccinated and getting the booster shot if eligible. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Health Care Campus Updates Health Care Campus Administrator Sandy Hackemueller informed the Board of recent happenings at the Health Care Campus. Hackenmueller shared that the nursing home c ensus has been greatly affected by COVID-19. Prior to Covid-19 the average census was 37 and now it's at 30.8. This is in part due to people not having elective surgeries, but is also related to workforce challenges. Hackenmueller provided additional information on the workforce concerns. She said due to a variety of reasons, the nursing workforce at the Health Care Campus prior to Covid-19 was 10.6 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and now is at 7. 7 FTE's. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) has gone from 21.6 FTE's and is now at 12.82 FTE's. This is the main reason they have to be careful when taking admissions, to be certain they can provide quality care and the proper staff/resident ratios. They have shut down one of the units and are using some long-term beds for rehab patients. Referrals are coming from as far as Chicago, South Dakota, Duluth and throughout southern Wisconsin as everyone is struggling with staffing. Regarding vaccination status, 53 out of 75 staff are fully vaccinated and 20 have received a booster. The 29 current residents are fully vaccinated and 22 have had their booster. Staff continue to wear full personal protective equipment (i.e. masks and goggles) and are monitoring the status of the CMS Interim Rule vaccine mandate applying to Nursing Home staff and contracted employees. Questions and discussion had regarding the workforce issue. On a good note, Hackenmueller also informed that the census in Orchard View is at 31 and continues to go up. To recognize the hard work of staff they have dispersed bonuses through ARPA funds and are giving bonuses to staff for referrals. On behalf of the Board Chair Ostness thanked the entire Health Care Campus staff for their continued great work and wished them a happy holiday. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Consider the Development and Drafting of an Ordinance that Creates Fiduciary Requirements for Wind Citing Projects HHS Director Rohret shared that Supervisor Ard, who proposed this agenda item, is unavailable tonight and asked the Board if they want to move this to the next HHS meeting. The Board proceeded to discuss the need for the ordinances and if this is something that should come from the HHS Board or would be more in line with the Community Development Committee. County Administrator Ken Witt stated that this Board could refer this agenda item to the Community Development Committee. A Motion was made by Supervisor Leaf to refer this agenda item to the Community Development Committee and was seconded by Supervisor Tellijohn. Additional comments were shared and a voice vote was taken. All are in favor of referring this agenda item to the Community Development Committee. RESULT: RECOMMENDED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Greg Tellijohn AYES: Cathy Leaf, Carah Koch, Dave Ostness, Greg Tellijohn, Paulette Anderson, Deb Lindemann, Natasha Ward, Paul McGinnis EXCUSED: Scottie Ard 4. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Health and Human Services (HHS) Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financial report with the Board. She informed that revenues are on track or above, with the big number being the extra Public Health funds being received for COVID-19 response. On the expense side we have gone over the budgeted amount in a few areas. One big area is software purchased, but this is for Public Health and we have American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that will offset this expense. Children Services has several programs that have had high dollar expenses in the purchased services line, but several of these are fully funded through the reimbursement process with the State. The Health Care Campus is showing some positive signs as well, as reimbursement funds are now coming in to cover losses through the COVID-19 response. Some of this went into revenue and the rest into deferred revenue. When Nov. revenues are posted, the campus as a whole will be showing in the black as census continues to grow in Orchard View. Strenke also shared that they are seeing increased Medicare/Medicaid rates which will also help offset losses in the skilled nursing area. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Addressing Housing Needs in St. Croix County HHS Director Rohret provided a brief update to the Board ƚƓ housing and homelessness in St. Croix County. He shared that with an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, HHS has contracted with ONYX house to provide rental assistance for recovery housing. Supervisor Tellijohn informed that area churches are still discussing warming house options, so he feels the topic is getting some traction in the community as well. Supervisor Ard will likely provide more of an update on housing at the next meeting. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Initiatives Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret provided an update on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at HHS. He informed that postings have been made for the 5 Limited Term Employee's (LTE) in various positions that will support under-served consumers, Justice Support Services, and law enforcement when responding to a mental health and or addiction related crisis event. They will interview for these on Friday Dec.17th. They are seeing several good applicants. Additional funds will be focused on upgrading the Electronic Health Record system in Public Health, implementing withdrawal management services as well as Recovery Housing. These ARPA funds were also used to provide bonus pay to Health Care Campus staff. Rohret will continue to update the Board on this hiring process and other uses of ARPA funds. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS * Continue the St. Croix County housing conversation ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE * Civil Rights 2022-2025 requirements were released. We have a group responding to complete the Letter of Assurance and then work on completing the full plan. * Interviews to fill the ADRC Administrator position are completed and Kristin Newton has been chosen. She has 20+ years with SCC in various capacities and is very excited to start this new chapter. We will invite her to an upcoming Health and Human Services Board meeting to meet all of you. ADJOURN Health and Human Services Board Chair Dave Ostness called this Dec.15, 2021 meeting adjourned at approximately 6:10 PM. Chair Ostness also wished everyone a warm and blessed Christmas. DATE OF NEXT MEETING January 19, 2022 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson