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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2022 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD January 19, 2022 5:00 PM St. Croix County Government Center -Room 1284 Government Center -1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin NOTICE Some members may be participating remotely via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this January 19, 2022 meeting of the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM. ROLL CALL Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorRemote Carah KochSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountyChairPresent Scottie ArdSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused Greg TellijohnSt.Croix CountySupervisorPresent Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyVice-ChairRemote Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberRemote Natasha WardSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Paul McGinnisSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberRemote Others in Attendance:Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, County Administrator Ken Witt, HHS Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen (Via Zoom), Epidemiologist Elle Klasen (Via Zoom), Behavioral Health Administrator Shar Lopez, ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton, Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, and several members from the community APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting December 15, 2021 5:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the Dec. 15, 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. Delay due to technology issues BUSINESS ITEMS 1. COVID-19 Updates Epidemiologist Elle Klasen and Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen presented information and data to the Board regarding current COVID -19 data, new CDC Guidance, as well as testing and vaccine updates. Klasen shared that the level of community transmission of COVID-19 is calculated over the last 7 days per 100,000 people. As of today, Wisconsin has the 2nd highest case numbers in the U.S. with 2771 cases/100,000 people, the U.S. stands at 1479 cases/100,000 people and St. Croix County (SCC) stands at1657 cases/100,000 in the last 7 days. This is a 14% increase for SCC. This month (15 days) St. Croix County has already seen 3194 cases, which is approximately 1000 cases over the previous three months final totals. Public Health is seeing over 200 cases per day with 270 positives reported just today. The large case increase is mainly due to the Omicron variant, particularly in 13-17 year- olds. Unfortunately with the increase in cases we are seeing an increase in deaths, with 5 deaths already in 2022. The data continues to show that those that are vaccinated are less likely to be hospitalized or die due to COVID-19. Engen provided an update regarding the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changes in Dec. She shared that isolation has moved to a 5- day period if symptoms have resolved and then wearing a well- fitting mask for the remainder of the 10 day period. Masking is very important in slowing the spread. Quarantine times have also reduced to 5 days. This information can be found on the County website. Engen also informed that COVID-19 testing is now being done by Public Health on Monday's and Wednesday's at the St. Croix County Services Center (SCCSC). They are doing PCR/Molecular testing, not rapid testing, so the results do take longer, but are the most reliable. Information and sign up for testing can also be found on the County website. Testing will continue for the next couple of months or as long as the need exists. Regarding vaccinations, Public Health gave 10,000+ vaccines in 2021 and continue to vaccinate on Monday afternoons at the SCCSC. Discussion and questions followed. Dr. McGinnis reminded that Omicron cases are very high so please wear masks, get vaccinated and get boosted. Board members thanked Public Health for their continued good work. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. To keep the Board informed of things that are happening within the department, Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret provided an overview of the work that the various divisions within HHS are currently focused. Rohret shared that four of the seven American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded positions have been filled and will be starting on January 24th. HHS continues to recruit for the other approved positions. He also informed that Behavioral Health has started the Narcan Direct program. Narcan is used to reverse an opioid overdose and is administered by a nasal spray. Currently 31 HHS staff have been trained, with 208 doses dispensed to staff for their use with high- risk clients and their families. Narcan was also made available to law enforcement, the Medical Examiner's office and others. The obligation HHS has is a 15- minute training provided to anyone Narcan is dispensed to. This training informs on how to recognize an overdose, and how to respond and administer Narcan. Consumers can come to the SCCSC to request Narcan and get the training. Rohret shared that HHS has received the Mental Health Supplemental Block Grant funding and been informed HHS will receive our Substance Use Supplemental Block Grant funding as well. An update on the HHS organizational structure, is the moving of Adult Protection to the supervision of newly appointed Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton. She is very familiar with this program as she had previously supervised them while in her Emergency Services position, so this just made sense for this service area to follow her to ADRC. This doesn't at all change the services or programming within Adult Protection. In Children Services (CS), they have filled the 2022 Board approved Social Worker position, and are currently working to fill other vacancies. Children Services is also collaborating with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) who are the voice of the children in court cases. They will be working together on Child Protection cases to complement one another. A Lunch and Learn will be held in Feb. Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is in the recertification process this year. Admin Becky Kerr did a comparison of billable hours as they continue to work on improvements in billing efficiencies and these efforts appear to be paying off as the comparison showed they are capturing more of the available revenue. HHS Director Rohret then introduced ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton. Newton started her new position 9 days ago and has jumped right in. Kristin shared that she has been with the County for 20 years and has been part of other divisions and programs. She is very excited and honored to be part of the ADRC. Rohret thanked Amy Roemhild for her help during the transition period while getting a new ADRC Administrator hired and also thanked Dr. McGinnis for the information he shared with the Seniors at the senior meal sites. Public Health has obviously been busy with the pandemic, but are doing their best to work on other projects. They continue to work with Healthier Together on a Community Health Needs Assessment that will inform the Community Health Needs Improvement Plan (CHIP). Addiction and Mental Health issues continue to be high concerns per the survey feedback. Economic Support has transitioned to soft phones and wants to thank IT for their support in this process. They also received ARPA funds through the Great Rivers Consortium and used it towards technology improvements. Also, Economic Support is closely monitoring the policies that will be effected once this Public Health emergency ends. This could likely happen in March, and would mean some people would no longer be eligible for their health and foodshare benefits. In coordination with the state they will work to inform and make people aware of this potential change. The Health Care Campus (HCC) is required to comply with the vaccine mandate ruling from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). This goes into effect Jan 27th, so staff will need to be vaccinated or have an approved waiver. Currently they are in compliance with this mandate. Also, the ARPA bonuses were paid out to HCC staff at the end of December. Questions and discussion followed. The Board thanks all staff at HHS for their good work. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. 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 in comparing year to year you will see that the numbers in 2021 will continue to change through the next few months as bills are paid and revenues are received. She stated that there are areas where you'll see additional spending in 2021, but much of it was due to funds that were received from Covid-19 response and grants. In Children Services you still see that Purchased Services continues to run high, but they continue to focus on reducing out of home placements. In HHS Administration the software purchase line is high, but there will be ARPA funds coming to cover this. At the Health Care Campus (HCC), the general relief funds have come in which will help cover losses from previous years and expenses from the Covid -19 response. The retention bonuses were paid at the HCC, and are waiting on the ARPA funds to be moved to cover this. Strenke shared that the increase in Medicaid and Family Care reimbursement will help in covering increased costs at both the Nursing Home and at Orchard View. Veterans Services continues to do a great job staying within their budget. Questions followed and information shared. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Addressing Housing Needs in St. Croix County HHS Director Rohret informed that Supervisor Ard had planned to speak to this agenda item but was unable to attend today's meeting so we will hear from her next month. Rohret shared that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds helped with rental assistance for recovery housing. Of the $10,000 received in 2021, $8400 went to14 individuals for their first month's rent in recovery housing. This contract continues over the next 3 yrs., $30,000 per year, with Onyx House and allows people to get into stable, safe housing and receive other services to support them. This is one small way we can address the housing issue in an effective way. 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. No requests at this time. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE * HHS Director Rohret announced that HHS has submitted the Letter of Assurance (LOA) for the 2022-2025 for Civil Rights Compliance Plan which was due on Jan 15th * Chair Ostness reminded Board members that these meetings can again be attended via ZOOM for the next few months. Please inform him the week prior to the meeting if you wish to attend remotely ADJOURN Health and Humans Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness called this Jan. 19, 2022 meeting of the HHS Board adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING February 16, 2022 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson, WI