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Home My WebLink About02-16-2022 Health & Human Services Minutes MEETING MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD February 16, 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 February 16, 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 CountySupervisorPresent Greg TellijohnSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyVice-ChairPresent Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberPresent Natasha WardSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberRemote Paul McGinnisSt. Croix CountyBoard MemberRemote5:01 PM 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, Health Care Campus Administrator Sandy Hackenmueller (Via Zoom), Public Information Officer (PIO) Adam Kastonek, and several members from the community APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting January 19, 2022 5:00 PM Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Dave Ostness asked the Board if after review of the minutes from the January 19, 2022 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. No Public Comment tonight. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Updates on Public Health's COVID-19 Response Epidemiologist Elle Klasen and Public Health Administrator Kelli Engen presented information and data to the Board regarding current COVID -19 data, testing, vaccines and the public health advisory. Klasen shared that COVID-19 cases are dropping, but St. Croix County is still considered at a high community transmission rate. High transmission means greater than 100 cases in 7 days per 100,000 people. We have seen 262 cases in the last 7 days. Klasen also informed that with the latest large wave of COVID-19 cases these was again an increase in deaths. Deaths are being seen almost equally across the age groups from 60-90 years of age. Klasen reminded that vaccination continues to be the best tool to prevent death and severe illness. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been fully approved and are being offered on Mondays @ SCCSC. Information on how to sign up is on the County website, sccwi.gov. Engen updated the Board on types of testing, who is testing and the numbers of people being tested across St. Croix County. Though case numbers are dropping it is important for people to be cautious, take proper precautions and get tested if symptomatic. Testing is happening at the SCCSC in New Richmond and next week will start to be available 5 days a week, with a contracted provider doing the testing on Tues., Thur., and Friday. Information on testing is also available on the County website. Public Health has discontinued contacting the positive cases per direction of Department of Health Services. They are closely monitoring and assisting with any outbreaks in various congregate facilities such as workplaces, schools, and assisted living. Engen reminded that the Health Advisory is still in place until April 5, 2022. This is a public health advisory and recommendation on how to best protect your health. Discussion followed Dr. McGinnis reminded that testing is still important and if positive the isolation and quarantine recommendations still apply. This is still a pandemic so continue to be cautious. If unvaccinated and/or not boosted, masking is highly recommended. Please get your Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot, this virus is tricky and can mutate, so be careful and aware of any new guidance. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials Health and Human Services (HHS) Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financial report with the Board. This month is showing the revenues and expenses of the January 2022 budget which this early in the year are not showing anything significant. Many areas right now are looking similar to where things were at last year. At the Health Care Center Campus there are American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help offset lost revenue due to the pandemic and on another positive note Orchard View Terrace has an increased census and showing positive revenue. Veterans Services continues to run well within their budget. No questions tonight. 3. 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. She shared they have been very active the last few months moving 24 families in to stable housing, including 2 today. Several property owners have stepped up and helped with placing these families. Ard then informed that the St. Croix County Fair Market Rent is based on rental rates in the metro area market which are quite high. Section 42 housing which is for working families that are just entering the work market or have a lower paying job, has qualifying income limits. For a single person, that limit is $22,050/year and for a family of 4 this limit is $31,470/year. With the rising rent, 50-70 % of their income is going to housing. On the other side of this, with the increase in wages at $15/hr. this provides an individual an income of $28,800 per yr. which doesn't qualify for Section 42 housing. There is also concern that those currently in Section 42 and other housing will no longer qualify when they are reviewed in 2022, as their income has increased. Many could become displaced. The federal government needs to look at updating these qualifying rate limits. Ard shared that another area of concern is Senior Housing. Many of the elderly in our area rely solely on Social Security income, which doesn't provide enough for rent in our current housing status. Many of them only bring in $1200 per month in Social Security income and rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is at market rate. There needs to be more LOW income Senior Housing. Outreach needs to improve to these elderly people to avoid these people who have worked hard all of their lives from falling through the cracks and ending up with no place to go. She suggested there is a need for builders and developers to get involved in this conversation as there are funds available to support these projects. Western WI counties are all facing this issue. Ard would encourage this HHS Board to take some action and develop a plan to bring stakeholders together to address this issue. Discussion & questions followed. This Board determined it would like to bring people together to make a list or a plan to bring action to this agenda item and begin to address the issues. Currently Healthier Together has this topic on their radar and should be brought to the table along with various other partners that can work to address the far market rent standards as well as the income guidelines and other policies from the federal or state level. Supervisor Ard will bring this as an agenda item to the Administration Committee as well. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Health & Human Services Program & Funding Updates Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret provided the Board with updates regarding some HHS programming and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding connected to it. Rohret highlighted that Behavioral Health, Public Health and Economic Support have all received ARPA funds and are using them in a variety of ways, from additional staff to improved technology. Rohret also shared some of the focus work within several divisions to either meet compliance or to improve operations and services for our consumers as well as provided an update regarding the Public Health Emergency possibly being extended. Currently, the Public Health Emergency is set to expire on 4/16/22, but may be extended beyond that. HHS will continue to monitor this situation and will continue to keep this Board informed on any program or funding changes or opportunities. 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. * Update from Healthier Together. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Chair Ostness informed the Board that Board Member Natasha Ward has resigned her position effective next month. He thanked her for her time and commitment to this Board. We will be looking to get this vacancy filled. ADJOURN Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Ostness called this February 16, 2022 meeting of the HHS Board adjourned at approximately 6:05 PM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING March 16, 2022 @ 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson