HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2022 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
July 20, 2022 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 Greg Tellijohn called this July 20, 2022 meeting of
the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Julie MadarisSt. Croix CountyCitizen Board MemberPresent
Lisa LindSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Shawn AndersonSt. Croix CountyVice-ChairPresent
Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Greg TellijohnSt. Croix CountyChairPresent
Mike BarcalowSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent
Deb LindemannSt. Croix CountyCitizen Board Member-NurseExcused
VacantSt. Croix CountyCitizen Board Member-DoctorExcused
Others in Attendance:Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret, County
Administrator Ken Witt, Public Information Officer Adam Kastonek, Behavioral Health
Administrator Shar Lopez, Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, Sheriff Scott Knutson, River Falls
Police Chief Gordon Young, Dr. Faisal Anwar, Western Wisconsin Health, Amy Morgan a
representative of the Kai Shin Clinic and members of the community
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting June 15, 20225:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board if after the
review of the minutes from the June 15, 2022 HHS Board meeting if any editing was
needed. With nothing noted a Motion was made by Supervisor Leaf to approve the
minutes from the June 15, 2022 HHS Board meeting and was seconded by
Supervisor Barcalow . A voice vote was taken and all approved.
RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\]
MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
SECONDER: Mike Barcalow, Supervisor
AYES: Julie Madaris, Lisa Lind, Shawn Anderson, Cathy Leaf, Dave Ostness,
Greg Tellijohn, Mike Barcalow
EXCUSED: Deb Lindemann
PUBLIC COMMENT
HHS Board Chair Tellijohn opened the meeting to Public Comment for items on or off the
agenda.
One member of the community addressed the Board regarding her concern with the previous
Board's COVID -19 response with the public and wanting to create a cooperative and fresh
relationship with the new Board for the good of all citizens.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials
Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financials with the Board. Strenke
informed that in a year-to-year comparison the revenues are ahead overall with
expenses coming in a bit lower. In Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) they are
seeing an increase in food cost with the catered meals but have funds to cover for this
year and are working on the budget for next year to be sure to address this. The Health
Care Campus revenues are ahead in comparison to last year mainly due to an
increase in census. Overall, the campus is showing in the positive.
Discussion and questions followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Initiatives
Health and Human Services Director Bob Rohret and Behavioral Health Administrator
Shar Lopez provided the Board with updates regarding the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) initiatives and the work being performed. Lopez also shared some preliminary
outcomes data since initiatives were implemented. These efforts continue to evolve, but
appear promising for meeting the needs of those consumers who are underserved within
our communities focusing on early intervention strategies to prevent crisis situations.
Many questions followed with a robust discussion had to provide answers. Lopez will
continue to provide updates to the Board.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Presentation of Proposed Withdrawal Management Services
HHS Director Bob Rohret informed that St. Croix County Health and Human Services
Department (HHS) is applying for up to $1 million through a Wisconsin DHS grant to
develop and operate a 10-16 bed Medically Monitored Withdrawal Management service
for adults in St. Croix County who suffer from addiction and co-occurring mental health
conditions. The St. Croix County Board has already allocated $150,000 of ARPA funding
for withdrawal management services that can be used to supplement the grant award.
This service would operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. HHS proposes
contracting with Kai Shin Clinic to be the primary service provider, but will also work with
area hospitals, law enforcement, recovery housing providers, neighboring counties, and
other community providers in support of this effort. The withdrawal management service
is designed to provide medical and behavioral health care for persons who are
intoxicated and/or in withdrawal from any substance and who may also have co-
occurring mental health conditions. This service would be the first of its kind in
Wisconsin, and St. Croix County HHS (with support from our partners) is very well
positioned to lead the state in piloting this effort. Director Rohret proposes using the
Kitty Rhoades Memorial Memory Care Center facility, which is currently vacant and
ideally designed for this type of service, as a cost-effective site. HHS Director Rohret is
here tonight requesting the HHS Board to recommend to the Administration Committee,
via a resolution, the temporary re-purposing of the Kitty Rhoades Memorial Memory
Care Center to serve as a withdrawal management facility.
St. Croix County Sheriff Knudson, and Chief Gordon Young from the River Falls Police
Department both shared with the Board their support for this effort and how this type of
service would benefit law enforcement but more importantly consumers and their
families. Law enforcement spends a significant amount of time looking for supports &
resources for those experiencing addiction & mental health events; waiting with them at
the emergency room and/or transporting them long distances.
Dr. Faisal Anwar, Western Wisconsin Health, provided supporting information on how
this withdrawal management service could be implemented and what their partnership
with the county and Kai Shin clinic might look like. He believes this would be a great
service to the community as well as being a cost savings for all involved.
Amy Morgan, Business Development Manager for Kai Shin Clinic, informed the Board
that they are very interested in providing services here in St. Croix County. She touched
on the multiple services they currently provide, how they provide them and the follow up
care they can offer.
Discussion followed and HHS Director Rohret answered questions from the Board as well
as provided information about work he has done previously developing and operating
withdrawal management services.
A Motion was made by Supervisor Leaf to draft a resolution to go to Administration
Committee to approve the re-purposing of the Kitty Rhoades Memorial Memory Care
Center to a Withdrawal Management facility and was Seconded by Supervisor Ostness. A
roll call vote was taken and motion passed with 5 Yes's and 2 No's
RESULT: APPROVED \[5 TO 2\]
MOVER: Cathy Leaf, Supervisor
SECONDER: Dave Ostness, Supervisor
AYES: Julie Madaris, Shawn Anderson, Cathy Leaf, Dave Ostness, Greg
Tellijohn
NAYS: Lisa Lind, Mike Barcalow
EXCUSED: Deb Lindemann
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board Members for any
requests for future agenda items. Board Members are encouraged to contact HHS Director
Rohret or HHS Board Chair Tellijohn if items arise.
* Discuss the filling of the vacant Doctor position on this Board- the County Administrator
assigns this position so wouldn't come before the HHS Board
* Get an assessment of the number of constituents using the various programs at Health
and Human Services and the ongoing costs
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
* This week is the St. Croix County Fair!
ADJOURN
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn called this July 20, 2022 meeting of the
HHS Board adjourned at approximately 6:25 PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
August 17, 2022 @5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom