HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-2023 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
July 19, 2023 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 19, 2023 meeting of
the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee OrganizationTitleStatusArrivedDeparted
Name
Faisal AnwarSt. Croix Board Member -Late5:03 5:08 AM
CountyDoctorPM
Julie SmithSt. Croix Board member -Present
CountyCommunity
Lisa LindSt. Croix SupervisorPresent
County
Shawn St. Croix Vice-ChairPresent
AndersonCounty
Cathy LeafSt. Croix SupervisorRemote
County
Dave OstnessSt. Croix SupervisorExcused
County
Greg TellijohnSt. Croix ChairPresent
County
Mike St. Croix SupervisorLate5:08
BarcalowCountyPM
Deb St. Croix Board Member -Present
LindemannCountyNurse
Others in Attendance: HHS Director Bob Rohret, HHS Deputy Director Shar Lopez, Fiscal
Manager Fay Strenke, County Administrator Ken Witt, Public Information Officer Adam
Kastonek, Selena Freimark and Dr. Kari Weiss from University WI Extension
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting June 21, 2023 5:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board if after the
review of the minutes from the June 21, 2023 HHS Board meeting if any editing was
needed. With nothing noted, the minutes were accepted as submitted.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
HHS Board Chair Tellijohn opened the meeting to Public Comment for items on or off the
agenda.
No Public Comment tonight.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Health and Human Services Monthly Financials
Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the HHS monthly financials with the Board. Strenke
informed that all of the 2022 final numbers and revenue have been posted though there
may be a few audit adjustments once the final audit is complete. Within Behavioral
Health purchase services line you'll see a big jump due to some placements. The Health
Care Campus is showing a positive and should remain that way even after 2022
depreciation and liability are posted.
County Administrator Witt highlighted what a good thing it is, that again in 2022,
HHS bottom line finished in the black as many counties are not able to say that.
HHS Director Rohret shared that HHS had hoped to curtail purchased service costs
with early interventions and are seeing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
positions making a difference, though it is hard to measure. The co-responders and
case managers have helped in keeping clients from going to higher cost hospitals
placements.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Presentation of the Health & Human Services Strategic Plan
Dr. Kari Weiss and Selena Freimark from the University of Wisconsin
Extension Office provided an overview of the process that HHS followed in
developing their strategic plan. Weiss then discussed the plan itself,
summarizing strategic directives and goals for the next 3 years.
HHS Director Rohret informed that the HHS strategic plan was developed
utilizing the St. Croix County strategic plan as a foundation. Several areas
of that plan fit well within HHS. Moving forward HHS will begin
implementing some steps with various divisions and collaborators to
achieve these goals, and then develop measures to track how we are
doing. In regard to advocacy, Rohret hopes to provide some forward
thinking for legislators, boards, and the community to better understand
how policies and funding in particular areas can curb increased costs in the
future and improve the way we do business.
The Board would appreciate a follow up report on the strategic plan and
be informed of progress made.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Healthy & Affordable Housing Policy Recommendations
HHS Director Rohret highlighted a few areas of the report included with
this agenda item. This report was prepared by the United Way, in
collaboration with Healthier Together and Building Healthy Places Network
(BHPN). There is an array of housing needs from women, single women
with children, families, and those in recovery. Rohret discussed that safe,
healthy & affordable housing are both needed for client and community
stability. The case managers, using wrap around services, currently help
support this by working with people in their homes or community to assist
them prior to falling into homelessness. Rohret then discussed some policy
and advocacy recommendations to address the housing issues in St. Croix
County based on this report. He feels now that we know the problem areas,
we need to work to determine next steps to make a meaningful difference
with the housing concerns.
Chair Tellijohn shared information from an article from National
Association of Counties (NACo) that proposes solutions for affordable
workforce housing. Tellijohn will email the article to the board members.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
HHS Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board if there are any announcements tonight.
HHS Director Rohret informed that the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) received an
Independent Living Supports grant. It provides short-term, flexible support to residents at risk of
entering Medicaid long-term care. It aims to improve the ability of the resident to continue to
live independently. Also, Rohret shared that the Recovering Together Cafe's continue to take
place in St. Croix and Pierce counties in collaboration with the Family Resource Center. They
provide a curriculum for the parents dealing with recovery and provide daycare and a meal so
they can attend. There has been positive feedback.
ADJOURN
HHS Board Chair Tellijohn called this July 19, 2023 Health and Human Services Board meeting
adjourned at approximately 5:45 PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday August 16, 2023 5:00 PM in the Government Center Boardroom, Hudson