HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-2023 Health & Human Services Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
August 16, 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 August 16, 2023
meeting of the Health and Human Services Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Faisal AnwarSt. Croix CountyBoard Member-DoctorLate5:04 PM
Julie SmithSt. Croix CountyBoard Member-CommunityExcused
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 CountyBoard Member-NursePresent
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, Veteran Services Officer Phil Landgraf, Case Manager Katie Torguson, Case
Manager Eric Hauge, Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Project Manager Adam
Delikowski, CCS Social Worker Krysta Kahvecci , Aaron Long with NW Passage and Peer
Support Specialist Kyle Vanblarcum
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Health & Human Services Board Regular Meeting July 19, 20235:00 PM
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair Tellijohn asked the Board if after the
review of the minutes from the July 19, 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 the audit entry has come back and everything for 2022 will be final next
month. She also shared that when looking at trends, and comparing year to year, overall
the numbers appear very similar.
Per HHS Board Chair request we then went to agenda item #4.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2.
Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Project Manager Adam Delikowski and Social
Worker Krysta Kahvecci informed the Board of the Recovering Toget
being held at the St. Croix County Services Center in collaboration with the Family
Resource Center of Baldwin. They shared about the curriculum and gave an overview of
how these cafes are run. These cafes are designed to help consumers meet others on a
similar path of recovery as well as receive support and a place to begin healing. They are
free events with childcare and a meal provided. To register for an event, contact the
Family Resource Center @ frcscv.org/register or call 715-684-4440.
A few questions and some discussion followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Staff Roles Presentation
HHS Deputy Director Shar Lopez introduced a few of the staff that were hired using
funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). There are 7 positions they were able
to hire for, 5 are county positions and 2 are through partnering with Northwest
Transitions. There are 5 Case Managers; 2 work within the community, 2 are co-
responders with law enforcement and 1 is at the government center assisting those with
criminal justice involvement. Lopez shared information about the positions they hold and
the initiatives they work towards. Some data was also shared with the Board about the
consumers they are serving and the presenting problems expressed by these consumers.
Northwest Passage Program Coordinator Aaron Long shared information regarding the 2
Peer Support Specialists Sophie Hanson & Kyle Vanblrakum. Their collaboration with
St. Croix County and the ARPA funds helped them in financing these positions. The
Peer Support Specialists have lived experience with mental health and/or substance
use issues and offer hope and support to others who are currently struggling with
their mental health and/or substance use. These Peer Support Specialists assist
clients with various things in their lives, offering support and resources in living a
healthy life.
Questions asked and answered. Board members thanked them all for their work and do
see the value in these upstream programs.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
4. Veterans Benefits Expo Information
Chair Telllijohn had asked that this agenda item be moved up to the second agenda
item.
Veterans Services Officer Phil Landgraf shared information with the Board regarding
the upcoming Veterans Benefits Expo on September 13th 12PM-8PM and 14th 8AM-
8PM. This event will be held jointly at the New Richmond Armory and the New
Richmond American Legion. There will be Veterans exhibits to include information on
benefits and healthcare as well as breakout sessions, speakers, entertainment, and
food.
All are welcome. For more information contact the Veterans Service Office at 715-
386-4759.
Discussion and questions followed.
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 if there are any announcements tonight.
* The HHS Board shared congratulations to Supervisor Ostness for being nominated as a
Human Services & Education Steering Committee member of the National Association of
Counties (NACo) committee.
HHS Director Rohret had a few announcements
* Rohret thanked staff and others for coming tonight and presenting
* Rohret informed that the St. Croix County Public Health WIC Team recently received the 2023
Gold Breastfeeding Award of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This award
recognizes local Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities, with the
goal of increasing breastfeeding among WIC participants.
* HHS was just awarded the year 2 State Opioid Response grant for approximately $260,000
through Sept. of 2024
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Currently Scheduled for Wednesday September 20, 2023 @ 5:00PM in the Government Center
Boardroom, Hudson
ADJOURN
Chair Tellijohn called this August 16, 2023 meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 PM.
Thanks everyone for coming.