HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-2023 Behavior Health Subcommittee Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
CJCC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE
March 27, 2023 10:30 AM
St. Croix County Services Center -Room 172
1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Rohret called the March 27, 2023, meeting of the Community Justice Collaborating Council
(CJCC) Behavioral Health Subcommittee to order at approximately 10:32 AM.
ROLL CALL
Attendee OrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Name
Dave OstnessSt. Croix HHS Board ChairPresent
County
Mark RichertSt. Croix N. Hudson Police ChiefPresent
County
Peter St. Croix Director Clinical Counseling, Excused
VanDusartzCountyHudson Hospital
Gordon YoungSt. Croix River Falls Police ChiefPresent
County
Kelli EngenSt. Croix Public Health AdministratorExcused
County
Selena St. Croix Health & Wellbeing Educator, Excused
FreimarkCountyUW Extension
Amy WalshSt. Croix Emergency Physician, Remote10:40
CountyWestfield's HospitalAM
Sharlene St. Croix Administrator, Behavioral Present
LopezCountyHealth
Travis SatoriusSt. Croix Attorney Manager, State Public Excused
CountyDefense
Kait Breuer St. Croix Treatment Court Coordinator Remote
County
Eilidh St. Croix CEO Western WI Health Present
Pederson County
Brandie Hart St. Croix SCCSO Lt. Special Services Present
County
Bob Rohret St. Croix Director, HHS, Chair Present
County
Others in Attendance: Director of Justice Support Services Phillip Galli, BH Supervisor
Natalie Radich, BH Supervisor Kate Robinson, PH Supervisor Laurie Diaby Gassama for
Kelli Engen, Case Manager Laurie Rosas, and HHS Area Administrator Donavan
Schumacher
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Regular Meeting January 23, 2023 10:30
AM
Chair Rohret asked if after review of the minutes from the CJCC Behavioral Health
Subcommittee Jan. 23, 2023 if any editing was needed. With no changes requested the
minutes were accepted as submitted.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Rohret opened the meeting to Public Comment.
No Public Comment today.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Updates on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funded Positions and Current Data
Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Director Shar Lopez provided some updates
on work being done by some of the staff that are funded by the American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA), as they have had one full year of services. Lopez shared some data
highlighting the number of clients that have received services from the Community Case
Managers (2FTE), and that connection to SCC Behavioral Health services and housing
resources has been the most requested service they have provided. These workers have
been very diligent and resourceful in finding services to meet consumers needs and will
be used as part of the Withdrawal Management program to provide resource and
referral. They also assist in adult protection cases and clients with mental health
concerns that don't rise to the level of an emergency. Additional data was shared
regarding the Early Intervention provided by a Case Manager (1FTE) at the Government
Center in Hudson. Next Lopez highlighted data on the Law Enforcement Co-Responders
(2 FTE). New Richmond PD and SCC Sheriff's Department continue to be the highest
users of these staff. The majority of these calls (60%) result in the making of a community
safety plan with the consumer, though a few result in emergency detention, voluntary
hospitalizations or jail.
Questions and discussion followed.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Role of Peer Responders - A Story From the Field
Western Wisconsin Health CEO, Eilidh Peterson shared some details of a response to a
call for a welfare check in the community. Unfortunately, the consumers behaviors
escalated and resulted in a criminal complaint filed against them, which then resulted in
it becoming public knowledge and making a local newspaper. There was a good
outcome for this consumer, but Pederson shared her concerns on the additional stigma
this places on this consumer, but also the stigma for others who may potentially need
law enforcement's help in their own mental health crisis. We want consumers to feel safe
to report mental health concerns and lessen the perception of criminality.
Pederson then posed the question if whether law enforcement is required to respond if a
Peer or Co-Responder goes out on the call? The answer is yes, but the hope is that with
the support of a co-responder, behavior wouldn't escalate resulting in some type of
criminal action.
Discussion and feedback about lessons learned was had. It seems there needs to be
better communication regarding the co-responder program and their availability, law
enforcement needs to be kept informed and possibly more education or training
provided about the behavioral health co-responders.
Rohret shared that as we work to develop the co-responder model we need to look at
funding additional responders and sustainability. He informed that there is work being
done to transform the court system to allow for systems change in responding to
consumers with mental health concerns, and also the workgroup developed by this
subcommittee will be working on a white paper for policy recommendations for systems
change, but will hold off until after receiving additional information from the Mental
Health summit being held in April.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
3. Update on Relevant Events & Topics within Health & Human Services
HHS Director and CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Chair Bob Rohret informed of a
variety of upcoming events that HHS staff and other county representatives will be
involved with, including the Chief Justice's Summit on April 21st, and the SCC Mental
Health Symposium on May 17th. Rohret also informed that the upcoming Public Safety
Referendum, if approved, would allow for increases in various public safety positions.
This is on the ballot for next Tuesday, April 4th. Rohret then provided updates on the
ambulatory withdrawal project with Western WI Health which is scheduled to begin in
May of 2023 as well as updates on the Opioid Settlement dollars and the State Opioid
Response (SOR) Grant funds and how they might be used.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Rohret asked for any future agenda items. Subcommittee Members are encouraged to
contact Chair Rohret or Colleen Linder if any items come up prior to next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Chair Bob Rohret asked if there were any announcements
or correspondence to share today.
Nothing brought forward by subcommittee members.
ADJOURN
CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Chair Bob Rohret called this meeting adjourned at
approximately 11:35 AM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday May 22, 2023.