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Home My WebLink About07-24-2023 Behavior Health Subcommittee Minutes MEETING MINUTES CJCC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE July 24, 2023 10:30 AM St. Croix County Services Center -Room 172 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Chair Rohret called the July 24, 2023, meeting of the Community Justice Collaborating Council (CJCC) Behavioral Health Subcommittee to order at approximately 10:30 AM. Introductions were made around the room for new staff and attendees. ROLLCALL Attendee OrganizationTitleStatusArrived Name Dave OstnessSt. Croix County Board SupervisorPresent County Mark RichertSt. Croix N. Hudson Police ChiefPresent County Peter St. Croix Director Clinical Counseling, Present VanDusartzCountyHudson Hospital Gordon YoungSt. Croix River Falls Police ChiefPresent County Kelli EngenSt. Croix Public Health AdministratorAbsent County Selena St. Croix Health & Wellbeing Educator, Present FreimarkCountyUW Extension Amy WalshSt. Croix Emergency Physician, Excused CountyWestfield's Hospital Sharlene LopezSt. Croix HHS Deputy DirectorPresent County Kait BreuerSt. Croix Treatment Court CoordinatorPresent County Eilidh Pederson St. Croix CEO for WWH Present County Brandie Hart St. Croix SCCSO Lt. Special Services Present County Stephanie St. Croix Attorney Manager Present Schmidt County Bob Rohret St. Croix Director, HHS, Chair Present County Others in Attendance: Behavioral Health (BH) Supervisor Natalie Radich, Justice Support Services Case Manager Keara Aubert, BH Case Manger Katie Torguson, Peer Support Specialists Sophie Hansen & Kyle Vanblarcom APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Regular Meeting May 22, 2023 10:30 AM Chair Rohret asked if after review of the minutes from the CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee May 22, 2023 meeting 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. CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee Workgroup Update Chair Rohret and other workgroup members provided an update on their work thus far on drafting a white paper regarding the system of care for people with behavioral health conditions when interacting with the courts and the criminal justice system. They have begun making an outline of ideas to define the problem, as well as compiling some data and other content to put into this white paper. They then plan to use this paper to propose ideas to legislatures and local boards in making improvements to the current system. They hope to have something in place by the next legislative cycle to present to policy makers at both the state and local levels. They will continue to share their progress with this group. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funded Positions HHS Deputy Director Shar Lopez provided some updated data on the consumers the crisis co-responders and case managers are serving and how they are serving them. Overall, they have made 1638 interventions with 480 unduplicated clients with about a 50/50 split of male to female with a small portion identifying as transgender. The average age is 39 years and the biggest requests for help are for connection to mental health services, housing assistance, and employment services. The Peer Support specialists have had 36 referrals with the majority being females and an average age of 43. Rohret would like to look for ways to do a case comparison/study on those that received intervention services versus someone who had not, to help demonstrate the effectiveness of these interventions. Law enforcement shared that they see these emergency responder interventions making a difference and report less trips to Winnebago and are seeing that the clients that are going to Winnebago have significant need to be there. This difference may also be due in part to the implementation of the 988 hotline as well as the expansion at Amery allowing for more consumers to be placed there. Discussion and questions were had. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Ambulatory Withdrawal Management Updates Western WI Health (WWH) CEO Eilidh Pederson informed that the Ambulatory Withdrawal Management program was launched in June, and they currently have 6 patients they are treating. They do have a 50% no- show rate and are looking into programming to see if there are changes they could make to lessen this no show rate. The program includes medication-assisted treatment through Dr. Schwartz as well as peer recovery supports and care coordination for persons experiencing withdrawal. Dr. Schwartz and his team are open to referrals so please send clients their way. To make a referral you can call the main # at the hospital or if client is in immediate distress send them to the emergency room or urgent care. Rohret thanked WWH for working with St. Croix County in getting this program implemented. Eilidh will share information of these services with law enforcement and others. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Feedback and Discussion on Northwest Connections and Pathways Western WI Health (WWH) CEO Eilidh Pederson informed that when seeing a client with an acute mental health concern and considering an emergency detention, they typically work with Northwest Connection on this. They were seeing some gaps in communication and other areas within this partnership, so they started holding quarterly meetings with them and other collaborators. This has made a significant difference in outcomes with these clients and the emergency room staff are reporting improvements as well. There are continued challenges, including lack of agreement between hospital staff and Northwest Connections on interventions needed and the follow up care, so will be working to resolve this. All agree that better and timely communication is needed. Credentialing for hospital privileges, also needs to be looked into and discussed. They would like to include law enforcement in these meetings so will reach out to include them moving forward. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Updates on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Chair Rohret provided a few updates regarding the medication assisted treatment program. The Sheriff's office received additional grant funding which is allowing county behavioral health staff to continue to provide medication assisted treatment services in the jail. Grant-funded services will include additional support from case managers with recovery h ousing and transportation assistance. The economic support services team is also working with those in the jail as while incarcerated they must pause their Medicaid, but if done in coordination with the Consortium, the consumer won't have to reapply for those services once released. A phone has been put in at the jail that connects directly to the Great Rivers Consortium. We continue to look for ways to support and advocate for services for those in jail or prison upon their release. RESULT: DISCUSSED 6. Discuss Legislative Advocacy Chair Rohret informed that Health and Human Services department has added as a strategic plan goal to explore and expand legislative advocacy. The plan is to be more focused and impactful with Boards and state legislators in making policy changes. WWH CEO Eilidh Pederson thinks the CJCC is an excellent avenue for advocacy for change and to pursue what we are trying to achieve. 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. * Work group update ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Chair Rohret asked if there were any announcements today. No announcements. ADJOURN Chair Rohret called this July 24, 2023 meeting of the CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee adjourned at approximately 11:30 AM. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Sept. 25, 2023 @ 10:30 AM in the St. Croix County Services Center, NR