HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-2024 Health and Human Services Minutes
Health and Human Services Board Minutes
December 18, 2024 5:00 PM
St. Croix County Government Center - Room 1400
Government Center - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
Call to Order
Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Vice Chair Mike Barcalow called the December 18, 2024 meeting of the HHS
Board to order at approximately 5:00 PM.
Roll Call
PRESENT: Mike Barcalow, Kathleen Findlay, Cathy Leaf, Lisa Lind, Deb Lindemann, Julie Smith,
ABSENT: Shawn Anderson, Dave Ostness, Greg Tellijohn,
Others in Attendance: HHS Director Bob Rohret, Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, County Administrator Ken Witt, HHS
Deputy Director Shar Lopez, Public Information Officer Adam Kastonek, and a few members of the community
Approval of Minutes
Health and Human Services Board Vice Chair Mike Barcalow asked the Board after reviewing the minutes from the
October 16, 2024, HHS Board meeting if any editing was needed. With nothing noted, a voice vote was taken, and the
minutes were accepted as submitted.
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting - October 16, 2024
Public Comment
Health and Human Services Board Vice Chair Mike Barcalow opened the meeting for Public Comment for items on or off
the agenda. No Public Comment tonight.
Business
1. Financial Report for November 2024
Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the Health and Human Services (HHS) monthly financials with the HHS Board.
Strenke informed that in the packet are the financials through Nov. 2024 and reports that overall, both revenues and
expenses are running very close to last year. Strenke went on to share that Public Health (PH) is showing the additional
funds received for Women Infants and Children (WIC) as well as additional COVID immunization funds which are
extended to June of next year. Also, the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds of $30,000 has had the
spend down extended until June 2025 as well. These are all good things for PH. Strenke also informed that in Behavioral
Health (BH) the OPIOID settlement funds are coming in and will support the fund balance and expenses that we will
have in future years (18 yrs.). In Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) they received their cost settlement and their
revenues are right on track. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has received an additional $126,000 in
general program revenue and $25,000 additional for the nutrition program. ADRC was also approved for a new grant for
marketing and outreach and has plans for using these funds.
At the Health Care Campus (HCC) revenues are doing well with the increased Medicaid rates really helping them.
Additional depreciation still needs to be recorded but the HCC should still end in the positive. The expenses shown in
Kitty Rhoades are for the opening of the Dementia Crisis Stabilization Unit (DCSU). There are state funds coming to
cover these expenses.
Administrator Witt emphasized the fact that the HCC is 1.6 million ahead of last year as the increased Medicaid
reimbursements have really made a difference.
2. Dementia Crisis Stabilization Unit Update
HHS Deputy Director Shar Lopez shared an update on where things are at in preparing to open the Kitty Rhoades
Memorial Memory Care Center at the Health Care Campus as a Dementia Crisis Stabilization Unit (DCSU). This will be a
28 day,10 bed stabilization facility for those diagnosed with dementia. The goal is to assist consumers and their families
with a plan of care for stabilization and living their best life. The plan is to open, with a limited census, in January 2025.
An Open House will be held tomorrow evening from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Work continues on process, policies, contracts, training, and staffing, but they are getting very close to being able to
open. One big need to opening, is to find a Psychiatrist or Psychologist who will do the initial examining physician's
report and testify in the case of an emergency detention.
Lopez wanted to thank everyone for all the great teamwork from various departments and counties.
Questions and discussion followed.
3. Director's Report
Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret highlighted a few areas within the Director's Report. Rohret
shared some of the budget challenges moving into 2025 as well as some added positions for 2025 to help meet the
growing demands in some divisions. He also informed of the strategic initiatives and legislative efforts that HHS is
focusing their work on.
Request for Future Agenda Items
HHS Vice Chair Barcalow asked for any future agenda items. Nothing was brought forward tonight, but if something
comes up, Board members are encouraged to contact Chair Tellijohn or HHS Director Rohret.
Announcements
HHS Vice Chair Barcalow asked if anyone had any announcements. No announcements tonight.
Date of Next Meeting
1. Date of Next Meeting - January 15, 2025
Adjournment
HHS Vice Chair Barcalow wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and called the December 18, 2024, meeting of the HHS
Board adjourned at approximately 5:37 PM.