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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-2024 Council on Aging and Disabilites Minutes MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL ON AGING AND DISABILITIES June 14, 2024 8:30 AM St. Croix County Service Center-Rm 171 & 172 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) Vice Chair Cathy Leaf called the June 14, 2024 meeting of the COAD to order at approximately 8:35 AM. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Cathy Leaf St. Croix County Vice-Chair Present Paul Adams St. Croix County Supervisor Present Dave Ostness St. Croix County Chair Excused Paulette Anderson St. Croix County Committee Member Present Carol Hajicek St. Croix County Committee Member Present Amy Schneider St. Croix County Committee Member Present Bonnie Richert St. Croix County Committee Member Present Nancy E. Meyer St. Croix County Committee Member Excused Roxanne M. Wakeen St. Croix County Committee Member Present Joan Detloff St. Croix County Committee Member Present Darci Strutt St. Croix County Committee Member Late 8:55 AM Others in Attendance: Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton, Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke, ADRC Disability Benefit Specialist Carolyn Gruenke APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Council on Aging and Disabilities – Regular Meeting – May 10, 2024 8:30 AM Vice Chair Cathy Leaf asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes. With nothing noted Leaf accepted the minutes as written. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Vice Chair Leaf opened the meeting to public comment for items on or off the agenda. No public comment today. BUSINESS ITEMS INFO/DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Aging and Disability Resource Center Financial Report Fiscal Manager Fay Strenke reviewed the monthly financials with the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD). Strenke informed that currently there are no real concerns and things are exactly where they are expected to be at this time of year. Strenke did inform they continue to monitor the meal expenses and that there are some repairs needed again for a van, which could put things over a bit on the expenses side. Questions and discussion had regarding the vans and their replacement cycle. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Disability Benefit Specialist Presentation Carolyn Greunke provided information on the work that she and Laurel Feldt do as Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS). The DBS program was started by WI Department of Health Services to provide free assistance to consumers with disabilities, between the ages of 18-59, to navigate the various systems from Medicaid, & Medicare, to Social Security Disability (SSDI). They provide legal services and are supervised by the attorneys of Disability Rights WI. There is at least one DBS in every county in Wisconsin, all work is at no cost and they are expertly trained. They meet with Social Security 4x per year and have much ongoing training. They are very busy helping people find insurance, disability coverage, and navigating the systems. In 2023 they served 264 clients and opened 500 cases. They closed 409 cases, which is based on meeting their needs. This year, so far, they have served 160 new clients with 194 open cases, which means they are on pace to have a very busy year. Another important measure of their work is the financial impact of new money coming into the county, which was $1.5 million in 2023 and so far in 2024 they are at $1.1 million. They get referrals from many community partners, but it is never a quick fix and takes approximately 6-12 months to get a disability decision made but can take up to 3 years. Social Security is trying to get things moving faster, but right now 6-12 months is the reality. They work with consumers to get them any help they can in the mean time, such as food or with utilities. There are often many hurdles for consumers to deal with and the DBS work hard to advocate and navigate through it all with them. Discussion and questions followed. The Council members thanked the DBS for their work. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Aging Advocacy Day ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton along with COAD member Paulette Anderson provided information about their recent visit to Madison for Advocacy Day. Newton, Anderson as well as County Supervisor Dave Ostness and ADRC Supervisor Amy Roemhild attended. The WI Aging and Advocacy Network puts on this great day to meet with legislators at the Capitol. The topics included Investing in Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), Caring for WI Caregiver's, Safeguarding Nutrition Supports, Reducing Falls in Older Adults, and Increased Funding for Specialized Transportation. Newton highlighted some of the information and data that was shared by the WI Aging and Advocacy Network at the advocacy day. Funding continues to be low across all ADRC programs, yet they continue to do increased services with the same funding since 2008. The recent increases in funding by the State were divided to all the ADRC's with a new formula, increasing funds for some, but St. Croix County saw a decrease in funding. COAD member Paulette Anderson encourages anyone to go to these advocacy days. They are run well and you learn a lot. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Health and Human Services (HHS) Annual Report ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton reviewed some highlights from the Health and Human Service's Annual Report. Questions asked and answered. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Vice Chair Leaf asked if there were any suggestions for future agenda items. Nothing noted. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Vice Chair Leaf asked if there were any announcements today. * Today is Countywide Senior Picnic in Roberts and are also recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Events. There has been a huge increase in financial exploitation * Event on July 24th @ Hudson United Methodist Church with Chief Richert from North Hudson and others informing on financial exploitation. Info on County website and in the newsletter * ADRC newsletter format will be changed in July with a preview provided * Nutrition Program had their 3 year assessment by GWAR and will hear from them soon on the outcomes * ADRC is down one staff member due to a medical leave which will effect some workloads and the funds that can be recouped * Work on the Aging Plan still in progress * Will be reviewing annual meal cost tool for the nutrition program costs that determines the funding that is received to run the program for the next year * Next month HHS meeting is the Open Public Participation meeting for the 2025 budget DATE OF NEXT MEETING July 12, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m. in the St. Croix County Service Center, New Richmond. ADJOURN Vice Chair Leaf called this meeting of the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) adjourned at approximately 9:40 AM.