HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-2024 Behavioral Health Minutes
CJCC- Behavioral Health Subcommittee Minutes
November 25, 2024 10:30 AM
St. Croix County Service Center - Room 172
1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin
Call to Order
Chair Rohret called the November 25, 2024, meeting of the Community Justice Collaborating Council (CJCC) Behavioral
Health Subcommittee to order at approximately 10:30 AM.
Roll Call
PRESENT: Kait Breuer, Elizabeth Klasen, Sharlene Lopez, Eilidh Pederson, Mark Richert, Bob Rohret, Peter
VanDusartz, Tim Kufus,
ABSENT: Dave Ostness, Gordon Young, Dave Olson
Others in Attendance: Natalie Radich, Steph Grier, Phil Galli
Approval of Minutes
Chair Rohret asked if after the review of the minutes from the CJCC Behavioral Health Subcommittee July 22, 2024,
meeting if any editing was needed. With no changes requested, the minutes were accepted as submitted.
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting - July 22, 2024
Public Comment
Chair Rohret opened the meeting to Public Comment for items on or off the agenda.
No Public Comment today.
Business
1. Updates on Recent Health and Human Services Grant Awards
HHS Deputy Director Shar Lopez shared several updates on recent grants applied for and received. First she discussed
the Abuse in Later Life federal grant from the Office on Violence Against Women. This is a $400,000 grant intended to
offer training and services to end abuse in later life (50+). The first portion of this grant will be the training, education,
and planning phase. After completing a needs assessment to target the needs of older adults, then it will go into
implementation phase. This will happen over 4 years. Kick off training is in January 2025. Questions and discussion
followed.
Next, Lopez discussed the Dementia Crisis Stabilization Unit (DCSU) grant. She shared that $600,000 was received from
the State Dept. of Health Services. The turn around on the use of the funds is very quick (Feb of 2025), with a goal of
developing a 10 bed, 28 day intervention unit to assist in stabilizing those in crisis that have a condition related to
dementia or Alzheimer's. Lots of planning, hiring, and purchasing has been going on, including buying a van and many
calming products. The plan is to open, with a limited census, in the Kitty Rhoades Memorial Memory Care unit at the
Health Care Campus (HCC) in January 2025. An Open House will be held on Dec. 19, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Questions asked and answered.
Then, Behavioral Health (BH) Supervisor Natalie Radich informed on the State Opioid Response Grant (SOR-4), which is
approximately $300,000 per year for 3 years, to assist those with opioid and/or stimulant disorders. These funds will be
used by BH to hire a case manager to work in the jail with this population, and assist them with needed services. There
will also be follow-up services, the ability to continue to pay for medication (Vivitrol), as well as treatment and recovery
support. Applications for this round of funding were due in early November, and we are waiting for news from DHS on
award announcements.
And lastly, HHS Director Rohret reviewed the PH Vending machine grant that was received in the amount of $50,000 to
purchase and stock a vending machine to distribute harm reduction items at St. Croix County Services Center in New
Richmond. It will be located in the vestibule. Approximately $17,000 of the grant award was spent on the vending
machine itself and related supplies allowable through the grant. It should be coming soon.
Chair Rohret then went on to discuss how the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were utilized as well as
the Opioid settlement funds. This last round of Opioid funds were used to hire a position in the Behavioral Health
division but embedded within Children Services (CPS) to work with families with substance-use issues and related
trauma. This position will assist families in accessing recovery services and comply with their court orders. This position
can also help with substance-use assessments.
The Emergency Co-Responder positions, as well as a youth justice position were approved by the spring referendum.
The remaining ARPA funds will help support the peer recovery positions for another year and extend the Recovering
Together Cafe's held 1x per month at SCCSC along with Family Resource Center. Unfortunately, there is no funding for
the Community Based Case Manager positions. Rohret also provided a brief 2025 budget update.
2. Forward Analytics Demography Report (aging population/workforce outlook)
HHS Director Rohret attended a workshop at the WI Counties Association conference facilitated by Forward Analytics,
and he provided a summary of the information shared on the impact of baby boomers aging concurrent with workforce
and facility shortages. Rohret highlighted some demographic statistics that must be considered in budget planning and
state funding as we move forward. Discussion followed.
3. Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Legislative Agenda and Upcoming Conference in February
HHS Director Rohret shared a copy of the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Legislative Agenda with the
subcommittee for their review. He informed that all items listed under HHS priorities are important, but will need to be
prioritized before meeting with legislators.HHS has formed a legislative advocacy committee to choose focus priorities
and develop talking points and policy briefs. Also, County Administrator Ken Witt has asked the leadership team to
share with him what seems to be the top priorities for their Departments.
The DHS Advisory Committee is focused on the funding approved last session for urgent care and crisis observation
facilities. There was 10 million dollars allocated, and DHS was charged with drafting administrative Rule language
around this particular level of care. That process may last well into 2025. Developing a financially sustainable service
remains allusive.
Phil Galli informed on the State Innovation Model (SIM grant). This grant provides technical support from SAMSA on
sequential intercept model mapping in the justice system. We are looking for opportunities to assist people with
criminal justice involvement who have behavioral health needs at various points in their justice involvement. The
various intercepts are being looked at to determine current system gaps and how we can make policies that improve
interventions. More information to come. This effort is a continuation of the white paper group discussions.
Discussion was had on a topic from the Chief's meeting regarding a NRPD crisis with a specific client who has a medical
condition that makes it difficult to transport in a squad car. The client needed transport to Winnebago, which required
several stops for medical attention. NRPD looked for an ambulance service to assist, and they are looking for any
suggestions on how to work through this. It seems it would require a doctor to say a client requires an ambulance, but
the law says otherwise. There are also issues with reimbursement, liability, and physician reluctance. This is an issue
with Chapter 51.
Request for Future Agenda Items
Chair Rohret asked if there are any requests for future agenda items. If other agenda items arise, please email Chair
Rohret or Colleen Linder for consideration on the agenda.
* Continued conversation of transport of clients via ambulance vs law enforcement when it is an Emergency Detention.
What could be changed with Chapter 51 law?
* Initial training updates from Office of Violence against Women grant
* Aging population discussions
* Legislative agenda
Announcements
,Chair Rohret asked if anyone had announcements to share.
* Governor Evers visited Western WI Health (WWH) and asked what challenges are being faced with Chapter 51, this
shows us that this is on the top of his mind.
* Amy Walsh has been unable to attend these meetings, and was removed from membership. Rohret asked the
subcommittee about approaching someone from Turning Point to be a member. This seems to make sense, and all are
ok with that.
* Captain Kufus shared information on a couple of grants applied for. One is focused on Safer Outcomes for $195,000.
Crisis Intervention Trainings (CIT) are being planned. The other grants are focused on Mental Health training and gun
violence. These grants will also provide for some training and some equipment for the crisis teams.
* Peer support is being used by law enforcement to provide them with peer support when involved in difficult or
traumatic incidents. There are 17 people trained, and everyone has a person that they can go to if needed. There is
ongoing training and conferences that are attended.
* Elle Klasen, Public Helath Administrator, reported that there were approximately 800 responses to the Community
Health needs assessment. 54% of respondents replied that Mental Health is seen as a top issue as well as access to
mental health services.
Adjournment
Chair Rohret called this meeting adjourned at approximately 11:57.
Date of Next Meeting
1. Date of Next Meeting - January 27, 2025