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Home My WebLink About04-14-2023 Council on Aging and Disabilities Minutes MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL ON AGING AND DISABILITIES April 14, 2023 8:30 AM St. Croix County Service Center-Rm 171 & 172 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin NOTICE Some members may be participating remotely via Teams CALL TO ORDER Chair Ostness called the April 14th meeting of the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) to order at approximately 8:30 AM. ROLL CALL Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived Paul AdamsSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Maureen BrunnerSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Amy SchneiderSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Bonnie RichertSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Nancy HableSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Nancy E. MeyerSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Lois BurriSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Roxanne M. WakeenSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberExcused Martha MabisSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberExcused Others present:HHS Director Bob Rohret, ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton, HHS Financial Manager Fay Strenke others present remotely were Elle Klasen Public Health Epidemiologist APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Council on Aging and Disabilities Regular Meeting March 10, 2023 8:30 AM Chair Ostness asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes. With nothing noted Chair Ostness accepted the minutes as written. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Ostness opened the floor for public comment. Hearing none, he proceeded with the meeting. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Monthly Financials Fay Strenke, HHS Fiscal Manager, reviewed the February 2023 Financial report. Strenke highlighted that there looks to be a discrepancy in tax levy numbers due to the movement of Adult Protection from Behavioral Health (BH) to Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in 2022, but is evened out between ADRC & BH budgets. Adult Protection is now back to BH for 2023. The last of the 2022 Greater WI Agency on Aging Resources (GWAR) money just came in, so next month should be the final numbers for 2022. Strenke shared that 2023 is looking good so far. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Communicable Disease Update Elle Klasen, Public Health Epidemiologist, provided the Council with an update on Communicable Disease within Wisconsin and St. Croix County (SCC). Klasen reported some info on COVID-19, and informed that the ending of the National Emergency was signed on April 10, 2023 and the Public Health Emergency will end in May. With COVID- 19, the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 is currently the most prominent in U. S. and SCC is currently at a moderate level of infection. Klasen also shared that a new Omicron variant has been found in India and is being monitored as it seems to be quite contagious, though it doesn't seem to be causing increased sickness. Klasen then informed that the COVID-19 data dashboard on the County Website will be ending soon, but there will be a link provided to additional COVID-19 information for consumers. A future dashboard is being worked on to inform on a variety of PH information. The other communicable disease Klasen touched on today was influenza. Western WI is experiencing moderate levels of influenza, with influenza B being the predominant virus. In addition Klasen informed that there have been reports of tics, so take precautions and always check yourself after being outdoors. Klasen then shared some Emergency Room reported falls data. She informed that for consumers aged 65 and older, living in St. Croix County, that 97 falls were reported in 43 days from Feb. 2023 to April 2023. Please be careful. Questions answered and discussion had. Please let Elle Klasen or Chair Ostness know of other data or information that may be of interest to this group. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Nutrition Program Updates and Contribution Changes ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton provided some updates regarding the nutrition program and shared some data of how they are funded and the actual cost of the meals, which all supports a recommendation for an increase in the meal rates. The suggested contribution for a congregate meal would go from $5 to $6 and moving from $6.50 to $7.50 for a home delivered meal. This is not a requirement, just a suggested contribution. In 2022 they served 50,445 meals with an average contribution of $4.21. Newton explained that every County is facing cost increases in raw food, gas, and other essentials needed to provide these meals. Discussion and questions followed. Motion by Supervisor Adams to approve the new suggested contribution meal rate to $6.00 for a congregate meal and to $7.50 for a home delivered meal. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hable. A voice vote was taken and all approved. RESULT: APPROVED \[UNANIMOUS\] MOVER: Paul Adams, Supervisor SECONDER: Nancy Hable, Council Member AYES: Paul Adams, Cathy Leaf, Dave Ostness, Maureen Brunner, Amy Schneider, Bonnie Richert, Nancy Hable, Nancy E. Meyer, Lois Burri EXCUSED: Roxanne M. Wakeen, Martha Mabis 4. Aging Advocacy DayMay 9th ADRC Administrator Kristin Newton and COAD Chair Dave Ostness shared information about the upcoming advocacy day in Madison on May 9th. Newton also provided information on how to best advocate and connect with your legislatures. There are many Aging Programs that haven't received increases in state and federal funding in many years. If you can't make the meeting on May 9th they strongly encourage sending a letter or an email to the legislators requesting additional funding. Much discussion on advocacy shared. If interested in going to Madison on May 9th, reach out to Kristin Newton for more information and to possibly plan to rideshare. There is an online registration link (https://gwaar.org/aging-advocacy-day-2023) that was provided in the handouts that needs to be submitted by April 26th. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Chair Ostness asked if there were any suggestions for future agenda items. One suggestion was; * Presentation on online security and phone scams ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE Chair Ostness asked if there were any announcements or correspondence today. Committee Member Brunner shared that the New Richmond Senior Center is hosting a Spring Fling on the 21st of April. The Trigger Happy Band will be playing and it will be held at the American Legion in New Richmond (NR), which was sponsored free of charge. There will be a free will donation box, but it is free of charge. It is from12-4 with music @ 1. Snacks, beverages and door prizes will be available. HHS Director Rohret shared: * HHS is looking to dedicate office space at the SCCSC in NR to Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) providing additional services for veterans * Budget process has started and at the Committee of the Whole (COTW) Department Heads discussed budget needs for 2024. There are limited funds to be spread across the county services. * Mental Health Symposium being held on May 17th @ Northwoods Technical College in New Richmond, WI from 5:30-7:30. This year the focus is on addiction with several presenters. It is free and all are welcome * Recovering Together Cafe's are being held, starting next week, in collaboration with Family Resource Center to provide a curriculum for families in recovery through 2024. These are peer led groups that can add a layer of support to these families. A free meal and daycare is provided to families who participate. The hope with this is to reduce out of home placements * The Public Health Emergency ended and will likely affect many who were getting foodshare and medical benefits ADRC Administrator Newton informed: * The Deer Park kitchen is now a catered meal site. Ready Randy's is now providing meals to New Richmond, Deer Park and Somerset. Hearing lots of good feedback * New Program Support Specialist has been hired. She is Melissa Wright the former nutrition site manager in Hudson and is starting Monday. Send your email questions to @ADRC info or Kristin Newton. * Day Away Program Coordinator position is still being recruited for * ADRC received a grant for an Independent Living pilot from the state. This will start in July and is intended for clients to receive short term limited funding, to help them remain in their home as they don't meet Family Care requirements. Joanne Fridell will be coordinating this. More information to come. * Last meeting with Lois Burri and Nancy Hable, thanks to them for all they've done * May 5th is the Volunteer Appreciation Banquet @ Ready Randy's in New Richmond, be sure to RSVP * Director Rohret shared his appreciation on the forward thinking and hard work that ADRC Administrator Newton is doing ADJOURN Chair Ostness called the April 14th meeting of the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) adjourned at approximately 10:00 A.M. DATE OF NEXT MEETING May 12, 2023 @ 8:30 AM in the St Croix County Services Center, New Richmond