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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2023 Council on Aging and Disabilities Minutes MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL ON AGING AND DISABILITIES June 9, 2023 8:30 AM St. Croix County Service Center-Rm 171 & 172 1752 Dorset Lane, New Richmond, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Brunner called the June 9, 2023 meeting of the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD) to order at approximately 8:30 AM. ROLL CALL Attendee NameOrganizationTitleStatusArrived Paulette AndersonSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Paul AdamsSt. Croix CountySupervisorPresent Carol HajicekSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Cathy LeafSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused Dave OstnessSt. Croix CountySupervisorExcused Maureen BrunnerSt. Croix CountyCouncilMemberPresent Amy SchneiderSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberLate8:40 AM Bonnie RichertSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Nancy E. MeyerSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Roxanne M. WakeenSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberPresent Martha MabisSt. Croix CountyCouncil MemberExcused Others present:Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Bob Rohret, Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton, HHS Financial Manager Fay Strenke APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Council on Aging and Disabilities Regular Meeting April 14, 20238:30 AM Vice Chair Brunner asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes. With nothing noted Vice Chair Brunner accepted the minutes as written. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Vice Chair Brunner opened the floor for public comment. Hearing none she proceeded with the meeting. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Introduction of new Council on Aging and Disabilities Members Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton introduced the new members of the Council on Aging and Disabilities (COAD). Paulette Anderson and Carol Hajicek were introduced and both are joining the Council. They both shared a little information about themselves and were welcomed by the others to the COAD. Also, introduction of the new ADRC Program Support Associate Melissa Wright. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Monthly Financials Fay Strenke, HHS Fiscal Manager, reviewed the May 2023 Financial report. Strenke informed the group on how to best read the financial document so new members can have a better understanding. Strenke then reviewed the current numbers. Discussion and questions followed. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Planning for St. Croix County Fair Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton provided some updates on plans for the 2023 St. Croix County Fair. Previously, the Dept. on Aging was very active in the fair, which was before the Aging and Disability Resource Center was implemented. The Dept. on Aging had more programs and different funding sources. The current ADRC has more regulations and the use of staff time and funding has presented a challenge. The funding hasn't increased in many years, but responsibilities have. The ADRC staff are looking to be more efficient and find better and more responsible use of their time at the fair. This year they will be modifying their staffing pattern at the fair, asking COAD members and Senior Center Board members to volunteer their time staffing the Senior Building. ADRC will look to scale back this year and staff may be on call and only available as needed. Staff will be reaching out at the Meal Sites and meet with the Center Boards for volunteers. Next year they will look to work with the fair board to completely phase out the ADRC from running the Senior building, but possibly have a "Senior Day" or something similar and really promote the ADRC on that particular day. COAD members shared their concerns and posed some questions as what this will look like moving forward. They would like to consider outreach and a meeting with the fair board to discuss plans. The feeling is the senior building is important for having a voice for seniors with information on services available. Some ideas were discussed on how to handle this and to get volunteer coverage in the building this year. The St. Croix County Fair is scheduled to run July 20-23rd with check-in on the 19th. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Updates Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Administrator Kristin Newton shared some updates on their programming and other areas that their work has been focused. Newton and COAD member Nancy Meyer informed that in May, Advocacy Day in Madison was attended by Supervisor Ostness, Meyer and Newton. There was a morning training on certain issues and then they were able to discuss the various topics with the legislators which varied from ADRC Investments, Family Caregiver Advocacy, Long-Term Care Workforce Advocacy, home delivered meals, and transportation. There is some movement on these topics at the state, it was a great day. Discussion was had on the various funding sources and which ones haven't seen an increase in years. Newton then shared that in the nutrition area, Heidi Fett is the new Manager at the Hudson meal site replacing Melissa Wright, and there is another retirement pending at another site. Staffing continues to be a challenge at all meal sites and is leading to temporary closures at times. Also, managing volunteers is becoming a big job. The Caregiver Program has hired a new Dayaway Program Coordinator and they will be starting soon. This program is available on Mon. & Thur. in Hudson & Tues. in New Richmond for 15 hours a week. Also, Dementia Care Awareness week is this week and on Sunday June, 11th there will be "Music in the Park" in Hudson with The White Sidewalls. In the transportation area they are doing lots of repairs so there will be expenses coming in that will show on the financials. The transportation staff are also busy working to update the 5 year transportation coordination plan. The Disability Benefit Specialists (DBS), Elder Benefit Specialists (EBS), as well as the Information & Assistance (I&A) staff have been busy with referrals and complex cases, in particular with the Public Health unwinding and the backups at the Social Security Administration. Newton informed she will be asking for a new position in the I&A area in the 2024 budgeting process. The ADRC is also implementing a new pilot grant project that the state put out with available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Independent Living Supports grant will provide a set dollar amount to support individuals to remain in their home that may not qualify for other programs. This will start in August of 2023 and run through March of 2025. Joanne Fridell, an LTE, is going to facilitate this program for SCC ADRC. Additional marketing and information is coming soon. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Vice Chair Brunner asked if there were any suggestions for future agenda items. * ADRC Administrator Newton informed that HHS Board Member Dr. Ahnwar from Western WI Health (WWH) is willing to come speak to the COAD on medical topics, such as dementia * Presentation on recent scams and fraud focusing on the elderly ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE HHS Director Rohret shared: * The 2022 Annual Report was handed out and was presented to the County Board at the June 6th meeting * HHS is in the beginning stages of the 2024 budget process and looking to request some new positions * The Mental Health Symposium, with a focus on addiction, was held in May at Northwoods Technical College in New Richmond. There were approximately 70 community members in attendance with great presenters and lots of resources shared. There is a link to view it on the county website * The HHS Strategic Plan is completed and we are looking to have more focus and a coordinated effort around legislative advocacy to promote our county Other announcements: * Covid Pfizer booster vaccines still available on Mondays from 2-4 at the SCCSC, information on the county website * Friday June 16th Countywide Senior Picnic in Roberts at 11:30 with music by Mike Murtha * June 15th is Elder Abuse Awareness day---wear your purple * New Richmond Senior Site is hosting free music on Thursday June 15th at the Red Rooster from 1-3 with snacks provided. Had 150+ people at their spring fling. People want to dance ADJOURN Vice Chair Brunner called the June 9, 2023 meeting of the COAD adjourned at approximately 9:50 AM . DATE OF NEXT MEETING August 11, 2023 @ 8:30 AM in the St. Croix County Services Center. No meeting in July.