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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHealth & Human Services 02-28-02 ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING REVISED TO: Thomas Dorsey, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Robert Stephens (John Borup, 246-8223) COMMITTEE TITLE: St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board DATE: 02/28/02 TIME: 6:30 p.m. LOCATION: St. Croix County Health and Human Services Complex, New Richmond CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 03/12/02 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: 02/12/02 ANNOUNCEMENTS APPOINTMENTS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Ordinance to obtain "Agent Status" NEW BUSINESS: 1. Program Reports a. Family and Children's b. Nursing Home 2. Personnel Issues 3. Financial Update 4. Usage of Community Support Program waiting list grant monies for position request. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: John M. Borup DATE: COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE ST. CROIX COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARD February 28, 2002 The St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board met on February 28, 2002 at the St. Croix County Health and Human Services/Health Center complex. MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Stephens, Chair Chris Bethke Lois Burri James Craig Leon Berenschot Mary Louise Olson MEMBERS ABSENT: Fern Johnson, excused Esther Wentz, excused Einar Horne STAFF PRESENT: John Borup, Health and Human Services Director Fred Johnson, Family and Children's Supervisor Ron Kiesler, AODA/Mental Health Coordinator Barbara Nelson, Public Health Supervisor-Health Officer Kathy Leisch, Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Lisa, Social Worker Intern Kari, Social Worker Intern Chair Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM noting the meeting was properly and legally publicized. NEXT MEETING: The next Health and Human Services Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, at 8:30 AM. Bethke will review vouchers at 8:00 AM. AGENDA: Motion: A motion was introduced by Bethke, seconded by Berenschot, and unanimously adopted: That the agenda be approved as circulated. MINUTES: Motion: A motion was introduced by Berenschot, seconded by Bethke, and unanimously adopted: That the minutes of the 02/12/02 Health and Human Services Board meeting be approved as circulated. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Borup announced that Kari and Lisa would be sitting in on the meeting as part of their social worker internship. ORDINANCE TO OBTAIN "AGENT STATUS": Nelson provided one copy of the two draft ordinances received from Corp. Counsel. She recommended no action be taken on them at this meeting due to changes needed. These include possible addition of definitions, change of rate from 180% of the net license fee" to 90%, and removal of annual and preinspection fees to be approved by resolution and referenced in the ordinance. The Board agreed that having the fee structure in resolution would allow ease of change, as needed. Nelson stated that concerns have arisen outside of the Department as to the ability of fees to support the program in full as was projected in January of 2001 with 286 facilities. Members were referred to a 12-10-01 printout from the State of the "Active Facilities for St. Croix County" which categorizes St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board Page 2 February 28, 2002 291 facilities by type. To date, this number has already increased by seven. St. Croix County is a growing county and these numbers will continue to increase, not decrease. Calculations were demonstrated using the current facilities and the proposed new State fee structure. This total is estimated at $57,211 and does not include preinspection fees of which 100% will remain locally. Dunn County has 197 facilities and reports between $4,000-$5,000 annually in preinspection fees. Also not included are the school lunch inspection fees. Schools are mandated to be inspected and Department of Public Instruction has an MOU with the Division of Public Health for this purpose. It is a local decision as to what to charge. With estimates of these two additional areas, revenue is projected at $64,711. This does not include the $10,000 start-up grant that is available from the Bureau of Environmental Health. January 2001 estimate of cost was $57,547. Nelson also shared some ranges of fee structure of the current 34 agents statewide and addressed other sources of potential future funding. Nelson indicated that contracts would need to be signed between the local health department and DHFS transfer agent status for the Lodging and Food Protection, and the Tattooing and Body Piercing. Nelson stated that interviews for Public Health Sanitarian were held on 2/27/02. She also stated that we are now two months into the year and have had no staff expenditures. These expenditures were calculated to start as of January 18t. Nelson stated that she would like to offer the top candidate the position. If the candidate accepts the offer then the current employer notice can be given and hopefully the candidate can start this position by the end of March. Motion: A motion was introduced by Stephens, seconded by Berenschot, and unanimously adopted: That the Board approves the hiring of the best candidate for the Public Health Sanitarian position. FAMILY & CHILDREN'S: Johnson gave an update on a program adjustment to the foster care program. This is a training curriculum that is set up and sponsored through the Western Wisconsin Partnership for foster care providers. Johnson stated that other counties that have participated in this program have had positive results in recruitment and retention. This is a 36- hour curriculum. This means creating a team that would train the curriculum to new foster parents. The team would consist of a social worker and a foster parent. Johnson stated that they would be able to implement this program starting sometime this summer. Johnson stated that the regional office used to get $20,000-$25,000 a year that would go to the Eau Claire office for foster care training. Now they forward that money to the counties and we get $1,000-$2,000 a year for this type of curriculum. Berenschot asked what our liability would be if we do this curriculum. Johnson stated that he felt this would reduce our liability because it will give the foster parents more skills. Johnson stated that after this year all but two counties will have this curriculum in this region. Borup stated that the counties he has talked to have been really pleased with this curriculum. COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM WAITING LIST GRANT: Kiesler stated that CSP has experienced a waiting list since May 2000. In December of 2000, the Personnel and Finance Committees passed an LTE CSP Social Worker position to help address the waiting list needs. In April 2001 that position was filled. As part of the 2002 budget process we requested that the LTE Social Worker position be made permanent, as consumer demand remained high. Because St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board Page 3 February 28, 2002 upgrading the LTE position to permanent status required additional County funding, the position was referred to Finance Committee for approval. The Finance Committee decided against upgrading the position due to adequate revenue concerns. The CSP Waiting List Grant requests for application came out in early December 2001 with a deadline for applying on January 3, 2002. The intent of the grant funds is to reduce waiting lists for Medical Assistance clients to Certified CSP programs. On February 14, 2002 we were notified that our Certified CSP was awarded $48,211, as requested, to address our CSP waiting list needs. The plan calls for hiring a full-time permanent CSP Social Worker as well as funding the supplies, equipment, travels and training required for the position. Borup stated that while the funds are expected to continue into future years it is recommended that the approval of the position include a sunset clause. Borup stated that this would require the county to approve this position on a permanent basis. Borup also stated that the first step is to approve it as a position. Kiesler stated that this would be a non-union position. Motion: A motion was introduced by Stephens, seconded by Bethke, and unanimously adopted: That the Board approves the LTE CSP Social Worker position and to forward it on to personnel in March for further action. Stephens noted that there is a sunset clause on the grant. NURSING HOME: Borup reported that the Nursing Home census is at 88. We are reducing staff. Nancy Burke, RN, is retiring after 12+ years of service. Nancy has been the "Medicare" and admissions nurse in the Nursing Home. Nancy is replaced by Susan Williams, RN, who will work 35 hours per week. Susan Williams's work is being absorbed by other staff. Borup stated there will be a reduction in a CNA position. Borup stated that the quality of service remains very high. Borup noted the next County Board meeting would be held on March 19, 2002. Craig asked if the Nursing Home would be purchasing any more equipment or additional beds. Borup stated that they are through with the bed purchases. He noted that the biggest percentage of cost right now is on salaries. The Health Center has more success stories as follows: a. I want to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the manner in which staff members of the St. Croix Health Center Nursing Home cared for my mother the short time she was a resident there. Each one that I observed with her, from the aides right on up to the charge nurse, Sue Belisle, treated her in a respectful and caring way. They were patient and encouraging even in difficult circumstances. I know from experience that all facilities do not operate this way and I am so thankful we chose one with such superior operating standards! b. Thank you for the beautiful red rose. It was much appreciated to have so well cared for in her last days. We will be forever grateful. C. I wish to thank the nurses and care takers of the Health Center for the super care received during his long stay there. Your dedication and effectiveness was edifying, and a real instrument used in God's hands. I pray your faithfulness and goodness touch many hearts as it did ours. Thank You. lSt. Croix County Health and Human Services Board Page 4 February 28, 2002 d. It is with much pleasure that I tell you I enjoyed my recent stay at the Health Center. The love and compassion expressed to me while there was a very enjoyable experience. Prior to my stay at the Health Center, I had a negative impression of the place. After my stay at the center, with the exposure to the environment and the nursing staff, I now have a much more positive attitude toward the Health Center, the residents and the nursing staff and environment. I miss the place and will be visiting from time to time. Thank you for all your kind and loving acts. e. I would like to commend your caring and compassionate nursing staff from the medical assistants to the CNA's, LPN's, and the RN's for what I experienced while my mother, was a resident at the Health Center from 11/26/01 to 01/18/02. I sensed your whole staff enjoyed working at the Health Center while caring for the residents' needs. The demands are many and the rewards are few, but the sincerity shown while providing the care was obvious to me. Until we had experienced it, I could not have realized the wonderful type of care she would receive. I only wish you could have known my mom prior to her coming to the nursing home. I would like to give a special thank you and commendation to RN's Sue Belisle, Nancy Schulz, Betty Kotten, and Social Worker Lisa Leahy for the support they gave me by answering my questions cheerfully and adequately and by providing appropriate health care to my mom. The extra effort Sue Belisle demonstrated on behalf of my mother did not go unnoticed. She is truly a remarkable and compassionate nurse. My 35 years of teaching experience allowed me to judge people on their merits, cooperation and work ethics. I fell your staff was the "top of the line" in these areas. I firmly believe nurses, like teachers, are overworked and underpaid. Thank you for being patient and understanding as to my mom's and my needs and for attempting to keep mom comfortable and feeling safe. I know it was a struggle sometimes, but appreciated your approach to her problems. I felt I was kept well informed of mom's condition with numerous evening calls too. Rest assured I will spread the word to anyone who asks about the type of care the residents receive at St. Croix Health Center. This facility is certainly an asset to our community. Keep up the good work and God Bless you. PERSONNEL: Stephens stated that Borup has been talking to him about whether he would be serving out his appointment as chairman. Stephens stated that unless the board requested his resignation that he would serve out the remaining year. Stephens noted that he is becoming more conservative. In his opinion the courtyard project should be put on hold and that the second deputy position should also be delayed in order to keep costs down. Borup stated that all counties are currently making cuts. Borup stated that he has an early list of cuts for the department to minimize the impact on the department services and to minimize having to lay-off employees. Borup stated that he would like to officially recognize a person as deputy director. Stephens said that the deputy director position will be addressed and is not St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board Page 5 February 28, 2002 being forgotten. Borup noted that labor contracts would begin on March 20, 2002. Stephens asked if there were any other issues to bring before the Board. Motion: A motion was introduced by Berenschot, seconded by Bethke, and unanimously adopted: that the meeting be adjourned. Time: 7:30 PM Chair: Attest: (Secretary) I