HomeMy WebLinkAboutHealth & Human Services 02-22-01 0
ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING
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: 02/22/01
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: 03/13/01
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES: 02/13/01
ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPOINTMENTS :
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Capital Outlay Planning Update
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Program Reports:
a. Family and Children's Services
b. Nursing Home
2. Personnel Issues
3. Budget Update
4. Support for Tobacco Prevention Funding
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 22, 2001
The St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board met on January 25, 2001, at the St.
Croix County Health and Human Services/Health Center complex.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Stephens, Chair
Leon Berenschot
Lois Burri
James Craig
Einar Horne
Fern Johnson
Mary Louise Olson
Esther Wentz
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Bethke, excused
STAFF PRESENT: John Borup, Health and Human Services Director
Carolyn Krieger, Nursing Home Administrator
Fred Johnson, Family & Children's Supervisor
Judy Aronson, Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT: Ray Mealey, Long Term Support Committee Chairman
Chair Stephens, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. noting the meeting was properly and
legally publicized.
NEXT MEETING: The next Health and Human Services Board meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, March 1.3, 2001 at 8:30 A.M. at the St. Croix County Health and Human
Services/Health Center complex. Berenschot will review vouchers at 8:00 A.M.
AGENDA: MOTION: A motion was introduced by Berenschot, seconded by Wentz, and
unanimously adopted: That the agenda be approved as circulated.
MINUTES: MOTION: A motion was introduced by Berenschot, seconded by Johnson, and
unanimously adopted: That the minutes of the 02/13/01 Health and Human Services Board
meeting be approved as circulated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Stephens stated he attended a meeting of the Long Term Support
Committee chaired by Mealey. There is an interest in what is happening in the nursing homes.
On March 2, 2001 there will be a meeting of the Nursing Home Steering committee to discuss
the future of the nursing home. Wentz and Stephens will attend. Stephens stated he would keep
the committee informed.
Capital Outl4y Planning Update: Borup distributed a draft of items to be included in the 5-year
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capital outlay plan. The Health and Human Services Department identifies and capitalizes all
items $5,000 and over, and the nursing home $500 and over. Computer equipment will be
included as they have become so significant in our operations. Horne stated some computers
should be replaced sooner than 5 years and some may last longer, depending on use. Borup will
integrate this into the 5-year plan.
Stephens questioned when the new Accounts Receivable space is completed if St. Croix
Industries could rent the space Accounts Receivable occupied. At the present time St. Croix
Industries is renting space at the Methodist Church for $450.00/month. Borup stated that would
certainly be an option when the new area gets completed.
Program Reports: Family and Children's Services: Johnson gave a brief review/update of year-
end expenses for alternate care. Alternate care was budgeted for approximately $830,000 and
expenses totaled nearly $123,000 over the budgeted amount. The number of Family and
Children's staff vacancies will offset some of this over expenditure in 2000. The two primary
areas in alternate care that increased expenditures were correctional placements and residential
treatment placements. Correctional placements cost approximately $155 per day and residential
treatment costs average $190 per day. Johnson stated that these placement resources do not take
any placements unless they are court ordered and the county enters a contract to pay for services
rendered. We can bill families on a monthly basis for the cost of these services, but the amount
we can bill is based on family income and is determined by the child support standards or
standards to prevent family impoverishment. This means that almost all families that receive
placement services are not billed full fees and the county subsidizes these costs. We have a
system in place to bill for these services and to handle referrals for nonpayment for services.
Nursing Home: Krieger stated the nursing home census is at 88 with an admission tomorrow
which will bring the census up to 89. Krieger stated persons tend to be going to assisted living
quarters with 24-hour day care. The nursing home has a different role than it did ten years ago.
Persons admitted to nursing homes today have a lot more problems, are more seriously ill and
need a lot of care.
Borup stated he and Krieger had a 90-minute phone conversation with John Keefe regarding the
nursing home. Borup stated Keefe is well respected and knows County business. There is a role
for county nursing homes today.
Krieger stated the nursing home is waiting for the State surveyors to arrive.
Personnel Issues: Borup stated Pam Benson transferred from the Government Center and was
hired for the half time clerical position in Family and Children's. Rene' Putz was hired as a W-2
Economic Support worker.
Budget Update: Borup stated we are still waiting for the numbers from Finance at the
Government Center. Borup stated that administratively we want to enhance our reports making
them more understanding for the Board. Borup stated that hopefully more information would be
in place by the next meeting on 03/13/01.
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Support for Tobacco Prevention Funding: Borup stated administration is supportive that tobacco
"settlement" dollars targeted for Public Health remain with Public Health. The sum of $35.2
million was committed to the State. Olson stated St. Croix County should be innovative and go
to every St. Croix County school and see the curriculum for every student. Olson stated the State
has mandated health classes and would be interested in the results and what is being done. Olson
stated with all the outreach and prevention programs, the programs need to be evaluated. Olson
questioned why do students continue to smoke. Wentz and Olson have volunteered to talk with
schools about their health curriculum. Horne stated everyone age 7 and up knows smoking is not
good for them. Horne stated we cannot throw money at these programs just to throw money at
them. Stephens stated he has listened to programs and this prevention is not working. He has
heard of programs that do work that we should emulate. We need to spend those dollars in an
intelligent manner and what's being done now is not working. There are already prevention
programs in place and this does not seem to be working. Borup will be working with Barbara
Nelson and interested Board members.
Stephens asked if there were any other issues to bring before the Board.
MOTION: A motion was introduced by Berenschot, seconded by Wentz, and unanimously
adopted: That the Health and Human Services Board meeting be adjourned.
Time: 7:20 p.m.
Chairman:
Attest:
Secretary
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