WCDHHS Board Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2013
Waupaca County Courthouse
Room 1068
Waupaca, WI
Members Present: Jerry Murphy, Don Aasen, Don Morgan, Carl Kietzmann, Mary Kay Poehlman, Jan Lehrer, Dr. Steven Goedderz
Members Excused: Elizabeth Tautges, Dave Neumann
Others Present: Chuck Price, Lana Draeger, Sherry Fisher, Gail Yest, Terri Brooks, Christie Gonwa, Dana Strohm, Jennifer Brickey
The regular meeting of the Health and Human Services Board was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chair Jerry Murphy.
Public Comment: None
Motion by Lehrer, second by Poehlman, to accept agenda, with request to move the agenda item of Initial Assessment resolution up. Motion carried.
Motion by Lehrer, second by Poehlman, to approve minutes from October 2, 2013. Motion carried.
Dana Strohm presented a resolution to the Board to request a new Initial Assessment Social Worker position. Through Organizational Effectiveness, we have been monitoring workloads and restructuring the unit to best meet the needs of the Unit. We have three Initial Assessment Social Workers, and they have been collecting data over the last six months and comparing with National Standards. Dana’s request, along with a resolution, was reviewed with the Board. 56% of the time we are late in filing initial assessments, causing these cases to fall between the cracks. Statutes state assessments must be completed within 60 days of referral. It is felt another Initial Assessment worker would help with the workload and burnout. We have set aside $100,000 through Organizational Effectiveness in the budget to plan for the position. If the Board approves the position tonight, it still must go through HR/Finance and County Board. Motion by Lehrer, second by Poehlman, to accept the resolution and request to hire a new Social Worker. Motion carried.
Sherry Fisher was at the meeting tonight to share information about Other Tobacco Products. 14.6% of middle school and high school children are smoking. However, for the first time ever, children are exposed to new marketing from tobacco companies. These companies are doing well at marketing their products, by paying to have their products above or near candy products. Sherry has been working with the WIN Wisconsin Tobacco Coalition. Funds have been cut over the years, down to being able to only monitor 20% of the retailers. Waupaca County retailers have 35% of sales to minors. A record is kept on establishments that sell to minors, including the name of the person selling the products. A report is filed with the Police Department. If they continue to sell, they can lose their license to sell these products. Waupaca County has the highest percentage of sales to minors. Tax equity is being proposed at the Legislature to add the similar taxes on these products as cigarettes. Sherry urged the Board to support legislation banning these products and increasing tax. Sherry invited anyone interested to come to Familiar Grounds in New London on Monday, November 11, 1:30-3:00 pm, to meet with Senator Olsen & Representative Petersen to talk about tobacco issues. Sherry goes to many schools, starting with high schools, and now goes to middle schools. The only school she doesn’t go to is Clintonville, as they have their own program. Electronic cigarettes are exempt from the laws.
Action Items
A. Personnel
1. Joann Rasmussen has submitted her retirement notice. Motion by Morgan, second by Kietzmann, to accept retirement. Motion carried.
2. Employee Update was reviewed. Kathryn Goel will be starting as Community Behavioral Health Manager, and Alisha Haase will be starting as On-going Supervisor. We are recruiting for Public Health Nurse Manager to replace Linda Behm when she leaves. We have been recruiting and hiring a number of vacancies.
3. Request to increase hours for 2 APS (Adult Protective Services) Social Workers to 40 hours through 12/31/13 was reviewed. There are funds to cover the cost. Motion by Poehlman, second by Lehrer, to approve the request as presented. Motion carried.
4. Request reviewed for a new initial assessment social worker position was presented earlier in the agenda.
B. Finance
1. Income Statement Overview – We are at 81% for revenues and 77% expenses at this time. For the COP (Community Options Program) budget, we are low in expenses, but we are looking at areas to use those funding. Shannon Kelly is working with mental health staff to look at funding services. For computerization budget, we will be getting some new computers and will be receiving funding to offset some of the cost. Overall, the budget is good.
2. Payment Register and Bills were reviewed. Motion by Lehrer, second by Goedderz, to approve bills. Mary Kay Poehlman questioned a $10,000 payment to Lakeview Manor. Jen did not know what this payment was for, but would check and get back to the Board next month. Motion carried.
C. Other
1. Terri Brooks reviewed a Keeping Kids Alive Resolution. The resolution was based on legislation from the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin through the Medical College of Wisconsin. There is a multi-disciplinary group working on the legislation, including our Department, DA’s Office, Corporation Counsel, hospitals, physicians, schools, and many other stakeholders. The team will make a recommendation to the community. This resolution will help support legislation in the State. Motion by Lehrer, second by Poehlman, to approve the resolution. The resolution will need to go to Legislative and Judicial Committee. Motion carried.
2. January Board Meeting Date needs to be rescheduled, due to the first Wednesday in January being the 1st. It was decided the meeting will be January 8. Jerry will be in Florida, so Jan will chair the meeting.
Reports to the Board
A. Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
1. EIP/FSP/COP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2013, were reviewed.
B. Director’s Report
1. General Update – Applied for post-reunification dollars for our children’s area. When children are placed back into their homes after being in out-of-home care, the rate of re-entry is significant. These funds will help support families to help keep children in their homes. We have been awarded 19 slots, $1,100 per child per month, over a 3-year period. There is a process to follow to help strengthen our juvenile delivery services. The funds start the first of the year with a kick-off meeting soon. Organizational Effectiveness initiative has started. Chuck shared a document with the Board on the process. Gaps and barrier areas have been identified. It is hoped this will help with job satisfaction and reduce turnover. Chuck will continue to provide communication to the staff and Board. Chuck wanted to start a discussion about Lakeview Manor. This is a discussion at the County Board level, and we talked about how our Department can fit in with that discussion. Christie shared information on Redesigning Wisconsin’s Dementia Care System. We have residents placed that have dementia or severe behavioral issues. We are looking at how we could use Lakeview Manor for some of our more difficult County residents. We need to find options to costly inpatient placements. Using Lakeview would meet our needs and help fill their beds. Staff is leaving Lakeview, and there is a concern of not having enough staff to care for the residents. We are responsible for the residents with dementia, developmental disabilities, mental health with behaviors, and if Lakeview Manor closes, we will need to find placements for those residents, costing us more money in the long run. There may be future options that will benefit our agency and clients. We need to educate the community on the importance of Lakeview Manor. Christie was looking for support from the Committee to continue going forward with discussions with Lakeview Manor. Jerry stated the DHHS Board and County Board need to get more factual information on finances and residents before a decision can be made. He asked for future reports on the status.
2. Alternate Care report was reviewed. We have had a couple children with deep needs.
3. Mental Health report was reviewed. The report looks better in terms of being on track.
C. Jan shared the invitation to the WCI Christmas party.
Motion by Aasen, second by Poehlman, to adjourn at 7:47 pm. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Lana Draeger
Office Manager
Approved by,
________________