WCDHHS Board Meeting Minutes

August 6, 2014

Waupaca County Courthouse

811 Harding Street

Room 1068

Waupaca, WI 

Members Present:  Dave Neumann, Jan Lehrer, Mary Kay Poehlman, Dona Gabert, Carl Kietzmann, Jerry Murphy, Dr. Steven Goedderz

Members Excused:  Don Aasen

Others Present:  Chuck Price, Lana Draeger, Christie Gonwa

The regular meeting of the Health and Human Services Board was called to order at 6:02 pm by Chair Jerry Murphy.

Public Comment:   None

Motion by Neumann, second by Gabert, to accept agenda.  Motion carried.

Motion by Lehrer, second by Poehlman, to approve minutes from July 2, 2014.  Motion carried.

Action Items

A. Personnel

1. Gail Yest retired August 1.  The Health Services area is looking at reorganization.  Sarah Kunst has submitted her resignation. 

2. Employee Update was shared with the Board.  Shannon Kelly is our Deputy Director.  We hired Susan Younger as Family & Community Services Manager, replacing Shannon.  She comes to us from Waushara County.  Jennifer Nooyan has been hired as CST Social Worker.

3. Out-of-State Conference requests for Kathryn Goel and Stephanie Suchowski were reviewed.  Kathryn has an opportunity to attend a conference in Seattle.  All expenses for the conference are covered, however, she is seeking her wages be paid.  Stephanie has been offered an opportunity for free registration and lodging for a conference in Chicago.  She is requesting wages and mileage.  Motion by Poehlman, second by Neumann, to approve both requests. Motion carried.

4. Chuck was notified last week the Board needs to do the evaluation of the Director.  Department Heads must do a self-assessment, then meet with their committee of jurisdiction for feedback.  This meeting will be closed session.  Jerry stated this should be a short meeting, with the Board setting goals for Chuck for next year.  The committee will meet Monday, August 18, at 4:00 pm.

B. Finance

1. Director Price gave an overview of the Income Statement.  In terms of expenses, we are where we should be.  Overall budget looks in the black at this time.  In talking with Heidi and Erica, the overall budget is looking good. 

2. Payment Register was reviewed.  Motion by Lehrer, second by Goedderz, to approve bills.  Motion carried.

3. Christie Gonwa shared a request for application for a 5310 Grant.  We are requesting three new buses for our Department and one van for City of New London.  The Committee on Aging put a priority on the van for New London due to a high need.  The City would pay their 20% match on the van.  We would be responsible for the 20% match for the three buses if we get approved, for a total cost of $48,000.  Lakeview Manor has since come forward with a request for a new van due to their van needing many repairs.  That has missed the original request for a van, however, Christie is submitting a letter with the grant application to express the need for another van for LVM.  Wisconsin Veterans Home has been a partner with the grant.  They have offered one of their vehicles to us for use.  She is requesting approval to go forth with the 5310 grant request.  Motion by Lehrer, second by Gabert, to approve going forward with the grant application.  Motion carried.

Reports to the Board

A. Director’s Report

1. General Update and Discussion

- We have been doing a lot of work on the 2015 budget.  We just received numbers from Finance Department.  Meetings with Managers and Fiscal Administrator have started.  We have some personnel requests for new positions, reclassifications, and position expansions.  We will be looking for CCS expansion.  This is an area in mental health requested for expansion by the Governor.  We are in a consortium with surrounding counties for this program.  Any new positions we are requesting have funding tied to them for reimbursement. 

- Chuck has been elected by peers to be President of the Association.  He is meeting with Department Secretaries at the State, looking at budgets, programs, working with counties, Leadership Summit, funding in child protection, Social Worker training, unfunded mandates, etc.

- Chuck has been contacted by other counties about our initiatives of Trauma Informed Care, cultural changes, staff support, leadership, etc.  These counties have contacted the State, who has referred them to Waupaca County.  Department of Corrections has contacted us regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) in relation to Trauma Informed Care.

- Chuck shared a letter from the Department of Health that Terri Brooks meets qualifications Health Officer.

2. Alternate Care

- We have one less child in residential care.  We continue to monitor services to reduce out-of-home care placements of children.

- Jerry complimented Chuck and Financial Staff for the new report.

3. Mental Health

- We are continuing to monitor the mental health contract expenses for residential placements.

- Jan asked if we could break out numbers for mental health, similar to alternate care.

Motion by Neumann, second by Gabert, to adjourn at 7:45 pm.  Motion carried.

Submitted by,

Lana Draeger

Office Manager

Approved by,

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