Human Services Board

Human Services Board Minutes March 11, 2024 (114 KB)

MINUTES
SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting:         March 11, 2024, 4 p.m., County Board Room 326A, West Square Building, Baraboo, WI

Chair, Patricia Rego called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law at 4 p.m.

PRESENT:  Patricia Rego, Joel Chrisler, Delmar Scanlon, Jake Roxen, Cliff Thompson, Joan Fordham; EXCUSED: None; ABSENT: Valerie McAuliffe

Others Present:  Jessica Mijal, Stephanie Box, Nicole Rachuj

Motion by Delmar Scanlon, seconded by Joan Fordham, to adopt agenda.  Motion carried.

4:01 p.m. James Bowers arrived.

Motion by Delmar Scanlon, seconded by Joel Chrisler, to approve the minutes for the previous Human Services Board meeting held on February 12, 2024.  Motion carried.

Public Comment:

None.

Communications/Director’s Report: 

a. Board Materials:  Distributed electronically.  Jessica Mijal discussed the following updates:

The 988 dashboard is the national crisis suicide phone line which has been in place for about a year.  The phone center has been well utilized.  Link is available in the electronic director’s report. 

Some positive legislations are two bills awaiting the governor’s signature.  Like-Kin caregivers which expands the definition of kin for the purposes of placement of children.  It has been narrowed in definition which has an impact when a child(ren) must be placed out of their home.  At times this means a child is placed with someone they may not have a relationship with such as foster care.  This change will expand to include individuals who a child may have a significant relationship with and be placed with that person(s). This could be a family friend, a church member, etc.

The other is a waiver for the IMD (Institutions for Mental Disease) restriction.  This would allow the State of Wisconsin so Department of Human Services (DHS) could bill Medicaid for individuals between the ages of 18-65 who go to Winnebago or other institutions for mental disease.  Currently there is no billing mechanism for Medicaid.  Likely will not go into effect in 2024.

Finally, there are some good movements for improving the state of mental health & substance use providers.  There is a bill that authorizes Wisconsin to join the interstate licensing compact.  This will allow therapy providers to have a consistent setup expectation for training and practice across different states.  In turn, this makes it easier for therapists to go to different states to work and easier for those to come to Wisconsin to work.  Another legislation passed allows mental health providers licensed in other states to provide telehealth services to Wisconsin clients if they register with our Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Business Items:

a. Discussion and Action to Approve Monthly Vouchers:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box reviewed the Monthly Voucher Report.  Motion by Cliff Thompson, seconded by James Bowers, to approve monthly vouchers for $2,851,227.94.  Motion carried.  

b. Accounts Receivable Report:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box reviewed the Accounts Receivable Report for February 2024.  Medicaid Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is 72.7% of our receivables.  Year to date – no accounts sent to collections.  Revenues received:  Credit Management $20.00; State Debt Collections $1,737.55, and TRIP $3,008.30.

c. Discussion and Action to Approve Collection Requests:  Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by Delmar Scanlon, to approve sending one account for $60 to State Debt Collections. Motion carried.

d. Monthly Reports:  Distributed electronically.  Stephanie Box reviewed the January Volatile Line.

e. Discussion and Action to Approve 2023 Donation Report:  Disregard attached document “Donations 2023 page 2 – 3/7/2024.”  This is not DHS’s and appears to be for Public Health.  Stephanie discussed.  Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Joel Chrisler, to approve the 2023 Donation Report.  Motion carried.

Department Updates:

a. Presentation –Angela Tourdot, Integrated Services Program (ISP) Coordinator:  Angela is the Clinical Coordinator for the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program.  This program provides community-based mental health services to adults and children that is a higher level of care than outpatient services but not as intense as the Community Support Program.  There are teams of providers that work with the consumer which consists of a facilitator, a therapist, and a psychosocial worker or a mentor for children that work as a team to provide services.  The care is individualized based on the individual’s needs.

Within the CCS program one of the requirements is to have a Coordinating Committee which meets bi-monthly (odd months) on the fourth Wednesday from 8:30 to 10 a.m.  All are welcome to join.  Families Come First (FCF) and CCS coordinating committees were combined and meet the state requirements.  One of the requirements for membership is 1/3 must be consumers and no more than 1/3 can be employees.  Sauk County has one of the most successful Coordinating Committees in the state.  There is a high request for others to join the committee.

Annual surveys are required by the state.  The ratings from those surveys have been very high scores with the exception of social connectedness which was slightly below average and an area this committee has been working on the last couple of years.  Last year the score went up and slightly came back down this year. The committee takes all the results from the surveys to light and creates positive changes.  Currently one of the positive changes to help with social connectedness is the “Clubhouse” which meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  This is offered to anyone who is receiving services in Sauk County. This allows those who would are not connected, to have some type of social connection.  There are different crafts, board games they play, and once a month Bingo with prizes.

CCS graduation: the facilitator and consumer will create a self-identified set of needs and goals.  When those are met, they are ready to graduate from the CCS program.  When that consumer graduates, they often no longer need services provided by DHS and others don’t need the CCS services but are still in need of therapeutic/psychiatric services.  Discussion occurred.

Next Meeting: 

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board will be April 8, 2024, at 4 p.m. in the County Board Room 326A.  

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Jake Roxen, to adjourn at 4:45 p.m.  Motion carried.