Human Services Board

hsbminutessept2014.pdf (29 KB)

MINUTES

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting:                                            September 8, 5:00 p.m., Room 213, West Square Building, Baraboo, WI

Members Present:                            Scott Alexander, James Bowers, Andrea Lombard, Beverly Vertein, Joan Fordham, Julie Fleming, Peter Vedro, Thomas Kriegl, John Miller

Members Excused:                          None

Members Absent:                             None

Others Present:                                 Dan Brattset, Stephanie Box, Nicole Rachuj, David Zeller, Jennifer Hahn

Chair, Scott Alexander called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the Open Meeting Law.

Motion by Peter Vedro to amend the agenda moving Business Item #6, a  Review and Approve Monthly Vouchers, down as he had a prior commitment,  seconded by James Bowers to adopt  the amended agenda.  Motion Carried.

Motion by John Miller, seconded by Joan Fordham to approve minutes of the previous Human Services Board meeting held on August 8, 2014.

Public Comment

None.

Communication

Sauk County Tobacco Free Coalition approached Peter Vedro to see how schools/county can integrate, attack youth smoking, and work to support schools and communities.  The State has cut funding by 2/3.

Tom Kriegl addressed the homeless impact and the important avenues needed to correct the abundance of homelessness.  Dan added that there are dollars budgeted for 2015 to help an average of 15 families out of homelessness.  In addition, if there are specific issues with homelessness at the end of 2014, there are some potential funds to reallocate from the 2014 budget.  Joan asked this subject be added to the next month’s agenda.

CLOSED SESSION  Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.85 (1)(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation dadta of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.  Performance evaluation of Human Services Director.

Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by Andresa Lombard to go into Closed Session.  Motion Carried.

RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION  Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by Peter Vedro to reconvene to Open Session.  Motion Carried.

Business Items:

Outside Agency Requests:  Dan introduced Fred Hebert from Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Inc (CWCAC).  Historically, Sauk County DHS has helped fund $7500 annually.  Dan Brattset  stated both he and Bill Orth were pleased with that number and proposed to stay with that funding amount.  Fred informed the members how his agency helps five counties of families and how the funding will help benefit in the success stories.  One program is Project Chance, placing families/individuals into rental units, paying for rent assistance, and programs, getting started with a new job, etc. This program has been known to show an 85% success rate.  They also have weatherization projects to assist lower income families weatherize their homes.  Motion by Peter Vedro, seconded by Joan Fordham to approve.  Motion carried.

Dan introduced Ellen Allen from the Hope House.  Ellen explained the services they provide.  She indicated there has been more and more substance abuse and  mental health issues.  When those in need have no other resources or options, Hope House is able to assist.  On an average, an individual with or without children stays approximately 40 days.  During their stay, the staff at Hope House assist with finding affordable housing, finance assistance, have an attorney on-site for restraining orders, etc.  Motion by Joan Fordham, seconded by Beverly Vertein to approve including an annual payment of $25,000 in the 2015 budget.  Motion carried.

Approve Resolution Commending Yvonne (Vonnie) Liefer for 36 Years of Service:  Dan Brattset informed the members of the long, dedicated service Vonnie Liefer gave to the county and asked for approval to commend her for that service.  Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Julie Fleming to approve.  Motion carried.

2015 Budget – Outside Agency Requests:  This was completed above in the Outside Agency Requests.

New Position Requests:  Dan reviewed what he and Bill were taking to the County Board  in October for approval.  Two new positions are being proposed.  The first position is in the Economic Support Unit as a full time ES Support Assistant Supervisor.   This position will assist the ES Manager and perform direct service work.  The second position is a full time Social Worker in the Child Protective Services Unit.  Dan made a correction to the fiscal note of the annual salary to $85,462 annually.

Reappointment of Tom Kolb, Sharon Boesl and Jeff Semenas to the Comprehensive Community Services Coordinating (CCS) Committee:  This Committee is an ongoing committee.  CCS is broken down into adult and children services.  Sauk County DHS staff work in helping those with rehabilitation services.  Motion by Beverly Vertein, seconded by James Bowers to approve.  Motion carried.

 Department Updates

Compensation Classification Appeal Process:  Dan informed the members some staff have expressed that they will be appealing the compensation classification.  Some are doing it as a group as they have similar job descriptions; some are doing the appeal individually.  At this time, Dan has been informed of about a dozen employees, but more could come forth as the deadline approaches.

Public Health Billing for Nursing Services:  Public Health is called upon to help assess children and adults for our Adult Protection Services Unit as well as Child Protection Services Unit.  They are utilized more for APS more than CPS.

Ho-Chunk MOU:  The Ho-Chunk Memorandum of Understanding is based around our Child Protection Services Unit.  We work closely with Ho-Chunk Nation with conflict resolution to keep abreast of what is going on.  It is currently pending some amendments.

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC):  Individual interviews have been completed for the CJCC Coordinator position.

Collaborative Heroin Treatment Project:  Heroin is and has been a huge epidemic not only in Sauk County but other counties as well.  They are finding the best prescription to help addicts is a Vivitrol injection.  Most Insurance companies will cover, but not all.  The Department is currently participating in a project with St. Vincent de Paul, Sauk-Prairie, the Sauk County DA’s Office, local law enforcement, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, as well as numerous other local service providers to coordinate services for those individuals dealing with heroin addiction.

Business Items

Review and Approve Monthly Voucher:  Stephanie Box distributed and reviewed the monthly voucher. Report.

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Scott Alexander to approve the monthly vouchers in the amount of $1,533,616.57. Motion carried.

Noted:  Andrea Lombard dismissed herself at 5:25 pm, John Miller dismissed himself at 5:30 pm, Peter Vedro dismissed himself at 5:55 pm

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board will be October 6th, 2014 at 5:00 P.M.  Joan Fordham has a conflict for the next scheduled meeting and will absent. Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Joan Fordham to adjourn.  Motion Carried.   Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.