Human Services Committee

Human Services Board January Minutes (22 KB)

Members Present: Alexander, Bowers, Vertein, Dippel, Fordham, Endres, Stoeckmann

Members Excused: Fabisiak, Sinklair

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Box

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

Motion by Bowers, seconded by Dippel to adopt the agenda. Motion Carried.

Motion by Fordham, seconded by Bowers to approve minutes of the previous meeting. Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

Communications:

CWCAC Update: Fordham noted that CWCAC does excellent work in terms of the staff, but she has some concerns that the budget was not on the agenda and it was taken into Closed Session, which in her opinion was not correct. Fordham remains concerned that management of CWCAC is of concern. The budget for CWCAC was approved at $6.9 million. The Executive Committee will report on the Executive Director personnel review. Fordham is the Chair of the Client Services Committee and is having a meeting to discuss focus of the committee. After that time, department update roles will be discussed.

Business Items:

1. Review and Approval of Monthly Vouchers: Box distributed the monthly voucher report (see attached). Stoeckmann reported a summary which included an increase in Administrative expenses due to staff travel increase. Increase in Community Residential due to paying one vendor two months. A decrease in Community Residential due to expenses being down this month. In addition there was reconciliation with Catholic Charities due to no speech therapy provided for a period of time. The Institution costs were down due to Mendota billing being down. Income Maintenance was up due to an increase in funerals. There was also a slight increase in Energy Assistance. Box reported on Accounts Receivable due to a pay back of money that was received from the Waiver Program in 2008 as an overpayment due to changing to Family Care. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Bowers to approve vouchers at $2,396,782.00. Motion Carried.
2. Resolution Honoring Dr. Clemens S. Schmidt: (See attached) Motion by Endres, seconded by Dippel to approve the Resolution as submitted. Discussion. Fordham noted the importance for the full Board to honor Dr. Schmidt as well as understand the importance of these contracted positions for Sauk County Department of Human Services. Motion Carried.
3. Resolution Authorizing Joining Marsh County Health Alliance Commission: (See attached) Orth submitted a resolution authorizing joining Marsh County Health Alliance Commission. Corporation Counsel has amended some of the technical aspects of the intergovernmental charter and will continue to amend as necessary to submit back to the Commission. Motion by Bowers, seconded by Fordham to approve the Resolution as written. Discussion. Fordham is comfortable with Corporation Counsel reviewing and finalizing the intergovernmental charter. Motion Carried.

Department Updates:

1.  Alternative Response Pilot: Orth updated the committee that the proposal for the Alternative Response Pilot Program has gone into the State. Orth noted that 12 counties responded and the State will chose four of these counties. Sauk County Department of Human Services will find out in the next month or so and this will be reported back to the board.
2. Intoxicated Driver Program Assessment Contract Change: Brattset reported that the IDP Assessment contract awarded to St. Clare Center has been going well in the transition from Pauquette Center. There are some information technology logistics to continue to work on regarding installation of software so that St. Clare Center can submit directly to the Department of Transportation. These issues seem to be going smoothly and the transition date has passed. More information will be forwarded to the board, if necessary, as this transition occurs.
3. Southwest Family Care Alliance Update: Orth noted that the Southwest Family Care Alliance at the end of 11/09 will be approximately one million in deficit with projections of $1.3 million for 2009. This has depleted their reserves and the state will continue to support the business plan development which projects a $500,000 profit in 2010 to re-supply the reserve. Administrative costs and care management costs are within bench mark, but the direct service cost from providers has been over. Provider rates will be reduced and a 2% addition will be added to the capitation rate which the state has approved . By mid 2010, the Southwest Family Care Alliance should begin to realize a profit and the state will continue to review this. This is a statewide concern for other Family Care Districts as well. Orth will go to the full board in March or April 2010 to report the status. Discussion. Bowers indicated concern that the quality of care could be diminished if providers are paid less. Orth does not think that this will happen and a review of care plans at times have revealed that providers have provided care not congruent with need reflected in the care plan. Fordham noted that the CFO for Southwest Family Care Alliance seems to have a good knowledge of evaluating the situation and therefore Southwest Family Care Alliance is in good position to succeed. This is not a Sauk County problem, in a sense, in that the state holds the risk. There was brief discussion that although the state holds the risk, our county residents could suffer a diminished service delivery which would then have an impact on the Sauk County Department of Human Services.
4. Federal Child and Family Services Review: Orth spoke about the CFSR being the week of April 12, 2010. Counties that will participate include: Milwaukee, LaCrosse, and a combination of Columbia and Sauk County. Ten thousand dollars will be given to cover expenses for this review. This review will consist of file review and some interviews with a compliance focus and will last about a day. Some stake holders may be asked to be spoken to. Orth will update the board as needed.
5. Year End Estimate: Box reported the year end estimate in August of 2009 to be about $253,00. However, through October of 2009, the estimate was adjusted to $157,000 favorable. Box noted that given final payroll numbers, adjustment to the favorable would be, at this point, about $110,000. Some changes occurred regarding health insurance as well as Youth Aids and a decrease in Correction referrals, as well as increase in CBRF's and placements in general. In addition, intensive autism costs have also been up somewhat. The MIS carry forward and $50,000 Family Care is already figured in to this projection. Box will keep the board updated as the final 2009 figures become available.

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board is scheduled for Monday, February 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Bowers, seconded by Endres to adjourn. Motion Carried.

Bev Vertein