Human Services Committee

hsbminutesmar2014.pdf (27 KB)

MINUTES

SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting:                                            March 10, 2014, 5:00 p.m., B24, West Square Building, Baraboo, WI

Members Present:                            Scott Alexander, James Bowers, Andrea Lombard, Beverly Vertein, Thomas Kriegl, Ruth Dawson, Julie Fleming

Members Excused:                          John Miller

Members Absent:                             Mark Detter

Others Present:                                 Orth, Brattset, Box

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

Motion by Andrea Lombard, seconded by Ruth Dawson to adopt the agenda.  Motion Carried.

Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Beverly Vertein to approve minutes of the previous meeting.  Motion Carried.

Public Comment

None

Communications: 

               None

Business Items:

Review and Approve Monthly Vouchers:  Box distributed and reviewed the Monthly Voucher Report.  It was noted that there was a decrease in Salary and Benefits due to the timing of the pay period.  Contracted Labor and Administrative was up due to annual Hope House, CWCAC payments.  Community Living and Support were down due to timing of contracts.  Community Treatment was down due to having paid several months previously and contracts pending.  Institutions were up due to an increase in expenses for Mendota and Winnebago.  Energy Services was down due to no 2014 invoices as of yet.  Motion by Andrea Lombard, seconded by James Bowers to approve the monthly vouchers in the amount of $918,277.33.  Discussion.  James Bowers noted he had received calls from consumers for Energy Assistance which seems to be a problem.  Orth noted that perhaps it is due to income guidelines and individuals having a need for propane.  Orth will check on utilization with Energy Assistance.  Motion Carried.

Presentation-Homelessness (Susan Tucker-CWCAC):  Susan Tucker from CWCAC presented a report on homelessness and reviewed the recent point in time statistics and how they are determined.  Also noting that this does not include the Transitional Living Program of CWCAC or Project Chance.  Susan stated that it is likely another 100 people doubled up and living in other situations that are also not counted.  Scott Alexander asked what can be done.  Susan Tucker said that the simple answer is more affordable housing.  There are some programs for this, however, there are more needs than availability.  Susan Tucker indicated that 70% need short term resources to support getting back into stable housing.  The remaining 30%; 20% need case management for six months to two years such as Project Chance; and 10-20% will always need some sort of supportive process for housing.  James Bowers asked how many involve children.  Susan Tucker indicated that many of the individuals are single, however, there are some children and families and they often get case management and temporary affordable resources.  Susan Tucker noted that we still have many landlords who take a risk with tenants and she thankful for this.  Project Chance was reviewed.  This is a 24 month federal grant program through HUD.  This involves case management for up to 15 months and serves 30-40 families annually.  Approximately six slots become open annually.  Therefore, there are some (unknown number) turned away.  Both families and single adults are served in this program.  If a county wanted, they could expand slots from this program.  The case management component costs approximately $1900 annually and housing costs are approximately $550 per month minimum  for about 15 months.  Project Chance has existed since 2004 with case management.  Beverly Vertein asked about foreclosure prevention.  Susan Tucker indicated that there are agencies that do this, but CWCAC does not at this time.  When asked what the top three requests would be, Susan Tucker replied rapid housing dollars which would allow families and individuals to stabilize often in their existing housing.  Secondly, case management dollars.  Lastly, Project Chance slots.   

Reappointment of  James Bowers – Citizen Member Human Services Board:  Motion by Beverly Vertein, seconded by Ruth Dawson to recommend the reappointment of  James Bowers as Citizen Member of the Human Services Board.  Motion Carried.  James Bowers abstained.

Reappointment of Beverly Vertein – Citizen Member Human Services Board:  Motion by Andrea Lombard, seconded by James Bowers to recommend the reappointment of Beverly Vertein as Citizen Member of the Human Services Board.  Motion Carried.  Beverly Vertein abstained.

Estimated Year End:  Box noted the year end figure as estimated at $2,018,106.83 with a carry forward from 2012-2013 as $2,365,831.83. 

Approval of Carry Forward Request:  Orth/Box reviewed the carry forward requests (see attached). They include: carry forward for MIS Department projects, CSP medical room update, Reedsburg telehealth, Avatar form build, overtime for Data/Fiscal and Support Unit, IT equipment for electronic records, Billing window redesign, conference room tables and chairs, consultants and training.  The carry forward request total is $289,595.00.  Motion by Andrea Lombard, seconded by Beverly Vertein to approve the carry forward request as reviewed above.  Motion Carried.      

2013 Annual Report:  Orth presented a draft of the 2013 Annual Report for the Sauk County Department of Human Services (see attached).  He briefly reviewed the report and outcome efficiency measures.  Motion by Ruth Dawson, seconded by Andrea Lombard to send the 2013 Annual Report to Kathy Schauf, Administrative Coordinator.  Motion Carried.  

Department Updates:

Housing First Model/Homelessness:  Orth referenced several articles in the board packet regarding the credibility of  Housing First model programs.  Orth noted that these can be used for future reference information.       

Justice Continuum Committee:  Orth updated that the Justice Continuum Committee will disband and it will become a Justice Coordinating Committee as per a Resolution which has been forwarded to the full County Board.  In addition, the candidates for the Justice Coordinator position are currently being interviewed.

CCS Regionalization:  Orth noted that Columbia, Richland and Sauk have begun the process of discussing detail for the CCS Regionalization.  There is currently a draft MOU and Orth will bring this to the Board for discussion at a future meeting.

Hospitalization Report:  Orth referenced the Hospitalization Report (see attached).  There was a noted reduction in hospitalization in general, both days and number of admissions.  Brattset noted that this is a credit to staff’s hard work, maintaining individuals in the community.

Tom Kriegl distributed an article on “waiting lists” for AODA Services in Dane County.   

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board will be April 7, 2014 at 5:00 P.M.  Motion by James Bowers, seconded by Julie Fleming to adjourn.  Motion Carried.     

Ruth Dawson