Human Services Committee

apr_2011.pdf (27 KB)

MINUTES
SAUK COUNTY BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES

Meeting: April 4, 2011, 5:00 p.m., County Board Gallery, Baraboo, WI

Members Present: Bowers, Fabisiak, Vertein, Dippel, Fordham, Lombard, Stoeckmann, Sinklair

Members Excused: Alexander

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Orth, Brattset, Box

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

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

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

Public Comment
None

Communications:
Homelessness – Jim Bowers
Bowers spoke about several meetings having occurred recently in Sauk County regarding homelessness. There was a presentation by Safe Harbor and Community Action. Susan Tucker from Community Action spoke about the Portage Shelter. In the Baraboo meeting there were discussions of the status of Homeless Haven. History was shared and there was a focus on future suggestions with following up with a subsequent steering committee to look at moving forward. There was clear consensus that a business plan is needed. Fordham noted that if a business plan is developed a case management plan needs to be part of the planning for it to be effective. Sinklair asked about clarification of a case management plan, inquiring if this were for individuals in the shelter. Lombard indicated that yes, this must be for people who are in the shelter. They must be interviewed and you cannot take everyone.

Business Items:

A. Review and Approval of Monthly Vouchers: Box distributed the monthly voucher report. Salary and Benefits were down due to the timing of the pay period. Administration was down due to last month’s bills being paid to Hope House and CWCAC. Community Living and Support was increased due to additional expenses with contracts being completed, Community Treatment was up due to receiving billings for two months for WEAP and Tellurian. Income Maintenance also saw an increase in funerals this month, and Energy Assistance was up due to two month’s being paid in this time period. Motion by Stoeckmann, seconded by Bowers to approve the monthly vouchers in the amount of $1,036,700.03. Motion Carried.

B. Carry Forward Request: Box reviewed the Carry Forward Requests and summarized (see attached). She noted that projections are favorable to budget by $345,297.00, combined with previous years for a total of $604,318 favorable. There are still some revenues to be collected. There is a total Carry Forward Request that includes the cost of two vehicles, MIS Projects, CMHC Upgrade for a total of $189,800.00. This would leave an estimated favorable balance of $414,518.00. Fordham inquired as to if the $414,518.00 would go to the General Fund? Orth indicated, yes. Motion by Sinklair, seconded by Fordham to approve the Carry Forward Request as noted at $189,800.00. Motion Carried.




Department Updates:

A. Adult Protective Services Presentation – Bill Bishop: Bill Bishop spoke about Adult Protective Services within Sauk County Department of Human Services. In specific, he reviewed assessment processes of voluntary and involuntary services, guardianships, court ordered evaluations, and protective placements. Bishop spoke about the vulnerable adult statute having occurred in 2006 and the increase this has had on the workload with increased referrals since that time. Bishop noted that the workload is increasing, especially in the area of vulnerable adults. In addition, Bishop noted that Adult Protective Services relies on three small, but vital grants: the Elder Abuse Direct Services Grant, which is $22,000 but very important, currently serving seven people in the county with this grant. The Supportive Home Care Block Grant, serving about 18 people and is about $80,000. Lastly, the Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver’s Grant, which is about $13,000, serving three people. Bishop summarized, speaking about the I-Team Process and Community Care Resource Group.

B. 2011-2013 Biennial Budget Proposal: Orth spoke about three major concerns regarding the Governor’s Budget Proposal for 2011-2013. The Family Care gap is a concern and the Department’s have counted on total enrollment, particularly in Sauk County in September of 2011. This cap could result in a waiting list and there could be a return to previous service delivery waits. In addition there is concern that Adult Protective Services will be called more often in that people will be on the waiting list and more progressed in their needs. Also, some guardians may pursue court ordered services and Sauk County Department of Human Services would have to pay for these services without funding. WCHSA is working very hard to get the Governor to remove the Family Care cap as well as the 10% cut in Youth Aids. Another issue within the Governor’s budget is the closing of Ethan Allen and Southern Oaks youth institutions which counties acknowledge needs to occur. However, concerns that increases are occurring within the calendar year 2011 as part of the Budget Repair Bill. An effort by WCHSA is being made to defer these increases if they are to occur to the next budget cycle as counties have already budgeted money and this presents a hardship to impose increased costs during the current budget year.

C. Proposed Transfer of Income Maintenance to State: Orth distributed a handout on Income Maintenance transfer to the State (see attached). The Governor proposes this will save $48 million dollars. In Sauk County this means about 10-11 staff could be removed from the Department. The State overall would decrease employees by an estimated 270 state-wide. It is unclear how this would directly affect Sauk County, but the Department would be affected. WCHSA thinks this will restrict access, increase waiting times for registration and result in a poorer quality of service to applicants. WCHSA has lobbied the Department of Health Services to revisit this and has presented an alternative draft which will be under review in the near future.

D. Program Priorities Meeting – June 6: Orth noted that the June 6 date will be the Human Services annual program priorities meeting.

E. Human Services Day at the Capitol: Orth noted that those who are going to the Human Services Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 have materials. There is a full schedule to meet with Representatives.

F. WCHSA Spring Conference – May 18-20, 2011 Eau Claire: Orth noted that the WCHSA Spring Conference is May 18-20, 2011. Registration materials are in the packet. Please submit them as soon as possible if interested in attending.

The next meeting of the Sauk County Human Services Board is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

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




Andrea Lombard