Long Term Support Advisory Committee

Members Present: Art Carlson, Bert Vaillancourt, Kathy Warwick (for Cindy Bodendein), Carie Pieper, Eddie Scanlan, Shell Lea Hainz, Alice Moyer, Judith Stoeckmann, Charlotte Taylor, Bridgitte Bodette

Members Absent: Trish Vandre, Theron Hill, Susan Tucker

Call to Order and Certification of the Open Meeting Law:

Carlson called the meeting to order and certified compliance with the open meeting law.

Adopt Agenda:

Taylor moved to approve agenda, seconded by Moyer, passed by unanimous vote.

Approval of May 19, 2010 Meeting Minutes:

Stoeckmann moved to approve minutes, seconded by Moyer, passed by unanimous vote.

Presentation on Certified Community Services (CCS) by Jeff Semenas:

CCS came out of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Mental Health. In Sauk County, the Department of Human Services asked Jeff to lead this under the supervision of Sharon Boesl, outpatient manager in Baraboo. They developed the program in April 2006 and they had a State grant to help get the program up and running. They started with about 20 consumers and have since grown as they also started with only adults and now serve children as well. CCS programs need to serve people of all ages who have mental illness. It provides more intensive services than Outpatient therapy and less intensive services than the Community Support Program (CSP). Criteria to be in CCS include: having an Axis I mental health diagnosis, being found eligible on the Mental Health Functional Screen, and having Medical Assistance. It is designed to be individualized and person centered. CCS is designed to also be very flexible in working with the consumer knowing that all consumers have different needs and strengths. The state code for CCS is HFS 36.

Once someone is referred to CCS they go through the following process:

1. Assessment: This takes about a month and the mental health worker interviews the consumer and his/her family members or support people to find out about a number of “domains” pertaining to the person, primarily regarding: family life, mental health history, cultural identity, work/education history, etc.
2. A team of natural supports is developed for the individual and a Recovery Plan is developed to help everyone work towards the consumer’s goals. This team could include family members, employers, support people, clergy, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, etc.

The State organizes quarterly meetings for counties with certified CCS programs. Currently there are 31 counties with programs. Sauk County’s program currently serves about 15 adults and 5 consumers are being assessed for appropriateness. They also serve 18 children. The average length a consumer is in CCS is 2 to 3 years. Also, the CCS has a women’s group for current and previous consumers that is very popular. This group is one part socialization and one part therapeutic. We are grateful that Jeff came to talk about CCS.

Member updates:

None

Discuss possible future meeting topics:

John Peterson, Sauk County Health Care Center

Public Comment:

None.

Next Meeting Dates:

November 17, 2010

Adjournment:

Stoeckmann moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Vaillancourt, passed by unanimous vote.

Submitted by: Eddie Scanlan, Community Support Program Supervisor