HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARD

Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
6:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Hampson, Jill Billings, Tammy Gamroth, Loren Kannenberg, Dr. James Glasser, Bill Brockmiller, David Trapp
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Margaret Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Erickson
GUESTS AND STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Huber, Doug Mormann, Tim Garrity, Jane Klekamp, Sara Koopman, Ron Berg, Mary Ellen Prinsen, Sue Conard, Fran Hegenbarth, Becky Barnes, Pam Bendel, Jim Shurson, Joan Mueller, Vicki Burke, Beverly Mach, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER
HHS Board Chair Sharon Hampson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
HHS Board Retreat July 16 – From 5:00-7:00 p.m. in basement auditorium of HHS bldg; food will be served. Focus will be on budget development and priorities.
June County Board Action – County Board unanimously approved the resolution that created the ADRC Advisory Committee.
Additional:
Jerry Huber received a recognition/service award from the Wisconsin Counties Human Services Association; picture and article in recent issue of the WCA magazine.
Board members introduced themselves as David Trapp was attending his first meeting. Mr. Trapp also shared background information as well as noted his interest in health and human services.
Doug Mormann distributed new HHS Board membership listing that showed names, contact information, and membership terms.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.

RESOLUTION
Resolution re Closing of Fund 955 West Central Consortium – MOTION by Glasser/Brockmiller to approve the resolution. Jerry briefly reviewed, noting the balance in funds is no longer needed for planning and the development of a regional plan for long term care for the elderly and disabled persons, thus these funds can be returned back to other accounts within Human Services; total of funds is $2,794.71. Motion carried unanimously; Wood excused; Erickson absent.

BOARD EDUCATION
COMPASS 3 – Great Rivers United Way – Becky Barnes, the COMPASS 3 and Volunteer Center Coordinator, gave an overview on the COMPASS 3 process and results; in addition, she distributed various brochures and other handouts. Great Rivers United Way coordinates the needs assessment for heath and social services for the counties of Houston, Monroe, Trempealeau, Vernon and La Crosse; this study is the 3rd since mid 1990’s. COMPASS 3 is a community building process that involves people taking action to improve their communities as better places to live, work, play, raise a family and grow old. Surveys were sent to 4,000 random households and dozens of focus groups were held in all five counties. The results were used to identify both regional and county issues which will lead to the development of specific community actions; this is where the HHS Board assistance is needed. Specific La Crosse County issues:

  1. Individual and community financial challenges: transportation, housing and money management

  2. Personal and community responsibility: drug, alcohol & tobacco misuse & abuse, obesity, and ownership in responsibility

  3. Health and wellbeing of residents: affordable health care, access to dental care, and access to mental health care

  4. Violence toward others and oneself: child abuse, domestic abuse, elder care, and suicide

  5. Diversity and inclusiveness: greater multicultural understanding & sensitivity and inclusiveness in decision making & opportunities

  6. Conserve and protect our natural resources: air quality, water quality, land use, energy & alternative energy, and recycling & disposal

Miscellaneous discussion and questions. Becky noted the entire COMPASS 3 report is 142 pages and is available on their website: www.greatriversunitedway.org.

Policy, Practice, People of Environmental Health – Ron Berg gave an overview of the septic tank requirements of the State and of the County. The County Sanitary and Private Sewage System Ordinance requires an owner of a private septic system to provide the Health Dept. with documentation that the septic tank has been pumped every three years, and a visual inspection of the septic field is also required. La Crosse County also requires a $15 management fee. The Environmental Dept. has on file septic system permits dating back to 1970, but still feels that there could be 1,200 not identified. Jim Shurson from A-1 Advanced Pumping gave a brief overview as a pumper; it’s a good program that is designed to protect the ground and surface waters as well as extend the life of the septic system. Miscellaneous questions and discussion.

POLICY ISSUES
Women’s Community Based Housing Program – Board Chair Hampson distributed copies of Reid Magney’s article, “The Politics of Women Inmates and Children” plus a copy of Jane Klekamp’s letter to the editor, “Neighbors Gave Positive Messages.” Board Chair Hampson noted the women’s community based housing program was a recommendation of The Carey Group and is intended for low risk women. The City has offered a short term (approx. 1 year) lease of properties at 1118/1120 Kane Street and 1102/1104 St. Paul Street; within that year, the City and County will work on long-term housing that may include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. She noted the first location on Cameron Avenue is still an option. Jane Klekamp noted staff from Justice Sanctions and YWCA made door-to-door visits with neighbors within 300 feet of the Kane/St. Paul Streets; packets of information were left with them. There were mixed reactions.

Discussions by HHS Board members. Supervisor Brockmiller said the north side location is the better location; Kannenberg concurred noting the Cameron Ave. location already has enough group homes. Dr. Glasser thought the Cameron Ave. location is a better fit. Jane noted a neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14th at the Northside Community Policing Center located at 713 St. James Street; if the HHS Board agrees with the meeting, a letter will be sent to home-owners in that area. General agreement by the HHS Board to proceed with northside community meeting, including the mailing of the prepared letter on behalf of the HHS Board. There will be further discussion at the August HHS Board meeting.

Preferred Provider Issue with Contracted Family Interaction Services – Mary Ellen Prinsen reviewed the situation whereby the preferred provider, PATH, has terminated their contract and plans to close their La Crosse Office at the end of August. The contract is for the Family Interaction Program that offers services to Child Protective Services clients that also includes CHARM (children at risk monitor), PVM (parent visitation monitor), PSW (parent support worker), and intensive in-home counseling. At the time of the RFP (June 2007), PATH was chosen as the preferred provider, though Stein Counseling and Coulee Youth Center agreed to be secondary providers at the same rate. In June, 2008, PATH requested a rate increase from $43/hour to $48/hour, but the department cannot accept the increase as the budget would reach a shortfall by end August 2008. Stein Counseling and Coulee Youth have agreed to provide Family Interaction Services at a reduced rate of $37/hour. Informational.

Development of Adolescent Center in the Juvenile Facility of La Crosse County – Jerry Huber reviewed. A resolution was originally planned for today’s meeting, but the agreed upon pay scale and classification of the workers for the center has not been finalized with the union and Personnel Dept., therefore, plan to present a resolution in August. For the new HHS Board members, Mary Ellen shared historical background relating to the original Juvenile Detention facility, then Juvenile Day Center, and now proposed Adolescent Center. For the proposed Adolescent Center, six counties are interested in purchasing all or part of a bed which would provide income to La Crosse County. The proposed center would house 10-17 year olds which would not be allowed to stay more than 30 days without special arrangements being made. Children would be placed by unit, most being court ordered, intake, sanctions, or 72-hour holds (CPS, Juvenile Justice or children with special needs). Reasons for use: assessment, stabilization, respite, emergency, change of placement. Outcomes: reunification with family and safety, kinship placement with relatives, return to original foster home with safety plan, and after assessment, refer for services with community providers. Financial information, including cost analysis, was included in the HHS Board packet. Miscellaneous discussion and questions. This will come back next month with a resolution recommendation to proceed with development.


Policy, Practice, People of Human Services Administration / Process for Budget and Planning – Jerry reviewed. Copies of PowerPoint presentation, “Human Services Budget Process” were included in the HHS Board packets. Major factors that impact the budget include: federal and state funding, demand for services, and rising staff costs (health insurance). He has asked all managers to control spending and to come up with zero percent budget increase without using funds from the Human Services reserve account. Other factors/strategies include: improvement in forecasting, look at multiple year trends, and be proactive in working with the state, feds and legislature.

Day in the Life Results – Board Chair Hampson noted 2 area legislators attended, plus two County Board Members that are non-HHS Board members. Discussion on the timing of the event. Mary Ellen offered and welcomed office visits at any time.

Board member Replacement – David Trapp was appointed at the July 7th County Board meeting for balance of Al Thompson’s three year term, expiring April 30, 2010.

Use of Electronic Packet – After minimal discussion, general agreement that electronic packets not needed due to amount of staff time to create. Other suggestions were made, such as only posting the Consent Agenda items. It will be discussed further at the next agenda setting meeting.

Board Retreat Planning – Board Chair Hampson again noted July 16 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with focus on the 2009 budget.

Budget Hearing Discussion – Had minimal participation with total of four speakers in relation to: Coulee Region Humane Society, La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium, and Home Health Care, and a letter from Options in Reproductive Care. Discussion on how to get better participation.

DIRECTORS REPORTS
Health Department Written Director’s Report
Human Services Written Director’s Report
Board Chair Hampson noted upcoming NALBOH meeting in Madison on July 22-24 and encouraged HHS Board members to attend. Other miscellaneous questions and discussion.

CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Brockmiller/Billings to receive and file the following Consent Agenda items. Motion carried unanimously; Wood excused; Erickson absent.
Minutes:

  1. Health & Human Services Board of 6/10/08

  2. Joint Meeting of HHS Board & Aging & Long Term Care Committee of 6/9/08

  3. Consumer Advisory Council of 5/16/08

  4. Coulee Region Public Health Consortium of 6/4/08

  5. Labor/Management of 6/24/08

  6. Aging & Disability Resource Center of Western Wisconsin Advisory Committee of 6/10/08

  7. West Central Consortium Steering Subcommittee of 5/14/08

  8. Family Policy Board/Management Council of 6/19/08

  9. Criminal Justice Management Council of 6/18/08

  10. Criminal Justice Management Council Executive Committee of 6/11/08

Fiscal:

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

  1. Adolescent Center

  2. Women’s Community based Housing Program

  3. Tobacco Study

  4. Chapter 51 Overview

  5. Cat licensing

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, August 12th at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Brockmiller/Hampson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Wood excused; Erickson absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Disclaimer: the above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next board meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder