HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD MINUTES 08-03-2022SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD MINUTES
August 3, 2022
The Grant County Department of Social Services Board meeting was called to order by Chairperson Don
Splinter at 9:00 AM. Roll Call was taken with Don Splinter, John Beinborn, Robert Scallon, Diane Nelson,
Brian Lucey present. Adam Day was excused. Also present Fred Naatz, Director, Robert Keeney, County
Board Chairman, Shane Drinkwater, Director of IT, Tonya White, County Clerk (z), Amy Esser (z), CeCe
Fishnick (z), Kelly Schlarmann (z), and Nicole Huber (z). The meeting was found to be in compliance with
the open meeting laws. Robert Scallon made a motion to approve the order of the agenda, second by
John Beinborn, motion carried.
Minutes of July 6, 2022 meeting: Diane Nelson made a motion to approve the minutes, John Beinborn
seconded the motion, the motion carried.
Citizen Comments- None
FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Summary of Vouchers: The board reviewed the Vouchers Accounts
Administrative Report 2021: The DSS Management Report was reviewed
Training Costs: The Board reviewed the training costs
Diane Nelson made a motion to approve the three reports, seconded by Robert Scallon. The motion
was approved..
CORRESPONDENCE:
Naatz shared correspondence regarding a Birth to 3 pilot program that Grant County will be a part of.
CeCe Fishnick gave further details of the pilot.
ADMINISTRATION – GENERAL:
ARPA Income Maintenance funds and process. – The Southern IM Consortium received ARPA funds, and
CeCe Fishnick went over the suggestions to utilize the funds. This would include some new laptops as
well as dual monitors for the Income Maintenance workers to increase their efficiencies when working
from home. There was discussion about county policy and if this would be allowable. The department
will look into this possibility.
Research on Fee Charging families: Naatz shared an article entitled Protecting Fragile Families: New
Guidance to Improve Foster Care Referrals Policies and Practices send by DCF. Clark Thelemann
highlighted that research indicates that pursuing child support in foster care cases may cause harm to
poor parents working towards reunification. The research also found that pursuing child support in
foster care cases is not cost effective. A Wisconsin study found that the vast majority of parents in the
child welfare system are poor, with incomes below $10,000 per year. It also found that with each $100
in child support increases the time spent in foster care by 6 months. The Board discussed the fee
charging issues, and gave guidance to review the department’s fee charging policies. Naatz indicated
that Thelemann and he would work on drafting a new policy taking this research into consideration.
Request to refill a Service Support Specialist position. Naatz explained that the recent social work vacant
position was filled by a current Service Support Specialist, creating a vacancy there. John Beinborn,
seconded by Robert Scallon, made a motion to refill the position. The motion carried.
Updated Complaint Process/procedure – Naatz discussed the directive from DCF to update the
department’s Complaint Process, and shared the updated policy, which reflected the template DCF
shared. Diane Nelson made a motion to approve the updated policy, seconded by Scallon. The motion
carried.
2023 Budget planning – Naatz shared that the county was not going to be using the process it had used
over the last few years, where department heads met as a team to attempt to balance the county
budget. This year, the Finance Director and County Board chair will review all budgets, and make
recommendations to balance the total budget.
Safety Update – staff input – The board was updated on the safety concerns resulting from several
situations that have come up over the last few months. Staff present shared their views, highlighting
the need to feel safe in the building. Currently the department is looking at installing bullet proof glass
in the reception area and moving a camera to better see the front door. Staff is asking that the main
door into Social Services be similar to how schools operate, with it being locked and a remote buzzer
and intercom to allow visitors to enter the waiting room. The board directed that department heads at
the CSB meet to discuss how best to address the issues and provide safety for staff.
COVID Update – Naatz shared that numerous staff either have tested positive for COVID – 19 recently,
or have had a close contact, which greatly limits what those staff can do. We are following guidance
from the CDC and Health Department, and erroring on caution to reduce any transmittal.
Director’s report: Naatz shared that The Resource Fair and Backpack Pickup event will be held again on
August 25th at the county fairgrounds, and encouraged board members to drop in. Naatz also shared
that a county meeting to look at creating a Health and Human Services Department was held, to review
if it would be a good time to make the transition. Directors from Unified, the Health Department and
Social Services , along with the County Board Chair, Human Resources Director and Finance Director
attended. Further meetings are planned.
ADJOURMENT- At 10:40 AM, Robert Scallon made a motion to adjourn until September 7, 2022, which
was seconded by Brian Lucey. . The motion carried, the meeting was adjourned