KANDIYOHI COUNTY BOARD

FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE

MINUTES

February 21, 2012

SECTION A

The meeting was called to order by Vic-Chair Jim Butterfield at 9:00am. The meeting adjourned at 9:52am.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Richard Larson Harlan Madsen

Jim Butterfield

Dean Shuck

Dennis Peterson

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Nancy Norbie – Child Support Supervisor Kathy Nelson – SS Supervisor

Sheila Ellingboe – Accounting Supervisor Sue Leal – IM Supervisor

Corinne Torkelson – SS Supervisor

OTHERS PRESENT:

Mary Rhude (ARC) Bev Ahlquist (press)

Carolyn Lange (press) Ann Stehn (PH Director)

Motion made by Larson and supported by Peterson to approve February 7, 2012 minutes…passed unanimously.

Motion made by Shuck and supported by Larson to approve allowance of bills…passed unanimously.

I.  AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS

There were no agreements/contracts presented for consideration

II.  GENERAL BUSINESS DISCUSSION

A) Sheila Ellingboe kicked off a summary of the Annual Report with some detailed information on the activity of her unit and the overall financial status of the agency. She presented a number of graphs that describe the “flow” of revenues and expenses through Family Services, and highlighted trends that are most noticeable. These documents will all be attached to the final copy of the Annual Report, and distributed next month.

The Board was most interested in the proportional spending on health care related services and growth in that area…again noting that it represents the lion’s share of our business. There were also questions about increases in food support activity tied to the economy outreach activity (to elders) and a loosening of eligibility criteria.

February 21, 2012

B) Nancy Norbie gave the Annual Report summary and highlights for the Child Support unit. She shared a document of historic trends for collections having reached $5,396,236.61 in 2011. She noted that, of almost 2,400 cases opened, around half are tied to MFIP…the rest private. Nancy also shared that the economic downturn over the last several years has had an impact on their business/collections. She summarized the number of cases where non-custodial parents were unemployed as rising to a peak in 2010 and down-turning slightly this past year.

Nancy shared some successes of the last year. She noted an increase in the number of personal contacts with non-custodial parents in order to keep support on track. She also shared a new emphasis, proving fruitful, to intervene early when payments are interrupted…getting flexible remediation in place to avoid extensive/overwhelming arrears and/or court action. Her unit has also made great progress in a complex but necessary endeavor…the reconciliation of child support across state lines. Finally, she shared success in a particular case that allowed collection in $65,000 of arrears due to persistent effort and the use of all administrative tools available.

With gratitude, Kieft noted that the Child Support unit brings a relational, “high-touch” approach to what could be a very impersonal system. This pays off as an investment. The beneficiaries are children who deserve the active support of both parents in their lives.

III.  DIRECTOR’S ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

A) Kieft gave another update on the Southern Prairie Health Purchasing Alliance with special emphasis on a meeting held with DHS Commissioner Jesson this past week. She is very supportive of the SPHPA efforts and encouraged our continued pursuit of the Rural Coordinated Care System (CBP/ACO hybrid) model that we’ve heard summarized for this Committee. Kieft also brought a resolution for Board consideration which serves to solidify/formalize our association with, and commitment to the SPHPA partnership. The resolution will be need to support our pursuit of grants and other supports that are on the horizon. Larson moved and Shuck supported approval of the resolution and it passed unanimously.

February 21, 2012

IV.  POLICY

V.  ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

A.  INCOME MAINTENANCE

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
January, 2012
January, 2012 / January, 2011
Total MFIP cases / 290 / 280
Total DWP / 31 / 20
Total GA / 116 / 99
Total MSA / 153 / 177
2372 cases/5346 persons / 2236 cases/4984 persons
Total Food Stamps / 4092 cases / 3547 cases
Medical Assistance / 3535 adults / 2990 adults
4036 children / 3937 children
GA Medical Assistance / 0 cases/0 adults / 66 cases/66 adults
MinnesotaCare / 551 / 909
Refugee Medical / 0 / 2
Refugee Cash / 10 / 0
GRH / 173 / 185

B. SOCIAL SERVICES

WORKER CASELOAD TURNOVER
Number of Workgroups open at the beginning of the month / 1847
Number of intakes this month / 186
Number assigned this month / 135
Number of Workgroups closed / 116
Number of Workgroups open at the end of the month / 1861
REQUEST FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF LICENSING PROVIDERS
Child Foster Care Workgroups opened / 0
Child Foster Care Workgroups closed / 0
Child Foster Care Workgroups re-licensed / 2
Adult Foster Care Workgroups opened / 0
Adult Foster Care Workgroups closed / 0
Adult Foster Care Workgroups re-licensed / 4
Day Care Workgroups opened / 0
Day Care Workgroups closed / 0
Day Care Workgroups re-licensed / 6
For the month of: January, 2012

February 21, 2012

SECTION B

I.  INCOME MAINTENANCE – Discussion Cases

II.  SOCIAL SERVICES – Discussion Cases

SECTION C

BE IT RESOLVED, that the foregoing record is a true and accurate recording of the official actions and recommendations of the County Board and as such constitutes the official minutes thereof. Payment of assistance, relief, and claims as indicated in these minutes is hereby ordered. The questions were on the adoption of the resolution and the role being called, there were:

______YEAS and ______NAYS

And so resolution was adopted.

______

Chairman, Family Services Committee

Attest: ______

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