[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6313635,"mediaKeyId","2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf","parentId",2387311,"title","Board approves agenda changes, minutes and consent agenda; names, policy wording and future agenda items discussed","audioSeconds",1093,"startMs",31000,"endMs",1124000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf&start=31&end=1124","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf/thumbnail_31000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313635/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-agenda-changes-minutes-and-consent-agenda-names-policy-wording-and-future-agenda-items-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313635-c9256a2016f5d4156b1e8399e52d6fe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584109&Signature=a55Bbn5X37TagNpxTW8xJvWRW1JS442kqcuSUrjD~sucEMvUf2iiVKW87qb9MKILqblYxiABjvsNY3-A9EhjEbNv6RX2vTY3Lg5cYFQ8K2FFpw5vtA-Tw6fPptE0g6PZeIaC-564VN0ljXJsxHj708F-qVX-EE7YsaTvu52mHtsskkoQWwOOmHt9KE-BFpV~UawfDnQMVO83JxukdbT7MRalyyFQ8yq0-kjP1-4wbsZk246EOdm-d5zue1KgPyEO8D3gSXaMQ7KjVO574nXNMzk6Z7DgKJooSdceyIwYJF7uUOeXiMCohOKeGki9ToqjKDlu5ktLjEo1l0w5vfKbqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland County, WI","date","2025-02-25T19:52:51.067Z","article","The Ashland County Health and Human Services Board made several procedural approvals by voice vote and discussed naming, policy and future topics.

During roll call the chair confirmed a quorum. A motion to accept the agenda with two items swapped (items 4c and 6b) was made and seconded; members voted by voice and the motion carried. The board then approved minutes from the previous meeting on a motion (mover: George) that was seconded (Dr. Horning). Later in the meeting the board approved a consent agenda containing 16 items after a motion and second; that motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned on a motion that was seconded by Laura Cruz and carried by voice vote.

Board members asked clarifying questions on consent-agenda materials. One supervisor asked whether “Ashland County Health Department” and “Ashland County Health and Human Services” are interchangeable; staff replied that “Health and Human Services” is the umbrella agency that houses public health and adult services units, and acknowledged inconsistent naming in some written materials. A supervisor asked about a draft policy titled “protection of information for reproductive health care”; staff said they are anticipating work on that topic but that no related action is underway yet.

Future-agenda items flagged during the meeting included a request for a discussion of homelessness and its local impacts and an update from the county planning committee on the comprehensive-plan process. The board also offered an optional tour of Human Services facilities after adjournment for members interested in the space-needs study.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/19/2025 Ashland County Health & Human Services Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Ashland County Health and Human Services Board approved several procedural items — an amended agenda, minutes and a 16-item consent agenda — by voice vote and discussed naming conventions and a draft policy on reproductive-health information.","taxTitle","Ashland County, Wisconsin","taxId",72843,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313640,"Public health report: environmental audit favorable, flu activity high, vending machines distributed 313 Narcan kits",189,1361000,1550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf&start=1361&end=1550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf/thumbnail_1361000.jpg","/articles/6313640/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Public-health-report-environmental-audit-favorable-flu-activity-high-vending-machines-distributed-313-Narcan-kits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313640-76388205f73801f0f90af48cf6c6a207/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584109&Signature=P9cNztccm3dPe0GKw9n3rWk4Fd0hDpy6LSZ3J1qnvyeeDwZEQX0-ghHaNmFzto~90-FXn5YIk4523C1zBSE3WFQiucEljIIVfTTCN6uyaetXvBDH-9SpbooxUF9obza4BVcVy7SvD0EqNz72Zkfku-1TiDPX-Vmjuifw0evZM3w5Cit8e4jpMkaQrXIVnUESXXITOHq21piCxOCP2naIwb6oTBLeXU8QoMIXmz5jddlSa8SEu2sXloL6V7jW3vPL~XNkUmdqcbeffw68FUT4qK3E04iwR0b-vqeNEmTgW-x62UHfXq6DTyBi3DJxH6WxedgmKCCF8yOe81Wu7RB9lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public-health staff briefed the Ashland County Health and Human Services Board on multiple topics: an environmental health audit, respiratory illness trends, vaccination rates and community harm-reduction distribution through vending machines.

Staff said the county’s DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) environmental health audit went “very well” for Ashland County as an individual agent, but a lower review for a consortium counterpart reduced the consortium average and will require a corrective action plan. Staff said corrective actions will likely involve the consortium partner more than Ashland County.

On respiratory illnesses, staff reported influenza-like illness is at very high sustained levels locally, driven largely by influenza A, and that this season is the worst in 15 years by several measures. RSV activity remains high, particularly among preschool-aged children, while COVID-19 is at moderate-to-low levels and trending down in some areas. Staff said the statewide flu-vaccination rate is 33%, and Ashland County’s vaccination rate has fallen to the state average of 33% after prior seasons of 36%, 41% and 46%; staff said vaccine supply is available and that vaccination appears effective at reducing hospitalizations and severe outcomes.

Staff also reviewed harm-reduction vending-machine activity. The county currently operates three public-health vending machines stocked with Narcan (naloxone) boxes, Narcan Go kits and other items. Since rollout, staff reported the machines have dispensed 228 boxes of Narcan and 85 Narcan Go kits (313 items total), averaging about 6.5 boxes per week between the three machines. The machines also carry fentanyl test strips, medication disposal bags, condoms, medication lock boxes and COVID-test kits when supply allows.

Staff further summarized a briefing on PFAS funding included in the governor’s executive budget: funding is earmarked to the Department of Natural Resources for PFAS monitoring and mitigation, including a well-abandonment grant subset for PFAS; staff said some of that funding has not yet been released and that different parties are still negotiating use and timing.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the consortium review and the DATCP partner. Staff identified Sawyer County as the consortium partner whose review lowered the consortium average and said they will work through a corrective action plan with that partner.","Ashland County public-health staff reported a favorable DATCP program review despite a consortium average decline, sustained high influenza A and RSV activity, a decline in flu-vaccination rates to 33%, and distribution of 313 Narcan-related items via three public-health vending machines in their first year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313645,"CCS satisfaction surveys show higher response rate; youth and adult scores remain at or above state benchmarks",86,853000,939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf&start=853&end=939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf/thumbnail_853000.jpg","/articles/6313645/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/CCS-satisfaction-surveys-show-higher-response-rate-youth-and-adult-scores-remain-at-or-above-state-benchmarks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313645-aa3b121ef5189ea7523de8eb51cad7ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584109&Signature=SqL30y7-M-vQyaKrdnCSUsOyj7q6mnVTXzN8SvCdd~cp7zrDCpHj93djs3HRnVV~zYR2Ki2T8cG0Yhqrtl-DcMcmlJRP6FVPbqZ0W7ijAqRvin6AgEzHfUZwsQ0J1Ws4rOzPFQnpVlZkmH5fgo0CjUQfQq4hXbYMHreDm0B5op4A87Cy-4LpjF1SHDehOs9hjQZoFcWc15P7VbG5EsZPx6sD0IdsBnJ6iwZdzr97P5C8ELTGGF6sQjMAl3srS33piNE4fQfEQNlM0pCbs9Il7KKwM67MDLGAcpSagjGQNrK-mxDUjS67Z7oNdBLjIriUVco4lM3fCGNvqw2p7xQofw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Human Services staff presented the annual CCS satisfaction survey results to the Health and Human Services Board, reporting an 85% response rate this year compared with 78% the previous year. Staff said adult survey results remained steady — within 0.1 percentage points of last year — and that youth-domain scores generally improved.

Staff said all reported scores remained at or above the state’s satisfaction benchmark or within 0.1 percentage points. The presenter noted one recurring question — whether respondents feel they “belong in my community” — has historically fluctuated and this year correlated in part with race and gender-identity measures. Staff said Ashland County’s survey population includes a higher share of American Indian respondents (about 25% of the county’s survey respondents) than the state average (about 5%), and that limited local resources tied to racial and gender-identity supports may contribute to lower scores for some youth.

The board was told the program will continue to monitor those domains and consider targeted programming to improve youth perceptions of community belonging. Staff invited board members to contact them with follow-up questions and said the full survey instrument and results are in the meeting packet.","County staff reported a higher response rate in Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) satisfaction surveys — 85% this year vs. 78% last year — and said adult and youth scores remained at or above state satisfaction thresholds, though belonging-community indicators vary for some youth.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313650,"Ashland County staff say opioid-treatment jail grant ends March 31; leftover funds and separate recovery-housing grant discussed",87,333000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf&start=333&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387311-42bfb23509df01054832ee6b2a366eaf/thumbnail_333000.jpg","/articles/6313650/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Ashland-County-staff-say-opioid-treatment-jail-grant-ends-March-31-leftover-funds-and-separate-recovery-housing-grant-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313650-af46fa92e303d6c65676069b2908ba0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584109&Signature=ceczVRk11LxXXz0BvyY7WF2BteQo5B7zz~hWZustUUWjM2hvqAOlL0k6-I9VCAoTv8OoC4SDshp1aEKg5nItj1FmVL4lTqmRW1LTbmIOadR9t36-7ZwyjwEopjU2kRh-y7alBII1xhe40lPqNo89AFQBgSDqXtcF4ukUQ8c3qAKQ1L7mjP8zntsCrmQylXl5ffsaKUXm8JumF~15iGGi3AtemRpDAPhs1nf9KdjA66amJYdbha09UyaA2eYBGaK6x0mQfkJoSoxQI3NMHE~BEa1zpkbHxWnEbV~9xB2lZaZKojZhrhL7rcLSH4QoYpClxD00e9vGM1nG5aeq-p4NYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashland County Human Services staff told the Health and Human Services Board that an opioid-treatment grant administered through the county Sheriff’s Department will end on March 31, 2025, and that significant unspent funds remain. Staff said there will likely be a gap between the grant end date and the state’s reallocation of any remaining funds, leaving no funding for services in the county for roughly three months unless the jail pursues a carryover or reapplication.

Board members were told the original grant — described in the meeting as roughly $228,000 in total — had lower-than-expected spending because some planned travel and related costs (for transporting people out of county for methadone or outpatient clinic care) did not happen. County staff said the jail estimated about $56,000 in costs to date but that figures were still changing as invoicing continued. Staff said they have requested a no-cost extension but warned that state accounting and reaward processes create an April 1–July 1 gap in funding unless the jail reapplies for leftover funds.

Why it matters: staff said the program supported in-jail group sessions, peer support services and warm handoffs to community treatment — services they described as valuable to incarcerated people preparing for reentry. The county’s peer support specialist was commended for connecting incarcerated people with resources and arranging referrals to the county’s Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program prior to release.

County staff also discussed a separate, unrelated “unmet needs” grant the department secured to support recovery housing. That grant is not tied to the jail and is intended to pay for recovery housing placements. Staff said an original plan to use an adult family-home model proved overly restrictive and deterred interested providers; the grant administrator confirmed county grantees may place people in recovery housing anywhere in Wisconsin. Staff said the department will continue to try to recruit local recovery housing but will also place people where they judge the setting best supports recovery, including out of area when appropriate.

Discussion and next steps: board members asked about the amount remaining in the jail grant and about the funding source. Staff confirmed the funds come from opioid-settlement funds administered by the state and said unspent amounts typically are reallocated by the state in future grant rounds rather than expiring. Staff said the jail will decide whether to pursue carryover or reapply for remaining funds; Human Services staff said they plan to continue outreach and coordination with the jail where possible even during an interim unfunded period, but that the jail may not participate during any funding gap.

No formal action was taken on the grants during the meeting; the board received the update and asked staff to continue coordination with jail partners.","County Human Services reported the Sheriff's opioid treatment grant will end March 31, 2025, leaving unspent funds and a funding gap through an expected reallocation period; staff described a separate unmet-needs recovery housing grant and plans for warm handoffs to community services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves agenda changes, minutes and consent agenda; names, policy wording and future agenda items discussed

Public health report: environmental audit favorable, flu activity high, vending machines distributed 313 Narcan kits

CCS satisfaction surveys show higher response rate; youth and adult scores remain at or above state benchmarks

Ashland County staff say opioid-treatment jail grant ends March 31; leftover funds and separate recovery-housing grant discussed