[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6194722,"mediaKeyId","3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3","parentId",3863422,"title","Ashland County to stop administering Home Energy Assistance Program; Westcap to assume services Oct. 1","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",4172000,"endMs",4299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3&start=4172&end=4299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3/thumbnail_4172000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194722/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Ashland-County-to-stop-administering-Home-Energy-Assistance-Program-Westcap-to-assume-services-Oct-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194722-4665b55f6b1ab006040dbe3a19d04a9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770690802&Signature=m-Qc3zcTlTkV5WSgrEArQVD2OLG-r3o9gWo1oLUR-IPeDiDNtp8K7VhAQxssFfZ97q71t~WVVH3o4AOkM01r0dTNzAB0okS7EBCKqPpm1W6RM9xuswEdD~5eaus9pqVOd3gfB5MbTGw8Sx98w5rOE2ylgy8e5gfN7LwrbgHBVqUUthGsDx4fevfx-5sBK10e1pbVo4l4lQeDEZhJSodVGs1uOmdI~aMzPX-0yO8hh2K-ErLkPEPKG3eKLdojsvMdPq-3jxk~GI0JSSx4~94Ro5qrzIckWUhKd983W5Dzz0QCVS5DH5okWAEjSMpqPtHVNJJBxXNxyTF3VTduLS62DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashland County, WI","date","2025-06-18T23:12:23Z","article","Economic support staff informed the committee that Ashland County will not administer the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WEAP) for the upcoming program year and that Westcap will assume administration beginning Oct. 1. The county will complete its current contract through Sept. 30 and continue to serve residents under that agreement.

Staff said the decision resulted from funding and workload concerns: the county has been receiving funding based largely on the number of applications; competition from other agencies that accept online applications, combined with additional time‑consuming program services (such as furnace repair/referrals and summer services), had strained local resources. In prior years the state provided supplemental funds mid‑year when local allocations ran short, but staff said that process is uncertain.

At the federal level staff said LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding had been reduced in proposed budgets and that uncertainty influenced the county decision. Staff said Westcap will provide the WEAP services starting Oct. 1 and that residents will continue to have access to the full program (furnace repair/replacement, cooling, water heater and water conservation services) through Westcap rather than the county.

Committee members heard that the county could have given 30 days’ notice to withdraw from administration and that state officials responded to the county’s notice by offering additional funds; county staff described the decision as driven by funding uncertainty and sustainability of local operations.

This was an informational update; no committee vote was recorded at the meeting other than direction to complete the current contract through Sept. 30.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/18/2025 Ashland County Health & Human Services Board Meeting - Public Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","County economic support staff told the committee that Ashland County will stop administering the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WEAP) after September 30 because of funding and administrative pressures; Westcap was identified as the agency that will provide the service beginning Oct. 1.","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},6194727,"Public health report: immunizations down, communicable disease monitoring, Narcan and vending‑machine outreach highlighted",577,2875000,3452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3&start=2875&end=3452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3/thumbnail_2875000.jpg","/articles/6194727/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Public-health-report-immunizations-down-communicable-disease-monitoring-Narcan-and-vendingmachine-outreach-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194727-dccd8fc44b70fc4b6f50b741a02ac51b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770690802&Signature=kJaD0HBwznB5esCUpHRu6dxnBAr6YPh-xA4dK54s3luz3Xr7TgNloPMAQvVBdBD-HxbBe-V~KsPNnuX9Oldh5Ymyyp5ir0GjxKJBgD~XE3POnltOqY0aKDPiQo4RBsmhW0nN84diH5ZWaO7sOvWnaQAbvlsBJATXdqK62sioMmcqxzomWKXE57tpbuwhmEdVuOB-XjJuWijLuVNTd53QBb7Aqvw5E1qdpP4HTmAHuG01KlGDC6v-xg6JMhBMNjelcMj8n78EevonfiVG1mn58I6dq-f3DzOnEWXnK7zDFm5rwy3d8x29ZR7AX90kbOe7wHlpYRBeJ8w3PaAVNK6vXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public health staff presented an overview of the department’s 2024 annual report and highlighted several program areas: declining routine immunization rates, notable communicable‑disease activity, expanded harm‑reduction supplies and vending‑machine distribution, and funding uncertainty for some grants.

Staff said the department completed a community health needs assessment with Bayfield and Iron counties and received over 1,000 survey responses — the largest response in recent cycles — and that the resulting community health improvement plan prioritizes awareness and sustained collaboration on mental health resources and other community needs.

On communicable diseases, staff reported 686 investigations in 2024 with Lyme disease, hepatitis C (28 investigations), chlamydia (27 cases), multiple E. coli variants (17), and a notable increase in pertussis (13 confirmed cases). Public health also administered and coordinated many TB skin tests tied to active investigations.

The department noted a downward trend in influenza and other immunization rates and described a RISE (Routine Immunizations through Community Engagement) grant that temporarily lifted some outreach and produced modest improvements; however, RISE funding was later reduced in early 2025 and activities were paused pending confirmation of future funds.

Harm‑reduction activity expanded: public health and partners increased Narcan distribution and installed vending machines stocked with condoms and harm‑reduction supplies; staff reported a notable increase in Narcan kits distributed between 2023 and 2024. The department also won a grant for drug‑checking technologies and will supply fentanyl and xylazine test strips for distribution through vending machines and partner programs.

Staff announced the county has subcontracted beach monitoring lab work to Bayfield County public health after Northland College’s Burke Center said it would not continue lab services; Bayfield County will run the labs for the beach monitoring program this season.

Public health staff flagged grant and preparedness funding uncertainty: several federal and state grant contracts (including public health emergency preparedness) had not been finalized at the time of the meeting, creating concern about near‑term funding for preparedness activities.

No formal committee action was taken; this was the department’s annual report to the committee.","Public health staff presented the 2024 annual report noting declines in routine immunizations, an increase in certain communicable diseases, expanded Narcan distribution, temporary RISE grant gains and subsequent funding uncertainty, and a new partnership for beach monitoring labs.",{"_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},6194731,"Children and Families unit reports steady but complex caseloads; child protective referrals and placements reviewed",133,1578000,1711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3&start=1578&end=1711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3/thumbnail_1578000.jpg","/articles/6194731/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Children-and-Families-unit-reports-steady-but-complex-caseloads-child-protective-referrals-and-placements-reviewed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194731-c7e63db0c248cfed3ceb41fc91901994/orig.mp4?Expires=1770690802&Signature=mZcoq23hGwAKVk8wth45OKb6v7~-8RNjHFVy-uAIrErtOjROUm8NOHeHAUoR9i0DHd~6u3~gMlW51Z3BDmyQTxoUJRM1rRIYWcujskfZ2WilSiUF8Mrk1LIScSpWtVU~XAlz3Db3c3oX~Hj63j9gHeEnxfmx0~xWD~D470wKojvLZIXGCbcr85r1iAnnyB~zpnG6pLiWWqoQhf4B5dxd2mJ3vyfghO7vh9bYedTK7vKIA8TJgK-rAMq3sdzxBOi2cqNCOBIwhrE~M33bY7SSZGRUlREHtDH1C7URgwyqjoyCi8JESiH2D6q8E6V40~onxwCg3DK~tfYkgM20g9kM-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erica Paito, manager of the Children and Families unit, presented 2024 data showing 300 child protective services (CPS) reports for the year, a modest decrease from 316 the prior year. Unit staff reported the following breakdown of 2024 CPS reports: 99 alleged physical abuse, 117 neglect, 68 sexual abuse, 14 emotional abuse and two suspected unborn‑child abuse reports; by comparison the unit recorded 12 unborn‑child abuse reports in 2023.

Of the 300 referrals, unit staff screened in 50 cases and substantiated seven. Placements decreased from 43 children in out‑of‑home care to 36 at year end; 13 children were discharged from out‑of‑home care and reunified with families during the year.

Paito said the program is aligning with Wisconsin’s Family First framework and increasingly prioritizing kinship and pre‑existing family or community connections to avoid more disruptive placements when appropriate. She described cases as becoming more complex and noted staff are working to coordinate services to support keeping families intact when safe and possible.

The presentation included routine partnerships with UW‑Extension for parenting resources and permanency reviews. Paito said the unit’s current caseload distribution had more cases in the southern portion of the county but included referrals from Madeline Island.

No formal committee action was taken; this was a presentation of the unit’s 2024 annual report.","The Children and Families unit reported 300 child protective services referrals in 2024 with 50 screened in and seven substantiations; placements decreased from 43 to 36 and 13 children were reunified, while staff said the department is focusing on family‑first and kinship placement options.",{"_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},6194736,"Committee invited to submit Health & Human Services input for Ashland County comprehensive plan",110,741000,851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3&start=741&end=851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6194736/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Committee-invited-to-submit-Health-Human-Services-input-for-Ashland-County-comprehensive-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194736-901e3e232061f1cfe82290fb71dace7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770690802&Signature=pAew~A~ppZSeU21KTOlrmaLi~p68Fy3FhVjekmN1va~UxkiWDD3VMvuzPSsm3ZQawG~CZ9Pe2N0ydTBlOTv48knoUo-f6UBagq5~mUjT6KWnDOC-lnRVH2laRxqogijMu2KlJHW9x-rA4yuUxz5Pseszw5Nu0Ls97GuV0AygWhc0JH6~qbmkrGYNHe14UWbEvbkKe1a7y~3CY0jOSOxvE6XWxAtv3M2RsMxJMWcyp-akuQPyoUTW9vWkP2uvX77Ig4L4TjRCxircIkjH5zQY1wYgx~k7zEL~-vWsAVnQYzaaGKOHIPqEwRQRE6ht9uqv5Z9ABvcmLfnjjUpL8YHPKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members were briefed on an outreach effort to gather Health & Human Services perspectives for the county’s comprehensive plan, which the planning committee must publish by the end of 2026.

George (committee member) explained that the county’s comprehensive plan looks out 10–20 years and that boards and committees are required to consider how their areas of work should be reflected in the plan. He said committees should think about long‑term priorities — for Health & Human Services he suggested air quality, water quality, transportation, utilities and cultural resources as relevant elements staff and members might want to address.

George noted the plan is required by state statute and that the county must keep actions, ordinances and resolutions consistent with the adopted plan except in exceptional circumstances. He said the planning committee will repeatedly place the item on committee agendas through the rest of the year to gather sustained input and that a targeted public comment period later in each meeting will allow members of the public to respond to the committee’s discussion.

No formal action was taken other than a request for committee members to identify items they believe should be included as official input to the planning committee. Committee members who serve on the county planning committee (George and Liz) were identified as ongoing contacts for the effort.","Members were asked to provide sustained input to the county planning committee as Ashland County begins developing a new comprehensive plan that must be published by the end of 2026; the plan will guide county ordinances and future actions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194741,"Committee forwards request to add Social Worker 3 to handle growing CLTS caseload",303,357000,660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3&start=357&end=660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863422-76b5d7b7e1fa94b671fd0a6dfdc815e3/thumbnail_357000.jpg","/articles/6194741/Ashland-County/Wisconsin/Committee-forwards-request-to-add-Social-Worker-3-to-handle-growing-CLTS-caseload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194741-d936059052269d3a4fa6154e79aa614c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770690802&Signature=N05-7PhcP3ORJkYU17L0aZoL-fCcdwnQ5NPwqGvo7aPJqpZ4KghbhH1Ax~Vt9EhdzluyJ5XZJLWFnjeKdOYFUpZ8ELveOTtR5ob-h3s4yFEfWRfUREPCuVnNq7C73ih7NrcKxPsrjvRTZGeSeSxkmENtjO-YBA-BkCnCK61UYw5VmynEG5kuTuqSoHh9ScLxfEUR1oovadW~G~qjDJAz-b3jmNxLoNcOnAoWpOkkkys2FSYL6H9z57T28pOXYBntsIVzyQmiCypoTcXAqcGaE3klcqXvmxtAxyLDzsixLaYDA0vxWsFzJKA9da18-nXbiL8kJ6ayeyQZFTxWCT-UFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ashland County Health and Human Services Committee voted to forward a request to the executive committee to fill a Social Worker 3 position intended to supervise the Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) caseload and handle prior authorizations that staff say have become a bottleneck.

Committee members were told the CLTS program has grown “exponentially” since it became effectively an unofficial entitlement and now generates frequent prior‑authorization requests that require specialized review. Tasha, identified in the meeting as the ADRC branch manager, said the volume of authorizations and supervisory work has become “way too much” for her alongside her other responsibilities and that a mid‑level supervisor would both carry cases and take over entering and submitting authorizations to the state, saving time for fiscal staff and case managers.

Supporters said the new role would be at a higher pay grade than a regular case manager, would not be exempt/salaried, and could have a portion of its costs recovered through the county’s Medicaid reconciliation process. The committee discussed budgetary impacts and billing mechanisms; one member asked for clarification about whether the hiring would affect the county budget. Staff replied that much of the position’s expense should be captured via the Wisconsin Medicaid reconciliation process and that non‑billable administrative time would be handled through reconciliation procedures.

Laura made the motion to forward the request to the executive committee; Joy seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The committee’s action was to forward the hiring request to the executive committee for further consideration — no hiring authorization was completed at the committee meeting.

The discussion was explicit that the proposal is a request to pursue filling the position and that final budgetary approval would be decided later by the executive committee.

All direct quotations and attributions in this article come from speakers recorded during the committee discussion.","The Ashland County Health and Human Services Committee voted to forward a request to the executive committee to fill a Social Worker 3 position to provide mid‑level supervision and authorization processing for the Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) program after staff described rapid caseload growth and administrative bottlenecks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ashland County to stop administering Home Energy Assistance Program; Westcap to assume services Oct. 1

Public health report: immunizations down, communicable disease monitoring, Narcan and vending‑machine outreach highlighted

Children and Families unit reports steady but complex caseloads; child protective referrals and placements reviewed

Committee invited to submit Health & Human Services input for Ashland County comprehensive plan

Committee forwards request to add Social Worker 3 to handle growing CLTS caseload