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County board creates part-time elder benefit specialist for ADRC as grant funding expected to support position
Summary
Supervisors approved Resolution 29-25 to add a part-time (1,500-hour) elder benefit specialist in the Aging and Disability Resource Division; staff said increased demand and anticipated ADRC grant growth justify the addition but noted the position depends on state and federal funds.
Chippewa County supervisors approved a part-time (1,500-hour) elder benefit specialist position in the Aging and Disability Resource Division of the Department of Human Services to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, under Resolution 29-25.
Staff told the board the department saw an 81 percent increase in requests for elder-benefit assistance over three years and cited demographic projections forecasting growth in the older population. The resolution states the position is expected to be funded by an anticipated increase in the 2026 ADRC base grant from the state along with federal Medicaid match dollars, and includes contingency language that the position “will not be filled or may be eliminated in the future by the county administrator” if state or federal support is not available.
Human services staff described the position as a response to rising demand; current elder-benefit coverage is about nine hours per week and the proposed position would expand that to an average roughly equivalent to 30 hours per week. Board members asked about Medicaid and state funding risks; staff said they do not project cuts for the coming year but acknowledged uncertainty beyond 2026.
The board approved the resolution by a 17–1 vote. Administration staff said they will include the position in the 2026 proposed budget and monitor state and federal funding that support the role.
