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Board approves new full-time social worker for children’s long-term support program funded by Medicaid revenue
Summary
The county board approved Resolution 28-25 to create a full-time social worker in the Department of Human Services' Children's Long Term Support program, contingent on Medicaid funding; supervisors debated language about what happens if funding disappears.
Chippewa County supervisors voted to create one full-time social worker position in the Department of Human Services’ Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) program for 2026, approving Resolution 28-25 while retaining conditional language that the position may be eliminated if state and federal support is not available.
The resolution, forwarded to the county board by the executive committee and approved Aug. 12, says the position would be effective Jan. 1, 2026, and “shall be funded by Medicaid revenue generated by this position.” The resolution also states that if the necessary state or federal support is not available or is significantly reduced, “this position will not be filled or may be eliminated in the future by the county administrator.”
Why it matters: County staff said caseloads in CLTS have risen and are above recommended levels. The board discussed whether the resolution’s contingency language should be stronger. A motion to amend the resolution to change the contingency wording from “may” to “will” be eliminated failed on a 5–13 vote; the original resolution then passed 17–1.
Human services staff explained program demand. The administration told the board the program averages about 33 cases per worker while state guidance recommends 20–32; staff cited roughly 20 new referrals per month and a growing caseload that does not resolve quickly. A county administrator noted the county submits billings for reimbursement and that if those revenues stop, the county must reduce program size.
Supervisor questions focused on the contingency language and whether the county should guarantee the position only if funding is secured. One supervisor asked staff to amend the resolution language to replace “may” with “will” be eliminated; the motion to amend failed after debate about the county administrator’s flexibility to reallocate funds if needed and about responsibility for presenting new positions to future boards.
After debate the board approved the original resolution. The administration said the position will be funded from Medicaid billings tied to the work the position will generate; if funding falls away the county administrator has authority to adjust staffing during the budget process.
The vote on the final resolution was 17 ayes and 1 nay. Staff said they would proceed to include the position in the proposed 2026 budget under the stated funding condition.
