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Sawyer County HHS reports staff change, rising CLTS referrals and two new youth diversion workers
Summary
At a March 11 Sawyer County Health and Human Services Board meeting, staff reported an adult-protective-services resignation, rising CLTS referrals tied to a state mandate, and two federally funded youth diversion workers from Sirona Recovery starting immediately.
Sawyer County Health and Human Services Board members on March 11 heard staff report a resignation in adult protective services, rising referrals for Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) and the immediate start of two youth-focused workers funded through a federal grant to Sirona Recovery.
The board was told that Rose Elliott, the department’s adult protective services specialist, has resigned and the department is revising the job description to post the position as soon as possible. “If you know anybody who wants to help support a good cause of helping protecting the adults in our area, have them be on the lookout for applying for a position with us,” a staff member said during the meeting.
The meeting highlighted a growth in CLTS referrals. “We cannot have a waiting list with that program,” Alicia, a behavioral-health staff member, said, noting the state will penalize counties that maintain waiting lists for CLTS. Board members were told CLTS is fully funded by the state.
Board members also reviewed a newly added monthly report from Northland Counseling that outlines Community Support Program and Mobile Crisis activity. Caitlin, representing Northland Counseling, said crisis activity had increased recently after a quieter period and that the program will begin providing monthly numbers to the board.
On child and youth services, staff described ongoing out-of-home placements and steps to reduce placements by expanding home-based supports. The board was told the department contracted with Sirona Recovery, which will place two workers starting the day after the meeting to provide intensive in-home services for families involved with youth justice referrals. The workers will be funded through a federal grant intended to support diversion and prevention so some youth avoid out-of-home placement.
Board members discussed the county’s vacant youth truancy and diversion worker position; one candidate declined and staff said they have reinterviewed and hope to fill the post within weeks. Staff said the work will focus on early intervention with schools to keep students attending.
The county plans to coordinate messaging about school attendance and substance misuse with tribal partners. Staff said Ben Tran, who has experience working with tribal communities on fentanyl awareness, will assist on culturally sensitive messaging that combines tribal and county outreach.
A background document on a referenced “161 agreement” was provided to board members for context; staff described it as background material attached to agenda materials.
Ending: The board received the program updates as reports and did not take new formal policy action on these items during the meeting. Staff said they will post the adult-protective-services vacancy and that monthly program reports from contracted providers will continue to appear on future agendas.
