Members of the Dodge County Human Services and Health Committee discussed a federal minimum staffing mandate that has been put on hold for 10 years, how that affects local facilities and the county’s progress on behavioral health expansion and workforce training.

A county staff member reported that a reconciliation bill delays implementation of a federal minimum staffing mandate for 10 years. “They’re not going to enforce it at all,” the staff member said. Committee members pressed whether the hold pauses increases or enforcement; staff answered the hold suspends enforcement, creating a potential increase in competition for qualified staff if the mandate resumes.

Staff told the committee the county’s facility already exceeds the stated minimum requirement (described during the meeting as 3.8 hours of care per patient per day and an RN on every tour). “We already meet all the minimum requirements. We’re above that,” a staff member said, adding the county’s concern would be facilities that do not already meet the standard.

On behavioral health expansion, staff said they are “still moving forward” and hope to have move-in on the 16th and 17th of the month (date as stated in the meeting). Licensing remains pending: staff reported the life-safety and health teams will walk through the facility to approve it and staff expect licensing to follow that inspection.

The committee also heard human-resources and training updates. Staff said they will teach a large CNA (certified nursing assistant) class this summer with about 32 trainees and named several current nurses and managers who can serve as instructors. The department reported multiple staff can teach and backfill duties if needed.

Committee members raised concern about the long-term workforce picture and the impact of the federal hold on future staffing competition. Staff said they will monitor the situation and revisit budget and program implications once state or federal funding decisions are finalized.