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Ashland County approves funded HHS position to manage children's long-term support caseload
Summary
The executive committee approved a fully funded mid-level management position in Health and Human Services to oversee the Children's Long-Term Support program, with the department saying the hire is budget-neutral after Medicaid reconciliation despite a lag in reimbursement.
The Ashland County Executive Committee on July 15 approved a mid-level management position in the Health and Human Services (HHS) department to oversee the Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) program, a state program the department described as an "unofficial entitlement" that requires enrollment when children are found eligible.
The HHS department head (name not specified in the record) told the committee the position would focus on determining financial and functional eligibility, supervising case-management decisions for recommended therapies and durable equipment, and would carry a small caseload (the department expects about 10 youth). The department said the position is funded primarily through Medicaid case-management rates and an administrative reimbursement process (Wisconsin Medicaid cost reconciliation, referred to in the packet as WIMCR), and therefore would not increase county levy costs even though reimbursements have a lag.
Committee members pressed for clarification on supervision duties, pay scale placement and what duties would be transferred off existing staff. The department head said Tasha (referenced in the meeting) currently carries oversight for multiple programs and that many duties would shift from Tasha to the new position. County Administrator Dan Grady confirmed there is a lag in reimbursement but said the county can budget for the timing difference.
Pat Kinney moved to approve the position; Laurie Beatek seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
Committee discussion noted the program's time intensity and legal risk: if children are not enrolled within 45 days of eligibility there are state financial sanctions. The department emphasized the position would perform both oversight/authorization and maintain a small caseload, improving program compliance and reducing the risk of audit findings.
No dollar amount for the position's salary was specified in the meeting record; the department described it as aligned to an existing Social Worker 3 wage scale and said the position is effectively budget neutral over time because Medicaid reimbursement covers the case-management component and WIMCR captures administrative costs.
