Present: Mary Klar, Bert Lund, Mary Poretti, LaVerne Sandberg, and Jeff Schinzing
and Laurel Stusek.

Also Present: Dan Brown, Becky O'Brien, Katie Sundquist, Kris Thompson, and Jeanne Young.

The meeting was called to order by Mary Poretti, chairman, at 1:30 p.m.

There were no appearances by the public.

A motion was made by Mary Klar, seconded by LaVerne Sandberg, to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2004 meeting; motion carried.

The next meeting will be held on April 13, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 165.

Gail Pearson presented program information and technology which the North County Independent Living company has available to assist people with disabilities to be able to live independently. Most equipment is available to clients for a 30-day trial. They have a transition program and can assist clients currently living in a nursing home to be able to return home. WisLoan is available for clients who wish to purchase equipment or make accessible modifications to their homes.

Director's Report:
Personnel: Dan has returned from his medical leave. Laura Warndahl-Neve has returned from her maternity leave. Interviews were held on February 27, 2004 for the Public Health Sanitarian position. An offer will be made to a candidate when references have been completed.

Dan reported as of March 1, 2004 client receivables are $319,403.43. Dan stated Judy Ludden has gotten certification to do tax intercepts.

Financial Report: Jeanne Young reported Home Care and Public Health revenues for January have not been received. Revenues are in for 2003; are working on closing out 2003 and the auditor is here this week. Next month's report will include the final report for 2003. The Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual has been completed. A motion was made by Mary Klar, seconded by Bert Lund, to approve the Accounting Policy and Procedure Manual; motion carried.

Mary Poretti reported receiving a print out for the Community Referral budget for 2004 and questioned the amount received from Burnett County. LeAnn Mulroy provides advocate services for Burnett County residents and does a very good job.

Program Reports:
Aging: Mary Klar reported a family gave a $100 donation to the Webster Senior Site as family members appreciated the services their parents were receiving. The annual Volunteer Banquet will be held April 22, 2004 at the Siren Community Center.

Community Report: There was not a report as Rob Rudiger is on vacation.

Benefit Specialist: Jean continues to do a good job and offers good services.

Children & Families: Dan reported the Children & Families budget looks good. Kris Thompson was present to explain the reason for the lengthy period of time two juveniles were in placement and why parental rights were not terminated. These two children's rights were terminated, they were adopted but the adoption failed. One juvenile will be going into the Navy in August (hopefully sooner). The other is 16 years old and in foster care. If a child wants an adoptive family, they would proceed with an adoption. Kris stated some adoptions do fail and it is very rare to adopt a teenager, most families want to adopt younger children. Termination of Parental Rights are very rarely done with Native American children as they are only adopted to tribal families.If a tribal child is placed, they do not pay for services. Per capita funds are not used for placement of Native American children; the money is placed in a trust account. Kris reported Lance Horozewski has a Corrective Thinking Group for juveniles. Jeff Schinzing reported Lance is doing a very good job. Joann Phernetton and Nicole Johnson-Weltzin are doing a girl's group along the same lines. Kris reported it is hard to get parent cooperation and support. Kris reported in 2003, ll8 juvenile crimes were reported to the unit with twenty of these juveniles committing more than one crime and two juveniles committing more than two crimes.

Home Care: Katie Sundquist was present reporting the current foot care charge is $12.00 to homebound clients. We are charging $12.00 for clients who come into the clinic. Foot care to a homebound client takes between 15-30 minutes, plus driving time. If people are unable to pay, services will still be given. Katie will look into billing foot care for homebound clients. A motion was made by Laurel Stusek, seconded by LaVerne Sandberg, to raise the cost of foot care to homebound clients to $20.00 effective May 1, 2004; motion carried.

W-2/Economic Support: Becky O'Brien was present stating the caseload continues to increase - 253 cases per worker. The minimum time to complete an application is two hours. The state continues to say they are simplifying applications but clients get the information and it is so confusing for them. We will be getting more crisis fuel assistance monies however, disconnects will begin in April. Becky reported she has found a home in the area for an 18-yr old boy who couldn't stay in his home, is a senior this year and will graduate in May, plans to go into service in August, and is doing fine in school. He was placed 10 years ago in a home in Somerset and if a home wasn't found, he would have been placed in Somerset again.

Becky reported on Superior Days which she attended in February in Madison. It was a great experience for her and Legislatures have respect for the Superior Days group. They lobbied for issues regarding medical assistance covering jail inmates. Becky reported Mark Pettis has written language to assist him in rewriting the policy so coverage can be put into place. Becky encouraged any business, private persons or departments to participate in Superior Days and present their issues.

Public Health: The Rural Health Dental Program will be coming to the Siren/Webster area in May and to Grantsburg in the fall. They will serve about 60 children at each location. Laurel reported she had made a presentation at the Webster Lions' meeting. Ann Heinrick, Burnett County Humane Society, has received a grant for the spay/neuter program. The jail will be getting an AED. Bert Lund stated he attended a CESA 11 meeting and explained Project Adam, a matching fund program through the Children's Hospital and Masonic medical foundation. Each high school from Webster to Osceola will be able to obtain an AED if local monies are raised. Bert reported monies have been raised for the Siren School through community organizations. The money will be sent in, along with the nursing budget and an application, the foundation will match fund and the Siren School can then purchase the AED.

Long Term Support: Laura Warndahl-Neve is back to work and all reports are up to date. Have one elderly person on the waiting list.

A list of employee extension numbers was distributed to committee members.

A motion was made by Mary Klar, seconded by Jeff Schinzing, to approve the vouchers in the amount of $290,809.83; motion carried.

A motion was made by Laurel Stusek, seconded by LaVerne Sandberg, to go into closed session to discuss the PEP Awards and discuss employee performance and compensation pursuant to Wisconsin Statute l9.85 (1)© and approved on a roll call vote:

A motion was made by Mary Klar, seconded by LaVerne Sandberg, to return to open session; motion carried.

A motion was made by Mary Klar, seconded by Bert Lund, to recommend changing Janet Davis' status from probation to regular employee status; motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.