KANDIYOHI COUNTY BOARD
FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 5, 2012
SECTION A
The meeting was called to order at 9:00am by Chair Harlan Madsen. ADJOURNED at 9:28am
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Harlan Madsen
Jim Butterfield
Richard Larson
Dennis Peterson
Dean Shuck
Ann Stehn
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Larry Kleindl (County Administrator)
Corinne Torkelson (SS Supervisor)
Leah Fernelius (Office Support)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mike O’Brien (community member)
Janine Porter (Divine Hope Counseling)
Zak Mahboud (West Central Interpreting)
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tamraa Goldenstein (SS Supervisor)
Kathy Nelson (SS Supervisor)
Lori Hanson (Divine Hope Counseling)
Pam Kubesh (Divine Hope Counseling)
Carolyn Lange (press)
Motion made by Larson and supported by Shuck to approve minutes of the last meeting…passed
unanimously.
I.
AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS
A. Corinne Torkelson, supervisor, presented a contract for Chemical Use Assessment
services provided by Divine Hope Counseling. During the presentation Lori Hanson,
Administrator, Pam Kubesh, Director, and Janine Porter, counselor, of Divine Hope
Counseling addressed the board. Divine Hope Counseling provides assessments
throughout the community. Divine Hope Counseling combines the chemical dependency
piece with the mental health aspect. They also provide Spanish speaking treatment and
counseling to those facing a barrier with English. Pam Kubesh has moved from the parttime director to full-time director. Divine Hope Counseling is now server a senior group
with chemical dependency issues as well as in-home services to those that are
handicapped or have severe anxiety.
Harlan Madsen brought to the attention that it has taken many years for mental health
and chemical dependency to be integrated.
Richard Larson questioned if Divine Hope Counseling was part of Divine House. It was
clarified as a separate entity but same owners.
Motion made by Shuck and support by Larson to approve the contract with Divine Hope
Counseling as presented…passed unanimously.
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B. Ann Stehn, interim director, presented a contract with West Central Interpreting
Services to the Board. This contract will allow all county entities access to the
interpreting services. Ann Stehn will manage the contract since it is open to the entire
county. Zak Mahboud is one of the owners of West Central Interpreting and he
addressed the board. The company uses Ridgewater College to train the interpreters in
regards to the ethics and professional needs for interpreters. The interpreting services
are available 24 hours a day and even on holidays. They will be providing in-person
interpretation as well as phone and written services. Prices are dictated by the time of
day, holiday/weekend, or type of service such as in-person, phone or written
interpreting. Ann informed the Board that West Central Interpreting will implement
measures to allow for the services used to be tracked by department use.
Dean Shuck brought a concern about other competing contracts the county already has
in place. Ann Stehn indicated that the contracts all allow the county to have more than
one provider for the interpreting services.
Motion made by Peterson and supported by Butterfield to approve the contract with
West Central Interpreting as presented…passed unanimously.
II.
GENERAL BUSINESS DISCUSSION
III.
COMMENTS OR UPDATES
A. Ann Stehn addressed the Board in regards to the changes in how assessments
are handled for long term care, developmentally disabled, mental health, and
personal care. These assessments are being compiled into a single assessment,
MnCHOICES. The compiled assessments are expected to be rolled out in May
2013. There is planning occurring in regards to how this will change work and
work flow in departments that use/need these assessments. There are some
serious concerns due to the service rich environment of Kandiyohi County verses
other counties. MnCHOICES assessments will become the responsibility for the
county the person being assessed is currently in, not the county of residence.
This generates concerns in regards to the funding stream. Ann Stehn would like
to work with Harlan Madsen to help work with DHS as a high impact county and
obtaining more assistance from DHS.
Motion made by Shuck and supported by Butterfield for Ann Stehn and Harlan
Madsen to work together with DHS to find a solution to the funding
stream…passed unanimously.
B. Southern Prairie Health Purchasing Alliance (SPHPA), Richard Larson, Jim
Butterfield and Ann Stehn requested data for grants. It was also discussed the
need to bring someone on as a staff position. The meetings for SPHPA are now
twice a month instead of monthly. Richard Larson stated that there are now 4 or
5 counties that have committed and expect more to comment as Boards meet
today (Tuesday June 5th).
C. Ann Stehn is working with ARCH for another interpreting contact.
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D. The study with Springsted, in regards to possible combination of services
between Public Health, Family Services and Law Enforcement is now in phase II.
Officials will be going to Sherburn County to see how they combined but kept
governing apartn.
IV.
POLICY
SECTION B
I.
INCOME MAINTENANCE – Discussion Cases
II.
SOCIAL SERVICES – Discussion Cases
SECTION C
BE IT RESOLVED, that the foregoing record is a true and accurate recording of the official actions and
recommendations of the County Board and as such constitutes the official minutes thereof. Payment of
assistance, relief, and claims as indicated in these minutes is hereby ordered. The questions were on
the adoption of the resolution and the role being called, there were:
__________ YEAS and __________ NAYS
And so resolution was adopted.
______________________________________________
Chairman, County Board Committee
Attest: _________________________________________
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