State budget didn’t do human services any favors

The Taylor County Human Services board convened on Wednesday, July 9, and money, or lack thereof, was the main topic of discussion. The board reviewed the biennial state budget which was signed into law by Governor Evers on July 3. “Overall I was just really disappointed because none of our priorities got covered at all,” said director Suzanne Stanfley. She was especially concerned with the lack of funding for Community Support Programs (CSP), stating that she thought it would be fully-funded. “We really wanted to bring that program in-house, right now we’re serving consumers that need a higher level of care,” Stanfley continued. Some changes in the budget were positive, for now. The Joint Finance Committee initially attempted to raise daily rates for juvenile corrections from the current rate, $1,268 per day, to $2,501 per day for 2025-2026 and $2,758 per day for 2026-2027. Prior to signing the budget the Governor partially vetoed the line relating to juvenile corrections, removing the first number to bring the rates down to $502 per day and $758 per day, respectively. The former increase would have had a significant impact within Taylor County as the Youth Aid Allocation stands at $267,910. An increase of that nature would only allow the county 107 days of care for just one juvenile. According to Stanfley, Taylor County’s out-of-home placement costs were $750,000 in 2024, a large number for a small county. In addition, the board is bracing for cuts to medicaid which will impact consumers enrolled programming and assistance offered by the county. “It will definitely affect economic support for people on BadgerCare and Food-Share,” said Stanfley. Some medicaid users in Wisconsin may be required to prove they are working, volunteering or in school for at least 80 hours a month. This restriction would apply to childless adults enrolled in BadgerCare Plus, taking effect in 2027. “It’s going to actually add work for us because now we have to do the work requirements, and that takes a long time,” said deputy director Peggy Kellnhofer. The board then moved on to the 2024 annual report which details the duties of each department as well as the programs offered and breaks down the number of people within the county that received each service. Board member Rollie Thums stated, “The number really surprised me with the amount of people in programs.” He went on to state that 4,553, or 20%, of people within the county were enrolled in programs under Human Services in 2024. The board also continues to wait for the remainder of the money owed by the ADRC of the Northwoods after Human Services loaned them funds for operating costs. The ADRC of the Northwoods sent the county a check for $52,000, which the county has not yet deposited as they want to be clear they expect the balance, which is $23,000. In other business, the board: • Heard about the Fair Before the Fair hosted by the ADRC of Taylor County which was scheduled to be held July 16. Human services was on hand to dispense information and greet community members. • Learned that the grant-funded CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) workshop took place on June 19 with about 25 members of the community in attendance. • Discussed the recent addition of Spectrum broadband internet services to the area. When asked if the county received kickbacks for their participation in the service, board chairman Rollie Thums said, “We get nothing other than the satisfaction of knowing our people have internet.” • Heard that the five-week youth diversion group cycle wrapped up with four children participating in the program. There was positive feedback from the youth involved who stated they’d like more information presented by law enforcement. The next course will begin in September and is available for children who are working on making healthier choices and have been referred by schools, law enforcement, their guardians or youth justice workers. • Learned that there was a recent graduate from the treatment court program. • Heard that several children under the care of children and family services will be returning to their homes with additional children transitioning home in the upcoming weeks. • Learned from protective services coordinator Jen Meyer that there has been a major uptick in people requiring assistance. “In June we had the most crises that we’ve ever had,” she said. Meyer also stated that there has been an increase in individuals struggling with financial exploitation and self-neglect cases such as hoarding and animal hoarding. • Heard from Stanfley that Human Services has gone through three rounds of recruitments for a birth to 3 coordinator, but has had a limited number of applicants for the position. The current coordinator is leaving for a position that offers summers off, leaving the board to consider creative options for recruiting new hires such as half-days on Fridays or other alternatives. • Set the date for the public participation planning process for August 13 at 9:30 a.m.