Uh good morning everyone. I'd like to welcome you to the Cook County Public Health Human Services Board. I call this meeting to order at 8:30 on Tuesday, November October 21st, 2025. Um
first item on the agenda is the staff here at this meeting. So I move on to the approved consent agenda which includes our meeting agenda, the minutes um financial report abstracts and bills and then the hire of Julie Kenny as our
CADI/D labor case manager. Is there any item uh to be added to our agenda or anything to be pulled from the consent agenda? Commissioner Campbell. >> Yeah, thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to pull item C, the financial report, please. >> Thank you. Anything
else? >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. >> Thank you. Motion support. Any further discussion? Hearing saying none. All those in favor? >> I >> I opposed.
[Music] Uh, at this point we can move on to well, even though our new staff are not here, I'd still like to welcome them. And that's item number two. Here we have
Olivia Commander, Sarah Heisen, and Lena Fujimo. Um so thank you for uh either I guess in all three cases we enjoy the team. Is that right? Kind of sort of two out of two out of three. Okay. Um but
much appreciated and we uh greatly need the help and really appreciate the experience uh that's brought back and um and thank you. Uh, Commissioner, >> please >> can I just add that I have heard just
fabulous things about um the new staff that have been hired. So, I'm very excited um and uh very thankful for the work that Plowman and the team have done to onboard the staff. >> Thank you. Um and and I guess before we get on to
um item number four here with the consultant report, I'd like to um uh maybe talk about where we'd like to discuss the financial report. Should we do that under uh director's report? Um seems most appropriate, but >> yeah. >> Is that okay? So that's down down the
road here. >> Okay. That being said, we can move on to um our consultant report and I'll hand it over to administrator uh Treble. Thank you. Um, so we have asked one of our consultants to present today and so
we have Megan Mo attending virtually. Um, and so she will be walking us through what we refer to as a charter. It's basically our work plan with her. Um, and so I don't think we can see Megan yet, but can we hear you, Megan? There you are.
>> There you are. >> Excellent. >> I'm here. Can you see me? Okay. >> Excellent. So, Megan, would you be willing to talk a little bit about your background and experience um as it relates to your consulting work and then walk us through the plan?
>> Absolutely. I'd be happy to do so. Thank you, Kristen. Well, good morning everybody and um thank you for having me with you this morning to talk a little bit about the work I'm doing with PHS and which is just getting started. So, my hope um you know, as to Kristen's
request was to accomplish three things with you this morning during the time I'm with you. Um, the first thing is for for you to get to know me a little bit better. Um, I recognize I'm probably a stranger to you, although I I sat on the the hiring committee um for the director
um a little bit ago, so I had a chance to kind of virtually meet a couple board members during that time. Um, the second thing is to provide information about the work I'm going to be doing with and am doing with PHS by going through our project charter. And I did send a copy
of the charter to Erica and just ask that it be put in the minutes so that if you I'm going to be speaking off of the document um today, but you'll have a copy of it as well. And the third thing would be just to offer time for any questions that you might have at this point. You know, with the understanding
that we're just kind of in the early stages of the project. So they're really um it we can address questions about sort of the project and overall structure but the conclusions and recommendations are a little bit uh in the future at this point. So so just a little bit about my background as
Kristen had requested um I do I feel old saying this but I do have over 25 years of experience in county human services public health behavioral health and corrections. Um, I have uh, let's see, I've been on my own as a consultant
since 2016. I do have an educational background in social work and public administration. So, I'm one of those few lucky people out there who's actually working in the area that I'm trained to work in. So, I feel very lucky about that. Uh, especially in the current
labor market. Um, I do have, even though I'm I'm was born and raised in the metro area, I do have experience both in the metro and greater Minnesota. So, I started my career in county government working um at AMC and I specifically I
worked for MAXA, the county human services directors association. After that, I worked for nine years in Ramsey County um in various areas um adult services director. I was the human services department head and my final
job that I worked in at in the county, I had responsibility for both um human services and public health as well as four other county county department areas. So, since I've been consulting, I have um worked in two interim director
assignments, both of which were in greater Minnesota, where I did I served as interim director and then at the end of my assignment, I did this sort of review that I'm going to be doing for public health and human services where I just look through the whole agency and really talk about what's working and
areas that I think you might want to focus on for improvement. So, any questions about my background before I kind of dive into the actual charter and the project? >> No, thank you. >> Okay.
>> All right. So, speaking to the actual, you know, work that is has already started and will be going on in PHS. I know that you've I'm aware you've had various leadership transitions and so Kristen thought and I and I agree that it's a really good time to just as I
said conduct an evaluation of the overall performance of PHS. So you know different from an investigation this evaluation is going to focus on programmatically fiscally etc things that are going well um as much as areas for improvement. So, it's going to be a
very practical uh final product and final report on past counties when I've delivered this to them. They've kind of gone through the report almost like a checklist of things that they need to address. So, it's really it will not be at the 10,000 foot level. It'll be at the ground level where you can actually
action the things that I'm bringing forward to you. So, um Kristen Plowman and I have been working closely together. um me scroll through here and get to the point the parts that'll be most relevant to you. So the project is going to
involve uh engagement with community stakeholders outside the county as well as decision makers such as yourself and stakeholders within the county. Um so yes, specifically in scope for this work is going to be program performance across PHS um budgets. Um and I understand that's
an ongoing area um for your your agenda this morning. you'll be taking a close look at that. Um, I will also be looking at staffing and strategic planning across all areas of PHS. So, nothing is specifically out of scope. Um, but I'm going to be focusing
in most closely on the areas of highest risk to PHS. Um, and risk can have, as you know, a lot of different meanings. Um, but you know, just to give a few examples to um to you know, make the concept come more alive for you is I'm
going to be looking at uh if you're out of compliance in any areas that I can see um any operational issues, financial, you know, there's reputational risk as well, of course, if things don't go smoothly, strategic and any other risks I can find. So, and I'll
also, you know, per Kristen's request, I'll be looking at any areas where best practices can be adopted. And I'm aware you already have a consultant in place, Dave Lee, who's helping with your behavioral health area. I've known Dave for many, many years. He and I have both been county
human services directors. Uh Dave is highly respected in the field. So I'm delighted to hear you brought him aboard and he'll be focusing on the behavioral health areas at PHS and he and I will be working uh very closely together as I develop this report. Um, additionally, I
did want to mention that um, you know, Dave is providing some program supervision for the behavioral health areas and I will um, be doing a similar role to kind of fill in helping with supervision in children and family services starting soon. So, did want to
mention that we're trying to, you know, assist and support Plowman and as he has a lot of things on his plate and so that piece is going to be part of my work as well. So we started in early September and um the project is slated to end in February
with a um report delivery. So we've kind of done the initial kickoff defining scope. Um I'm going to be you know doing a bunch of just report and paper reviews of various uh you know reports from DHS and the P
and the health department. Um your community health assessment, your budget work charts, all of these things. And then I'm going to be visiting the county the first week in December. And I will be meeting with a bunch of folks at that time and really have my boots on the ground there to to see, you know,
directly from people and and on site how things are going. And again, um we'll be delivering a final report um during the month of February. So I think that pretty much covers the charter that we put together for this
project. Um, and at this point, unless Kristen wants to add anything, you know, I can certainly again stand for questions. >> Megan, the one piece that I would add is when you are on site in December, I just want, um, the committee to know that we will be working very soon on what that
plan looks like, who you will be interviewing, um, and making sure that you're able to get as many interviews in as possible during that time. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you, uh, Commissioner Gamble. Yeah, thank you. Thank you for that background information. Uh,
Commissioner Gamble. Um, c can you give us a sort of an overview of your of your approach? Um, it it would be helpful. In other words, when you're when you're stepping into, you know, role responsibility like
this typically, what is your approach in being able to dissect and take a look at the organization and then make recommendations? Just something quickly as an overview. I'm >> having a little bit issue issue hearing, but I think the question was what is my
approach um when I'm doing this type of work? >> Yeah. Yeah. A general overview of of what your approach is. Yep. >> Okay. And I'm not sure, tell me if this answers your question or not, Commissioner, but um I would describe my approach as candid but kind. So, I
definitely have a focus on building on things that are going well, but I tend to be fairly um handed and direct in identifying the things that I'm finding that need to be changed. Um so, and definitely with a focus on, as I said,
the highest risk areas um that you might have. So, I don't know if that responds to your question. Is there something further I could clarify or does that give you an idea? Well, that that's if you can hear or not, that's u sort of an
umbrella uh overall, but when uh when somebody's, you know, tasked with the responsibility coming in and and taking a look, it's sort of like uh trying to um determine and discern where I I
understand in in the overview that you gave us, the idea of um taking a look at the areas of greatest risk and and that is primarily, you know, focusing on the things that brought us to this point. But when you're evaluating and you're
doing interviews, so your methodology basically would be getting in there and not making any assumptions or anything and your your experience doesn't define anything, but you have a discipline process that informs you so that you're
in a position then to come back with recommendations. and and so the interview process is huge. Your approach so that you get people to be open and and kindness is is important but direct is because we need to get to the issues and um so that's
basically what I was looking at just understanding approach and style. [Applause] >> Absolutely. And I definitely have some if this more directly answers your question I definitely have some methodologies that I use. Um, I look at
comparison counties um to to kind of benchmark you as far as your case management, your case load, your staffing, your case load sizes, budget areas. So, if that helps give a little bit of perspective as well. Um, that is something that I typically look at.
>> Yeah. And and it's I think it's hugely important coming with recommendation to understand the environment in which activity and performance is is evaluated. And so if you take experience in a in being called in in another county that has different case loads,
different circumstances, different challenges, uh the response wouldn't be applicable in our situation. So understanding uniqueness is hugely important. So thank you. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you, Commissioner.
>> Uh Commissioner Stoley, please. >> Yes. Thank you. Good morning, Megan. Um I understand you were part of the um group meeting uh with new applicants for the director position. Were you part of that? >> Yes, I was part of the second round
interview I believe. I'm not >> 100% sure where that it was. It was in the process but I think believe it was the second round interview panel. Do you have any thoughts on the availability and folks out there who have the background and um the position of being
a director for health and human services? the um you know we went through um lots of um interviews and so forth for our administrator position and um that's a highly sought out position
with background that can be specific or can be you know become specific with some training but public health is a different thing because of taking care of people in you know in the county in different areas. Do you have a feel for
the possibilities out there uh for future applicants? >> I can certainly give you my opinion based on what I'm seeing in other counties around the state. I think that Cook County and I've shared this with Kristen and Plowman. I think that Cook
County is not at all unique and having a being challenged to find somebody who has the right qualifications. Um, and and also importantly is a good fit with with your county with your county's culture and as the other commissioner was saying with the the culture and the local values as well. I
mean, I think that's critically important. Um what a lot we're seeing in a lot of other smaller uh more rural counties is that they are um basically unable to find a director and are having to contract with another county or group
of counties to share a director. Um I had shared with Kristen and Plum and some examples of different ways this can work from other counties around the state. Um and it's not to say that you necessarily will end up with that solution. You may be able to find somebody still. Um, but just to, you
know, I did want to let Kristen and Plum know, and I know Kristen was already aware, that this is something that's worked pretty effectively for some other smaller counties around the state, and it is an option. Um, if you're finding, as many other counties have, that it's just very difficult in the current labor
market to find uh a qualified candidate that you can have confidence in. >> Thank you. That's what I wanted was your opinion on this. I'm hearing this when we go to other um meetings with other counties and um so I um appreciate your
opinion on that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> Uh Commission uh Commissioner Sullivan, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um Megan, one of the things you talked about in the time period that you'll be working with us up until February is that you'll be talking
to community stakeholders. Um, specifically, what individuals or groups do you have in mind? >> Um, Mr. Chair and Commissioner, if it's okay, I'd like to um kind of share this response with Kristen as she and Plowmen
are kind of working up a list of folks that they want to make sure that I connect with. Kristen, do you want to >> jump in here? Yes. Otherwise, I can give a high level opinion, but it might be more helpful for people to actually hear the the individual organizations that
you're wanting me to connect with. >> Thank you, Megan. So, we have not yet developed the full list of organizations that we um want to partner with and make sure are interviewed throughout this process. Um but Plowman and I will be working on that. Um and working with
Megan on that as well. So we want to, you know, hear from her who are the community organizations that she typically interviews in her role as consultant and then knowing our community and culture here, who are the folks that we we know we need to um and want to partner with as well as we move
forward. Um but at a high level, you know, certainly um this this board um would be one of them, our advisory um boards as well. Um and then um Grand Portage um and several others.
>> Thank you so much. >> Uh Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Megan, um >> sorry, Megan. >> Megan, thank you. um the discussion relative to partnering
with other counties. I think when you're looking at your values overall that um it's it's most important that we fill that position to accomplish uh the objectives that are both mandated
required of us and the level of service that we want to provide to our community. So we identify those values in that context. Um, I would say it's it's more important to be able to achieve what our objectives are, whether
it is partnering or whether it is hiring. And I personally would rather see resultsoriented decision as opposed to filling a position and having our own director. The other thing is is when
we're evaluating experience, ability, u complimentary giftings that a person brings to the position that we're finding in today's marketplace that partnerships, especially for small
counties, is highly attractive from a financial standpoint and again addressing what you're looking for in a position. They would rather fill a position with somebody that's competent, capable, capable, wellresected. And if we can provide the level of service in
that partnership, then I see that as as being a great opportunity. >> Great. >> Yes. And I don't know, Mr. chair and commissioner whether he wanted me to respond to that or there was a question there but I do agree that certainly the financial benefits of sharing a director
are one of the reasons why it is so so attractive and and especially in a difficult labor market where it's just effectively not possible at times to hire somebody. Um, I think one of the challenges that you may face in sharing a director if you move in that direction
is making sure that you feel that your own staff and your own community has enough time and attention from that person who's would be pulled in multiple directions um to the extent that you need it locally. So there there like
anything there are pros and cons. >> Yeah. >> To that approach. >> Yeah. >> Please go ahead. >> Yeah. And as a followup to that, I I was asking the question in the context of your experience as a consultant and what you have found because a lot of things can look attractive, but then your lived
experience tells you otherwise. So it it's basically saying and and I would agree there are pluses and minuses and you need to evaluate them in the context of your own particular situation. But that's that's a context of what the question gets asked your experience
whether that can be successful or not. Oh, absolutely. I've worked with several multicounty groups recently in in a different capacity with my consulting role and they have the they have the capacity to be very effective and have been in various parts of the state.
>> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, Megan. Any other questions? >> Doesn't look like it. All right. Well, thank you very much. um had the opportunity of meeting you earlier, but happy to see you again and and thank you
for introducing yourself and and speaking with our board and uh look forward to working uh more with you in the future. >> Likewise. Thank you for the opportunity this morning. >> Have a great day. >> You too. Bye-bye.
Okay, that moves us down to uh item five, director's report. And um let's um look at uh item C from our consent agenda, which is um the financial report. And Commissioner Gamble, you had a question or
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah. I the reason I want to have a discussion on it, I understand that the the context in which we see this budget is is not uh uh a scenario that that makes
things normal. We'll sort of say your your attention and things have been focused on multiple things and and because of the the staffing issues and and changes and things that we're confronting that that this financial report might look differently and that's just an assumption on my part. But when
I look at it and and I see where we're at at 3/4 of the year on this, uh that when you if you just drop down to the bottom, um it looks like on the expenditure side that every I mean we're just under 1% of 75% of budget, which is
where we should really be at. So that's amazing given what we've been dealing with. Um, on the revenue side, we're uh at uh 19% uh below. And I I'm just wondering if
the focus on things that uh are taking our attention have kept us from the required filings in order to get revenue where we have revenue opportunity. >> Yeah, I understand the question and the short answer is no. Um the longer answer
is um we we do receive revenue from the department of human services from the state and from the federal government based on quarterly reports we submit. So while we have um the quarter end now our expenditures uh have been uh incurred
uh we submit reports to DHS um through our quarterly reports and through other entities uh for grants. Um those examples are um again DHS for the mobile crisis response grant. Uh this community
health board for the work that the public health team does and there is a delay in between the time we have um the expenditures to when we receive the revenue. So in the month of
October here um I've reported we've completed our quarterly reports on time um this quarter and we are I I mean the fiscal team um so we will be receiving revenues um in
the month of October and November and December to offset uh these expenditures that we see. Uh similarly similar scenario we're going to see in the month of January of next year where we going to be reporting um expenditures for the
fourth quarter and have the time to receive revenue for year 2025 all the way through March end of March of 2026. So we keep double uh books for two separate years u for the first three
months of u the following year. Um, do should I go into some amounts? Uh, or is that going to be helpful? Yeah. >> So, Plman, I have a question for you with what you just said. Is that 56% is that typical to where we t where we
usually are this time of year? Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. And as followup, thank you for that. Um we often hear when we're doing budget discussions that the Brady County auditor treasurer will tell us that certain funds build whatever come in at
certain times. If we just look at at the paperwork without that understanding then these things can jump out at us and we wonder is it okay for the director within the department uh financial director whatever uh when they have that
understanding just given the nature of way things happen and they explain that then this puts us in a context that makes it healthy as opposed to raising a flag and saying how come we're at this point in some cases we have experienced in in the past that because we aren't
filing, we're missing opportunities for revenue because for whatever reason. And so the the oversight is simply making sure that as a director that we're in a position that you're entirely comfortable with knowing, you know, how
how things operate and on the expense and the revenue side. So it just wanting to get that explanation to go along with what the figures are reflecting. So thank you. >> Yep. Yeah. my team and I, we continue to look at every expenditure line and every
revenue line to make sure that um we understand where we're at at um every month. And uh one addition to that, we only have received one tax payment from the auditor's office um so far this
year. Typically, we receive three and their own schedule will be receiving the second payment at about 50% uh slightly less than that. um here in the month of October. Um and that will increase our revenues as well. But we al
we are waiting on payments from Department of Human Services for the quarterly reports. We're also waiting on a payment from the deed grant over $80,000 for um expenditures we've already incurred in 2025.
Um the mobile crisis response grant um from the DHS nearly $80,000 too. So uh I'm comfortable with um where we are sitting right now on our revenue site. I have no concerns. >> All right, Mr. Chair, I appreciate the conversation. Thank you. And with that,
I make a motion to accept the financial report as presented. >> Thank you. We have a motion from Commissioner Gamble. Is there support? >> Support. >> Thank you, Commissioner Sullivan. Motion support. Any further discussion? Hearing or saying none. All those in favor?
>> I opposed. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Uh we'll move on in our director's report now uh to item A, staff updates. I'll take I'd like to take a moment to uh welcome our new staff. They are hard
at work today. They were not able to join us, but I'll go um into a little bit of um each one of them. Olivia Bonander, adult home and community based services supervisor, started uh last Monday. She's returning to the agency. Her previous two roles included inh home
support coordinator and waiver case manager. Um she has hit the ground running. Um she is already looking at um um number of operational items related to the operations of her department and her team. And I'm very thankful to have
someone with that energy level um experience and um willingness to tackle things right off the bat um on our team. Um it's taking it's relieving some of my duties which I highly appreciate too. Um
but um yeah I just uh I'm very thankful for her um joining the team and coming with a lot of energy and experience. Sarah Ezen Reich is um I'll I'll explain a little bit down the director's report of her role but she's come she's
currently as a temporary worker in the mobile crisis response. The intent is for Sarah to complete required trainings under a grant um and to um be the primary responder for our agency uh
during business hours of 8 to 4. uh while the rest of the coverage is provided by the HTC uh human development center who's recently changed their name and um that will be in a minutes uh but I'm not able to provide her name right
at this second which I apologize Marina Fujimoro is regent recent um graduate of University of Minnesota and Duluth she is coming as an adult mental health worker u we did have um short but I think very productive active period of
time in which she over overlapped with the previous worker Lily Gerber Schulz. Um I want to thank Lily for her work and for staying just a little bit longer to provide support for Marina and um soft handoff with the clients that we are serving. I think that um anytime we have
a period in which the previous worker and the future worker u worked together for a even a small period of time as a very valuable um time spent and um so I'd like to welcome Marina. She's also
um already showing um um that she is energetic and working with clients um meeting clients one-on-one. She's um she's working with um on the clinical supervision of Mr. Dave Lee and I have
connected um Marina also with um the adult mental health team from Carlton County for additional support as things come up and I'm also providing support on some logistical and items as they come up from Marina. So welcome to all
three of them. Um I I feel like we are at we're beyond a turning point. We are at at point where we are starting to rebuild our team and starting to uh look forward and be strategic versus uh being reactive. And I'm very encouraged by
these recent hires um and by the hire of um Julie Keiny who was on a consent agenda. Julie is also returning to the agency with over 10 years of experience and waiver case management. Um so we are
starting to have um um teams where they're not depleted and not short-handed. Um the only shortages we're currently experiencing under on the behavioral health team, the position for the supervisor has been posted and the children and family services where
we have two workers currently. uh we are working um actively to seek assistance from other counties for that team and from Megan Moss who has experience on the children and family services u area.
Um with that I think that will take care of the staffing reports. Houston, do you >> mind if I I would like to add one more thing and that's um that as we are filling these positions, Plowman and I are having conversations with Megan Mo and Dave Lee just to make sure that the
positions that we're filling are high priority and make sense for the organization. So, they have supported um in in the position in particular that I'm referring to is the behavioral health supervisor. >> Oh, Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you for that
information. And that was a question that I had relative to looking at the organizational chart. looked like we have eight positions that are are not filled around there. and um uh having Megan on board and
David uh and yourself and working with Kristen that evaluating and looking and coming with a recommendation as to how we fill those positions as opposed to filling the positions in the context of what was and and that I think is a is a
very important thing and I think the community is is looking at to say how do we come out of this with an assessment that allows us to position ourselves to be fiscally responsible, um, responsive to our community as far as the level of
service that we provide and organ or organizationally efficient. And so I appreciate the fact that we're taking a thoughtful approach and and waiting for input from those that we've contracted with to help inform us in regard to how
we fill positions moving forward. who are not necessarily going to follow the same structure might be, but I'm I appreciate the fact that it's being evaluated. >> Did I see a hand over here or no?
>> Great. Thank you. >> Uh still continuing on the staffing while we continue um to search for an interim dire for a director I should say and uh different options. Um I had had a conversation with Megan and I have agreed to serve as an interim director
um for the time that um I am needed um and um so I think that's is probably the most practical approach for now until um I I was looking forward to hiring a director but the first round
the first round of um applicants we were not able to find one. So I'll continue to serve as long as I'm needed and I'll again provide support to the new director um for the time period that's also needed and ongoing.
>> Thank thank you. >> Make sure uh please make sure you're also getting the support that you need uh during the the two time in here. >> Thank your family. Thanks. >> Um, okay. We can move on to agency
updates. Senate. >> Yeah. I'd like to start with um a proclamation by um Governor Waltz um designating October 22nd as the county and tribal financial worker and case aid day.
Whereas county and tribal financial workers and KSAs provide outstanding service to the people of Minnesota through their administration of public assistance programs. And whereas county and tribal financial workers and case aids are responsible for the prudent
expenditure of millions of dollars annually and must meet high standards of job performance in determining eligibility for public assistance. The duties performed by the county and tribal financial workers and case aids require them to be well-versed in several areas to effectively provide
services to clients and the public. And it's important to recognize the valuable services county and tribal financial workers and case aids provide for motans through a culturally responsive case management, accessible community services and person centered focus. Um,
now therefore, Governor Waltz of Minnesota hereby proclaims Wednesday, October 22nd, year 2025 as the county and tribal financial worker in K8 day. I want to thank um I want to take a
moment and thank Dara and her team Christristen Patterson, Margaret Johnson, Andrea Cuthbert, Isabella Shehan, um Bet Slazel, Leanne Avery, and Katie Page for all the work they do
every day um to um provide services to our clients and community. Thank you. We're going to shift gears here now to um a related topic um to the um assistance programs. You are all aware
and the public that we are currently under a government shutdown and um Dmar is here to provide an update on the supplemental nutritional assistance program um as we have some updates to share with
you and the community. We did publish a news release last week on that. Um but for those who um have not had a chance to read that um the SNAP benefits for November um may be in danger uh due to
the government shutdown. So Demar is going to uh provide a update on what that looks like and what um some of the measures we're taking to address that. Um so we received an information last Thursday that the US Department of
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services has announced that due to federal government shutdown, there will not be sufficient funds to pay for November SNAP and EMP benefits.
Um, SNAP is a supplemental nutrition assistance program that provides food assistance for individuals and families. And MIP is the Minnesota Family Investment Program that provides cash and food benefits for people with minor
children. Why MIB is tangled into uh this? It's because MIP consists of the food uh portion and at this time the
state is um does not have a solution to um uh split this apart. It's like when we approve MIB benefits, it's always approved as a package. Uh so at this
time um the MIP program is also um affected by this but um the state is looking into solutions so hopefully there will be able to resolve this. Uh
what does this mean? Um um this mean for the households who currently are active on food support. um they still receive their benefits for October and they are able to use them, but November's benefits are at risk and
may uh be unavailable if the shutdown continues. Um for individuals and families that um uh apply for benefits, they still may apply. We still accept uh applications.
We gather verifications, complete interviews and approve benefits. Uh but uh they must be aware that those benefits might not be issued. Uh and as soon as um you know, we still
encourage individuals to submit the application and get those cases ready. So hopefully when the government shutdown is resolved this this they they can receive their benefits. Um what uh
we uh pulled a report just just to give you some numbers and perspective. What does that mean for our community? we put pull up a report uh for September that's um the October report is not available
yet of food support cases and MIB cases in our county. So for food support we have 212 uh people active on food support that includes
138 adults and 74 children and SNAP payments in September of 2025 amounted to $31,000. Now if we're looking at MIP program, we
have 23 people active on this program which includes six adults and 17 children. And MIP payments issued in September um amounted to um $10,751.
That's all what I have. >> Thank you, Mr. G. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can you give for us uh you gave the total amount of dollars for each and you gave the total number of individuals. Can you give the
range within each of those provisions like for SNAP the the minimum and the maximum that an individual receives in each of those programs? So, with food support, the minimum
amount that someone would receive, a household of one would receive would be $23 per month. Um, and maximum um no, I wish I had my uh br my computer, but uh the maximum
amount for a household of one is $292. uh when we kind of when we pull the reports of all different cases, uh the higher number we see is the the numbers for families where we can see
somewhere between $700 and a little over $1,000 of a monthly benefit. >> Okay. All I wanted to add is we have a list of um we have generated a list and we aware
of um the exact amounts and um and uh we are ready with a plan as um if if if needed to assist. But we're also hopeful that um the federal government shutdown does not
continue into November uh as it's going to affect um uh the SNAP benefits for the entire nation and not just the state of Minnesota, but we have no control over it obviously. >> Yeah. And Mr. Chair, as a followup to that,
thank you for that information. I just from the public to understand um that uh the number of families or individuals that are affected by this provision and what that amount is puts things in in in context. If you look at the median
amount of what that would be between the low and the high, the greater majority of individuals receive approximately this much that says to the community that you've got this many individuals who are going to have this less amount
of money to purchase food if in fact the shutdown continues. So >> yeah. Mhm. >> Yeah. We are sure hopeful that in the next two weeks everything will be resolved and we don't need to worry about those
numbers. >> Thank >> you chairman. So we aren't meeting until way into November. Okay. >> What kind of plans do you think will be helpful in the community, especially
food-wise if folks aren't able to they can apply, but they aren't going to get anything or not much? >> We will continue to provide updates as they come from the Department of Human Services um weekly and or as they become
available. Um there is uh notice that is going out to all SNAP recipients today um via USPS directly from the Department of Human Services informing them of um what could be coming for us in the uh in
our in our news releases. We are including um options for um those clients. We are also able to support as needed. We have some availability of um resources to support um clients in need
but uh we also directed them to food to food shelves to rubies pantry and other resources that we have shared in our news release. We did briefly talk about this at our district meeting and one of the things I just said simply, you know, grocery
stores have their carts there and folks can deposit something or sometimes there's a theme, you know, maybe this is the soup week or whatever. So, we could up and help on that. >> Um, other than like you say, you do have some extra resources that could be used
depending upon how long this goes. Yeah, those are our emergency funds and resources. So, we when we uh dip into them that um um that is um something we'll be careful, but we will assist as needed.
>> Sure. Thank you. >> And I would just add that those funds and resources will not cover the full amount past a certain amount of time. So those that can contribute and can donate, we really are encouraging the public um to do that to help the
families that are potentially going to have this need. >> Thank you, Mr. Camp. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Another point, has it been communicated as to in some cases with the funding uh not being
available whether anything would be retroactive? In other words, if if the community that participates in these benefits are being told that when the funding is provided at the federal level that payments will
be retroactive or it'll just begin again. >> We did not hear any any of that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Any other um agency updates you'd like to share? >> I do have um several updates from the public health team. So, if you don't mind, I'm going to read through them here now. >> Okay. Uh those are provided by Grace Granager, a public health supervisor. Um I want to thank you for that
>> and the entire public health team for their work. Um the resource directory website project continues to be in planning phase. At this point the cross- sector planning group along with PHHS staff is voting on potential names for the site. The billboard promoting 988
will be going up in November. This is part of the giant campaign funded entirely by the mobile crisis response grant. Calls to 988 that screen into a mobile crisis response are routed to our local staff during business hours and after hours to HTC. Again, they have
changed their name. Improving awareness to 988 is a strategy to also drive utilization for our local mobile crisis response service. Welcome back to school day on October was a success with around 30 local
participants. Our fall and winter preparedness campaign underway and will run through mid- November. Community members are encouraged to post about their preparedness efforts and or to call public health to let the team
know about individual preparedness efforts for entry into a raffle to win a pre-made preparedness kit donated by Paramount Planning. This project is a collaboration with emergency management in both Cook County and ground porridge as well as the local business
businesses. Clearly general store, ground porridge trading post and joins Ben Franklin and the Grand Marray public library. These are all places where you can pick up a preparedness checklist. Grace Granager, public health
supervisor, attended the state community health services advisory committee meeting in Brooklyn Park on October 8th and 9th. The topic of this meeting was tribal and county public health system and collaboration. Andrea Orest, harm reduction and prevention specialist and Rosio Rivers,
youth prevention specialist, attended the prevention program sharing conference in Duluth on October 14th and 15th along with local prevention coalition member Kim Nelson. and Andrea is part of the session of the development of the regional speaking of
cannabis campaign in collaboration with our regional community health board. This campaign focuses on providing parents and caregivers tools to talk with the young people in their lives about cannabis and its effects on develop on a developing brain.
Local prevention coalition member Larry Dean wrote an article for substance misuse prevention plan. There is a link that we're going to include with the minutes. The coalition also partnered with the Grammar Public Library to create a display of books related to substance misuse prevention.
The regional board to health survey continues to be cir circulated locally to a randomly selected uh I'm sorry, the regional bridge to health survey continues to be circulated locally to a randomly selected group of households. Grace was on WTAP to talk about the
survey and its uses since the paper survey hits mailboxes last week. Andrea says that the name for HDC is Bridgewater Health. So we'll correct that. We'll correct that in a minutes.
>> Brightwater she said Bridgewater >> TBD. >> I I apologize. Yes, it is bright. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um Christina Matson, ship coordinator, updated a brochure
providing local food support resources that is available through the department and to the community at large. In addition to SNAP, the wick program is also impacted by the federal shutdown if it continues into November. MDHbased
staff are looking at what the impacts might be and how to mitigate the impacts for participants. Wick participants are receiving direct messages from AMDH through the Wick app at as the situation evolves. Rossio Rivers Youth Prevention
Specialist will be at the ISD 1666 and GES weekly to provide support to middle school aged youth by connecting them to community resources and facilitating conversations about prevention topics. She's also working with two pre-exist pre-existing youth groups in both Grand
Page and the LGBTQI plus youth group in Grand Marray to provide prevention resources and supports. Uh here's the update on Sarah's work. The mobile crisis response pilot continues. Sarah Asen Rea and Melissa Wuquire are both in their roles as a
temporary employees with PHS funded through the mobile crisis response grant. Andreas continues to serve as the lead responder project lead with Sarah expected to have completed trainings and ready to engage in response efforts by the beginning of November.
The draft needs assessment from the University of um Wisconsin Superior for the mobile crisis response project will be available by the November PHS board meeting for review. There is a northeast Minnesota age
friendly regional event on November 3rd in Chisum. Grace will be speaking on the panel on uh to represent the age friendly community engagement project conducted in 2023 2024 in Cook County as well as subsequent action planning
efforts. A draft action plan will be available by November PHS board meeting for review. I want to um if I may close in on with couple uh comments. Um we have been going through a lot of transition in our department. But I want to make sure that
the um commissioners, the community and um everyone else understands that um our department is and team is working very hard in many aspects and many areas and continues to provide a top uh quality service to our um clients and community.
And I want to thank every single one of the staff members for a hard work they've been doing under difficult and challenging circumstances. Um so thank you. >> Thank you.
Any questions for plummet? >> Looks like not. Thank you again. Um no items for board action today. moves us down to our committee reports, which I inaccurately um predicted to not have time for. So now we have
>> you were just setting us up so we wouldn't be disappointed. >> Uh so uh we can we can start on those and we do have plenty of time. So um the first one is the active living steering committee, Commissioner White. Well, unfortunately, and I do need to still
speak with uh Christina and um Rowan, but it was in my calendar, you know, you accepted and it goes straight into your calendar. Uh the start time was 11:00 in my calendar and it was actually 9:00. >> So, I only got the last 15 minutes,
which was very disappointing. But um so I don't have a complete description of what happened then but um you want me to continue on to the next one >> please. Yeah. Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency. >> Yes. I traveled down the road to
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency and they are though they are struggling in some aspects with their funding because of the feds. They are still great community support. They are building are in the process. It's a
multi-year process of building a homeless shelter. Not for one person, but but for a number of people. They've also just um retired and now I don't remember anybody's name. >> Oh, Scott.
>> Yeah, Scott just retired. uh it was uh it is a wellfunctioning and it seems as though because there are many employee reports that the people that work in that agency really care about community not only
inside the agency but outside the agency. So that's it's pretty hopeful for the world. And then oh now it's Gary's turn. >> Uh oh. Oh, no. >> Health Alliance. Yeah.
>> Yes. There was uh that I did not go I did go down to Duth, but I did attend I zoomed in on that one. And uh there was not a lot of new things happening at all. The new contract for the building and all that had been taken care of um
months ago and they're just moving along. We were discussing um at one point the review of the director um job performance and making certain that his compensation
making certain that his compensation uh aligns with across the region. So >> it's very nice we have the zoom option or the >> yeah like I can't Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um, next one is
Arrowhead Regional Corrections. Commissioner Gamble, >> thank you. Uh, Commissioner White and I attend those meetings. This meeting was held uh, following our district meeting and so they rescheduled at 1:00 and we met
in the government center in Duth. Uh the primary bulk of the discussion was um a close session relative to union negotiations and so um how they approach that and um
um considerations to be made relative to the bargaining groups. I think there's 12 of them and uh the link of course with Arrowhead Corrections is uh basically as Commissioner Nelson from St. Louis said, "I feel like I'm bar
bargaining with myself because it is St. Louis County really that ends up picking up this bill and then it's covered in part through the distribution of what we pay as participating counties. So, um the um that was the bulk of the
conversation. Uh, I was privileged to be part of the evaluation of the executive director, Becky. And, um, in my first term as commissioner, I had the privilege of being on the personnel committee and, um, interviewing her for
a position in one of the the three um, operations under Arrowhead Corrections. And it um, has been uh, a real joy. that was a term that was used often in the evaluation to see her progress uh the
respect and um I was basically I use the term blown away by the staff and uh their evaluation of her and um so when you see somebody we've all probably had experiences in life where we bump into somebody and then we see them later in
life and we see how far they've come because of who they are and what they contribute. So, it was a very very positive review. She does an excellent job and uh we're looking at at new ways as far as setting challenges for her
moving forward. Uh new ways that we can market AOC because they do such an excellent job in their relational um u approach to trying to reduce recidivism amongst
offenders. And uh the other is continuing to cultivate our relationship with the tribes within the Arrowhead region uh which we've made great progress on and appreciate that partnership. So um it was it was a a good meeting because the time was
consumed with the union negotiation overview. Uh the reports were very brief and it happened fast but uh it's always a good meeting. >> Thank you. Um, next one is the child care solutions
subcommittee. Commissioner Stoley, >> we've now moved. >> Okay. Thank you. The next one's community health board. We had our meeting yesterday. Um, uh, our our director is out on on medical um, and a very short well
relatively short meeting for for that for that board. But um my my normal highlight is with our our medical um advisor or doctor and uh it was on the bird flu aven flu H5N1
and uh just gave a little overview of that. I requested also um West Nile to be put on that. I've been hearing more about that. But the reason he picked um bird flu was just because it's been in the news a fair amount again and he just
wanted to learn more about that and and share what he learned. And I'm took just a few notes. Um I guess there's been 900 cases globally in humans. Um 50% of which were in Egypt
in 2024 and 2025. Um and there's been one death in the US. Um so the fear is when aven flu comes to mammals and then can then also come to
humans. Um and there are stockpiles of uh of vaccines but it's um being saved for if there is a pandemic there. So thought that was pretty interesting. Um most of the contractions with humans are with um farm workers. Um and it is an
airborne um virus. So um just just good to you know be aware and keep things in perspective there. And um at this point it doesn't seem like a very
impending threat, but we want to be prepared for if that that you know mutation happens. Um it sounds like Finland is the only country in the world that does offer a vaccination for it um currently even
though there are stock piles globally. So, um, yep. And we also had our personnel committee before before that meeting um talking about just uh the labor market and and um you know uh FML uh or paid
family medical leave um and how that's going to affect um you know staff or not and just what those costs would be. So, we're going to be deciding more on that in December. Uh that moves us on to the Cook County
Local Advisory Council for mental health. Uh Rana. >> Okay. We talked um the all I think all of the new hired pe newly hired people were there and we got mainly just met them and they talked and it was very helpful to do that and good to see them
and that was a very very very good meeting and I'd like to add to that um >> Grace was talking about the uh uh 988 number and that it is Not just for
people who are suicidal. There was the discussion that there are many lonely people that people just need to talk about somebody to talk out their problems with. Like the day is just really going poorly. They have no one else. Do call 988. I mean that is what
and so as the conversation evolved where is a place in this county for those people that are indeed pretty isolated or alone it's the hub that there and that is indeed a place where people just
come. No money is necessary. You don't have to buy anything. It's a large enough space it can accommodate a small group or a large group or whatever. But that was um something the uh Council on
Aging does had met the week before, but that was a a perfect spot for people to congregate and not feel out of place. So >> yeah, >> thank you.
>> Yeah. And I I especially appreciate just the the emphasis that 980 does not have to be for suicide. It's for >> and I actually was unaware of that. I just thought when it gets really bad, >> right? >> But no, they
>> Thank you for Yeah, thank you for for bringing that up. Much appreciated. Uh let's see here. Uh restorative justice, Commissioner Gamble. >> Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh so we met, we went over case load, which is
typically what we do, how things are going and and opportunities that we have to work with um uh victims and perpetrators and get them talking to each other to try to um reconcile and u
it's it's a healthy approach that doesn't take a punitive um uh approach, but uh seeks to help both the perpetrator and the victim understand each other and and the effect of the
offense. Um, a lot of those tend to be related to um altercations or shoplifting and um so we go over case load. The other thing is that the grant monies that we had talked about 300 some
thousand dollars that the restorative justice is um taking the initiative to begin a not forprofit. And so they are soliciting uh board members and they are uh putting together articles of
incorporation and bylaws in anticipation of submitting that so that they get the not for-profit status. The advisory uh committee will still u advise that board, but um that direction is is
something that they feel that they will do that will help help them better serve their objectives when it comes to restorative justice. So >> that's big news. Thank you. >> Uh council on aging commissioner white back to me. Yeah.
>> Okay. Well, when we met last week or week before um there was discussion about uh finances of course really hoping I mean they got perhaps we'll be getting 35,000 from the
county but they are uh really not scrambling at this point but and they have a healthy bottom line and in uh CDs those things but um they are definitely hoping that the that they could become a
line item for for the services or for the space that they provide. And uh in light of what I said about 988 and people being lonely, some of the uh situations that have occurred at the
hub just this summer have been where um somebody comes in and this was one particular person, I have no male, but I have no idea anything else, but for a number of days just to have a a warm place to be
during the day and then what and I do know that uh it was discussed that people have come in or on occasion where their check hasn't come in yet but they would like to have a meal and and there's absolutely they get get a meal
and uh as a rule the people return when the check when they get paid and they come back in the price for a meal has been raised to $5 now instead of >> four >> four 450 has gone up incrementally but
it's now five and that's because AEOA they just have to raise it that's all there is to it so um yeah so the that's another and and then it was I noticed when I was there at the meeting that there were indeed
new people that I actually locals I couldn't think of their names but they were just gathering and having cups of coffee in different spots. And so that that was a good thing about it's a very highly active involved uh committee
group of board members. >> Thank you. Uh emergency preparedness committee, Commissioner Sullivan. >> Um thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to jump back to Council on Aging. Um and just um remind the public that during
the month of November um in honor of Veterans Day that the Cook County Council of Aging will be providing meals to veterans throughout the month. And um this is being sponsored by Auxiliary
413. And um veterans just need to call in and let them know what type of what day they're going to have a meal. maybe it's multiple days and just let them know their branch of service. We are tracking that and uh so we look forward
to many veterans um being able to come to the hub and not only have their meal in honor of Veterans Day but also to make sure that they're connecting with others in our community. So just a little plug for that. um for emergency preparedness. Um
Plummen um shared information from Grace, but we are promoting emergency preparedness. Not the go bags that I'm well known for during the summer for fire, but in looking at winter preparedness and making sure that whether it be in your home, in your
vehicle, in general for your family that you have all the materials that you need. So there's lots of information that will be going out through social media. Um, Plman mentioned all the local organizations that are supporting this as well, but I would really encourage
people to submit their checklists. Um, join in the raffle because you get a great bucket from Paramount Planning of all kinds of emergency gear. I would love to be able to get that. Um, I'm not going to participate because I already have my um, amazing um, go bag for all
seasons, but I really encourage our public to get involved. And it's a way to again help your family and uh be prepared for what we know will come at some point. Commissioner White, >> and I'm assuming there are at least two or three chocolate bars in that in that
bucket. >> Certainly in my equipment, there are many more than three. That's for sure. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh healthcare planning committee commissioner Stoley,
>> we've not met. any any update from Nico? >> We are meeting lots. >> Yeah. >> About um every three days I'm getting an update and um so I just have to >> wait and see what what's going to happen nationally. Um we do have um by Friday
some selective um areas that we've been voting on. So I'll make sure I get that submitted by Friday and just wait and see what happens. >> Thank you. Uh let's see. Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training Commissioner Gamble
>> meet tomorrow. Thank you. >> Northshore Collaborative did not meet. Uh then we have our advisory council. Frank's not here today. Anything you can share with us, Commissioner Gamble? >> I don't believe we met. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we haven't met for uh successive
months now. >> Okay. and the Cook County Food Access Council uh did meet and um talked about food shelf and the su the super shelf planning um and just a lot of the collaboration that's happening also
snacks and packs and then um uh there's been some collaboration between the Northwest Food Project Farmers Market and the food shelf trying to um bolster that with um produce that was uh not sold at the farmers market um and
bringing that to the food shelf. So just uh really impressed with our community's um collaboration and cooperation and um really trying to think outside the box as far as what can we do um and to to
help those that that really need it. >> Commissioner Shley. >> Yes. Um could you give us an idea about the capacity at the food shelf which is at the congregational church I believe and what the impact would be if we all start bringing a lot of supplies. Do you
have any idea on that? I don't have perspective on operations and where they're at in that remodel. Um or the best way to, you know, because uh the best way to get resources there because I don't think you're going to
want to do it just oneoffs. Um but I can ask more specifically and and maybe get some clear >> Dunk I think is guidance on that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, there's a there's a team but yeah, Donna Lunkkey might be great to reach out to. Um there was an email thread
that I um can pull up here to see if there was any any other contact points there. >> And Mr. Chair, while you're looking that up, um just a reminder for everybody here that um the Association of Min
Minnesota Counties is asking for us to report how we are helping our community potentially get through this crisis with um >> food. And so ideas that we have, things that we see on social media, things that
we are aware are successful, they would like a report from that so they can share out to other counties and spread the wealth, spread the ideas. >> And this email thread was just about um scheduling. It wasn't about any of that that progress there. So,
>> thank you, Commissioner Svin. >> Sure. Um but I'll I'll certainly get back on what what the best path is and where where the the capacity is. >> Right. >> Um last one is for the good of the
order. Anything um we haven't covered someone would like to share. >> Mr. Gamble. Yeah, I I'm sure we all uh share this u sentiment if you want to refer to it that, but it's it's it's
much more. uh whenever we experience something that that is challenging um and as we have in public health human services that um um it can take your emotions. It can take your thinking, your thought process,
your conversations with constituents different directions. And uh things that are challenging are called and termed that because they are that. And so as a board, I'm sure that uh we all uh express our deep appreciation for those
that have held in there and have persist uh doing your jobs in the midst of the weightiness of things that are challenging. And um I would I would also say that um uh in uh Reena Rogers in her
intern position being willing to tackle this when she in fact did not have to >> um has served this community well and uh with Kristen coming in um anytime somebody steps into a new position
you're always looking forward to everything and then you find out what reality is in some areas and it can be a bit overbearing, but that is simply to say that the term community means within the the circle of the people that that
bear the responsibility that uh there's there's deep appreciation for the willingness to tackle this in our individual lives. we are confronted with things that are disheartening and and um people come
alongside and as a community we want to come alongside the department and look at what we can gain out of this experience that makes us better and more effective at what we do. So, thank you to all the people and your staff that are are uh are stepping up to the plate
and trying to make us better. >> Thank you, Mr. Gamble. Um, with nothing else, we're at our last item, which is adjournment. So, we're adjourned. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Well, at least I didn't throw it away. >> Yeah. >> Okay, good. Okay, I'm starting. Excellent. you know, just running dreams and