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CASS COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE ZONE BOARD MEETING <br />February 7, 2022 <br />MINUTES <br />With quorum present, Director Bollinger cal led the meeting to order at 1:00 pm. <br />Present: Duane Breitling, Carey Fry, Br ian Hagen, Julie Haugen, Michelle Kommer, Dan Madler (via <br />Teams), Rick Steen (via Teams) <br />Absent: <br />Presenter: Gail Bollinger, Human Service Zone Director; Kim Jacobson, Agassiz Val ley Human <br />Service Zone Director <br />I. Approval of Minutes <br />Mr. Breitling made a motion to approve the Janua ry 18, 2022, Board m inutes. Mr. Hagen <br />seconded it. Motion carried. <br />II. Role of a Human Service Zone Board Member -Video and Discussion <br />A video narrated by Director of Zone Operations Kristen Hasbargen regarding the roles and <br />duties of a human service zone board member viewed. It can be found here: North Dakota <br />Human Service Delivery System -YouTube <br />Board members inquired of zone performance metrics. Ms. Jacobson explained that the <br />reporting process is still in development by DHS. It is expected to appear like a report card, <br />providing a rating on zone performance. <br />Ms. Jacobson clarified board's role regarding requests for Full-Time Equivalent {FTE) <br />positions. The human service zone board will be consulted prior to requesting FTEs beyond <br />the appropriated level. <br />Ill. Featured Program: Adult Protection Services (APS) <br />Susan Harris, Chelsey Niklas, and Lyndsey Olson from the Adult Protective Service (APS) <br />Unit, also commonly referred to as Vulnerable Adult Protective Services (VAPS), were <br />present. Jeremy Parrow is the fourth staff member of the unit but was unable to attend. <br />This unit serves the Region V including Steele, Traill, Cass, Ransom, Sargent, and Richland <br />Counties. <br />APS began in North Dakota in 1989. Beginning in 2013, mandated reporting laws were <br />enacted and created a large influx of vulnerable adult reports. The APS Un it investigates <br />allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. By statute <br />this is defined as any adult over the age of 18 years of age who has a substantial physical or <br />cognitive impairment or someone unable to defend against an alleged perpetrator. <br />A statewide central intake receives all reports regarding vulnerable adult concerns. Upon <br />receipt of a report, the report is reviewed to determine if it meets VAP criteria. If so, the <br />report is forwarded to the regional APS unit where the vulnerable adult resides. APS's goal <br />is to assess the situation and connect the individual with community resources that will be <br />able to assist them going forward <br />The Region V APS team receives an average of 1-10 reports each day. Average APS worker <br />caseloads range between 30 to 60 cases. APS provides assessment and referral services.