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CASS COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE ZONE BOARD MEETING <br />March 7, 2022 <br />MINUTES <br />With quorum present, Chair Bollinger called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p.m. <br />Present: <br />Absent: <br />Presenter: <br />Duane Breitling, Rick Steen (via Teams), Carey Fry, Brian Hagen, Julie Haugen, <br />Michelle Kommer, Dan Madler, Gail Bollinger <br />Gail Bollinger, Zone Director; Lynn Flieth, RSR Human Services Zone Director; <br />Heather Collins, Executive Staff Officer; Carissa Cowley and Carrie Smith, CCHSZ <br />Case Management Supervisor <br />I. Approval of Minutes <br />Commissioner Breitling made a motion to approve the February 7, 2022, Board minutes. <br />Mr. Hagen seconded it. Motion carried. <br />II. Featured Program: Family Services <br />Carissa Cowley and Carrie Smith, Family Based (Case Management) Supervisors in the <br />Family Service Division, were present to present on Family Services. Tammy Ressler and <br />Brad Hassler are two other Family Based Supervisors who were not present as they were <br />tending to emergencies. <br />Ms. Cowley and Ms. Smith shared an overview of the Family Service Division. A statewide <br />central intake unit is used to report child abuse concerns as well as cases being referred <br />to as Children in Need of Protection Services (CHIPS) ve rsus Deprivation. Current barriers <br />including finding appropriate placement for children with behaviors and higher mental <br />health needs. Due to the increase in these types of cases, it is becoming more difficult to <br />find appropriate placement and/or staff adequately trained to handle higher behavioral <br />problems. <br />Ms. Smith and Ms. Cowley provided an update regarding the upcoming redesign of Foster <br />Care and In-Home programs. As of April 1, 2022, there will be a Centralized Foster Care <br />Division for the State of North Dakota. This change wil l allow any Zone to utilize any <br />licensed foster home in the State. <br />Discussion ensured related to the tool utili zed by Child Protective Services during the <br />assessment. Ms. Cowley indicated the tool would be provided to the Board at the next <br />meeting. Additional discussion focused on the availability of facilities for placement for <br />children with mental health needs. It was also inquired if there were other facilities that <br />would take children in need of placement. Staff explained there are very few. Prairie St. <br />John's would be able to accommodate if there are higher mental health issues. The agency <br />does partner with PATH, who can provide therapeutic foster homes as well, but it is a <br />lengthy process and there is a wait list. Currently there is a state request for proposal for <br />Shelter Care funds available to individuals who would like to set up appropriate placement <br />options for these types of situations. However, as of this date, there have been no <br />applicants.