The meeting commenced with the Board unanimously endorsing a joint proclamation on homelessness. The initiative, presented by a representative from the Caslay Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness, aims to foster collaborative efforts among five cities in the metro area to address homelessness. The proclamation emphasizes a coordinated approach to tackling homelessness. The representative explained that the council seeks to unify efforts across jurisdictions.

Another topic discussed was the transition from the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program to the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program. This transition, which began in October 2024, has sparked confusion among service providers and recipients due to licensing issues and insufficient infrastructure to support the change. Of the 946 PCA agencies previously enrolled, only 320 are now qualified to provide CFSS services. Currently, only 70 individuals in Clay County have been approved for CFSS, with just 24 having engaged with a consultation services provider. The scarcity of consultation service providers—only 18 agencies available for the 50,000 individuals needing transition—was highlighted as a severe bottleneck in the process.

The Board expressed frustration over the lack of adequate support and infrastructure to facilitate the transition, which has left many individuals without access to essential services. The challenges with the CFSS transition reflect broader systemic issues at the state level, with the Department of Human Services (DHS) still working to resolve licensing discrepancies.

The Board also received an update on the disability services provided in the county. The discussion covered the developmental disability waiver program, which served 216 individuals in 2024. The waiver program, designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities requiring nursing home-level care, remains a vital component of the county’s support system. The update also included information about the Rule 185 developmental disability case management program and other services like the family support grant and semi-independent living skills program, which aim to promote community integration and independent living for individuals with disabilities.

In addition to these discussions, the Board addressed staffing challenges within the adult health program. A request was made to fill two open registered nurse positions following recent resignations. The program currently faces high caseloads, and the difficulty in recruiting qualified RNs was acknowledged. The Board approved a motion to advertise and hire for these positions, emphasizing the need to maintain adequate staffing levels to support community health services.

The meeting also touched on family and child care licensing, with updates provided on the current number of licensed family child care homes and ongoing recruitment efforts. The Board was informed of the recruitment initiatives, including a referral bonus program and marketing efforts aimed at increasing the number of licensed providers in the county. Concerns were raised about potential rule changes affecting in-home child care, with discussions noting the possible financial burden on providers and the division of responsibilities between the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the newly formed Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Further updates were given on various community development initiatives, including a significant grant allocation to Norman County and a federal grant received by the City of Felton for upgrading its water system. The Board discussed the partnership with the West Central Water District to improve resource management, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and service delivery across the region.