00:00:00,000	know, you did. That. Okay. Good afternoon. We’ll call to order the Burleigh County Human Service zone board. It is Tuesday, March 17th at 3 p.m.. Um, we have some people who couldn’t attend in person, so they are on via phone. So we’ll just start by doing, um, roll call of members.

00:00:25,500	Commissioner Bakken here. Kelly Berglund. Senator Deaver here. Tracy. Famous. Jim Holm. here. Trevor Bennett here. And Director Fleury. Here. Um, I do know that Tracy is on by zoom, so I don’t know. Tracy or Kelly. If you’re on. Can you try and respond? She says she has no sound. Oh, okay. You got it.

00:01:17,300	Ireland. I like it right? I should turn that on for you. It’s not. Warm to do the minutes. Okay. Um, for the public. They’re working on the audio, so we’ll just keep moving. We do have a quorum, so we’ll just go on to the, um.

00:02:51,570	The third item on the agenda was the approval of the meeting minutes. So that should be in front of the board. That was from your December 16th, 2025 meeting. So if anybody had any, um, comments, questions, concerns or wanted to make a motion on those minutes. I want to move. Second. Perfect. So we have a motion and a second, I’ll just say, um, all in favor say aye. Aye.

00:03:11,070	Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. Um, next on the agenda is public comment. So we’re open for any public comment. If anybody wants to comment. Seeing none, we will. Oh, Tracy, can you hear us now? I can hear you. Yes. Can you hear me? Yep. Kelly, are you on? Okay. Are you on line two? Kelly.

00:03:47,900	She didn’t make MPO. Okay? No. Okay. Um, next on the agenda is the director’s report. So I will just kind of go over the programs. We can start with economic assistance. So, uh, over the last quarter, we have continued to work on our outreach with the doctor.

00:04:06,100	So that is, uh, having our team members go to the state pen and Mark, they’re there about two times a month. They average about 12 to 15, um, residents that they’re seeing during each of those visits, and they’re helping them with their release planning as far as completing applications for assistance

00:04:22,870	programs. We are also doing outreach at Ministry on the Margins and Dream Center. Those are happening once or twice a month, depending on everybody’s capacity. But doing the same type of efforts, bringing the worker to the people to do on demand interviews and support with applications.

00:04:43,670	We look towards potential outreach through the detention center, but right now we’re pretty limited on our capacity. I have had communication with them about that. They just would need us there much more frequently due to the, um, people coming in and out. But, uh, we in the meantime could provide education on completing those applications. But right now, we’re not doing the outreach.

00:05:03,930	Uh, in this unit, they continue to do ongoing efforts to address the backlog and the programs for applications. So reminder for this board and the public that although we are for Burley County, uh, human service Zone, we serve, uh, constituents statewide and those applying for benefits statewide. So our workers could be touching cases from all over the state.

00:05:25,630	The backlog right now is pretty focused on the snap. However, uh, there’s backlog in all areas. When I check last, the Snap applications are dated back from December 2022, have not yet been authorized. Lie heap is dating back to December 15th with child care and TANF dating back to January 2026.

00:05:47,030	Medicaid also falls back into December. Um, we did meet last week as directors and HHS economic assistance leadership to address the current need, as well as just coming up with strategizing on long term changes to avoid this process happening.

00:06:07,330	This is not this has happened historically, where we continue to what we feel like put bandages on the situation will increase over time. We’ll do focus blitzing in certain areas. But they then when we get caught up, we we go back into backlog. So there was just greater conversation. That could cover all of that. Yes please. Yep.

00:06:28,630	That that that is something Senator Denver, I think we really need to talk to the department wide about. It’s really been tough for clients. Again, it’s to the point where we submit something and I’ll submit it on time. Let’s say my rent is due for a change March 1st.

00:06:52,030	I just got a letter last Monday saying, oh, we finally got to it. We increased it to your case. Well then that I have complaints also. You said all programs are backed up. And why he’s been some of the stuff like I just applied for why he in the Patterson and I’ve lived there for ten years and they’re just finding now that I’m eligible.

00:07:15,570	And we’ve asked the eligibility workers in the past and they said, no, we’re not eligible. But then community options, Scott says, yes, we are. So we fill out the application and we’re waiting for weeks, months, however long it takes to hear back and nothing gets done. It’s just very frustrating and it’s affecting.

00:07:41,770	Hundreds 17 residency in that whole building. So the and they’ll only get three months back pay. So it’s the system is very convoluted. It’s very complicated. And then sometimes we get accused as clients. Oh we didn’t find it. So we you know we have to call the call center. And it’s a big mess.

00:08:08,970	So I think there’s something broken that needs to be fixed. And I don’t know what it is, Chelsea, but it’s it’s not just a Burley County thing. It’s statewide. And that’s kind of where I’m leaning to. Thanks. It’s not your issue. It’s a state issue. It’s it’s very hard for clients to get.

00:08:36,730	Um thank you. Trevor, what you shared has been shared, um, with many zones specifically more recently, louder than ever. Um, so I know that we hear you. We understand that. We talked about that at our meetings last week about the impact to the service delivery to clients.

00:08:55,430	You are correct that this isn’t just our zone or any zone. It’s a statewide processing. It’s a statewide issue. And so that was the intent of that meeting last week, was to come up with, um, where did we veer from the good service delivery and the customer service? What was the intent of the economic

00:09:12,500	assistance redesign, and how do we correct what’s happening? Yes, because I hear it from young families, family voices. I hear it from Dakotas that are from independent living. I hear it all over the city. They say it’s very unfriendly to work with. You don’t get answers. You have to recall back.

00:09:38,170	And then if you get disconnected, let’s say your wife is not working, then it just hangs up on you and it’s connected to the computer. So it’s just something needs to change. I don’t know what I know what the intent of redesign was, but it’s time for change because we as clients shouldn’t have to wait for a response.

00:10:03,230	And then if people lose out on their food stamps and say they don’t have money, you know, and don’t have a little bit of it saved up from the previous month, or don’t have a special account, they’re screwed.

00:10:25,100	And how is Morton County doing with their stuff? How are they? Have you talked to the director over there at all? Are they having same issues? Morton County? Um, yeah, because it is a statewide issue. Like when I give you these numbers for the backlog and how far we’re back, these are not specifically Burleigh County residents. These could be anywhere. Yeah. So yeah, they’re in the same boat.

00:10:42,930	We are like, when I say the snap is back to December 20th 22 or 20 2nd to 2025, that could be a resident anywhere in North Dakota, not Burleigh County. Yeah, that that in my opinion and I, I just want to be honest, it’s a little frightening.

00:11:03,570	Let me tell you, because we have the most vulnerable waiting for things in. And, you know, it’s just frustrating. No, I appreciate your honesty. Anybody else have any feedback on that? Um, otherwise, uh, our team was able to meet with the, um, HHS, EA leadership on 224 where we had an opportunity to share our concerns with policies and practices, identify barriers, areas needed

00:11:33,000	improvement. So the same type of idea, we met with them back in February, and then we had this meeting as a whole with director of statewide just last week. So I was just going to shed light on the fact that we did have an opportunity to bring frontline workers forward.

00:11:46,500	Uh, those who actually processing in cases and doing the work to explain very similar to what Trevor just described, and them advocating for the clients on the other end of the application, as well as the barriers within the system that they’re processing the work in.

00:12:08,970	Uh, we’ve had a couple resignations within our economic assistance unit, but with statewide work, we’ve been able to refill those positions with other zones so there could be changes. Then in our org chart where you’ll see those positions where transferred to another zone that helps them meet the demand of their local walk in traffic. Um, again, because you’re doing statewide work, it isn’t such a big deal.

00:12:25,700	If I fill the position or if somebody in their Carson office fills the position because we’re still refilling it to do the work, they can just use that as somebody for walking, which is really important because a lot of people do come in for in-person support.

00:12:40,930	We have we have a large enough team in our org chart that we do have walk in a daily intake that they rotate through to make sure we offer that to. How how is that going with the construction at the Provident Building, though. That is another great question. Um, the, the the delivery is still the same.

00:13:01,030	Like we still have somebody there daily for intake. I think the biggest issue we have is the parking. We have a very limited parking in the back because of the construction.

00:13:15,000	We’re down to, I think, three spaces and depending on how people park, you could be down to 1 or 2 spaces. Um, so that’s the biggest issue we see. I know that there’s limited parking off street as well, because often the people doing the work are parking off of fifth Street in that parking. So that is the biggest barrier. Otherwise, once you come inside, our service delivery is still the same.

00:13:31,430	Good. Yeah, I could see it. A big problem for accessibility. If people need in wheelchairs to get parking will be a big one though, because if you have to park way across, it’s a big issue.

00:13:52,470	Yeah, I think we’re just focused on the long game that after the the remodel, um, there will be better accessibility to the public. So right now this is, um, uncomfortable and maybe not the best for that, but I think in the long run it’ll be better. Okay. Yeah.

00:14:13,100	Um, otherwise, for this team, as Trevor just described, and you could imagine being the worker on the other end of that work, there would be easily what I would say is morale at an all time low. Uh, for the people who are doing things that feel out of their control. So what I try to focus on with this team is what is in our control. What do you have local control over so many elements.

00:14:27,500	We can’t like the building remodel policies, procedures. So I try to keep them focused on what’s within their control and keeping the people that we serve at the forefront.

00:14:43,800	Um, like I described, we ensure the office coverage for the intake, the support, the walk ins, uh, but also trying to foster a place of accountability and where people feel supported. So I think for my management team, we’re we’re just trying to focus in on what the workforce needs, trying to hear from the workforce again for what is within our control. Um, going forward, trying to work on maintaining a high level of integrity regarding our mission, vision and values.

00:15:08,100	Okay. That’s all I have for that program. We’ll move on to our child welfare unit. Uh, we talk about case management. Case management. Redesign had been happening for about 18 months.

00:15:25,170	Uh, this is a process that we were able to have representation from, from our frontline workforce and management in different work streams throughout that redesign. They went live with their redesign in January. The emphasis of this redesign was on family engagement and case movement, trying to see quicker reunification and lesser levels of intrusion.

00:15:41,830	What happens sometimes is when cases come in, you hit them hard and fast, and then when family engagement starts to slow down, those cases just linger in care. So we’re really trying to focus on what the case managers can be doing to engage the families and move towards quicker supports for reunification. With this, there’s different expectations placed on them.

00:16:05,230	We are expected to continue with our current workload, so that meant we had to have conversations internally on what you can’t keep putting things on their plate and expecting a better outcome without giving them additional support. So we were able to get approved for a two additional support.

00:16:22,830	I would call them support positions that will help shift some of these duties off a case management and allow them to focus on more high functioning parts of their position, such as like the engagement with the family members, whether that be, through physically supporting them with their treatment or mental health services, or their visits with their children, that kind of stuff.

00:16:43,630	Um, so we did add an additional FTE for administrative support to do some of the clerical duties they would have been doing, as well as our parent aid team to help with some of those daily activities. Um, prior to go live, our team was already embracing certain pieces of the case management redesign, such as blending our caseloads from in-home to foster care.

00:17:04,900	Um, we had historically been very separated in those programs, but the idea of redesign is if a family is being served an in-home and the case needed to move to where we became the custodian, the family wouldn’t have a change in case manager. It would just flow fluidly. So we we did that.

00:17:18,300	The biggest impact right now is our challenge, um, for our child and family team meetings, we’re shifting the focus to family engagement versus what I would call a report out or an update from team members.

00:17:37,030	What is different is that you will often have stakeholders on the meeting, whether this is therapists, foster parents, schools who provide updates on their role. And it appears like a report out. So we’re trying to shift it to where they can give their update.

00:17:54,630	But if the family doesn’t view them as, um, supportive in this process of reunification, we ask those team members to exit so that the family can speak more transparently about what is happening. Sometimes. That is why families don’t engage with us, because they don’t want an audience as they’re talking about. Maybe their struggle with, um, their recovery, their mental health or a relapse. So ideally they would see these, um, therapists, schools and foster parents as supports and allow them to stay on.

00:18:10,800	But until they build those relationships, that has been a change in, um, how we conduct those meetings. All right. Uh, also part of redesign was the implementation of an onboarding manual. So that has been something we’ve been working on a lot the last three months.

00:18:29,400	Previously we had an onboarding manual for new employees in place. We were able to provide that to the redesign team for their reference. So much of what we did is what’s in the new issued manual. So there’s not a lot of changes, but this resource and tool has been very helpful in onboarding our newest team members. It just provides consistent.

00:18:45,900	What is different is there’s consistent benchmarks for dates that they should be doing things. It just helps them have a roadmap for their onboarding. Additionally, we have implemented our targeted case management. We went live in the new year with that. So we’re just really working with the team on regular training and review of their notes.

00:19:05,230	Um, so basically a lot of the work they’re doing can be billable through Medicaid. They just have to submit notes, um, on the work that they’re doing. So we’re we’re just helping them through that process as we submit for billing and reimbursement, working to ensure timely and accurate information is submitted. Next thing we’ve been working on is an audit.

00:19:26,370	So this is a third party, which is the KC family. It’s a nation. You know, national uh agency that helped with our North Dakota’s redesign and our safety framework practice model. They have been collaborating with HHS and our zone specifically was selected because we serve a large population of Native American youth and families.

00:19:46,370	Um, they are reviewing cases where Icwa applies and then identifying barriers. In that case, movement reunification, as well as strengths. Um, for cases that did move, we just want to figure out what worked and what didn’t work. Um, and then we also looking at prevention with this. Our zone is working on the implementation through their collab.

00:20:06,000	That collaboration between that and other work with our equal partners of, um, what we call comfort calls, these are calls that will help strengthen the relationship between the provider and the parent.

00:20:24,730	Again, for that overall idea that the bio family feels the foster parents aren’t just fostering their child, but they’re fostering the whole family, and they’re first support. Um, so this is kind of a new concept. We’re just still working out internally, but the concept of it is that once a case is assigned to a case manager, they would facilitate a call between the bio parent and the foster parent.

00:20:41,230	And it’s just kind of a touch base on, you know, have your child here. What kind of things would you like me to know about caring for them, giving them an update and just starting to bridge that relationship? Ideally, we wouldn’t have to be the guy to facilitate those long term, and they would have that relationship.

00:20:55,330	And we continue to do our engagement with the keeping the culture live events. Uh, we host, we don’t hostels. We collaborate with Three Rivers and they’re hosted monthly. And they’re just an opportunity for foster parents to take children to culturally sensitive events where they have speakers or presenters come in, and it’s open to foster parents and the foster children.

00:21:17,070	Uh, our CPS unit is fully staffed with, um, two recent new hires. We have been engaging with a CPS response team. This is another zone has two positions that they were approved for to provide response statewide. When zones have incidents of being short staffed for various reasons.

00:21:39,430	And so you can reach out to this team and let them know we’re down two positions. We have somebody out on some extended leave. And then based on your caseload capacity, they can um, what I would say, deploy their workforce to your area to help with some of your cases. So, um, they have been helping other zones.

00:21:54,970	So we have not been had the opportunity to have their help yet, but we have requested that assistance. Um, we are averaging about 30 cases a week for assignment to that team of ten until we get these two new hires fully on board.

00:22:10,370	So it’s a high level of work as well as the calm time they’re getting due to the workload, additional after hours on call time and then supporting any youth that happened to be at the office. So do you have a lot of youth at the office? I would tell you during the day, yes.

00:22:30,170	There are times where youth maybe can’t be at school or we don’t have child care for them, um, and their struggles, so we can have youth there during the day. Um, we are always on the what I will just tell you is we’re always on the brink. It always feels like it could happen. Um, there are gaps in the system for certain needs of certain children.

00:22:45,730	I think the biggest ones we struggle with are your children or your older kids who struggle with substance use. There’s not enough, um, treatment for them during the day. And if they can’t go to school or, um, they can’t be at their foster parents home unattended, which for very good reasons that could come up.

00:23:01,730	Then they are at our office. Um, other things would just be gaps in services for, um, when kids come into care and they have developmental needs, there’s not enough homes that are knowledgeable or skilled to meet those needs. Yeah, you’ll see that a lot with the the CP cerebral palsy and the, uh, developmental disabled.

00:23:24,570	There’s not enough homes or apartments to do the care. Mhm. And we just lost support systems. That provider in Bismarck, they merge now. And now it’s taking their clients over for. Mm. Yeah. Thank you. I didn’t know that. Um so what can we control. We continue to focus on timely face to face for the victims of our assigned reports.

00:23:53,430	Recently we reviewed the, um, statewide data for quarter four, which was October through December of 2025. Um, our zone was able to meet 100% timeliness on the cases that were audited. So again, it’s just an audit of so many cases that they pulled from us. Um, but that is a huge win for us.

00:24:12,030	Again, I always try to focus on what what do we actually have control over, which it’s making sure our workers understand getting out. We’ve gone over before, but the face to face requirements to see cases varies to pace. Um, varies based on the allegations of maltreatment.

00:24:30,430	Uh, this data is reported statewide as well, and overall compliance for federal guidelines is 95%. The last quarter, North Dakota was at an 83% compliance. So although our team’s audit was at 100 statewide, we were hitting at 83%. Um, other thing for that team is just some upcoming training that they’re working on. Next week is our family based conference in North Dakota.

00:24:54,030	And then next month they have their Iowa conference. So. Any comments, questions, concerns on that area? Um, next thing is other business. We’ll move on to that agenda item. Uh, Tracy, I just want to make sure you’re still on the line. Yes, I’m still here. Thank you.

00:25:25,230	And then, is there anybody else who joined us remotely? If you wanted to introduce yourself. I, Kristen Habsburg, director of zone operations with the Department of Health and Human Services. Thank you. Hi, Chelsea. Alicia Baumann, um, DHHS, human resources and HHS human resources for the human service zones. Thanks for having me. Thank you.

00:25:55,700	Um, okay, so for this section, I did ask, uh, House Bargain and Alicia to join us. So for other business, I will let this board know that effective, uh, Monday, March 16th, I did submit my resignation to the county HR, and so I did provide a 30 day notice to them.

00:26:15,600	So my last official day as the director of early County human Service zone would be on, uh, April 14th, 2026. So I did ask, um, that they come to just educate the board on what next steps look like for hiring. And so I don’t know how to begin. If you just wanted to walk them through that. Sure. Um. Sure can. Can they see me? Yes we can.

00:26:41,000	Can you see us? Okay. I can just see Tracy and Alicia. So, uh, first of all, just want to say, um, like, this is both good and bad news, right? I’m sure as the board, you are not happy to be losing Chelsea. And I feel your pain.

00:26:58,100	Um, Chelsea’s done a significant job there, and, um, I know Burley has appreciated as well as the department and her leadership. Um, but on a good note, we know where she’s going, right? And that she will fill that role incredibly well. Um, so I’m looking forward to her being up here with me.

00:27:17,500	Um, at the department. So I know that’s not easy news to take as a board, but, um, so I keep looking at Tracy’s Square because we went through this before with the last hiring, when Chelsea was hired. Um, and I believe it was Tracy and I. And then, um, Commissioner Matthews. Right. That was involved with that as well. So.

00:27:38,170	Yes. Correct. Yes. Okay. So, um, there are some materials that we have developed and sent to your board members that I think will be helpful and kind of walking through this process. Um, but I think just a few things that the board needs to address today.

00:28:01,100	Uh, what we would like to know from you as, as we walk through this process with you, is representatives from the board who would be involved in the interviewing, um, of the candidates and selection. Um, keep in mind that, um, we have equal representation from the human service Zone Board as well as HHS.

00:28:22,500	So if you want two, we’ll have two. Um, you want three, we’ll have three. You know, whatever you your board decides on. Um, but, uh, just to know that we will be there in person for those interviews, I think that’s important for a position as critical as this.

00:28:42,370	And it’s nice to all be in the same room when we’re when we’re doing interviews and such. Um, so certainly I will be a part of that. Um, and then, um, probably my supervisor, Tim Eisinger, at this point would be included in that as well. So that would be one decision. Um, Chelsea, just let me know if there’s anything you need to have questions on or interrupt me.

00:29:04,230	No, I was just going to say I can jump in quick. So I did let the county HR know yesterday they were willing to if Commissioner Barkan was okay with that. As my portfolio holder, they were willing to fill in for those interviews to represent the county. Um, position on that.

00:29:21,230	If and then I would think if, um, Tracy would represent for the board. Um, and then you has bargain and Tim, if if that’s the interview panel, I would also share with this board that both, uh, Pam from HR and um, my new employer were more than willing to allow me to sit in on the interviewing of, of the

00:29:40,030	replacement. So that’s just what I would propose to this board for the hiring panel. But I’m open to any comments, questions, discussion. I would be willing if Tracy Camp or something, I don’t know your schedule there, Tracy, but I would be more than willing to sit in on some of those. If you can’t.

00:30:03,300	Tracy, would that work for you if you wanted to represent? I represent the board. I can. I’m sorry. Um, when Trevor speaks, I don’t know if his mic’s too far away. Cuts out, and I wasn’t able to hear any of that. He was just saying that if you.

00:30:16,230	If you weren’t able to do it, he’d be willing to help. But if you would be willing to, um, be the representative for the board on that, you can just let us know. Yeah, I would be willing to be a representative for the board on the hiring process. Okay. Thanks.

00:30:34,900	Thank you. And, Chelsea, did you say commissioner, uh, Steve Bacon, is that who you said? I’m sorry. It was. It’s a little difficult to hear. Yep. That’s who I was talking about. He’s here to, um.

00:30:49,400	I just was letting you guys know that HR was willing to, um, for the HR function of that, and it’d be in their position. They were willing to cover that. If Steve’s okay with that. Yeah, and I’m fine with that. Okay.

00:31:09,130	So then I think the recommendation has bargained would be, uh, Tracy et um, county HR and then your representation for zone directors and then, um, if you guys would be comfortable with me sitting in on that hiring process, this board. Yep. You were there last time. Yeah. Deborah’s. Mike’s not on. He said I was there last time, so. Yeah. Um, I don’t know if you need a motion on that or if you just needed to know. Kristin, what the board would like.

00:31:32,530	Yeah, I would say as long as we have the two identified from the board, I think that’s helpful. Um, we can move forward. Alicia generally has a contact at the local HR, so. Chelsea, do you know who that would be? I heard you say, Pam. Yep. Um, okay. Yeah. Okay.

00:31:51,730	And to be clear, Pam’s not on the board. Did you need two people who were actually on the board? She would just be doing it in lieu of commissioner. Is it? If we need two, I would be willing to do it. Yep. We need to have two representatives from the board. Okay, then, I think so.

00:32:10,070	If you had is Commissioner Bacon serves on your board as well as Tracy? I think that would meet that qualification. And then Pam can help coordinate that. Man, if Trevor wants to do it, I’m fine with that too.

00:32:25,930	Unless how much of a time commitment are we? Are? How much of a time commitment, I guess. Are we looking at an afternoon or what are we looking at? Yeah. Great question. I think it depends on how many applicants we get.

00:32:45,970	Um, generally, um, when there’s been this we’ve we’ve interviewed probably the top 3 or 4, I would say again, depending on the number of applicants that we of qualified applicants that we get. So I would say it’s at least a, a full afternoon.

00:33:06,500	Um, and then of course, after that first round of interviews, um, as we did with Chelsea, we had a second round of interviews, um, to really fish, you know, fish select the top candidate from that pool. So, um, I hope and, and there’s some additional meetings, of course, just to make sure the screening questions are ready to go. And if there’s any questions. But, um, that I think does that give you a pretty good idea, Trevor. Yeah.

00:33:26,770	And would they be able to be held here in this room, or is it up at the state office or. I think as long as that room would be available, we could sure do it there. Okay. Yeah, that would work better for me if I was gonna do it, because it’s hard for me with transportation. So.

00:33:52,970	And, Commissioner Bakken, do you think you need to be honored for county, or do you need to bring this to the commission table? I don’t think we need to bring this to the commission table. As the portfolio holder. I’ll just make that decision that we’re we’re fine.

00:34:11,570	Um, so, um, would Pam still be part of the process then, Chelsea, or just remove her from the process? Um, I think then I don’t want to overkill an interview panel. Right. And if if House bargains bring in two people and we’re bringing two people, then. Yeah.

00:34:25,300	That’s why I was thinking, if Pam can’t do it as your designee for the county, then maybe you did want to do it. Otherwise there’s no local voice at the on the interview. The concern. And I think we need it to be used. Steve, just because of the I don’t I want to make sure like all the counties represented for rural areas too, I.

00:34:48,130	Okay, okay then Alicia I can I think then what I’m hearing has bargain is I will let Walsh already know is the point of contact for the county is Pam. But I think what I’m hearing is, uh, Commissioner Bacon to represent the local agency and then Tracy to represent the board. And then you can select from HHS your choice. Okay. That sounds. Good.

00:35:08,200	Uh, what? I’d like to add a ask a clarifying question. Yep. Um, Chelsea, for your your role, you would not be a voting member of the interview panel. You are aware of that, correct? Correct. Okay. And me on it as well. Correct? Yeah, yeah.

00:35:33,300	What would the time, uh, what what are we looking at for a timetable? Yeah. I was just going to kind of dive into that. Commissioner back in. Um, I sent some really nice guides for you guys. Hopefully they’re helpful. We developed them after the last zone director was hired.

00:35:50,900	Um, they really give you a good timeline, both for you as the board as well as the hiring guide. Um, as your HR representative from, HHS, I just take whatever you guys would like me to do and, um, go with it. So we have a posting already written up that I will send to you and Tracy.

00:36:09,300	Um, and then you can review it, you can review the screening questions, and then as soon as I get the all clear from you guys, I will get that position posted out on PeopleSoft, which is where all of the zone positions are posted. Um, normally we leave it open for anywhere from 10 to 14 days. Again, you guys get to make that decision.

00:36:27,230	Um, and then when the position closes, then you get the top applicants that, um, meet the minimum qualifications. So the timeline is really up to you guys. I would recommend we posted as soon as you’re ready. I can get you those posting information details today yet. Um.

00:36:51,770	And I would recommend a maximum of posting for 30 days and I will need if I’m on it, I will need it in large print. Just so you guys are aware. Can that be repeated? Chelsea I’m sorry. Yeah, Trevor was just saying if he’s going to participate in the interview process, he would need things in large print. And then he would.

00:37:09,370	He just said he didn’t recommend a posting any longer than 30 days. So, um, I think you’re good on that. And just so you know, Alicia, those references you’re talking about are right in front of them. We printed them and provided them. Fantastic. Yes. So make sure you take a peek at those. They are step by step. So none of this process is confusing.

00:37:23,770	I think the other part that we’ll need clarification on if Tracy and, um, Commissioner Bacon are the representatives from the board. Um, if you guys if the rest of the board is good with them making the hiring decision, or if you would like that decision to come back to the board. Um, HHS has the overall authority on hiring.

00:37:42,500	Um, but we do want the commission or the representative representatives from the board or the, excuse me, the board or the representatives from the board to agree with the decision.

00:37:57,770	So it needs to either be the two of you making the decision, or we bring it back to the full board. It’s up to you, but you need to make that decision. I think it should come to the full board. Uh, don’t you, Steve? I mean, I. I’m fine either way. I mean, yeah, HHS has the final decision on that. We’re just providing one scoring and recommendations at that point.

00:38:16,100	So but from a operational perspective, do you guys want to see who the candidate is coming back? What do you think Senator Tim. I mean, I think it makes a difference from a timing perspective. Um, but. My concern is would be delaying the. Yeah.

00:38:43,900	Well, the director will be working with the full board, so I. We don’t need to be involved in the decision, but I think there should be some interaction. Um, or introduction. Another thing, uh, with, with HHS staff, maybe after this, but what is our plan for interim if we don’t have somebody hired? In the meantime. We’ll talk about that next person. Yeah.

00:39:12,970	Yeah, we’ll talk about that part next. Because the best case scenario, we want to have somebody in place for your final day. So I don’t think that’ll happen though, just with, uh. Well, if the choice is as obvious as it was last time, we should be fine. Yeah. Look where that got us. She’s leaving.

00:39:33,070	No, I know I think every comment you want to make was you’re not leaving. We wouldn’t have this problem. But, um. I would just add, if you’re wondering about going back, you know, the the two representatives making the decision or taking it back to the full board, um, oftentimes

00:39:52,770	then that board is just had an emergency meeting, you know, so it doesn’t hold up the process. Um, relative to Commissioner Bacon’s question, um, so I guess whatever you decide you want to do is okay with us. We just want you to have that as a decision by the full board so that we can move forward.

00:40:13,500	I, I would, I would think, you know, I think an emergency meeting wouldn’t be that hard to schedule. But I also trust whoever’s on that, whether it’s me, you know, or Steve, I trust them as well. Whatever you think is necessary.

00:40:37,630	I think if we have these representatives that we have delegated to go do this, we’ve entrusted them. They’re going to be working with Hess. I think they can make that decision. And if something would happen to come up to the point where and who knows what comes up.

00:40:54,830	But I mean, if it needs to be addressed with the rest of the board, then I think would broach that subject. But we’re entrusting Hess and whoever we deem to be on this board, they’re there to make that decision. I agree, and if you get it wrong, we’ll let you know. All right.

00:41:16,230	So the only other question I had then, and it’s just for complete transparency here, because we’ve been bouncing around a little bit. And obviously for anybody listening at home or, or anything like that, obviously Chelsea will sit on the board as a non-voting member. Tracey will sit on the board. Commissioner bacon will sit on the board.

00:41:37,170	And then for Hess, is there a set amount of people that will be on the board that they know of right now? Because, uh, I’m thinking making a motion on our end as to who is actually sitting on this. And then we can also designate a, uh, an alternative in case, you know, Commissioner Bacon has something that comes up family emergency, whatever.

00:41:56,670	So we have it in place that someone can just step up and take. The position recommendation. Sure. I would suggest we we if if HHS would be okay, I would like to see three and three three from HHS and three three from the board. Whether we have to do an open meeting notice.

00:42:19,030	I don’t really care. You know, it’s just, uh, it’s just I think it’s a big position. And I think we need to get it right for our county and the people we serve. So I, I would like to see three and three. So then there’d be a total of seven individuals on. the board. Is that.

00:42:39,830	What I mean? Yes. Yes. Okay. Because it’s not hard to notice a meeting. I mean, it takes less than two minutes to do that. I mean. I think the concern I mean, from a standpoint of scheduling it, it’s seven schedules to coordinate as well as from the person on the interview. Again, it’s it’s a little over.

00:43:04,430	So what I’m I’ll just reiterate what I’m hearing from Jim is, you know, entertaining a motion that, um, that it would be Senator Bacon and Tracy as well as representation from HHS and then myself as a non-voting, uh, participant in the hiring board. And HHS can figure out if they want 1 or 2 people.

00:43:25,730	Agree they can do that. But then the only caveat on our end would be a set alternate. So if we get to a point and it’s go time and it’s a few days out or a day before, and for whatever reason, Tracy can’t make it. Commissioner Bacon can’t make it because of family emergency.

00:43:42,300	Whatever. I don’t want it derailed. And then we’ve reduced the number, or we have to reschedule to have an alternative. Alternative interview or ready to go to step up into that position. I can I can do that. So then Trevor has the alternative, you know. Okay.

00:44:00,430	Fine with that. Yeah. And I think one of the things just to tell the interview panel is we need to make sure I wasn’t on the last time, but I think community relations is important. I think talking to the clients and important in the foster parents are important.

00:44:20,770	We gotta have a good communicator. So I would just encourage the board members to look at that when the time comes, because this is a complex position. Chelsea. It’s not easy work. I appreciate that. So. Um. Chelsea. Yep. Chelsea, can you summarize kind of what was just said is really difficult to hear. Nope. I’m sorry. Can you hear me? Okay.

00:44:45,830	Yes. Okay. Hear you. Okay. So. And I don’t even know that I want to request a motion because it’s going to be a cumbersome one.

00:45:00,330	So I think we could just come to a consensus that, um, what the request is, is that I would participate as a non-voting member with Bacon and Tracy as the delegates on behalf of the board. And then HHS will designate their representation.

00:45:17,500	And then they would just like Trevor to be, um, on deck as an all as an alternate in case, um, Bacon or Tracy, something comes up and they’re not able to that is the voting or the interview panel that they would like to identify. Sounds great, sounds great. Okay. And was a decision made on to whether or not the, the um, the two appointed would make the decision or the entire board would need to approve the that decision.

00:45:37,770	The consensus is, um, a little bit mixed that they feel like the delegates have, uh, can make the decision. Um, they’ve been chosen to do that. So, um, I, I think if I’m hearing that correctly, we can just land with that. Okay. I think the biggest the bigger thing that would mean more is if the questions could be floated by the board.

00:45:56,900	That’s where Trevor was just chiming in. He wanted to make sure that we’re the questions focused in on community partnership, advocacy, uh, relationships with the stakeholders. So maybe that would be more meaningful.

00:46:11,830	Not so much chiming in on the decision, because that decision is made through HHS, but on the front end of making sure the questions that are being asked, um, align with all their various backgrounds. They all do have very valuable, um, but different positions as board members. Yeah.

00:46:33,170	So I think what I can do, Chelsea, to kind of help with that is when I send the posting and the questions that we use as screening questions, I’ll also include the interview questions that we have historically used. And I would be welcome to any changes. Um, any additions or deletions, whatever. This is definitely your hiring process just as much as it is ours. So we want to be supportive of that. Um, and we’ll, we’ll focus in on that.

00:46:51,330	The only part that really has to be consistent across all postings is that minimum qualification. So you’ll see that on one of the documents I send you that can’t be changed. Um, because it’s for all zone directors, but the rest of it can be fluid. As long as we’re meeting the mark on, um, expectations.

00:47:08,330	And if you could send out those questions, the interview questions to the entire board, uh, because I would be appreciative of their input if they’ve got any insight that they’d like to see. Asked as well. Yes, sir. I was planning to send all of the documents to the whole board just so that everybody’s on the same page.

00:47:27,530	Thank you. Yep. Okay. So when is this? Okay. So once we get. Hold on, hold on. You got a question. In the room. So when is this officially opening and being posted. So he’s asking when it’ll be officially posted and open. I think that’ll go back to Alicia.

00:47:46,930	Said she will send the description to, um, the delegates, which was Tracy and Barkan. And as soon as they say, yep, we’re good to go on this. She’ll work on getting posted. So sooner you respond, the better, and then they can get it posted. And then with the, um, timeline of their recommendation was 10 to 14 days to leave it open. Yep.

00:48:06,030	Okay. I think as soon as that is posted and we have a, uh, a closing date, Alicia starts working with the interview panel to already set aside some times, uh, for interviews. So be expecting an email saying, you know, set aside this afternoon or whatever.

00:48:27,000	We can do those in person, so we’ll get working on that as well. If we have kind of an estimated timeline of when the closing would be and when the applicants would be ready. Okay. Chelsea, did you want me to do that or did you want Pam to do that? You okay? Thank you. Making sure. Yep.

00:48:42,970	Thank you. Is the alternate allowed to come listen to the interviews or not? Um, I don’t know. I think we might cross some of these details when we get there.

00:48:57,500	I’m having a I’m going to be honest, that’s probably the hardest conversation I’ve had to have where I’m trying not to be the leader in the conversation when it’s naturally what I want to do, when it feels like such an awkward place to to try to, um, do that. But I think if I’m going to be there already as a non-voting party, again, I just try to everybody’s calendars.

00:49:10,870	And then when you are at the other end of these interviews, it is very intimidating when you have a stacked room. So I want to make sure that, you know, we have the people there to represent the board, but yeah. Okay. Um, Chelsea, one more question. Can I list on our normal contact person for questions? Yes, please. Thank you.

00:49:31,500	Okay, then I think that that segways us beautifully into the question that Jim asked about the interim director. So odds of this getting completed by the time I have my final date? Um, hopefully we can do all those things. Um, I will not be far away. As they alluded to.

00:49:49,100	I am excited to take a different position that I am not far removed from the work that they’re doing. I am open to ongoing support and mentorship for anybody. Um, this position meant a lot to me. Um, I don’t want to. I would like to do a warm handoff as much as I could do that. Actually, I don’t recall accepting your resignation. Right.

00:50:11,470	Good point. Yeah. Yes. Um, so, uh, but in the interim, because there probably won’t be that person here ready to go that first day. If there is. That’s great. Um, I had I will propose, um, entertaining a motion that, um, starting April 15th, tan will serve as the interim director until the hiring of the new permanent director.

00:50:32,970	I would make that motion. Second. Okay, um, we have a motion and a second. I won’t do roll call just because, um, it’s a small group here. So all in favor of that. I. Okay. Any opposed? Okay. Perfect. Motion carries. So that will be the plan. Um, she has served as interim director before.

00:50:55,830	She knows the things that need to be covered, as well as what she’ll delegate to the program managers for both my economic assistance and child welfare team. So, um, she’s got a lot of support with the right people making the right decisions. So. Alicia. Yep.

00:51:16,100	Could I add something? Um, the biggest, um, obviously hoping there is leadership in place shortly after your departure, but we know how that might not happen. Right. Um, but just to impress upon the importance of having town in place so that those custodians, the decisions for the youth that you have in custody, that you can make those custodial decisions.

00:51:36,430	Um, also just want to share with the board that when we’ve had a director that has left and is still in the area, um, it is an option for the board to hire them back as kind of an emergency town.

00:51:51,900	And so then they, um, you know, Chelsea, if if this is something the board wants to do and Chelsea is open to, it could be available to assist with some onboarding, have some check ins. Um, and be a support for that new director. So, uh, when Chelsea was hired last time, there was two interim directors.

00:52:10,200	I believe you had the former director that handled economic assistance and then another zone director actually assist with child welfare. Excuse me? Child welfare duties. Um, so there’s many different ways that that can happen, but I just wanted to let the board know that, um, knowing Chelsea’s commitment to this agency, I know that that will be important to her for, uh, to

00:52:32,500	have onboarding and and to know that that can be a an arrangement that’s done. So that new director has that support and, and check ins and, and eventually that kind of weans off. We just did that in Rough Rider North.

00:52:50,200	Um, after the that’s out in Stark County when that director retired and actually worked out really, really quite well. I think the new director felt supported and had some nice check ins. Like I got to ask her these questions. So, um, just something for the board to consider as well. But we would certainly support that. I would make that as a motion that we do that. Second.

00:53:14,570	Okay, to be clear, we got a motion on the table and a second, um, that the board would I’m sorry, I’m trying to make sure I capture. That was a lot that said, um, that the board would like me to, to provide. Part time support to the new director as they onboard via contract.

00:53:36,500	I guess my question would be is, if you’re willing and able and wanting and are open to doing that instead of just yep, forcing you into that, I’d like to ask. Yeah. Yep. Um, yes, I am open.

00:53:54,930	I sorry, that’s when you’re saying and I’m like, oh, you’re saying I would get paid to do something I probably would have done for free just because I it is very important to me, and I do want to make sure there’s transition, there’s support. So yes, I am open to doing that. Um, so yeah that’s not a problem for me.

00:54:13,330	So I agree with what Jim just said, but it almost seems to me that that, um, we’re acting a little prematurely, depending on who we hire and. Exactly. How much support we see them needing. So. Okay. Yeah. It’s just I’m trying to get it done so we don’t have to have a special meeting. Yep.

00:54:42,770	You know, so that’s my. Well, at this point we don’t know what we don’t know. Yep. Is what it really comes down to. So if you’re open to it we need it. Then we’ll broach that subject. Alicia.

00:54:59,000	I was going to say I think I heard Senator Dever say that there’s a possibility it’s not needed. Please know that you don’t have to make that decision today. If we need to bring Chelsea back, even after the fact, like after she’s already started at HHS, that’s absolutely something we can talk to you guys about. And, and make sure that process occurs.

00:55:20,570	Okay. I mean, I still have a motion, so I feel uncomfortable. What would you guys like to do with your motion? Just you still want to make that motion or do you want to circle back Trevor and just say, depending on the interview process. You know, but I think it’s on strongly.

00:55:35,630	If they say they need it, we want to address it. Okay. All withdraw my motion. I’ll withdraw my second. Okay. Okay. I feel good with that. You guys know that I’m here. I’m not far. You can all track me down. Um, and I’m always here to support. This was very important to me.

00:55:51,870	Um, it was very hard decision to leave, so I want to make sure, um, like I said, I’m leaving it in a good place. For our guests on the line. Do you have anything else you think we need to cover? Not from my perspective.

00:56:08,170	Again, if they have questions, please reach out to Chelsea or I, um, and, you know, know that that certainly I’m a part of that orientation as well for a new zone director. But it is nice when that former director is right there in the same community to be able to tap into that resource as well.

00:56:25,200	So and when can we look for those, uh, that email. Tonight I’m going to I’m going to do it right after we’re done. Perfect. Thank you. So you guys get it right away. Thank you Alicia. Yes. Any other feedback from the board? I’m I apologize that this maybe caught people off guard.

00:56:47,100	Um, again, this was not a decision that I, I made lightly. I put a lot of thought into this. I feel like this is the next best step for me and for, um, what I believe in and the work that I would like to move forward. But if anybody else has any comments, questions, concerns.

00:57:04,670	Just congratulations and thank you for everything. Thank you. It’s appreciated. And just since we’re on another business, I will let the zone board know starting April 1st, transit will have more service hours for fixed road for your, uh, clients that need to get places, uh, 6 to 10 p.m.

00:57:34,100	on Monday through Friday and 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. And then Sunday. If they call 24 hours ahead, they can ride the transit from 730 to 6. But on Sunday, they have to call 24 hours ahead. Just Sunday, it’s open to the general public, so that’ll be a nice thing for your riders in case they need a ride.

00:57:55,570	You know they’ll be able to get it during the week if they need to get to work or anywhere, so please push it out. Okay. Um, for those on the line, Trevor was just providing an update on transit in the fixed, um, route schedules and hours of availability, which is very important to those that, um,

00:58:14,630	are accessing our services here at the office. We actually do see a lot of people who have to kind of sit around and wait for their next ride to come. So thank you, Trevor, for the update and your advocacy. Uh, for those riders. Yeah.

00:58:32,300	And I would encourage your office to talk to Deidre Hughes about having your office have new rider guides. Okay. In your office, because I think that could be a place. And that that’s another thing I was going to bring to the board to when the new director gets hired, I think it would be a good thing if she’s not from the community to get involved

00:58:55,230	with the transit, just so she knows how the riders have to go through that process on the fixed route system. So there’s a C takes, you can come there’s board meetings. So okay, just really want to make sure they know how the clients have to move around the community because it’s not easy. Okay. Thank you. All right.

00:59:24,530	Well if there is no other business for this board, I will close my final meeting as your director of the Burleigh County Human Service Zone. And we are