Human Services Committee

August 4, 2004

7:30 a.m.

DRAFT Minutes

Members: Marilyn Brown, Chair; Newell Willcox, Vice Chair; Scott Elston; Dan Tagliente; Dr. Paul DiGiovanni; Kurt Behrenfeld, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature

Others present: Ann Homer, Kristen Monroe, Carol Deloff, Judy Davison, Robin Weston, Manny Lann, Kristen Monroe, Rob Corpora, Jane Goldner

Absent: Tamara Wyant

Mrs. Brown called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.

Approval of Minutes – Mr. Willcox moved adoption, seconded by Mr. Elston; all members in favor, none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

1 Authorize Agreement, Employment and Training (Operation of Year Round Youth - Program) – Ms. Weston explained that this is continuing the same program with growth and improvements. Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted. The program serves youth in school and out of school in Cortland County. More and more out of school students are being served. There are about 40 kids working in the program in the County in the summer. There are no County dollars going in to the program. The program has been in place since 1998 through the Workforce Investment Legislation. However, the County has had a summer youth work program for over 25 years. The primary goal for the out of school youth is to get them to earn their GED. The TANF program for this has been greatly reduced. The $491,000 is an inclusive dollar amount for the program. Mr. Willcox asked how Workers’ Compensation was handled. Ms. Weston explained that it is handled through payroll.

Dr. DiGiovanni would like to see three random individuals in the program tracked for a year (without being named), so the committee can see how the program actually plays through and so it is humanized instead of just numbers. Dr. DiGiovanni suggested that perhaps the last three students who entered the program be tracked. Mrs. Brown asked that the information also be provided for a student who has been in the program for a couple of years. Ms. Weston will bring the information to the next committee meeting.

3.Accept Donation/Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Cayuga County United Way Donation) – Mr. Tagliente move adopted; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Mrs. Brown asked if this money was budgeted? Mr. Lann indicated it was not. Mrs. Brown asked what it would be used for. Mr. Lann indicated that it would be put in the normal summer budget. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

4. Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (WalMart Foundation) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Mr. Lann indicated that this is for the Youth Leadership Program. This program is modeled after Leadership Cortland. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

5. Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (Liberty Resources Prevention Services) – Ms. Monroe explained that this program is geared to serving the PINS population. Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Dr. Paul DiGiovanni. Ms. Monroe explained that the money is in here to get us through 2004 – they would like to start the program October 1^st. The two main purposes – reduce the number of days we have kids in detention and the other goal is to keep the kids out of the Family Court System. This is the most intensive program that can be offered to the students and families to help them through this. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if it really costs $60,000 for institutional placement of children. Ms. Monroe explained that placement can actually range from $50,000 to $100,000 plus. These are the kids who are at the most risk and in the most need. Ms. Monroe explained that the worse case scenario – the cost to the County is 35% of the cost. Dr. DiGiovanni asked if we are outsourcing this task to Liberty Resources and why? Ms. Monroe explained that Liberty Resources has MSW level staff, while we have Bachelor level staff; the agency has the expertise and depth to conduct the program. Mrs. Goldner indicated that more and more of the children they are seeing in the Probation program have mental health issues and placement in a facility is not necessarily the best option. Having the MSW go in to the home and work with the child and the family is the best for everyone involved. The hope is that many of these children will not even reach the Court System and Liberty Resources will be able to work with the family. Ms. Monroe explained that Liberty has outcome reporting and we will be able to see what money we are spending and how much money, if any, we are saving, and we will know if it is working. Ms. Monroe explained that they are working closely with the Family Court Judges to implement this program and the Judges are excited about implementing this program. Ms. Monroe explained that the money is in the budget in a combination of budget lines depending on where the students/families receive services from. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

6. Create Position/Amend Budget, Department of Social Services (HEAP) – Mr. Behrenfeld moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Ms. Monroe explained that until last year, there have been two temporary positions created every year to handle the HEAP program. Last year, the department tested its limits and used in-house staff. This year, she has 4 of the 11 food stamp positions either new or vacant and the day care position is vacant. She is asking for one temporary position to help us through the season. They process over 2,000 applications annually. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if there is money in the budget. Ms. Monroe explained that she did based on vacancies that have happened during the year. Dr. DiGiovanni asked if this will allow us to manage the program. Ms. Monroe explained that it will be tight, but they are going to attempt to do it and this will give them a fighting chance. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

7. Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (Managed Care Providers) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Ms. Monroe explained we have had one managed care contract since 1997. There is a contract that has been in place since 1999 and it will expire this September. Because of the State Budget process, we don’t know exactly what will be happening with the managed care contract system; this is in preparation of receipt of a new contract to be executed in September. The idea of managed care is to provide preventive care to recipients. The money comes out of the MMIS account. The current plan is Fidelis. To date, no other provider has been able to meet all the requirements to administer managed care. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

8. Establish Petty Cash Account, Area Agency on Aging (Nutrition Program) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Mrs. Deloff explained that this is to purchase bread from Aldis. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

9. Authorize Agreement, Area Agency on Aging (Walden Place – Respite Services) – Mr. Behrenfeld moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mrs. Deloff explained that there is no County share in this. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion adopted.

 

Discussions/Presentations:

 

1. OJT position – Ms. Weston indicated that the OJT Specialist has historically worked 7 to 14 hours per week on a contract basis. Her intent this year is to cut the hours in that position.

2. Mandated vs. Non-Mandated Services Analysis – Ms. Monroe reviewed the mandated program option analysis chart and explained how to interpret the chart. This is to assist with the budget preparation. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what mandated means? Does that mean it is mandated to the minimum level or somewhere about that? Some programs do have some discretionary services provided in the mandated program. These services often prevent utilization of more expensive mandated services.

3. Budget Report - Ms. Monroe explained that this is the quarterly budget overview and answered questions posed by the committee members.

 

1. Cost Analysis MMIS and County Departments for 2003 – Ms. Monroe explained the top 15 Medicaid Providers in the County. This is FYI for budget preparation.

 

2. Quarterly Statistics – Ms. Monroe explained that this is just the trends and overview.

 

3. Meal on Wheels Campaign Award – Mrs. Deloff explained that the agency received a $1,000 Silver Award for the March efforts.

 

4. Food Bank Equipment Award – Mrs. Deloff explained that we have been awarded some small grants for the free food pantries throughout the County.

 

5. Mrs. Deloff explained that we still do not have a Center Manager in Truxton. The aid in Scott has resigned. She would like to fill the Truxton position first.

 

6. WRAP Program – grant application – Mrs. Deloff explained that this is the annual grant. Mr. Willcox moved approval to apply for the grant; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni; all members voting in favor; none opposed; Mrs. Deloff may apply for the grant and sign the grant application.

 

7. Computer Software – Mrs. Deloff gave an update the computer software program. We will receive approximately $2,200 from the State. The program costs approximately $9,000 to purchase. There is a $3,200 annual fee. Mr. Corpora explained that the $9,000 is an up-front investment. Mr. Corpora explained that this is a good price for the software. He feels the maintenance is high but believes the purchase price was lowered. Mrs. Deloff believes that she has enough money in the budget by juggling some numbers and transferring to cover this cost. Mrs. Deloff explained that training and conversion of the data is included in the purchase price. Mr. Corpora recommends the purchase of this software.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

BACK