Human Services Committee

July 6, 2005 at 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Committee Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairperson; Newell Willcox, Vice Chairperson; Ron VanDee, Tom Williams - ABSENT: Kurt Behrenfeld, Dan Tagliente & Paul DiGiovanni

Others Present: Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Kristen Monroe, Carol Deloff, Manny Lann

Chairperson, Marilyn Brown called the meeting to order at 7:34a.m.

 

MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2ND BY RON VANDEE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2005 – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

RESOLUTIONS:

        Area Agency on Aging

1. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Health Insurance Information Counseling And Assistance Program – HICAP) – MOTION BY RON VANDEE – 2ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

 

        Discussion/Justification: This is for educating clients with the new Medicare Prescription Drug program. The agency will be able to buy office furniture and software.

2. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Title IIE – Family Caregivers Program) – MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: This is a one time grant to enable the agency to purchases publications for the Caregivers Program and local physician’s offices

3. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program- EISEP) – MOTION BY RON VANDEE – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: This is additional funding from the State to fund a part-time position to handle an increase in clients.

    Social Services

4. Abolish/Create/ Approve Salary above Midpoint, Social Services Department Deputy Commissioner of Social Services/ Director of Social Services – MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: Kristen Monroe explained that DSS Administrative Team would be more efficient if they eliminate the Deputy Commissioner and have the Commissioner and 3 Directors. The Deputy Commissioner resigned. Kristen added that the State approves of this new set-up.

5. Create Two Positions/ Amend Budget, Department of Social Services (Home Energy Assistance Program – HEAP) – MOTION BY RON VANDEE – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: This past HEAP season they have utilized existing staff but found that re-allocating staff has been rough. The 2005-2006 season, with the State doing a mass mailing the week before the season starts, Kristen is requesting that they hire 2 full time temporary positions for the HEAP program because of the anticipated influx of applications due to the mass mailing. These positions would be for 6 months or less with NO benefits. The entire program is paid for by the State.

6. Authorize Agreements, Mental Health Department & Department of Social Services (Provider Agreements) – MOTION BY TOM WILLIAMS – 2ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: This is for foster children in a mental health program, which there is a great, need for. It is fully Medicaid funded and the Mental Health Department is the lead agency.

7. Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (PINS Probation Services) – MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion/Justification: This is to create a Senior Probation Officer for the Probation Department to handle PINS cases. DSS will fund this position. Jane Goldner will also be bringing this to the attention of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. The JPS Committee is already aware of it – it was discussed at the June JPS Committee meeting.

    Youth Bureau
8. Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Cayuga County United Way Donation) – MOTION BY TOM WILLIAMS – 2ND BY RON VANDEE – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion/Justification: The committee is pleased to be receiving funds from Cayuga County. Manny Lann indicated that the County Youth Bureau does not receive any funds from the Cortland County United Way even though our programs benefit local agencies, which receive funding from the Cortland County United Way.

DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:

    1. Letter from Goodhope (Kristen Monroe) – A copy of the letter from John Gaines was sent with the HS agenda packet and Kristen wanted to make the Committee aware of this potential grant that Goodhope is applying for. If Goodhope receives the grant it would being a matching amount of $5,000 from DSS. Kristen would then bring a resolution to the Committee for it to go to the Legislative floor. This grant would be utilized for the diversion of youth before they go to family court.

  1. March for Meals (Carol Deloff) – Carol advised the Committee that the Office of the Aging received a Silver Award for raising $1,500.00 for this fundraiser.
  2. Notification of New Funding (Carol Deloff) – Carol received notice that they will be receiving $50,000 for long term care out reach insurance program. This will provide more education and workshops. This will be open to the public and will be geared more toward the 40-50 age group to be thinking ahead for long-term care insurance. Carol will have more details on this next month.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:01a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

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