Human Services Committee

June 1, 2005 at 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

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

Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Kristen Monroe, Carol Deloff, Judy Davison, Merwin Armstrong

The meeting was called to order at 7:30a.m. by Chairman Marilyn Brown

MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 4, 2005 MEETING – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

RESOLUTIONS:

Area Agency on Aging

Accept Bids, Authorize Purchase, Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition

(Miscellaneous Groceries and Frozen Foods) – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Bids are to be opened on June 2, 2005 for the period July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005. The successful bidder and amount of the bid will be on the resolution that goes to the full Legislature.

Accept Bids, Authorize Purchase, Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition

(Paper Goods and Maintenance Supplies) – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Accept Bids, Authorize Purchase, Area Agency on Aging/Nutrition

(Milk and Dairy Products) – MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Bids are to be opened on June 2, 2005 for the period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. The successful bidder and amount of the bid will be on the resolution that goes to the full Legislature.

Create/Fill Position, Area Agency on Aging (Specialist, Services for the Aging) – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Additional funding is available from the New York State Office for the Aging to help alleviate the demand for counseling services for Health Insurance Information Assistance and Counseling Program due to many new programs. This would fund a new position and this position is contingent upon continued State funding.

Increase Hours, Area Agency on Aging (Specialist, Services for the Aging) – MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

Justification/Discussion: With additional funding available for EISEP (Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program), this would enable Office of the Aging to increase the Specialist, Services for the Aging from 15 to 35 hours to provide additional services to the elderly.

Dept. of Social Services

Amend Budget, Department of Social Services (Appropriation and Revenue – HEAP) – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Additional federal funds for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) have been appropriated for the 2004-2005 funding year.

Employment and Training

Authorize Agreement, Employment and Training Department

Cayuga-Cortland Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the Chief Elected Officials

Of Cayuga and Cortland Counties – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY TOM WILLIAMS – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: This is to expend federal funds to assist local governments in coordinating and implementing workforce development programs. The amount of this funding is $1,600,000.00. Judy Davison indicated that it is up $272,000.00 from last year. Newell Willcox asked what would happen if the funds were decreased. Judy Davison said they wouldn’t be because it is federal money.

Authorize Execution of the Comprehensive Three-Year Local Plan for Programs

Under the Federal Workforce Investment Act, Employment and Training Grant Administration – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE - NO VOTE TAKEN - PAUL DIGIOVANNI WITHDREW HIS MOTION

MOTION TO TABLE THE RESOLUTION UNTIL THE AUGUST HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING MADE BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Justification/Discussion: Paul DiGiovanni asked why the Committee has to approve the Legislative Chairman signing the agreement now if the law says that he has to anyway. There is a great deal of confusion over this process. Judy Davidson indicated that they are working on the draft right now. Scott Schrader believes that the plan itself should be reviewed and approved and that the Committee would not need to take action until August since it isn’t due until September. The Committee would like to see the final plan prior to the August HS meeting so they will have time to review it.

Authorize Agreement, Cortland County Information Technology and

Cortland County Department of Employment and Training Grant Administration – MOTION BY PAUL DIGIOVANNI – 2^ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED – WITH REVISIONS TO THE RESOLUTION MADE AS FOLLOWS: THE AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT IS TO BE INCLUDED ($3000.00) AND THE CORRECT ACCOUNT NUMBERS USED.

Justification/Discussion: This agreement provides technology support from the Cortland County Information Technology Department. The Committee wanted to incorporate the above changes into the resolution.

DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:

Office of the Aging (Carol Deloff)

Carol showed the Committee the latest issue of "Journal On Active Aging". The Cortland County Nutrition Program is mentioned in it.

The Aging Well-Living Well Expo will be held this Friday at the McDonald Sports Complex with other 65 exhibitors – Carol encouraged the Committee to attend.

Department of Social Services (Kristen Monroe)

PINS Diversion Law – Kristen Monroe explained the changes in the law that went into affect on April 1, 2005. This law allows for mandated diversion services to youth at risk of becoming the subject of a PINS petition. This law could save the County money if efforts are made to avoid PINS cases going to Family Court and ending up in a Detention Home which costs the County approximately $350.00 per day. Jane Goldner and Kristen Monroe have been working on creating a program to accomplish this. DSS and Probation are planning to develop a staff team to work together to provide PINS intake and diversion services. This team would involve a Senior Probation Officer and a Senior Caseworker. A request will be made in future months to create a new Senior Caseworker and Senior Probation Officer to handle this process without it being absorbed by other duties of both departments.
Kristen provided an update on the Flexible Family Fund & TANF and also indicated that day care funding is now separate.
The State will be conducting a Child Protective Services Audit starting this Friday. Cortland is the first County in the state to have this sort of audit.
Commissioner Robert Dorr will be here on June 7^th. There will be a reception at 9:45a.m. in Room 202 and then he will speak in the auditorium after the reception.

Employment and Training, Grant Administration (Judy Davison)

Judy advised the Committee that they need to find more private sector individuals to serve on the board.

Meeting adjourned at 8:16a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

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