Health Committee
June 7, 2006 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Sean Clark, Chairman; Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler and Tom Williams
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman, Cortland County Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Jackie Gailor, Director, Health Department; Annette Barber, Personnel Officer; Charles Capanzano, Director, Mental Health Department; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent: Ron VanDee
Mr. Hartnett made the motion to adoption of the minutes of the May 10, 2006
meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTONS:
Health Department
1.
Authorize Agreements/Accept Funds Health Department/Administration
(Community Partnerships for Tobacco Control Program)
– Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.
Ms. Gailor explained that this is an ongoing grant and it funds
programming and one full-time position. Mr.
Clark added that this funds television advertisement.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
2.
Authorize Agreement-IPRO (Hospice
Division) – Mr. Cornell moved
adoption; seconded by Ms. Price. Ms.
Gailor explained that this is for Independent Professional Review Organization
and explained briefly what they do. Ms.
Price added that article in the Cortland Standard as they relate to this, were
very appreciative. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
3.
Authorize Agreements (Hospice Division) Contracts for Services – Ms. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.
Ms. Gailor explained that this is the second time for the extension on
this contract but the contract has not been signed.
She discussed the Mr. Van Donsel had been in contact with the CMH and
the hospital and they need to be separate contracts.
Ms. Gailor explained this needs to be kept in place just in case the
contract is not sign at the end of the extension.
Ms. Tytler requested that the initials be spelled out in the
resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
4.
Abolish/Create Part time Public Health Hospital Coordinator/Temporary Part
time PH Hospital Coordinator/Assistant Director of Patient Services –
Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Ms. Gailor explained that this is a change as the results of the recent
survey in the department. She
further added that Cathy Feuerherm cannot do the administrative and clinical
responsibilities on a daily basis. She
added that this is a position the Heath Department had years ago and it would
be a management position. She
discussed that Ms. Feuerherm needs someone with clinical and managerial
responsibilities in this position. Additionally,
Ms. Gailor explained that the department has taken on new referrals and have
become inundated with the workload. She
pointed out that Ms. Feuerherm could not attend a meeting that she really
needed to go to last week because she was needed for clinical duties and to
see patients. Ms. Gailor
expressed the need for someone to assist with mid-managerial duties and to
assist with quality assurance. She
further expressed that Q & A is a very important.
Ms. Tytler inquired if the position is temporary or permanent.
The committee requested that Ms. Barber, Personnel Officer, be called
to explain this position to the committee.
Ms. Spicer left the meeting to contact Ms. Barber.
Mr. Schrader explained that explained that they intend to allow time to
fill the position of Assistant Director of Patient Services.
The committee discussed the title of the position and asked if it was
correct. Ms. Barber will look into the title and make certain it is
correct. Ms. Tytler inquired
about the hospital portion of the position and asked for more clarity.
Ms. Gailor explained that it is a very small duty of the person in the
position but there is a need to discuss referrals and some preplanning for new
patients. She added that the
longer they have to prepare for anew patient the better it is.
Ms. Tyler asked how many referrals come from the hospital.
Ms. Gailor explained that in the past they may receive four to five a
week but lately they have received four to five a day.
She added that nurses are doing multiple referrals along with their
daily visits. She added that the
work cannot be completed and it is overwhelming for six nurses working five
days a week. Ms. Tytler inquired
about a new model. Ms. Gailor
explained that generally nurses work in a geographical area but at times it is
just not possible and further discussed that there are multiple variables
involved. Mr. McKee inquired
about what positions are being created. Mr.
Schrader explained it to the committee. Ms.
Tytler discussed budgeting for this position and asked what exactly is being
added to the budget. Mr. Schrader
explained that there will be no impact on the 2006 Budget but in 2007 the
impact will approximately be $27,000. Ms.
Tytler expressed that in her perspective Ms. Feuerherm’s position is in the
administration and she should not be pulled to do clinical, she further
expressed that by doing this it will create more problems in the program.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
Ms. Gailor distributed and
explained the current “Wait List” for Children With Special Needs.
Ms. Tytler addressed some concerns that she had regarding speech
therapy. Mr. Schrader explained
and discussed that there is a vacancy in Speech Therapist positions.
Ms. Gailor and Mr. Schrader explained that there is a shortage of
Speech Therapist in the area. Ms.
Tytler inquired about all the colleges in the area and asked if they have been
contacted. Ms. Gailor explained that there is an additional need of two
years experience due to the fact that these therapists are asked to go out one
on one and work with children. Ms.
Tytler further expressed that the two years experience is not needed in the
Pre K program and there is Syracuse University, Ithaca College, and SUNY
Cortland that have Speech Therapy in their curriculum.
Ms. Tytler expressed that she would like to see us be proactive and
work with local universities. Mr.
Schrader expressed that if there is interest we will do our best to create the
positions to address those interests and help achieve our needs.
Mr. McKee asked who requires the two years experience.
Ms. Gailor explained that it is a New York State regulation in the area
of Early Intervention. Mr. McKee
further expressed that we have these multiple resources but due to New York
State regulations we are unable to utilize them.
Ms. Price inquired about what impact this would have.
Mr. Schrader expressed that we will need to resurrect and update a
report that has previously been done and was approved by the Legislature and
later rescinded. Ms. Gailor
additionally addressed a request made by Mr. Williams at the last meeting
regarding a list of Auditing contracts and Ms. Gailor explained that she had
e-mailed that to committee members last night and if he had any further
questions to let her know. Mr.
Williams also inquired about another request he made regarding the translation
services and the possible use of software.
Ms. Gailor expressed that she has looked into it and could not find
anything directly related to the services she needs.
Mr. Williams inquired about asking for assistance from someone at the
Sate level. Ms. Gailor explained
the issues regarding clinical situations and possible problems that are
related to those situations. She
additionally explained that new regulations are coming out and she is still
looking into it. Mr. Schrader
also explained that he has not had very good experience with the software.
Ms. Tytler explained that in the medical field real time is critical
and there is a difficulty with the use of software.
1. Mental Health Department – Statistical Reports – A Statistical Report was distributed to all Committee Members.
2. Mental Health Department - 2006-2009 Plan for Mental Health – Mr. Capanzano explained and discussed the Summary, Cortland County 2006-2009 Plan for Mental Health , Update Year: 2006 which had been previously distributed.
3. Family Counseling Services (FCS) - Letter-Restoration of $62,973 payment for fiscal year 2003 – Mr. Schrader discussed briefly the history behind this. He explained that in 2003 FCS sent out that the year-end number for the OASIS provider would result in a surplus. Mr. Schrader further explained that the projected $125,000 FCS surplus resulted in New York State not having to provide state aid. He further discussed that a meeting had been held regarding this to see if the funding could be used elsewhere in the region. New York State agreed that the money could be used elsewhere and at the end of the year it turned out that FCS did not receive that anticipated surplus. Mr. Schrader explained that now FCS is wishing to recoup the funding that the County received. Mr. Schrader further discussed that two additional items need to be looked at. The first is that FCS did not even come close on the projected surplus. The second is the manner in which FCS does their accounting, they use a cash based accounting practice in which they post money when they receive it. Mr. Schrader discussed an accrual based accounting system and why that would be more beneficial to them. Mr. Williams inquired about the size of their budget. Mr. Schrader discussed the budget. Chairman Brown inquired as to why they are not on an accrual based accounting system. Ms. Price expressed that Mr. Schrader had attended a Community Services Board meeting and discussed this with the board members. Ms. Price expressed that Mr. Schrader did a very good job. Ms. Schrader explained that at the meeting he attended he addressed that this is a reoccurring problem. He further explained that this problem has been occurring for years and he addressed his concerns. He additionally explained that the Community Services Board might be willing to be more acceptable and to go into a new direction. Ms. Price explained that FCS has been told to take the new direction but she did not know if any changes have been made. Mr. Schrader explained that he is reluctant to give this money to FCS because this can be a reoccurring problem. Mr. Williams suggested that the funding be restored contingent upon Family Counseling Services switching to an accrual based accounting practice. Ms. Price explained that Mr. Schrader did an excellent job at the meeting he attended and the board members listened to him. She further explained that he has laid the groundwork for this change to be made. Ms. Price agreed with Mr. Williams. The consensus of the committee members present was that the funding be restored to Family Counseling Services contingent upon them satisfactorily switching to an accrual based accounting system. Mr. Schrader explained that he would prepare a resolution for the next meeting regarding this. Ms. Tytler inquired about issues relating to 2005. Mr. Schrader explained that they were in 2004 and that it is $30,000 because of surplus submitted to New York State and that it is in the appeal process currently. Mr. Schrader expressed that he was 75% certain that there would be a favorable outcome of the appeal. Mr. Schrader will inform the committee when he receives information from New York State. Ms. Tytler discussed the perspective of the Community Services Board and further discussed deficit funding. Ms. Price complimented Mr. Schrader of his handling of this matter. Ms. Tytler agreed that this is a good direction to move in but she inquired as to where the money would come from. Mr. Schrader explained that the funds would be taken from Fund Balance and expressed that he would let Family Counseling Services know what has been discussed here in the committee.
Additionally, Mr. Schrader informed the committee that interviews have been scheduled for Director of Administrative Services, Mental Health Clinic. He discussed the applicant pool and stated that a large number of applications that were received for individuals who have a great deal of clinical experience. He discussed the interview process and panel. Mr. Schrader explained that he has been filling in for that position while it has been left vacant and he has found some areas that can be fixed. One thing in particular that Mr. Schrader has noticed while filling in is that Mental Health Clinic has their own checking account and they make monthly deposits to the County Treasurer instead of daily deposit like other departments. He added that he is looking into this further and will notify the committee of what he finds. Mr. Schrader expressed that in his opinion the County Treasurer should be the custodian of all funds but he also discussed that in some instance there may be reasons that a department may need there own account. Mr. Schrader is continuing to look into this matter.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Clark adjourned the meeting at 8:55 am.