Human Services Committee Agenda

May 11, 2006 - 8:30 am

           DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present:  Sandy Price, Chairperson; Carol Tytler, Vice Chairperson; Merwin Armstrong; Mike McKee, Don Spaulding, John Troy    -    ABSENT:  Kay Breed

Other Present:  Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairman; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Carol Deloff, Director-Office of the Aging; Judy Davison, Director E & T Grant Administration; Ric VanDonsel, County Attorney; Brian Moore; Joanne Wickman, Rob Ferri, Mary Biebly, Mike Pisa, Jeremy Boylan

The meeting was called to order at 8:30a.m. by Chairperson, Sandy Price.

MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 6, 2006 WITH CORRECTION OF TIME ADJOURNED:  9:03A.M. – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED

   

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Employment & Training
  1. Amend Budget (Title V – Senior Community Services Employment Program) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MIKE MCKEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSED

Discussion:  Judy Davison explained that this is with the Office of the Aging.  It is additional funds for a computer, printer and tutorial.  This would also cover staff time to teach the seniors.

 

Area Agency on Aging
  1. Amend Budget/Amend Contract (Office of Employment & Training) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MERVIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

Discussion:  None

 

Social Services
  1. Abolish/Create Social Welfare Examiner Trainee/Senior Social Welfare Examiner – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MIKE MCKEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

Discussion:  Kristen Monroe provided a written explanation for the Committee to review.  She is in the process of re-designing the unit.  This is able to be done now due to a vacancy in the unit.

 

  1. Amend Budget/ Transfer-Medicaid – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Kristen advised the Committee that this is just housekeeping.  The state wanted it funded in a different way, then they wanted it done has they originally had done it.

 

  1. Amend Budget/Transfer-Overtime funds – MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – 2ND BY JOHN TROY – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Kristen Monroe explained that there are 2 vacancies and that the Family and Children’s Unit time is running high.

 

  1. Amend 2006 Budget (Automobile Insurance Recovery) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  This insurance recovery was original put into the general fund.  Now it will go into the DSS transportation account.  County departments are billed by the Highway Department for transportation costs.  Marilyn Brown suggested that the Highway Department look at a plan to replace vehicles used by various county departments and that the departments needed to be adequately funded or the county needs to go back to the carpool system.

 

  1. Support State Legislative Changes of Child Protective Investigatory Authority – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MIKE MCKEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  NONE

 

DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:

1.                  Functional Alignment Addendum to the Comprehensive Three-Year Local Plan for Program under the Federal Workforce Investment Act (Judy Davison) – A written narrative description of the Functional Alignment Plan was distributed by Judy Davison for the Committee’s review.

 

2.                  DSS Caseload Statistics (Kristen Monroe) – Kristen had provided the caseload statistics and indicated that the Child Protective Services is the most significant.  Kristen further advised the Committee that a certain CPS case is not complete and is still being investigated.

 

3.                  Need for affordable and accessible housing (Mary Biely, Rob Ferri & Joanne Wickman)-  A community group was formed because a need for affordable and accessible housing has been identified.  It has also been determined that Cortland has a homeless problem.  In January of 2006, 76 individuals were identified as seeking shelter or living in quarters not suitable for human habitation.  The proposed solution would be to create a continuum of care process to establish priorities, inform the community and apply for HUD and other funding.  A Continuum of Care Plan is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency.  It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.  This community groups is coming to the County Legislature for the following reasons:

 

·        Grant Funding for Homeless programs requires local Government sanction of the planning process and the core group designated to address homelessness.

·        All grant applications and other legal documents must be signed by the Legislative Chairman.

·        A County Resolution is needed to appoint a core group for a Continuum of Care process.

·        Coordination is needed between the city and county government.

·        They will probably need grant application and administrative resources.

**Due to time restraints 15 minutes will be allotted for Part 2 Discussion of the “Affordable and Accessible Housing” at the next scheduled meeting of the Human Services Committee.**

 

4.                  Medicare Part D (Carol Deloff) – Carol advised the Committee that the deadline for Senior Citizens to apply for the Medicare Part D is May 15, 2006.  The Office of the Aging has been swamped with clients applying for it and with Monday being the deadline Carol does not believe that all Seniors will have signed up in time.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25a.m.

 Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader

 

 BACK