Human Services Committee

April 6, 2005 – 7:30 a.m.

Draft Minutes

Members present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman; Newell Willcox, Vice Chairman; Dan Tagliente; Dr. Paul DiGiovanni; Kurt Behrenfeld; Chairman Scott Steve

Others present: Ann Homer; Carol Deloff; Judy Davison; Robin Sandwick; Kristen Monroe; Manny Lann; Scott Schrader; Brian Liberatore

Excused: Ron VanDee

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

Kurt Behrenfeld moved adoption of the minutes of the March 2, 2005, meeting; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

Chairman Scott Steve explained that BOCES is flooded over at the McEvoy Center. We are attempting to come up with alternative classroom space for them. They will be utilizing the Auditorium and part of the Senior Center, which may result in the cancellation of a senior event. Chairman Steve has designated one parking area for them, which will be used for the shuttle bus which will be transporting people from the Alternative School to the County Office Building. Ms. Deloff asked how many kids we are talking about. Chairman Steve responded approximately 130 kids. Chairman Steve indicated that the conference room at 37 Church Street is available. Mrs. Sandwick indicated that the conference room at the One Stop is also available. Mrs. Deloff asked about the dismissal time. Chairman Steve indicated that it is about 2:20 p.m. so evening events are fine.

 

1. Adopt Cortland County Indigent Burial Rate Policy (Cortland County Department of Social Services) – Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Ms. Monroe indicated that this is a long, but required resolution. The policy has not been updated since 1992. There has been a formal request from a funeral director. Ms. Monroe worked with the Chairman of the Legislature on how this should be developed. She feels that this is a much better policy than our existing policy. Chairman Steve indicated that the funeral director representative was the head of the funeral directors’ association for Cortland County. Mrs. Brown asked if there is increase in the amount of money the funeral directors will received. Ms. Monroe indicated that the burial rate has increased. However, this policy prevents preparing the body for burial and then doing a cremation. Now, one option must be selected. Ms. Monroe feels this is a win-win. Chairman Steve indicated that this is a loss for them; it is basically a donation on the part of the funeral directors. This policy cleans up the policy. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if we receive any reimbursement. Chairman Steve referenced the resolution that was adopted at last month’s session requesting the State to increase the burial rate. Dr. DiGiovanni asked what the annual cost has traditionally been. Ms. Monroe indicated that we have about 60 burials a year, at approximately $2,000. Mr. Behrenfeld asked how you qualify as indigent. Ms. Monroe indicated it is based on guidelines. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

2. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging/RSVP – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Ms. Deloff indicated this is for additional funds. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

3. Amend Resolution 16-05, Area Agency on Aging – Mr. Behrenfeld moved adoption; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni. Ms. Deloff indicates that this resolution adds in two other funding sources for Home Care. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what the increase is. Ms. Deloff responded that it increased about $22,000. Mr. Schrader brought the committee up to date on the lawsuit involving Home Care and Cortland County and the indemnification of the County by Home Care. This is the Home Care contract involving the Health Department. Dr. DiGiovanni asked the County Administrator about this particular resolution – is this adding more money to an existing contract. Chairman Steve indicated that the contract has not been signed; this resolution needs to be adopted to amend the amount of the contract. Mr. Schrader indicated that Home Care is still providing the service; the Legislature has approved the contract; under Cannon of law, we still have a contract. Our remedy in the particular instance would be to sue Home Care. That does not mean that we cannot go out and contract with another agency. Dr. DiGiovanni asked if we want to continue to do business with a company that has put us in a particular situation. With this resolution, do we want to put more money in the same contract; why don’t we sit on the funds until we make a determination of with whom we want to do services. Ms. Deloff indicated that if this resolution is not adopted, this particular population will not be able to be served. Mr. Schrader indicated that Home Care is the only agency located in Cortland County, which is our difficulty, and therein lies our problem. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

4. Amend Budget, Amend Contract, Area Agency on Aging (Office of Employment and Training) – Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Behrenfeld. Ms. Deloff indicated that this is additional money for this program. This is money other counties have not spent. This will fund another position or two. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

5. Authorize Agreement, Area Agency on Aging (Cortland County Office of Employment and Training) – Dr. DiGiovanni moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Behrenfeld. Ms. Deloff indicated that this is for the contract commencing July 1. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

6. Authorize Agreement, Area Agency on Aging (Title IIIE – Family Caregivers Program) – Dr. DiGiovanni moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

7. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Title IIIC – Nutrition) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

8. Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Pall Trinity Union Donation) – Dr. DiGiovanni moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mrs. Brown indicated that this is the second year that this money has been donated. There are photos/letters in the Youth Bureau about the children who have benefited from the program. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

9. Amend Contracts, Department of Employment and Training Grant Administration (Disability Program Navigator) – Dr. DiGiovanni moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mrs. Davison indicated that this is to provide services to the disabled population through the One Stop Center. It was originally a 9 month program; this extends it to a one year program; no additional money; no local dollars. There are two individuals in the centers providing services. Mrs. Sandwick indicated that this could potentially involve 100 people per month. In the month of March, the Cortland Center saw 3,200 people for this program. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

10. Amend Budget/ Amend Contract, Office of Employment and Training (Title V Senior Community Services Employment Program) – Dr. DiGiovanni moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Resolved clause was amended by unanimous consent to reflect the 2004-2005 budget. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

 

1. Older Americans Month – Mrs. Deloff indicated that May has been designated "Older Americans Month." This is the agency’s 30^th anniversary. The reception will be May 5, 2005, in the dining room. The centenarians throughout the County will be recognized, and it is believed that two will be in attendance. We will also recognize the couple married the longest, which is believed to be 69 years. The children who win the essay contest will be reading their essays. The Senior Citizen of the Year will be announced.

 

2. Senior Center Information – Mrs. Deloff distributed a report on the Senior Centers that is based on the information requested at last month’s committee meeting. Mrs. Deloff indicated that the main phone is also used by the church and the pastor. The second phone is for the computer that is used by the Center. Dr. DiGiovanni indicated that he felt it was a lot of money. Mrs. Brown asked if there is a cost to AAA for water testing? Mrs. Deloff indicated that we do pay for water testing. If we take the samples ourselves, which they can, and get the samples to Environmental Health or Buck Labs, the Health Department can then absorb some of the costs. Mrs. Deloff indicated that the statistical report now reflects the cost per meal and the cost to county per meal, as requested at the last meeting. These numbers reflect the donations and other factors, which is why it varies from center to center. Dr. DiGiovanni asked what Mrs. Deloff is going to do with this information. He has a difficult time with accepting the cost of the meal in Truxton as compared to the cost at other centers. Mrs. Deloff indicated that it is her feeling that the committee may want to look at the overall program. Mrs. Brown reminded the members that the services provided at the Centers are more than providing a meal. Mrs. Deloff indicated that we now have a Center Manager in Truxton and they are working very hard to increase participation. Chairman Steve indicated that his feeling is that a benchmark number must be set and if we are above the benchmark number, then we need to do something such as increase donations, increase participation, reduce hours, etc. The Truxton Center serves about 16 participants a day. The Truxton Center is open four days per week. Mrs. Deloff met with Legislator Armstrong to see what ideas he may have about increasing participation at that Center. Chairman Steve asked if we have looked at things such as transporting the meals over to the Center; having volunteers run the activities at the Center. Mrs. Deloff indicated that her concern about transporting the food is meeting Health Department regulations. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if we ever do county-wide mailings? Mrs. Deloff indicated that we have tried a variety of mailing options. Dr. DiGiovanni stated that he feels there should be some criteria established for centers – such as 25% above average net cost per meal – and if the center is operating above that number – the Center Manager be directed to come up with a plan for getting down to the dollar amount. Mr. Behrenfeld asked about sharing a manager between centers. Mrs. Deloff indicated that the Managers are there for the full time the center is open. Some of the centers are only open 3 or 4 days, which is why they are part-time.

 

3. Nationwide Information – Mrs. Deloff explained that she applied for a grant from the Nationwide Foundation. We will receiving $2,000, which will be used to purchase electric hot food containers and to subsidize the "Blizzard Bags."

 

4. Staffing – Mrs. Deloff indicated that she has some concerns about the lack of staffing downstairs. There has been a lot of changes with health insurance and Medicare Part D. Right now we have only one person who does that counseling. There are additional plans that will be coming down in the near future. What once took 45 minutes for a visit, will take 1 ½ hours or more. We are struggling to keep up with this. Individuals are being asked to make an appointment, which may not be for a couple of weeks. We do not have enough money to pay for an additional person. There will be some additional money coming, but she is not aware of how much that will be. There are other staffing issues with staff out for medical reasons. Between May and August, SSA will send letters to those they believe are eligible for Medicare Part D. Individuals on EPIC will receive information and retirees covered under a group plan will receive information from their employers in October. This is a complicated program and the people must choose a plan between November 15 and May 15. It is anticipated that this will create a much heavier work load for the AAA. Mrs. Deloff indicated that there are a variety of presentations being conducted. Individuals are being encouraged to come in to the AAA Office for assistance with this program. Mr. Willcox shared an actual experience he had with the AAA Office working with a participant, which resulted in saving the couple approximately $400 per month on their health insurance.

 

5. Flexible Family Fund for Services – Ms. Monroe explained that this is the name for a block grant that was in the Governor’s budget proposal. It has been difficult to even gather information on this. The adopted State budget has left this program in limbo. The Governor proposes to block the TANF funding. This would a variety of services/programs together. We don’t know if this is going to be adopted or not. The preliminary analysis of the $2.4 million proposed allocation, with all of the programs currently proposed to be encompassed, could result in an $800K to $1 million shortfall for Cortland County.

 

6. Comptroller Child Protective Services Audit – Ms. Monroe indicated that the State Comptroller’s Office is auditing Cortland County’s CPS program – for timeliness. We are the first county to be audited. A report will not be issued until another three or four counties are audited. They are basically using Cortland County as a test site. We don’t have a review date as yet; a confidentiality agreement is being developed. There will be an informal report on the County, but the formal report will be a comparison.

 

7. Proclamation for Foster Parents – May is Foster Parent Month. There is a Foster Parent Dinner on May 6 at Tinelli’s Hathaway House. There are normally 100 people at this event.

    8. Mrs. Davison indicated that the preliminary allocation for her program indicates a $167,00 increase in the allocation.

The meeting adjourned at 8:37 a.m.

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