Human Services Committee

November 16, 2006 at 8:30 am

            DRAFT MINUTES

 

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

Others Present:  Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairman; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to the County Administrator; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Carol Deloff, Office of Aging Director; Judy Davison, E & T Grant Administration Director; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Sandy Price at 8:41a.m.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 12, 2006 MEETING MADE BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY MIKE MCKEE WITH ADJOURNMENT TIME CORRECTION OF 9:14A.M. – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

 

RESOLUTIONS:

Area Agency on Aging

1.      Authorize Agreements (Several Agencies, Departments, Etc.) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY DON SPAULDING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  NONE

Employment & Training

NONE

Social Services

  1. Abolish/Create Case Supervisor Grade A/Director of Social Services – MOTION BY DON SPAULDING – 2ND BY JOHN TROY – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

Discussion:  Sandy Price and Marilyn Brown commented that Kristen Monroe’s justification of the position was well done.  Carol Tytler commented that she found it hard to follow.  Kristen explained that it is a small gain to provide more independence and flexibility for the Director position to absorb what they are doing now plus do more.  The staff is overloaded with cases and this would alleviate some of the burden. The current 3 Directors are buried.  The plan was created by the team of individuals that it would affect.  Sandy Price mentioned that she had had some discussions with Kristen regarding a Deputy Commissioner position.  Kristen reiterated that a Director’s position would be more beneficial.

 

  1. Authorize Agreements (Several Agencies, Departments, Etc.) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Kristen explained that these agreements are routine and are in the budget.

 

  1. Authorize Agreements (Foster Care) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Kristen advised the Committee these agreements are for private facilities for a higher level of care.

 

  1. Authorize Agreements (Day Care Services) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Carol Tytler asked the status of the revenue.  Kristen answered that it is as much as last year.

 

  1. Authorize Agreements (Work Experience - Work Sites) – MOTION BY DON SPAULDING – 2ND BY MIKE MCKEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Mike McKee asked if Towns could benefit from the Work Experience clients.  Kristen explained that all the projects are driven by request.  County projects would come first, other municipalities and then other agencies such as Loaves & Fishes, etc.

 

Youth Bureau

  1. Resource Allocation Plan NYS Office of Children and Family Services – MOTION BY MERWIN ARMSTRONG – 2ND BY DON SPAULDING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Scott Schrader explained that the Cortland County Youth Bureau Board will meet to determine the various agencies’ funding and then it will be brought back to the Committee and full Legislature for approval.

 

DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:

Department of Social Services:

Third Quarter Statistics- Social Services (Kristen Monroe) – Kristen commented that the Third Quarter Statistics are uneventful.  The caseload has gone down.  There have been no children in detention for a month.  Things are coming together.

 

DSS COMMISSIONER, KRISTEN MONROE; MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE; LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN, MARILYN BROWN AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, SCOTT SCHRADER COMMENDED CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASEWORKER, JEREMY CRANMER ON A JOB WELL DONE DURING A RECENT CPS INVESTIGATION.

Cortland County Agency on Aging:

Medicare – Part D Enrollment (Carol Deloff) – Carol advised the Committee that the Medicare Part D enrollment has started and they will only have 6 weeks of enrollment time for the Seniors.  Carol explained that last year New York State had 47 plans.  This year the State has 61 plans.  Carol urged the Committee to encourage constituents to come into the Office of the Aging to enroll.  The process is quite cumbersome.  They may need to start opening on Saturdays to handle the influx of Seniors coming in to enroll.

Staff Additions/Vacancies (Carol Deloff) – The Nutrition Director has started her position and an Assistant Nutrition Director has been hired.  This leaves a Site Manager vacancy in the Truxton Nutrition Site.  There is also a kitchen aide out sick so they will be hiring a temporary person to cover until that employee returns to work.

Employment & Training/Grant Administration:

General Comments (Judy Davison) – They are anticipating a complete State overall with the results of the recent election.

Work is presently being completed on the facade of the Cortland Career Center at 99 Main Street. 

Some clients at the Center were able to meet the Governor the day he was in Cortland.

Cortland County Youth Bureau:

No Report

Other Comments From The Members Of The Human Services Committee:

Senior Housing (Carol Tytler):  Carol has discovered that there are plans for Senior Housing in the south side of the City.  Carol Deloff asked if this was the same project as the “New Visions” Company’s plans to renovate or rebuild housing on South Main Street.  Carol Tytler said that it is an entirely different project.  She received the information from Linda Hartsock.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06a.m.  

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to the County Administrator

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