Human Services Committee

April 9, 2008 at 8:30 AM

            AMENDED DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present: Sandy Price, Chairman; Don Spaulding, Vice Chairman; Mike McKee, John Troy, Larry Cornell, Kathie Wilcox, Dan Tagliente

Other Legislators/Staff Present: Carol Tytler, Legislator; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Angie Wyatt , Secretary to County Administrator; Carol Deloff, Office of the Aging Director; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Robin Sandwich, Employment and Training Director; Judy Davison, E & T Grant Administration Director; Manny Lann, Youth Bureau Director; Carl Bullock, Veterans Director; Jackie Gailor, Health Department Director

Others Present:  Eric Mulvihill, News Director-WXHC; Dr. Doug Rahner, Family Health Network

The meeting was called to order at 8:35a.m. by Chairman Sandy Price

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 12, 2008 MEETING MADE BY MR. TROY – 2^ND BY MR. CORNELL – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED

RESOLUTIONS:

Area Agency on Aging

1. Abolish/Create Area Agency on Aging Temporary Part-Time Secretary I/Permanent Part-Time Secretary I – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE – 2^ND BY MR. TROY – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Deloff explained that this position is for 10 hours a week for a staff member who is on a long-term leave.

2.      Authorize Agreement Area Agency on Aging (StafKings Healthcare Systems, Inc.) – MOTION BY MR. TROY – 2^ND BY MR. SPAULDING – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Deloff explained that these are Personal Care Aids and they are in addition to Home Care for Cortland County .

Employment & Training

3. Authorize Agreement Employment and Training Department Cayuga-Cortland Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and The Chief Elected Officials of Cayuga and Cortland Counties – MOTION BY MR. CORNELL – 2^ND BY MR. MCKEE – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Davison indicated that this a standard agreement required for Cortland and Cayuga Counties .

4. Authorize Workforce Investment Area (WIA) Local Plan Modification for Program Year 2008-2009 for WIA Title I-B and Wagner Peyser Program Employment and Training Grant Administration Department – MOTION BY MR. MCKEE – 2^ND BY MR. CORNELL – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Davison informed the Committee that this plan is out for public review and that they have not received any comments so far.

Social Services

5. Authorize Agreement Department of Social Services (StafKings Healthcare Systems, Inc.) – MOTION BY MR. TROY – 2^ND BY MR. SPAULDING – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Ms. Monroe indicated that DSS wanted another provider to look at other options.

Youth Bureau

6. Authorize Agreement Youth Bureau (Bus Lease – Cincinnatus Central School District ) – MOTION BY MR. CORNELL – 2^ND BY MR. MCKEE – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion:  Mr. Lann explained that the bus is used for summer field trips.  The Youth Bureau actually hires a qualified bus driver and pays $0.50 per mile.  The Cincinnatus School District had the best deal.  Ms. Price asked for a schedule of the trips.

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS

Department Reports:

Veterans – Mr. Bullock indicated that he has been getting complaints about the way veterans are treated at our local clinic.  He will be speaking to someone at the VA Hospital to resolve this problem.

Youth Bureau – Mr. Lann advised the Committee that the County Youth Bureau will be receiving $1,000.00 from Pall Trinity.  Mr. McKee commented that they have been receiving this money every year since he has been a Legislator.  Mr. Lann also commented that they are trying to get a tennis program going this year.

Office of the Aging – Ms. Deloff commented that the Bowl-a-thon went well.  They raised over $4,000.  Older American’s Day is May 8^th with an essay contest for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders.  They will also honor the Senior Citizen of the Year.

The Rosewood Home in Cincinnatus was discussed.  The home has a lot of deficiencies that have not been corrected such as there is not enough food and smoking in the rooms as well as other deficiencies.  Dr. Rahner indicated that the Family Health Network staff is appalled at the situation there.  Ms. Wilcox mentioned that the Cortland Regional Medical Center tries their best not to send patients back to Rosewood if they are in the hospital.  Ms. Price commented that she is glad this issue was brought to this Committee.  MR. CORNELL MADE A MOTION TO HAVE A LETTER DRAFTED TO SEND TO THE NEW YORK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT – 2^ND BY MR. TROY – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Employment & Training – Ms. Sandwick said that they are waiting for funds for the summer program and Ms. Davison indicated that they are losing approximately $210,000 from the state.

Social Services – Ms. Monroe provided the following information:

·        The Foster Care Proclamation will be at the next Legislative Session.

• Foster Teens will go to a Leadership Challenge Ropes Course at a Boy Scout Camp with DSS Staff members again this year at the end of May.

• Local Funeral Directors are asking the indigent burial costs be raised and a resolution will be forthcoming after they provide documentation of increasing costs.

• The State mandates the rate for Foster Care reimbursement and there will soon be a mandated Cost of Living increase raise so the Department is not intending to do their own discretionary increase at this time.

• DSS employees are offering 2 Food Stamp enrollment workshops on Saturdays. They will be May 3^rd and May 10^th.

Other Comments:

• Mrs. Price advised everyone that the District Attorney’s Office needs room dividers and she will talk to Ms. Monroe and Ms. Gailor.  She also commented that departments work well together.
• Mr. Spaulding went and delivered meals with a Meals on Wheels staff member on the 19^th of March to see how the operation works.  He said that it was quite an experience and never thought that it would be so involved.  He encouraged other Legislators to have this experience.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15a.m.

Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt , Secretary to Scott Schrader

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