Staff: I. Stein, Office of Aging, L. Holmes, Office of Aging, B. Crosby-Grinnell, Health Department, E. Brazauskas, Health Department, M. Dolan, Social Services Commissioner; B. DeLuca, Mental Health Commissioner; N. Zahler, Youth Bureau; T. Joseph, Chair, Board of Representative; S. Whicher, County; D. Kiefer, Board of Representatives; B. Falcao, Health Planning Council; L. Dillon, Tompkins Community Action; Administrator; K. Fuller, Recorder

Called to Order

 Chair Winch called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.

Chair’s Statement

 Chair Winch said to Committee members and those present that he likes to be a Player/Coach and work as a team effort to benefit the Tompkins County community.  He will conduct meetings as efficiently as possible and referred to the “PAL” method of running a meeting. He explained that this is Purpose, Agenda, and Length.  He plans to start and end the meetings on time.  He also said he would like to receive as much information as possible prior to the meeting.  Information should be sent to the Board Office so the agenda will include this information.

 Mr. Winch also requested that additions should be kept to a minimum so that the agenda accurately reflects what will happen at the meetings.

 Mr. Winch said that Board of Representatives Chair Joseph was present to speak to the Committee briefly.  He also said that while he is aware of the information Chair Joseph planned to share he asked that department heads and staff members make proposals to the Health and Human Services Committee on how possibly streamline or combine services to avoid duplication in various departments and assist in budget process.

Chair of the Board’s Report

 Board of Representatives Chair, Tim Joseph, spoke to the Committee members about his desire to review the approach of the Human Service process.  He used the Drug Court is a good example of what he is looking for.  He noted that it doesn’t look at an individual as someone who needs and is provided drug treatment, but looks at the specific needs of the individual and works with them to resolve all issues.  He would like to encourage a continuation of this approach throughout the human services departments.

 Mr. Joseph then spoke of the need of government to provide food, shelter, counseling or other assistance that an individual or may need.  He said that individuals by nature also have the need to give back something as well.  He went on to explain that he would like to see the Health and Human Services departments treat the individual or family thoroughly and address all the issues creating the problem the first time.  He pointed out that to provide everything the first time would ultimately be the most effective and least costly way.

 Ms. Stein said she agreed with Mr. Joseph about the need of individuals to feel as though they are contributing to society and said that people need to remember to include the elderly’s need to be contributing members of society, that the need continues throughout a person’s lifetime.

 Ms. Robertson said that she has seen frustration in the Human Services field when a desire is there to provide specific services for individuals and families but not the funding available. Mr. Joseph replied that the Board Committee has the ability to direct funding and can assist by reviewing the budget process and making adjustments accordingly.

County Administrator

  Mr. Whicher, County Administrator, informed the Committee of concerns of an increase in the local share cost of the Medicare program as a result of the Governor’s proposed increases.
 

Agenda Information

 Chair Winch said that he plans to rotate departments within the agenda schedule and asked that departments provide a guideline of the time they will need to cover agenda items.  He also expressed a desire to have each department and agency think of one program they would like to present to the Committee and feels that it is important to educate committee and board members prior to budget time.

Additions to Agenda

 The following items were added to the agenda:

· Mental Health Subcommittee appointments
· Tompkins County Area Agency Proposed 2002 Plan

Health Department

 Ms. Brazauskas provided information related to the request to fill a Community Health Nurse vacancy within the Early Intervention Program.

 It was moved by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Schuler to approve the position of Community Health Nurse.

 Mr. Booth asked for an explanation of the mandate.  It was explained that it was a Federal mandate that the State provide these services and in return obtain funding.

 Ms. Robertson asked what the caseload distribution would be with the new position in place.  Ms. Brazauskas said that the caseload for each worker would decrease but it is normal to have between twenty-five to thirty cases per individual.

 Mr. Whicher said that this request is approved by both the Personnel Commissioner and himself.  Mr. Booth asked if the position was included in the 2002 budget and was told that it was.
 Following discussion a voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes – 5 Noes – 0.  MOTION CARRIED.

Office of the Aging

 Ms. Stein reviewed the information she had provided Committee members concerning the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) Program.  She explained that the PERS program provides emergency contact through the use of a pendant that transmits a signal to the Disaster system.  She explained that if a signal is received it is verified as assistance needed by telephoning the individual.  If no answer occurs then they contact the listed emergency contact individuals.  If they cannot be reached emergency personnel are dispatched immediately.  She said that this system has saved lives in the past.

 Ms. Stein further reported to individuals that this service is provided at a low or no cost basis depending on income levels.  When an individual requests this service the County worker goes on-site and not only assists in obtaining a PERS unit but also reviews any other needs the person may have.  She said that it is very important for the elderly to feel as independent as possible and this service provides this.

 The statistics provided showed 289 individuals receiving assistance through this program.  The figure did not include the 125 machines required by mandate in the home of social service clients.  Since the program’s inception in 1985, there have been 1,176 individuals provided with these units.  She said that her Department is developing strategies to inform all seniors and people with disability of the program.

 Mr. Proto asked that Ms. Stein qualify what the eligibility requirements for the program were.  Ms. Stein said that if an individual is sixty or older, or below sixty and disabled is a County resident they are eligible for the program.

 Ms. Stein then reviewed the demographic data of the report.  She also said the budgeting of the program has been effective and that money County provides to this program is limited to the monitoring by the emergency services department.

 Ms. Schuler said that there is an advisory board that meets quarterly to review the program.

 Mr. Winch said that Committee members should review the 2002 Work Plan submitted by the Office for the Aging as it will appear on the February agenda.

Mental Health Department

 Mr. DeLuca provided the Committee an outline of the 2002 Goals.  Included was:  Implement evaluation and contract management system for reinvestment allocations; Initiate conversion to electronic medical records; and, Establishing a monitoring system for revenue sensitive programs.

  A discussion occurred about the need to train the Mental Health Subcommittee on the evaluation procedure of services involving the reinvestment allocations of funds received from the State.  These funds are allocated to the County as a result of the closing of State hospital facilities and subsequently shifting the funds to community based services.  Mr. Proto asked if the funds the County received is fixed or variable depending on the number of beds in the State.  Mr. DeLuca said that it is has been the same amount with the exception of the year that more funds were received due to the State facility located in Willard, New York closing.   These funds are not going to be coming in any longer and the decisions of what programs receive funding will be more difficult.

 A discussion occurred about appropriate training and evaluation procedures of the programs and the major role this will play when providing services in the future.

Subcommittee Appointments

 Mr. DeLuca discussed with the Committee the need to have the subcommittee members appointed by the full Board.  The Mental Health Department has done that and are now requesting that the appointments be modified to reflect staggered terms.

 It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mrs. Schuler and unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation of the Commissioner of Mental Health to approve the appointments and extend the terms of individuals as provided.

Mental Health Subcommittee
Sari Feldman – consumer - term to expire December 31, 2003
Linda Millaine Pierro – term to expire December 31, 2003

Mental Health Services Board
Stu Bergman – term to expire December 31, 2006
Melissa Brous – term to expire December 31, 2006
Mary Hutchings – term to expire December 31, 2006
Anne Brous – term to expire December 31, 2006
Paul Bursic – term to expire December 31, 2003

 A brief discussion took place about a recent resolution that was pulled from the Board agenda.  This resolution dealt with Appropriation of Contingent Funds for Renovations and had been originally presented and subsequently withdrawn at the January 2, 2002 meeting.  Mr. DeLuca said that the resolution, which would allow the use of funds set aside in the previous budget, will be brought forth subsequent to the completion of the work.

Health Planning Council

 Ms. Falcao provided the Committee with the 2002 Program Year Work Plan Study.  She reviewed the various service areas dealt with by the Health Planning Council Board, Acute/Primary Care Committee, and the Long Term Care Committee.  Goals for each were reviewed, indicating the main objective, activities to reach the objective, the Lead Agency involved with each, and other groups who may be participating in the endeavor.  Mr. Winch requested a listing of grant awards for the Committee review and a possible discussion item.

 Mr. Proto inquired about the possible need to update information compiled previously on salaries of health care workers.  Ms. Falcao felt that the previous study was done to show where the inadequacies were.  Since things didn’t change she did not think it was necessary to do so at this time.  Mr. Proto thought since the gap between what is being billed and what the health care worker makes is important.  Ms. Falcao said she could look into updating the information.

 Mr. Booth asked if the Health Planning Council is working at all with the Parity Mental Health Issue. Ms. Falcao indicated that the majority of work in this field is done by the Mental Health Association.  Mr. Booth then inquired about men with disabilities noted on the report.  Ms. Falcao said that it is women based upon information she had received.

Department of Social Services

 Ms. Dolan brought to the Committee a request to fill vacancies.  She said this is the second request since the soft-hiring freeze was established.  She provided background information on the positions and County Administrator, S. Whicher, said he approved the positions as they are a back-fill from the previous requests.

 Mr. Booth said there is a need to develop a more standardized form for the requests.  The Committee agreed and requested that Mr. Whicher work to develop one that would include items such as the length of time the position is vacant, how the workload would be shifted if the position were not filled, the cost of the position, is it within the existing budget, and the summary of recommendations from the Personnel Commissioner and County Administrator.  Mr. Whicher said he would work on this and provide a draft for review.

RESOLUTION NO. - APPROVAL OF PINS 18, INTERDEPARTMENTAL, "PLAN"
                                     DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, PROBATION, & YOUTH
                                     BUREAU

 MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Proto.

WHEREAS, a letter, dated November 14, 2001, was received by the Chair of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives from the Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Development of the New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS), and
WHEREAS, this letter requested that a “Plan” be submitted that outlines how the County is preparing for and how it will implement the new PINS 18 jurisdiction legislation, and
WHEREAS, a multi-agency group was convened to “project the impact of the legislation and to identify services needed,” and
WHEREAS, representatives from the Department of Social Services, the Probation Department, and the Youth Bureau have documented and prepared a "Plan" for the PINS 18 legislation, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the Health & Human Services’ and Public Safety Committees, That the Interdepartmental PINS 18 "PLAN" is approved for submission to the New York State Office of Children & Family Services.

 Mr. Proto requested information on the Plan referred to in the resolution as well as inclusion of an explanation on the resolution.  Mr. Booth said he did not agree that it was a plan.

 A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 4, Noes – 1 (Representative Booth).  MOTION CARRIED.

Youth Bureau

 Ms. Johnston informed Committee members that the Recreation Partnership took unders consideration the revisions that had been suggested by the Health and Human Services Committee.  At this time the Committee is requested to approve the agreement as it now stands.
 It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mrs. Schuler and unanimously approved by voice vote to accept the Recreation Partnership Agreement as written.

Liaison Appointments

 Chair Winch handed out a form and requested Committee members complete the form to express their preference for liaison assignments.

Appointments

 It was MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Ms. Robertson to approve the following appointments:

Office for the Aging Advisory Committee
Glenn Morey – term to expire December 31, 2004
Eileen Wright – term to expire December 31, 2004
Leroy Wollney – term to expire December 31, 2004

Tompkins County Youth Board
Jan Gorovitz – Probation Department Representative – term to expire December 31, 2004
Wenmouth Williams – Education Representative – term to expire December 31, 2004
Barbara Barry – Town of Lansing Representative – term to expire December 31, 2004
Kathy Schlather – Department of Social Services Representative – term to expire December 31, 2004

Substance Abuse Subcommittee
Linda Weaver – Community Member – term to expire December 31, 2002

 A request was made and granted by Chair Winch to move into executive session at 11:20 a.m. for the purpose of discussion of applicants.

 Open session resumed at 11:25 a.m.

 Upon request, the application of Jan Gorovitz was withdrawn from the appointment list pending confirmation of County residency.

 Following discussion a voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes – 5 Noes – 0.  MOTION CARRIED

Adjournment

 The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.