PRESENT: D. Winch, Chairman; S. Stein; F. Proto

EXCUSED: S. Davis; C. Evans

The meeting opened at 9:23 a.m.

Changes to the Agenda

Appointments to the Community Mental Health Services Board and Substance Abuse Sub-Committee were added to the agenda.

Approval of Minutes

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Stein, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present to approve the minutes of the December 10 meeting as submitted.

Public Information

Ms. Skinner, Public Information Coordinator, said she will be attending as many committee meetings as possible and report out. She asked that she receive information and documents to assist her.

Office for the Aging

Budget Adjustments

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Stein, and unanimously adopted by voice by members present, to submit the following budget adjustments to the full Board for approval:

Revenue: 6793.44772 Federal Revenue $1,000

Appropriation: 6793.54491 Subcontract $1,000

Explanation: Increase in Federal Revenue permits increase in Subcontract.

Revenue: 6777.43808 State Revenue $ 766

Appropriation: 6777.51000 Salary $ 766

Revenue: 6777.43808 State Revenue $1,124

Appropriation: 6777.58800 Fringes $1,124

Explanation: Reappropriation of unused State monies to be used in 1999.

Revenue: 6794.43808 State Revenue $ 15

Appropriation: 6794.54442 Professional Services $ 15

Revenue: 6794.43808 State Revenue $ 375

Appropriation: 6794.58800 Fringes $ 375

Explanation: Reappropriation of unused State monies to be used in 1999.

Revenue: 6780.43808 State Revenue $20,936

Appropriation: 6780.54491 Subcontracts $20,936

Explanation: Reappropriation of unused State monies to be used in 1999.

Revenue: 6785.43808 State Revenue $1,033

Appropriation: 6785.51000 Salary $ 263

.54330 Printing 177

.54414 Local Mileage 148

.54452 Postage 65

.58800 Fringes 380

Explanation: Reappropriation of unused State monies to be used in 1999.

Revenue: 6777.43808 State Revenue $2,402

Appropriation: 6777.54491 Subcontracts $2,402

Explanation: Revenue increase permits increase in subcontract.

Revenue: 6780.42705 Gifts and Donations $ 430

Appropriation: 6780.54491 Subcontracts $ 430

Explanation: Increase in donations allows increase in subcontract services.

The committee discussed adopting a policy that budget adjustments under a certain amount i.e., $300, not require program committee action . Mr. Benjamin was asked to follow-up on this request with the County Administratorto be approved. Mr. Benjamin was asked to follow-up with this request with the County Administrator.

Satisfaction Survey

Ms. Stein said the satisfaction survey of support group participants was circulated to committee members. She said the department runs a Caregivers Resource Center. It provides one on one counseling, circulates a newsletter, sponsors events, and runs the following support groups for caregivers: Alzeimer's Caregivers Group, Stroke Support Group, Parkinson's Supprt Group, Caring and Sharing Group, and Caregivers of Adults with Developmental Disabilities. The results from the survey were extremely positive.

Website

Ms. Stein reported the committee has a new website page for the department. They will continue to keep it up-to-date.

International Year of Older Person

Ms. Stein said 1999 is International Year of Older Persons. She said there will be a proclamation read at the next Board meeting. A calendar of events was distributed to the committee. She specifically brought to the committee's attention a featured speaker, Rose Dobrof, who will be speaking about "Growing Older in Upstate New York: A Look Toward the Future" on March 17 from 3-5 p.m.

Millenium Project

Ms. Stein spoke about the Millenium project. She said representatives from a group of departments interested have convened to consider what is the status of the elderly in various areas such as health care financing, health status, transportation, housing, long-term care, income employment, mental health, disability, leisure activities, wellness and volunteerism. A group of task forces have been set up to gather data and decide what the unmet needs are that could be addressed and accomplished in the near future. A draft report will be prepared. A final report will be available at the end of 1999 or early 2000.

Department Goals

Ms. Stein distributed copies of the attached department's goals and concerns for 1999.

Mr. Winch referred to the executive summary from NYSAC which address the areas impacted by the Governor's proposed budget and said if departments have concerns to bring them to the committee.

Mr. Proto asked about the status of Foodnet reimbursing the County. Ms. Stein said they have started a campaign to raise that money. It was stated that Foodnet has until the end of the year to pay back the money. Mr. Proto spoke about his concern with the arrangement and asked Bill Benjamin to check into it.

Mr. Proto asked about the human services cabinet. Mr. Winch said he attends their meetings and will be able to provide the committee with verbal reports periodically. Ms. Stein agreed to send Mr. Proto copies of the minutes from the meetings also.

Public Health

RN Staffing at Emergency Shelters

Ms. Kerr spoke about a need for a contingency plan during emergencies when the red cross is in need of registered nurse(s) in order to remain in operation. Currently, during a weather related crisis, the red cross calls her requesting nurses. She does not have money in the budget, and therefore, contacts nurses to see if they are available to volunteer. She feels this is a county issue and asked the committee to review options for recommending a contingency plan. She said it is necessary to do the ground work now before a crisis. It is her estimate that it would cost $2,700 for one shelter for three days and $165,000 for 13 shelters for 14 days if there was a total County disaster.

Mr. Winch thought this issue should be addressed between the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and red cross. He noted the LEPC has a representative from the red cross on the committee. He feels there could be a nursing network from throughout the community to help out and be employed by the red cross at that time with some assistance from the County.

It was also suggested that Jack Miller, Fire, Disaster, and EMS Coordinator, be involved as he is the one who is charged with emergency preparedness.

Mr. Stein suggested an insurance pool could be used to take care of emergency situations.

Mr. Benjamin said he is concerned that there is not a contract with the red cross on how the plan functions. Mr. Winch, Ms. Kerr and Mr. Benjamin agreed to meet and do some fact finding.

Resolution

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Stein, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the following resolution to the Budget and Quality Planning Committee for approval:

RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS AND BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - DROWSY DRIVING GRANT - HEALTH DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Health Department, Health Promotion Program in conjunction with Borg Warner Automotive has been awarded one of twenty national pilot grants by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and

WHEREAS, approximately 10 to 20 percent of the workers at Borg Warner are shift workers and accident prevention and worker safety have a high priority at Borg Warner, and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the grant is to implement and evaluate Drowsy Driving prevention program materials with the shift workers at Borg Warner and to educate shift workers about the dangers of driving drowsy, and

WHEREAS, the Health Department will receive $10,000 to participate in the distribution, training and evaluation of this pilot program for a six-month period beginning in the Spring of 1999, and

WHEREAS, a portion of the grant funds will be sub-contracted to Borg Warner to cover personnel expenses, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and Budget and Quality Planning Committee, That the Health Department is authorized to accept said funds,

RESOLVED, further, That the Department is authorized to execute any and all agreements necessary to complete this project,

RESOLVED, further, That the Director of Finance is authorized to make the following budget adjustment on his books:

Revenue: A4016.44959 Federal Aid $10,000

Appropriation: A4016.54412 Travel and Training $ 1,200

.54400 Program Expense 8,800

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

Department Goals

Ms. Crosby distributed copies of the attached department goals and mission statement to committee members.

Mental Health Department

Department Goals

Mr. DeLuca gave a brief overview of the department's goals. He explained the proposed development of a Mental Health Chemical Abuser program. The program coordinates treatment for persons with co-occuring disorders across agencies. He said people with psychiatric illnesses and addiction problems cannot be treated in the same place. This program will allow staff to be trained who are dealing with both problems at once. He said he already has positions that are 100 percent state aid. It is his goal to hire a person, train staff and develop programs in 1999. The treatment facilities will be set up by 2000.

Mr. DeLuca reported the department received a Medicaid audit in 1994 and 1995 and will cost $156,000 this year. To prevent this from happening in the future, he spoke about the creation of a Quality Assurance position within his department. The position will assure compliance with Medicaid regulations and has authority to require treatment changes where necessary. The goal is to restructure the review of records.

Youth Bureau

Department Goals

Ms. Zahler spoke about her department's goals as attached. She said the work plan prepared by the Human Services Cabinet will be made available to committee members.

Appointments

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Stein, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the following appointments to the full Board for approval:

Community Mental Health Services Board

Arthur M. Hardison, Community representative - term expires December 31, 1999

Community Mental Health Services Board - Substance Abuse Subcommittee

Robin Swartwood - Community Member representative - term expires December 31, 2002

David Spane - Community Member representative - term expires December 31, 2002

Next meeting

The committee agreed to hold a special meeting (to be determined) to discuss 1999 committee goals. The committee will ask departments to prioritize their goals.

Informational Meeting

Mr. Winch expressed an interest in having an additional meeting each month to meet with one or two departments to discuss, review and/or hear updates on programs. It was agreed this would be discussed at the next meeting.

Mr. Winch said the Economic Opportunity Corporation weatherization program is being cut and would like to discuss this at the next meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

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