Excused:  F Proto

Staff:  Lisa Holmes, Office for the Aging; I. Stein, Office for the Aging; A. Cole, Health Department; N. Zahler, Youth
         Bureau; S. Whicher, Administration; M. Dill, Human Services Coalition Director; T. Schiele, Health Department; T.
         Lyczko, Health Department; K. Fuller, Recorder

Guest:  P. Hopper, Senior Citizens Council

Called to Order
 Chair Winch called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

Approval of Minutes
 It was MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Ms. Robertson and unanimously approved to accept the minutes of February 12, 2002 as presented.

Office for the Aging

Summary Evaluation of Foodnet Services

 Ms. Lisa Holmes of the Office for the Aging provided a comprehensive executive summary of a evaluation of the Foodnet program that was completed during the summer of 2001.  This summary included information provided by past and current users of the daily and congregate program as well as community perception.  It was noted that the survey encompassed many areas of the county to give a valid random sampling.  The benefit cited as the most important was the social aspect that the program provides in both the home delivery and congregate programs.  Individuals questioned indicated that the contact made through this program was either the primary or only contact they had with other individuals and did not participate in other social activities.  Ms. Holmes said that the reason individuals dropped the program were either improved health and well-being that enabled them to be independent, or due to the need to be transferred to a residential setting with full-time care.  Other items covered on the survey was perceptions of accessibility of parking at congregate sites
 Next, the discussion included recommendations such as flexibility of the congregate sites and parking at them, publicity of the congregate sites that indicates that the meals are open to non-residents as well, utilizing the home delivery of meals to include information of services available, and in the event of an increase in resources to attempt to fund a part-time case manager to assist with the state mandated assessment intake of clients.  Committee members asked what the average per meal contribution by clients was.  Ms. Stein said a breakdown of the figures will be provided to Committee members.  Also suggested was a change of the title “Congregate” and some visual graphs to easily assess the information provided be included.
 Mr. Winch thanked Ms. Holmes and Ms. Stein for the well-written report.
 The Committee discussed the on-going discussion of viability of purchasing rather than leasing the property that now houses Foodnet.  The Office for the Aging and Administration are continuing to look at this option.
 Ms. Stein also extended an invitation to any Committee member that may wish to ride with a Foodnet worker to be able to better acquaint themselves with the scope of this work.

Budget Adjustments

 It was moved by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Proto and unanimously approved by members to approve the budget adjustments submitted.
Office for the Aging (#14)
Revenue Acct  Title   Amt  Approp Acct Title(s) __________
6796  44772  Federal Revenue $10,399  6796  54400 Program Expense

Explanation:  Federal Revenue increase for WRAP (Weatherization) Program.

Appointment
 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mrs. Schuler and unanimously approved to submit the appointment of Carol Knight to the Office for the Aging Advisory Board to the full Board for consideration.  MOTION CARRIED.
Department of Social Services
 The Committee was provided with written reports from the Department of Social Services and will contact the Commissioner directly with any questions.
Health Department
 Mr. Ted Schiele of the Health Promotion Program provided a Powerpoint Presentation to the Committee, giving an overview of the work done at the Healthy Heart Worksite Grant Program.  It was reported that it is a five-year grant with twenty-one Healthy Heart Worksite contractors throughout New York State.  This program focuses on nutrition and physical activities aspects of heart health and specifies an environmental approach instead of working with on an individual level.  He said that fourteen percent of deaths could be attributed to poor nutrition and lack of physical activities.  Figures were provided that indicated the reduction in health care costs that could be attained when an individual lowers risk factors by consciously taking better care of their health.
 Mr. Schiele said that the Worksite Wellness Program goes to the place of employment to assist in educating individuals.  This provides the opportunity to make this choice and have encouragement and support available to achieve this goal.  Forty-seven worksites within the County were surveyed to ascertain whether a wellness program existed and if a change in the administrative procedure of the programs needed revamping.  At the present time they are working with ten businesses to establish programs with several objectives to be achieved over eighteen to twenty-four months.  Specific activities of the program were discussed.
 Also mentioned was the wellness web site that individuals can go to for information.  It can be reached at www.tompkins-co.org/wellness/worksite.
 Committee members inquired what businesses are utilizing this program in the Tompkins County area and whether advertising the program might be a way of increasing awareness.  It was noted that some of the companies might be willing to do so.
 Mr. Winch felt that the Wellness presentation would be a valuable presentation for the full Board as it would also make the citizens of Tompkins County aware of the importance of good health.

Youth Bureau

Budget Adjustment
 It was moved by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mrs. Schuler and unanimously approved by members to approve the budget adjustments submitted.
Youth Bureau (#18)

Revenue: 7020.43820  Programs for Youth  -$ 2,943
              7022.43820  Programs for Youth  -$ 7,234
              7023.43820  Programs for Youth  -$ 1,487
              7028.43820  Programs for Youth  -$18,011
                                                       TOTAL-$29,675

Appropriation: 7020.51200535      Administrative Assistant -$     350
                       7020.58800            Fringes    -                      $       91
                       7020.54330            Printing    -                      $  1,500
                       7020.54400            Program Expenses  -       $  4,000
                       7020.54412            Travel/Training   -            $     863
                       7020.54452            Postage    -                      $     500
                       7020.54472            Telephone   -                   $     100
                       7023.54400            Program Expenses  -        $     140
                       7026.54400            Program Expenses  -        $13,055
                       7028.54400            Program Expenses  -        $  9,076
                                                                                TOTAL-$29,675
Explanation:  Adjustments necessary to reconcile actual 2002 budget revenues and appropriations with final State and County funding levels.

RESOLUTION NO.     -  AMENDING THE INTERMUNICIPAL COOPERATIVE
   RECREATION PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

 MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Robertson.

 Committee members discussed briefly the revision and indicated that they hoped that this resolution would be the final amendment to the agreement as it is a lengthy process.  A voice vote was taken by all members present and it was unanimously approved.  MOTION CARRIED.

WHEREAS, the Board of Representatives voted on February 5, 2002 to join the Inter-municipal Cooperative Recreation Partnership and approved the Agreement dated January 8th, and

WHEREAS, certain changes are needed to reach a consensus of all participating municipalities, and

RESOLVED, on recommendation of Health and Human Services Committee, That the Board of Representatives agree to amend the Partnership Agreement by replacing the first two paragraphs with the following text:

“Pursuant to Section 119-o of the General Municipal Law, the undersigned municipalities hereby enter into this Agreement to form a five year renewable Recreation Partnership.
This agreement shall become effective upon execution by each and every municipality listed below and shall be in force for the period beginning January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2006 and may be renewed for an additional five years by appropriate resolution by the municipal partners on or before December 31, 2006 all other terms and conditions of this agreement remaining the same.  If all of the approvals and signatures are not obtained by April 30, 2002 this agreement shall be null and void.”

RESOLVED, further, That the Chairman of the Board of Representatives be, and hereby is, authorized to sign this agreement or any subsequent version that may include corrections that do not alter the substance of the agreement.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

Ithaca Youth Bureau Program Reviews
     The Committee briefly discussed whether a special review of the progress made in Ithaca Youth Bureau Sponsored Programs should be completed.  It was not felt that it was necessary to bring to Committee as long as the Tompkins County Youth Bureau completed a review.

Annual Report
     Ms. Zahler informed the Committee that the report should be completed and available in early April.

Update on Recreation Facilities Study
 Committee members were updated on the status of the Recreation Facility Study.  Committee members did not feel that the report was as informative as it should have been for the information and length of time provided.  Ms. Zahler said that members of the Recreation Facilities Study shared their opinion in the matter.  Following discussion Committee members suggested that a request be made by the consultant to provide more depth to the report.

Demographic Profile of Tompkins County Youth and Families
     Ms. Zahler provided Committee members with the summary of the Demographic Profile.  She said that a more complete document was available and will be on file at the Board office.  One portion still being compiled is the information on poverty.  This datum is currently not available from the census.  In the interim, statistics available to the Youth Bureau from other sources is being gathered and prepared.

Liaison to the Tompkins County Youth Board
 Following a brief discussion, Mr. Booth said that he thought he could possibly act as liaison for the Committee.  The meetings occur on the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Scott Heyman Conference Room.

Human Services Coalition
 Ms. Dill, Director of the Human Services Coalition gave a brief overview of a needs assessment that the Human Services Coalition is presently working on and how it provides historical information.
 Next, she introduced Ms. Peggy Hopper, Director of the Senior Citizen’s Council who reported on the activities and programs they have available.  She said that the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provided 64,735 hours of service through 379 volunteers.  This figure equates to more than $333,000 worth of free service when factored at minimum wage.  Other areas mentioned were the Northside/Southside Program, Health Screening Clinics, Assistance of Flu Clinics, Senior-Time Radio, Senior Circle Paper, and HICAP.  Ms. Hopper informed the Committee on the Senior Circuit Learning program that was established in 1999.  This program provides 112 courses a year at a low-cost sliding scale for the participants.

 Mr. Winch thanked her for the report and told Ms. Hopper that he enjoyed the Senior Citizen Craft Shop located in the center.

 Mr. Booth inquired about the assistance Senior Citizens receive with health care forms. It was reported that there is a volunteer who assists seniors to wade through the many forms necessary to obtain appropriate insurance coverage for both short-term and long-term coverage.

Liaison Reports
 Mrs. Schuler reported that the Mental Health Services Board , to help review priority areas for program development and maintenance over the next three years, held a two-day workshop involving 65 mental hygiene stakeholders in a “concept mapping” process that resulted in one hundred thirteen (113) action statements.  These will be grouped and condensed into a further analysis.  She also reported that April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a series of activities are planned.  Mrs. Schuler also stated that the Alcohol and Drug Council and Cornerstone Recovery Center are meeting with the Sheriff to discuss transitional operations at the jail.  Lastly, she reported that a full summary of Hunger in America 2000 is available at the Board Office.

 Ms. Robertson reported on the annual meeting of the Human Services Coalition as she had been unavailable for the regular meeting.  She said that the speaker at the annual meeting had been critical of the governor’s budget and that there was concern over shuffling TANF funds into different areas.

 Chair Winch asked Committee members to be aware of the foster parent celebration being sponsored by the Department of Social Services.

 Next, he informed the Committee of the Financial Management Coordination Committee which is looking into the feasibility of combining agency efforts to assist clients in receiving financial management training.  He said that he has seen prospective recipients turn down assistance in some programs simply because they do not have the financial knowledge to see the benefits.  At the present time there are approximately twenty groups involved in this project.

 A brief discussion occurred about concern for reduced funding from State and Federal agencies and the impact that it will have on services locally.

 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.