HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE OCTOBER 1, 2003 - 11:30 A.M. SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present:
M. Robertson, Chair; N. Schuler; M. Koplinka-Loehr; P. Penniman (arrived
at 11:40 a.m.), F. Proto (arrived at 11:38 a.m.)
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator;
M. Dill, Human Services Coalition; J. Anderson, Health Department; S. Maybee,
Health Department; A. Cole, Health Department; S. Kerr, Health Department;
K. Fuller, Recorder
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:33 a.m.
Changes to Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
Chair's Report
Ms. Robertson spoke of the upcoming TANF Audio Conference
to take place on Friday, October 3, 2003, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the Cornell
Cooperative Extension. She recommended it for anyone who may have the
opportunity to participate.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Ms. Schuler,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the
minutes of September 3 and 18, 2003, meetings as amended.
Mr. Proto arrived at this time (11:38 a.m.).
Health Department
RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT GRANT
FUNDS AND EXECUTE AGREEMENT – STATE INDOOR RADON GRANT – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Ms. Schuler,
to submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.
Mr. Penniman arrived at this time (11:40 a.m.). A brief discussion
followed regarding the resolution and the value it will provide. Steve
Maybee in the Health Department works on this issue, but the grant will be
a pass-through to Cooperative Extension. It was noted that Tompkins
County is considered to be a high-risk area for radon and that long-term
exposure leads to lung cancer. Members of the Committee requested that,
although it is a good program, the resolution should note that the
services may only be provided for the life of the grant. A voice vote
resulted as follows: Ayes - 5, Noes - 0. MOTION CARRIED.
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Health Bureau
of Environmental Radiation Protection has received funding from the United
States Environmental Protection Agency to support a County outreach program
directed at high risk radon risk areas, and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the grant award is to implement
a comprehensive “Four-Point Radon Education and Testing Project,” which will:
1. Provide a multi-media program of community education to increase awareness
of the risks of radon, how to test for it, what test results mean, and how
to mitigate problems;
2. Increase numbers of residential tests performed for radon, with at least
150 limited-resource homes to be tested in the course of the project;
3. Provide education and workshops for area builders on radon-resistant construction
materials and techniques, and survey them over a three-year period regarding
their building practices; and
4. Identify available sources of mitigation funding to create a local referral
network of agencies, banks/lenders, Tompkins County Board of Realtors, and
mitigation contractors who may assist low-resource families with radon mitigation,
and
WHEREAS, the Health Department will contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension
of Tompkins County for implementation of this project, with the Department
providing technical assistance as needed, and will assist in data collection
for certain measurable outcomes, and
WHEREAS, the Health Department will receive a total of
$13,500 for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2006 (first payment
to be made in May 2004), now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Health and Human
Service Committee, That the Health Department is authorized to accept said
funds, and
RESOLVED, further, That the Department is authorized to
execute any and all agreements necessary to complete the requirements of
the grant, and the service will be provided only for the life of the grant.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * *
Explanation: Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs
naturally in the soil from the radioactive decay of radium, which is itself
a decay product of uranium. Radon gas is the second leading cause of
lung cancer in the nation and the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
The EPA has designated Tompkins County as a high-risk area for radon.
According to testing data accumulated by the New York State Department of
Health, an estimated 30% of homes in Tompkins County could have elevated
radon levels. Homes tested in the county have an average level of 4.4 pCi/L,
with approximately 30% of homes testing at greater than 4 pCi/L (which is
the level at which the EPA recommends mitigation actions).
Support for WIC Program
Ms. Cole, Public Health Director, spoke to the Committee
regarding the WIC Program's continual reduction in funding that has lead
to fewer staff to administer this program. Past cuts have resulted in staff
taking voluntary cuts in their hours. The 2004 budget as allocated
by the state would pay only for five FTE in this program, a loss of 30 staff
hours per week. However the state expects the target caseload to be
4.36% higher than in 2003.
Ms. Cole has been told by the State that Tompkins County's
high operational costs for the program are because it is run by unionized
employees; other counties have reduced costs because they have not-for-profit
agencies administrating the program. She reported to the Committee
that the Board of Health is concerned that the expected caseload keeps being
increased while the funding is not, and requested she correspond with the
appropriate State agency. Ms. Cole explained she is seeking Committee
approval to honor the Board of Health request. She said this program
goes through a RFP process and that in the past the County has been the only
bidder. There is a one-year contract period, so writing the state health
department at this time would serve notice that the County intends
to discontinue administration of the program if sufficient funding is not
provided.
The Committee then heard information that although birth rates were decreasing
within the County, more individuals are utilizing these services as a result
of the present economic decline; more people are eligible due to loss of
income. Members of the Committee inquired whether clients were turned
away due to staffing constraints or lack of funding and were informed that
although recently there has not been a problem, at times a waiting list has
been necessary due to reduced staffing. Last year the staff served
105% of the targeted caseload (a figure determined for budgetary purposes
by the State); however it was felt that staff could not be reduced any further
without affecting the program. In response to Ms. Schuler’s question,
Ms. Connors said that approximately 16% of WIC-eligible families include
Cornell graduate students.
The Committee indicated its approval for Ms. Cole to communicate with appropriate
personnel regarding this situation, and asked to be kept informed of the
progress.
Social Services
Ms. Dolan reviewed the monthly reports with the Committee,
stating Safety Net, Foster Care, and Emergency Aid to Adults Programs are
presently exceeding budget estimates. She then spoke of anticipated
changes in program definitions, in particular regarding shelter allowances
that will take effect November 1, 2003. For the first time in 15 years
there will be an increase in the shelter allowance. However, this figure
has not been calculated for the 2004 budget because other regulatory changes
will make the net figures very hard to predict. The new regulations
change the definition of family members and increase the income levels to
be eligible for various programs. Ms. Dolan anticipates the results
of these changes will be felt after the first two quarters of 2004.
Ms. Dolan spoke of the HEAP program and the present contract
with Tompkins Community Action (TCA) allowing pre-purchasing of oil to obtain
fuel at a lower cost. She spoke of TCA's ability to arrange funding
from their budget, and to secure $65,000 in NYSERDA funds, that would allow
this pre-purchase. Presently restrictions in the program only allow
reimbursement for actual point of purchase transactions. The arrangement
made with TCA will allow the Department of Social Services to reimburse TCA
as the fuel oil is used, and at the set rate which would allow more effective
use of the funds. Ms. Dolan indicated that while it means some additional
bookkeeping for her staff it is a benefit well worth the effort. Mr.
Proto suggested that members of Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA)
be contacted to determine if a savings is possible for clients’ electric
service. In addition to reporting on the pre-purchase of fuel oil,
Ms. Dolan noted that last year the Department was able to supplement approximately
$40 for utility payments to HEAP clients as a result of a fund balance at
the end of the heating season.
Next, in response to a question regarding State review
of eligibility requirements, Ms. Dolan said the only program for which the
state controls eligibility is the Safety Net Program; the Federal statues
control all others. Federal and state eligibility generally mirror
each other. Ms. Dolan feels that the Federal TANF programs will most
likely continue as is for the next year due to the extensive variety of proposals
for reform. Also, she said that federal lawmakers are not as concerned
about TANF because public assistance does not appear to be increasing as
significantly as Medicaid caseloads. Ms. Dolan indicated the primary
concern is whether the federal reimbursement will stay at 50%, and whether
TANF block grant funds will cover the cost of programs in New York through
the end of this fiscal year.
Mr. Proto expressed concern that the State may modify
TANF reimbursements in the future. Mr. Whicher said there is discussion
of change within the Medicaid program to eliminate some services. He
also said that overburden payments have been capped at the 2002 levels and
this combined with placing mental health patients in the Medicaid system
will increase the costs significantly. Ms. Dolan said that at this
time the not-for-profit service providers are being notified that funding
is in place through June 30, 2004. She feels there is concern regarding
child welfare programs, as they have been funded through TANF. In the
event the TANF block grants are used in other areas it may mean extreme reduction
or elimination of these services. She said that at this time there
is a reimbursement rate of 65% of the net Federal costs. If the TANF
funds in child welfare are pulled, numerous programs such as EAF/JD PINS,
and other preventive services for families, will not have any State or Federal
reimbursement.
Ms. Dolan indicated a possibility that the Medicaid Total
Health Care will soon begin to take Family Health Plus cases.
If this occurs there is a potential increase of local share dollars spent
on the program as the County pays 25%. It was noted that Child Health
Plus is a State-supported program. Ms. Dolan indicated that it will
be critical to watch next year’s state budget. Committee members asked
her to put together a succinct set of ”talking points” on these issues for
their use in contacting our state and federal representatives. She
indicated that she would work on this with Steve Whicher and Tom Herden.
Mr. Whicher indicated interviews with the two final candidates
for the position of Commissioner of Social Services, one internal candidate
and one external, will take place prior to the October 7, 2003, Legislative
meeting. Also, with regard to the single room occupancy (SRO) facility
for people with mental health issues, three locations are being reviewed
as possibilities for the twenty-eight-room facility. Also, Mr. Whicher
reported on a meeting regarding possible expansion of Unity House’s Green
Street site, however questions regarding the County's legal ability to loan
funds for the expansion are being reviewed.
Human Services Coalition
Ms. Robertson shared a chart from the Fiscal Policy Institute,
indicating the amount of income tax reduction in recent years exceeds the
increase of property taxes, noting that those with a higher income experienced
additional useable income as a result. Members of the Committee requested
a copy of this chart to review.
Ms. Dill then spoke of the Alternative Federal Credit Union's Earned Income
Tax Program that assisted clients in applying for the EITC in 2003, resulting
in the families receiving approximately $500,000 in tax credits at no cost
to the clients. Ms. Dolan said her Department has provided a similar
service to their clientele, and it too was successful.
Ms. Dill spoke of the numerous workshops made available
through the Human Services Coalition, noting that over the course of the
past year and a half more than twenty had been offered. She explained
the workshops are made possible through Park Foundation and local scholarship
agencies. Since March 2003, 227 individuals from 60 agencies have attended
these varied workshops. Mr. Proto suggested an insurance workshop would
assist individuals as premiums are steadily increasing.
Next Month - Discussion on End-of-Year Closure
Chair Robertson spoke of the need to focus on the last
few meetings of the year and determine if members would like to have additional
speakers related to the subject of housing, such as from the real estate
field, Ithaca College housing, contractors or assessment officials.
Mr. Proto noted work is presently taking place at the state level regarding
land banking done by not-for-profit landowners. There was discussion
of agricultural districts and the manner in which the tax is amended in the
event of real estate sales of a portion of the land. Ms. Robertson
asked committee members to consider the committee’s goals for 2003 and how
they should be addressed.