HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MARCH 5, 2003 11:30 A.M. SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Robertson,
Chair; M. Koplinka-Loehr; P. Penniman; N. Schuler; F. Proto (arrived at 11:41
a.m.)
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator; I.
Stein, Office for the Aging Director; M. Dill, Human Services Coalition;
S. Allinger, Health Department; N. Zahler, Youth Bureau Director; B.
Crosby, Health Department; J. Johnson, Youth Bureau; S. Kern, Health Department
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:34 a.m.
Changes to Agenda
Ms. Robertson requested a discussion and update on the
Advocacy Center's proposal be added to the agenda. Mr. Penniman asked
for an update on the Health Department's budget as it relates to the Governor's
proposal. Mr. Whicher spoke about the Department Head meeting held
earlier that day and a request made that reports will be provided by Department
Heads when there is a clearer direction from the County and State.
Ms. Robertson said the Committee will receive a report on home care services
at the next meeting which could include a broader discussion of budget impacts.
Mr. Proto arrived at this time.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Penniman,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the minutes of the February
20th meeting as corrected.
Office for the Aging
Ms. Stein provided an overview of her Department and said
its mission is to give every senior possible a decent life living in his
or her own home where ever that may be, including those living in nursing
homes. The Department is mandated under the Older Americans Act
to provide needs assessments, monitoring, and evaluations of programs.
She reviewed the programs and services offered, either directly or through
contracts, needed to meet the mission. A brochure was distributed at
this time to provide a quick overview of the programs and services.
An Annual Plan is done and a public hearing held that provides input and
is then incorporated into the final Plan. She reviewed the unmet needs and
cuts the Department is experiencing in the current year. Although core services
remain intact, COFA had to cut some housing assistance and employment aid.
Cuts in staff hours have caused slower response time to requests for information
and help. Monthly reports are required for each program that include the
number of people who are being served and the units of service. These
reports determine which programs will be evaluated. Quantitative objectives
are available for each program.
Ms. Stein noted that a presentation on the Weatherization
Referral Application Program (WRAP) is scheduled for this committee in June.
Representatives from Tompkins Community Action, WRAP, and Better Housing
will be present to explain how the program works.
Mr. Whicher briefly reported the bond rating came in today
at 1.2 percent for the purchase of the Foodnet building. At this time,
Ms. Stein reviewed the unmet needs identified in the proposed 2003 Plan and
the proposed cuts in the Governor's proposal. She said the Governor's
proposed budget shows a $25,000 cut for her Department and noted the Department
will be operating with a total cut of $50,000 in 2003. She commented
that although the cuts appear to be small compared to the Department of Social
Services, they are having an enormous impact on the services provided.
The local share of COFA funding is $580,335, so a cut of $50,000 is almost
10% of operating money.
Ms. Stein presented the Committee with the following list
of cuts the Department has made or is anticipating:
1. County Cuts
Fiscal Year 2003
$51,621
Staff cuts resulted in elimination of housing
and generic
Employment programs
as well as slower response time
(In 2002, 333
people were served in housing program; 59 with
generic
employment). There has also been a longer wait for clients
in general.
$18,722
Reduction in operating expenses
7,189
Substitution of new federal dollars for county
dollars
25,710
2. Federal Cuts April 1, 2003- March 31, 2004
Interstate Funding Formula change to disadvantage of NYS
7,024
Impact to be determined
3. State budget Cuts April 1, 2003-March 31, 2004
In home care (EISEP) and Community Services to the Elderly (CSE) have been
combined. The latter serves programs that keep the elderly in independent
living. We have contracts to provide home repairs, long term
care assistance, linkage with home care workers (the Registry), outreach
and socialization in the minority community and food shopping.
14,448
CSI – congregate health and wellness programs
3,674
We will cut a contract with Senior Citizens Council for CSI services.
We will probably eliminate our contract with the Registry, and are still
working on making further cuts. The Registry served 178 seniors in 2002.
The required match is increased
from 25 to 30%. Also, a 30% match is added to State Planning and Implementation
funds ($20,000). This does not present an immediate problem.
Ms. Stein said that if the proposed state and federal
cuts stand, COFA would see a net loss of about $50,000, on top of the County’s
cuts. There was a discussion of long-term unmet needs. Ms. Stein noted in
particular a significant gap in assisted living options for low- and moderate-income
seniors and health insurance for uninsured people aged 60-65. She also spoke
of the shortage of health care workers in all settings, which will be exacerbated
by proposed State cuts to the Health Department.
Mr. Penniman said he would like to add a statement similar
to the Department's mission to the list of Committee goals about serving
all elders and would like to have a report on the impact of State cuts on
other agencies serving the elderly.
Youth Bureau
Resolution - Program Reconfiguration - Recreation Partnership
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Penniman,
to submit the following resolution to the Budget and Capital Committee for
approval. Ms. Zahler said there were requests made by the partners
to have the funds segregated for better accountability. This resolution
will allow the Recreation Partnership to have its own Fiscal Target that
includes only the County's share. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr asked that a discussion
on the Recreation Partnership contribution be discussed at a future meeting
of the Committee, and Ms. Robertson noted it is on the schedule for May 22.
A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution:
Ayes - 5; Noes - 0. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
RESOLUTION NO. PROGRAM RECONFIGURATION AND TARGET
ADJUSTMENT - RECREATION PARTNERSHIP - YOUTH BUREAU
WHEREAS, the Inter-municipal Recreation Partnership Board has asked the County
to be the fiscal agent to receive municipal contributions and to make payments
based on the decisions of the Recreation Partnership Board, on which the
County has two voting seats, and
WHEREAS, the approved Recreation Partnership Agreement calls for the funds
to be accounted for separately, and
WHEREAS, Program 2401, Recreation Partnership is one program within the Youth
Bureau and is included in one Fiscal Target for the entire department, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and Budget &
Capital Committees, That the Fiscal Target for Program 2401 Recreation Partnership
be made separate for 2004 in the amount of $38,110 which represents the local
share of program expenses less local revenues, and
RESOLVED, further, That any residual funds from 2002 and 2003 related to
Program 2401, (A7021), exclusive of savings in payroll and fringe, be reported
separately, and
RESOLVED, further, That a copy of the approved resolution be sent to each
of the participating municipalities.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Revised 2003 Goals
Ms. Zahler explained the goals as sent in the Committee’s
packet were revised for clarification as requested at a previous meeting.
Drug Task Force Grant
Ms. Zahler said she will be presenting at the next meeting
a resolution for a $23,000 grant acceptance. She said the grant was
for four years and is being extended one more year. The grant goes
to the City of Ithaca to serve the Ithaca City School District. Copies
of the federal goals, evaluation measures, and local components to achieve
goals were distributed to Committee members. A detailed proposal is
also available if requested. Mr. Proto said he would like more detail;
Ms. Zahler agreed to provide the additional information. Ms. Robertson
asked if this could be extended to other school districts. Ms. Zahler
said that will happen during the fifth year of the grant.
Recreation Facilities Update
Ms. Zahler distributed copies of a status report of the
Recreation Partnership and Recreation Facilities Committee.
Ms. Zahler also distributed copies of two other documents:
- Tompkins County Network of Youth Services and Input
for Health Youth/Vital Communities
- Tompkins County Youth Board's Continuum of Youth Services
2003.
Health Department
Resolutions
It was MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to submit the following resolution
to the Budget and Capital Committee Board for approval:
RESOLUTION NO. – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – TERMINAL PAY – HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Health Department had three employees retire
as indicated, Ellen Brazauskas, Community Health Nurse Supervisor (12/02/02),
Patricia Stamm, Administrative Assistant (12/30/02) and Sharon Haas, Community
Health Nurse (12/19/02), with terminal pay costs totaling $6,014, and
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for
terminal pay from the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services
and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance is hereby
authorized and directed to make the following budget appropriation:
FROM: A1990.54440
Contingent Fund
$6,014
TO: A4010.51000535 Administrative Assistant
$ 738
A4010.58800
Fringes
$ 192
A4016.51000580
Community Health Nurse $1,898
A4016.58800
Fringes
$ 493
A4047.51000601
Community Hlth. Nurse Supv. $2,137
A4047.58800
Fringes
$ 556
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Proto,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to submit the following resolution
to the full Board for approval:
RESOLUTION NO. – AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE
HOURS – ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WIC PROGRAM – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Environmental Health has 1.0 FTE Public Health
Sanitarian position unfilled, funded .50 FTE as one-time funding and .50
FTE in base budget funding, and
WHEREAS, the division has evaluated the best use of those
funds and reorganized the workload among existing employees to accomplish
the functions of the department and eliminate the need to hire additional
staff, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services
Committee, That one position of Senior Public Health Engineer (89/240), labor
grade S, competitive class be increased from 35 hours to 37.5 hours per week,
effective immediately through 12/31/03, and
RESOLVED, further, That one position of Public Health
Engineer, (15/640), labor grade O, competitive class, be increased from 35
hours to 37.5 hours per week, effective immediately through 12/31/03, and
RESOLVED, further, That five positions of Public Health
Sanitarian, (14/595), labor grade N, competitive class, be increased from
35 hours to 37.5 hours per week effective immediately through 12/31/03, and
RESOLVED, further, That three positions of Sr. Public
Health Sanitarian, (16/607), labor grade P, competitive class, be increased
from 35 hours to 37.5 hours per week, effective immediately through 12/31/03,
and
RESOLVED, further, That one position of Public Health
Sanitarian is currently filled by an employee working in the WIC Program,
and in order for the payroll system to handle the combined hours over 35
hours per week, the WIC Program Nutrition Aide (08/524), labor grade H, competitive
class, position must also be increased from 35 hours to 37.5 hours per week
effective immediately, and
RESOLVED, further, That no additional funds are required
to accommodate this change.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Explanation:
At the beginning of 2003, the EH Division has one position of Sanitarian
position budgeted but not filled. Half of this position is funded only
for 2003 and we are working to “transition” through the year in anticipation
of it not being funded in 2004. In reviewing the options available
it is best felt that as an alternative to hiring an additional staff person
(with added advertising costs, interviewing, and training) that staff would
try an increase in work hours and potentially hiring up to two people part-time
in the summer.
The WIC position increase is a result of a “glitch” in the payroll system
when one employee is hired to work in two separate departments and exceeds
the hours approved for the positions. In this case the employee works
a total of 37.5 hours per week, however both positions are approved for 35
hours per week. This necessitates the increase in hours to 37.5 per
week for both positions, even though the full hours will be not be filled.
The WIC Program will not be increasing the time for the Nutrition Aide as
a result of this change at this time.
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mrs. Schuler,
to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval. Ms. Robertson
thanked Health Department staff for their flexibility and creativity, as
represented by these two resolutions, in dealing with a very difficult budget.
A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution: Ayes - 5; Noes
- 0. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
RESOLUTION NO. – AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE HOURS
– SR. ACCOUNT CLERK TYPIST AND COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE– CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Children With Special Needs Program (CSCN)
has reorganized to address the early retirement of the Supervising Community
Health Nurse and the workload among several employees, and
WHEREAS, the Children With Special Needs Program has a
.60 FTE Sr. Account Clerk Typist (09/529), labor grade I, competitive class,
and a .50 FTE Community Health Nurse (15/580), labor grade O, competitive
class, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services
Committee, That the position of Sr. Account Clerk Typist (09/529), labor
grade I, competitive class, be increased from 21 hours to 35 hours per week,
effective immediately, and
RESOLVED, further, That the .50 FTE Community Health Nurse
(15/580), labor grade O, competitive class, be increased from 17.5 hours
to 35 hours per week, effective immediately, and
RESOLVED, further, That no additional funds are required
to accommodate this change.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Explanation:
A CSCN task force was formed to evaluate the staffing and supervisory needs
of the Division. This task force has determined that the needs of this
Division will be best met by increasing these positions at this time.
The Senior Account Clerk Typist’s primary responsibilities are the billing,
Medicaid claiming and New York State Department of Education claims for the
Committee on Pre-School Special Education Program (CPSE). With increasing
mandates coming from both the State and Federal levels for documentation
and justification of the services being delivered, the increase to the details
of the workload has doubled. Currently there are 1.5 FTE’s managing
the $2,650,000 in services rendered.
The Community Health Nurse position functions as a Service Coordinator for
the Early Intervention Program (EIP). The EIP population in Tompkins
County has increased 118% from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, the Service Coordinators
carried caseloads in the 50s. The New York State Department of Health
recommends caseloads of 35-40. At the same time, the complexity of
these caseloads continues to increase. The increase in this Community
Health Nurse position will offset the reduction in caseload by the Team Leader
who is assuming full management responsibility of the Early Intervention
Program.
The Team Leader is assuming full management responsibility of the Early Intervention
Program and the Community Health Nurse will pick up some of her cases in
this reorganization.
Update on Governor's Proposal
Ms. Crosby said that currently the Governor's budget proposes
to eliminate State Aid on all optional services which includes the Certified
Home Health Agency estimated at $97,000-$98,000. She said there are
a number of other programs that are affected including Children with Special
Needs, EMS, health safety, etc. Ms. Robertson requested a list of optional
services and the dollar amounts for the next Committee meeting.
2003 Committee Goals
Mr. Penniman spoke about his suggestion earlier in the
meeting to add an overall Committee goal about monitoring the delivery of
human services in Tompkins County to make sure all citizens have maximum
quality of life.
Ms. Robertson said she would like each Committee member
to choose a department to write an op-ed piece or guest editorial about a
program or particular area of interest. Committee members are
encouraged to work with the appropriate staff to draft a statement, and to
also enlist Wendy Skinner’s assistance if necessary. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr noted
this is one of the Committee’s goals for the year. Ms. Robertson would like
members to report back at the next meeting on their progress. Following
is a list of assignments:
Overall, including purpose of series – Martha Robertson
Human Services Coalition and Agencies - Mike Koplinka-Loehr
Mental Health - Nancy Schuler
Department of Social Services - Peter Penniman
Health Department - Frank Proto
Youth Bureau - Martha Robertson
Office for the Aging - Martha Robertson and Frank Proto
Human Services Coalition
Advocacy Center
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mrs. Schuler,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to hold an executive session to discuss
personnel issues. An executive session was held from 1:10 p.m. and
returned to open session at 1:29 p.m.
Ms. Dill requested and the Committee agreed that she would
ask an agency to give a report to the Committee on a monthly basis.