Present: D. Winch, C. Evans, S. Davis, F. Proto, S. Stein
Staff: I. Stein, W. Skinner, N. Zahler, N. Zook, J. Jones, A. Cole,
S. Kerr, M. Pottorff
Guests: G. Ferrari, AIDS Work of Tompkins County; B. Falcao, Health
Planning Council
Mr. Winch called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
Changes to the Agenda
Liaison reports were added to the agenda
Approval of Minutes of March 11 and 26, 1999
It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of March 11 and 26, 1999 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
COFA – Budget Adjustments
It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote to approve the following budget adjustments. These adjustments indicated that have already been approved by the full Board. This will be looked into.
REVENUE: 6777.43808 State Revenue $2,402
APPROPRIATION: 6777.54491 Subcontract $2,402
Explanation: Revenue increase permits increase in subcontract.
REVENUE: 6783.44772 Federal Revenue $ 134
APPROPRIATION: 6783-54491 Subcontracts $ 134
Explanation: Revenue increase permits increase in Adult Day Program.
Youth Bureau
Ms. Zahler distributed copies of the 1999 Tompkins County Youth Data Book. This book was updated by Sara Hess, Youth Bureau Planner, and is being used as a planning resource. The report offers a broad-based database of information on important County-level measures of youth and family well-being. There was a brief discussion of ARC grants. Mr. Winch said he will speak with the County Administrator and the Commissioner of Planning about these grants.
Update on Recreation Partnership Planning
Ms. Zahler updated the Committee on the process that is underway. There has been terrific participation on the part of all the interested municipalities. Representative Blanchard has been attending as a member of the Board. The first meetings were primarily organizational meetings. The next meeting will be April 14 at 4 p.m. She expects a significant discussion to be spent on facilities.
Ms. Zahler distributed a spreadsheet showing a breakdown of each program and municipality and how many children are involved in each category. It was noted that the spreadsheet only shows those services provided by the Tompkins County Youth Bureau; some municipalities show they are not receiving services; however, they could be receiving services from another agency.
Health and Human Services Committee
April 8, 1999
Review profile of youth served by runaway and homeless youth programs in 1998
A document entitled Profile of Runaway and Homeless Youth Serviced in 1998 was distributed. Approximately 218 different youth were served in 1998 with an average age of 17. Ms. Zahler said almost all of these youth cited problems with parents or a parental figure.
Budget Adjustment
It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote to approve the following budget adjustment and submit to the full Board:
REVENUE: 7027.42089 Recreation Charges -$40.000
APPROPRIATION: 7027.54400 Program Expense $40,000
REVENUE: 7027.43820 Programs for Youth -$25,283
APPROPRIATION: 7026.54400 Program Expense $25,283
Explanation: 1. Learning Web has decided not to accept the Learn and Serve America Grant of $40,000. 2. 15 out of 16 municipalities now swap their State aid eligibility for the same amount of County dollars for ease of contracting, claiming and tracing. Mistakenly all 16 municipalities amounts were "swapped". The City of Ithaca will continue to receive their State aid as a direct contract with the State. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the revenue in account 7020 and correspondingly the appropriation in account 7026.
Health Department
RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION TO CONTINUE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY NURSE - HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM
Jared Jones, County Health Nurse, distributed documentation that included testimonials from employees who feel he has helped them since his position has been in existence. Mr. Jones described the 800 County employees as being in three different groups: 25 percent at low risk, 25 percent at high risk, and 50 percent at an average risk range. He said his goals are to move those in the average range into the low risk range and to move those out of the high risk range to the average risk range. Mr. Jones spoke of the various training programs he offers: risk reduction, ergonomics, immunizations, and informational training sessions. He said if he can reduce the number of people in the high risk category it will be better for the County in the long-run.
Mr. Jones said he is also working with Jackie Yoder, Jackie Kippola, and Frank Croteau on workers compensation and disability issues.
Mr. Winch spoke of information he has received and said he feels the employee health program is a very important program for employees and said it can improve moral between both the employer and employee.
It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote to add the following wording: "Resolved, further, That the Health and Human Services Committee, requests that this program be given cost saver status".
A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 5, Noes - 0. MOTION CARRIED.
Health and Human Services Committee
April 8, 1999
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Health Department has employed a County Clinical Nurse to function as an employee health nurse to provide services that could result in a decrease in preventable illnesses and injuries and could reduce county cost for lost work time, medical treatment and disability, and
WHEREAS, the position was approved until May 1, 1999, with the condition that evaluation protocol be established within two years and some results be demonstrated, and
WHEREAS, the Employee Health Nurse has established a comprehensive program to prevent workstation-related injuries and has reorganized and improved mandatory and specialized health training for many County departments, and
WHEREAS, the Employee Health Nurse has completed health risk assessments for and has provided health promotion and disease prevention advice to many employees and has given employees timely and helpful health information, and
WHEREAS, the Employee Health Nurse has dramatically expanded the flu and hepatitis B immunization programs and has begun a health education series which will include activities and classes for employees on smoking cessation, exercise, stress management, nutrition, weight control and workplace ergonomics, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services Committee, That one position of County Clinical Nurse (15/702) or (15/703), labor grade (15), competitive class, 35 hours per week, be continued,
RESOLVED, further, That we request this program be given cost saver status,
RESOLVED, further, That no additional funds are required for this project,
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Red Cross - Nursing coverage
Ms. Cole said that she needs to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross so they will know what the County Health Department's (nursing) relationship is with the shelters. She said if a time comes that this service needs to be activated, she will have to come to the Board and make a request for money from the Contingency fund.
Ms. Davis noted that the County is not the only place that can provide nursing services to the American Red Cross and that it is a shared responsibility among all the agencies.
Mr. Winch said he is glad to see a proposal come at this time rather than in the middle of an emergency.
Medical Examiner
Ms. Cole said last Fall she distributed a survey to funeral directors, law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney, and Cayuga Medical Center main phone operators for the purpose of evaluating the services of the Medical Examiner.
She said right now there is a concern that the number of funeral homes in Tompkins County is shrinking. This has caused a problem in removal in unattended deaths because it currently works on a rotating schedule. Since the list is getting smaller each funeral home has to be on call more and they do not have enough staff to handle these medical examiner calls. Ms. Cole said a proposal has been put forward that the ambulance service be cross-certified as both an ambulance and a hearse to be able to do the service for the same charge. This proposal seems to be acceptable to all parties. Ms. Cole said there was also an issue raised amount the length of time it takes to get a death certificate signed. She said that they are working to resolve this problem.
Health and Human Services Committee
April 8, 1999
Ms. Cole said overall the survey shows that the needs of the community are being met by the Medical Examiner and his deputies.
Appointment
It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Evans, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to appoint Jeffrey Snedeker, M.D. to the Tompkins County Board of Health with a term expiring December 31, 2003.
Harm Reduction Program
George Ferrari provided the Committee with a report on activities of the Harm Reduction Coalition and its efforts to create a needle exchange program.
He said the waiver process in New York State requires them to submit an application to the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute Harm Reduction Unit. A meeting will be held of the Harm Reduction Coalition on April 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Health Department to review a draft waiver. He said program design is shaping up to a fixed site with the possibility of doing some walking or special delivery kinds of things.
Another part of the waiver application is funding proposals. Mr. Ferrari said it is very clear that there is a federal prohibition on using any federal money for any sort of needle exchange program and there is a similar state prohibition. Mr. Ferrari discussed four possible sources of funding: Drug Policy Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Gama Meui Fund.
Mr. Ferrari gave the Committee an update on public policy tracking and said there may be a move in the House of Representatives to place additional restrictions on agencies who directly or indirectly participate in needle exchange programs. He said they are moving forward with their public relations campaign and have collected endorsements from several organizations, including Planned Parenthood and the local Chapter of NOW. They are in the process of discussion with several other organizations. He also brought the Committee up to date on phase two training sessions that they are working on. They are working with law enforcement agencies and emergency response departments.
Health Planning Council
Ms. Falcao brought the Committee up-to-date on the activities of the Health Planning Council. She reported on the Imagine Action program and said that they wanted to develop a program that would be accessible to people on all types of activity levels and would also reinforce and support those people who are already active. She said at this time there are almost 300 people are enrolled in the program.
She reported the long-term care committee is working on a variety of issues. They have looked at the bathroom safety program, will discuss discharge planning and the new OASIS reporting requirements in early May. She spoke of the long-term care program and called attention to the new web site for long term care (www.tompkins-co.org/dss/ltc). In addition to working on the harm reduction program, the Council is also working on the Drowsy Driving program, Child Health Plus, and providing information about health care workers for the Fair Wage Committee.
Appointments
It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the appointment of Nanci S. Rose to the Substance Abuse Subcommittee for a term expiring December 31, 2002.
Health and Human Services Committee
April 8, 1999
Liaison Appointments
Mr. Stein was appointed liaison to the Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County.
Mrs. Schuler was appointed liaison to the Personal Emergency
Service Response Advisory Board.
Mr. Winch reported on a recent tour he had of Longview and said he has volunteered to serve on a committee that is looking at senior housing.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.