HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE JUNE 4, 2003 - 11:30 A.M. SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Robertson,
Chair; N. Schuler; F. Proto; M. Koplinka-Loehr (arrived at 11:37 a.m.); P.
Penniman (arrived at 12:00 p.m.)
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator; M.
Dill, Human Services Coalition; J. Owens, Food Pantries; N. Zahler, Youth
Services Director; N. Zook, Youth Services; A. Cole, Public Health Director;
J. Andersson, Environmental Health
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:36 a.m.
Changes to Agenda
Ms. Robertson withdrew the following resolution as Legislator
Kiefer requested the subject matter be discussed at a Consumer and Community
Affairs Committee meeting:
- Appropriation from Contingent Fund - Environmental Health
(Neighbor Notification Law) - Health Department
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr arrived at this time.
Chair's Report
Ms. Robertson briefly reported on a meeting of the Homeless
and Housing Task Force she attended prior to this meeting and said the topic
of housing will be discussed at the next Health and Human Services Committee
meeting. Copies of the Task Force’s Housing Vulnerability Survey were
distributed at this time. Ms. Robertson said she would meet with appropriate
staff to discuss the structure of the June 19th meeting on housing and have
information distributed to Committee members prior to that meeting.
Mr. Proto asked if the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
and understand what the housing problem is or the magnitude of it.
Ms. Dill said the magnitude of the housing problem is growing. An analysis
was done of the 500 people who used the shelter last year and no one problem
was identified. There were more people who utilized the shelter, and
they stayed for longer periods of time. The conclusion was there is
a need for affordable housing with support services to help people stay in
them. In Tompkins County, the growth in shelter usage follows economictrends.
Mrs. Schuler feels it would be helpful to have a comparison study of a community
with a similar student population to Tompkins County, to try to understand
the impact that student housing has on the general housing market.
Ms. Robertson asked Committee members to let her know
if there are questions or particular information they hope to get out of
the June 19 meeting. Mr. Proto suggested inviting representatives from
Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit and Tompkins County Area Development.
It was also suggested to invite municipal leaders.
County Administrator's Report
Social Services Commissioner Search
Mr. Whicher said 30 applications have been filed to date.
It was hoped to have more responses; however, because a number of director
positions throughout the State turned over last year, much of the likely
pool is not in the job market this year. The Search Committee has screened
the applicants and meets this afternoon to draft questions to be sent out
to selected individuals. He commented that Ms. Dolan has assured him
she would not leave County employment until there is the leadership in place.
The Human Services Cabinet will review the questions and answers upon receipt.
Following the selection of three candidates, the Tompkins County Legislature
will be involved.
Federal Medical Assistance Participation Rate (Medicaid)
Revised copies of the updated analysis of temporary increase
in Federal Medical Assistance Participation Rate (Medicaid) were distributed
to Committee members. Mr. Whicher said the information is very good
and concise and encouraged Committee members to read it.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the
minutes of the May 22, 2003 meeting as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
Human Services Coalition
Food Distribution Network
Ms. Dill introduced Ms. Owens who heads the Food Distribution
Network. Ms. Dill said this is one of the programs reviewed through
the Coalition and she also works with it on Federal Emergency Management
funds.
Ms. Owens said there are 14 pantries in the Network.
Some serve specific townships and most have geographic areas they serve.
The goal is to equitably distribute food to reach as many people as possible
and make it convenient for the client. There are several pantries in
the City that will serve anyone from Tompkins County. The mission is
to see that no one goes hungry. Ms. Owens stated that the costs to
do business have increased dramatically. The food production industry
has computerized its business creating many efficiencies, and as a result
there is less surplus to donate or sell at low-cost to the pantries.
Ms. Owens said she now distributes food for a three-day period rather than
a five-day period. The consequence is there may be some who go hungry
but she hopes, not for a significant period of time. There are emergency
procedures in place for those who do not have food to serve a meal for one
night for example. She said she is currently paying $0.18 per pound
for food through the shared maintenance fee at the Food Bank through Second
Harvest. Wholesale food items are very costly and said she no longer
participates in it. She said she is also reliant on the State's food
supply that is she hopes will be available the first of July. This
year the County’s allocation to the pantries was $38,000. Eight of
the 14 pantries have already run out of their money for the year, and the
other six will in July. Last year, the County money lasted until October.
Mr. Penniman arrived at this time.
Ms. Owens said she continues to look at options for providing
food for at least a three-day period. Efforts for fundraising are ongoing
as well as increasing the donor base. As a result of the reduction
in the food supply from Second Harvest, the food pantry in Enfield no longer
offers well-rounded food packages. Most of the distribution provided is to
supplement what people are able to purchase. Ms. Owens holds in reserve emergency
food so if she receives an emergency call that someone does not have food
for that night, she can provide products from which a meal can be made. Some
food pantries do continue to provide the well-rounded food packages.
Ms. Dill commented that there is more fresh food available now in this country,
with less reliance on canned food and frozen food.
In the Town of Enfield, the food pantry serves approximately
250 families, which is thirty percent of the town’s population, during a
one month period. Most of these families are working, or are disabled
or seniors.
Discussion followed concerning food stamps, and Ms. Owens
noted that only 37 percent of people who are eligible in Tompkins County
receive food stamps. She said she received the statistics from the
Food Bank. Ms. Dill said one reason some people do not apply is the
amount is small they would receive and the application process is complex.
The stigma of getting food stamps is also a great concern with people.
Ms. Owens is working on revising the form to make the process less stressful.
She encouraged Committee members to complete the application process for
food stamps and Medicaid themselves, to get a better understanding of it.
Mr. Proto asked if the Federal government could set aside a pool of money
dedicated through the Social Services Department for eligible food stamp
recipients who fall in the category of only receiving $20 per month but would
cost the person $100 in time to file. Ms. Robertson suggested Commissioner
Dolan be contacted about this.
Compass II Update
Ms. Dill updated the Committee on the status of the Compass
II survey. She said the community survey has taken a year but was very
comprehensive. Letters were sent to 1,500 people and there were articles
in the paper at the same time. Demographically the results are very
good in terms of townships, ethnicity, factoring students in and out, and
income. She reported on one finding: six percent of the people in the
phone survey said that on a scale of one to four, food for their household
was a problem. Some groups that were previously surveyed include employers,
faith communities and service providers. They also plan to us focus
groups to pursue some issues further. More work and information will be collected
in the areas of health and employers. She hopes a report will be available
at the end of August. The second phase is to encourage agencies to
choose one or two specific findings of the survey, such as low income and
poverty, and make a commitment to work on those problems. United Way
has shown an interest in this phase.
Youth Services
Revised Bylaws
Ms. Zahler presented copies of revised bylaws as approved
by the Youth Services Board. The recommended changes conform with revisions
reflected in the adopted County Charter. It was noted that in the bylaws
Board of Representatives should be changed to Tompkins County Legislature.
Ms. Zahler agreed to make that change and submit a revised copy to Mrs. Covert
prior to Legislature approval.
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mrs. Schuler,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the bylaws as presented
with the exception of changing Board of Representatives to Tompkins County
Legislature.
Update on Funded Programs
Ms. Zahler asked Ms. Zook, who works with each of the
contracted programs run by not-for-profit agencies through Youth Services,
to briefly review the services offered. Ms. Zahler said what the funded
agencies do is crucial to the lives of kids in families. At this time
Ms. Zook shared three personal stories of children impacted by the following
programs: Bridges program, Teen Pregnancy/Parenting program, and the
Apprenticeship program. Ms. Zahler commented that these programs are
only three out of the thirteen offered that help young people.
Mr. Proto spoke of a personal experience with the Teen
Pregnancy/ Parenting program and feels that some of the workers are overworked
and/or do not have the appropriate time or necessary skills to help clients.
Ms. Zook asked Mr. Proto to discuss this particular case with her further
at the appropriate time.
At this time, Ms. Zahler distributed copies of a "Snapshot of
Youth Participating in Rural Youth Service Programs" to Committee members
for information only.
Recreation Partnership
Ms. Robertson feels the decision of whether the County
continues as a member of the Recreation Partnership needs to be fully debated
at the Committee level. Mr. Proto said he would like to have more information
prior to the discussion. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr recommended a resolution
be presented at a Committee meeting in July that states Tompkins County is
pulling out as a partner. Mr. Penniman suggested Ms. Robertson send
a letter to the partners that the Committee will discuss this subject.
Ms. Robertson said the Recreation Partnership approves its budget for the
coming year in July and she expects that there will be a discussion of how
the County's share would be picked up. Mr. Proto strongly feels that
the municipalities impacted should be contacted and asked to attend the Committee
meeting at the time this issue is being discussed. Ms. Robertson said
she would look at the Committee's schedule and bring this subject back for
a discussion.
Liaison Reports
Human Services Coalition/Health Planning Council
Mr. Proto reported on a meeting held at Cayuga Medical
Center and commented on the articles distributed to Committee members written
by Betty Falcao of the Health Planning Council. There are ongoing discussions
with the Cayuga Medical Center's new Administrator concerning health issues
in the community, including adequacy and accessibility.
Compass II
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr briefly reported on the funding issues
and the efforts to raise funds to complete the survey as referenced above.
Mental Health Services Board
Mrs. Schuler reported on a "road map" being developed
by the Mental Retardation/ Developmentally Disabled Subcommittee. It
is a four-page document charting all the mental health agencies in the area.
One issue that has been raised is the need for short-term day care for children
of clients that need to go to appointments. In addition, she announced
the Finger Lakes Independent Center is holding an open house at their new
facility tomorrow.
Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC)
Ms. Robertson said she will start going to GIAC Board
meetings as the Committee has not had a liaison assigned.
Alcoholism Council
Ms. Robertson reported the Council began the search for
a new Director. In addition, she reported there were strong feelings
within the Human Services Cabinet that a merger with Cayuga Addiction Recovery
Services not be considered as it was important to continue to offer two choices
for people seeking treatment.
Board of Health
Ms. Robertson reported the Sanitary Code is now available
in Chinese for local restaurants.
Homeless and Housing Task Force
Mr. Penniman said it is a very interesting group and one
that shares important information about people at risk.
RSVP Board
Mr. Penniman said the function of this Board is more management
and not policy related issues. He feels it is more appropriate for
someone to attend the Senior Citizens’ Council board meetings. Mr.
Whicher recommended the same Legislator that is responsible to Office for
the Aging be assigned to this group as well.
TCAT
Although TCAT is not an assigned area of this Committee,
Mrs. Schuler reported on the public hearings held on the proposed fare increases,
and commented that the people who are purchasing a one-year pass must pay
the full amount up front. Mr. Proto announced that a deal is being
worked out with the banks and that will no longer be the case.
Anti-Smoking Law
Mr. Lane spoke about the Anti-Smoking Laws adopted by
New York City, State of California, and most recently New York State.
Anti-tobacco activists and restaurant agencies are pushing proposals to amend
or weaken the New York State smoking ban set to take effect July 24th. .
Two counties (Westchester and Nassau) have adopted their own laws and Mr.
Lane feels Tompkins County should consider adopting a law to have in place
should New York State's law change. He noted the Public Health Association
is opposed to any amendments to the State's law. County Attorney Wood
will be researching this issue and getting copies of the laws adopted by
Westchester and Nassau Counties.
Ms. Cole spoke about a meeting of the New York State Association
of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) held in Saratoga. A "Statement
of Opposition" was approved by the organization opposing the legislation
"An Act to Amend the Public Health Law, In Relation to the Regulation of
Smoking in Certain Public Areas". The association encourages people
to contact their state representatives to oppose weakening the smoking ban,
which actually is an extension of the Clean Indoor Air Law.
Mr. Proto feels restaurant and tavern owners should be
invited through the Strategic Tourism Planning Board to a meeting to discuss
this issue and hear the impact the law would have on them.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr was excused at 1:25 p.m.
Discussion followed concerning how to move a proposed
law forward to the full Legislature in order to have it take effect at the
same time as New York State's law. Mr. Lane suggested the Consumer
and Community Affairs Committee could discuss this at their next meeting
and said he would look into this.
Mr. Proto asked about enforcement and how often inspections
are held. Ms. Cole said enforcement of the current provisions of the
Clean Indoor Air Law occurs upon request or when a complaint is filed.
Alternatives to Incarceration Evaluations
Ms. Robertson announced a report on Alternatives to Incarceration
programs would be provided in September, at a joint meeting of this committee
and the Public Safety Committee. That meeting will be scheduled later
in the summer. Mrs. Schuler said she would like to know how many people
are participating in the electronic monitoring program.