HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 - 9:00 A.M. SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Robertson, Chair; P. Penniman; N. Schuler; M. Koplinka-Loehr
Excused: F. Proto
Staff: J. Thomas, Administration; N. Zahler,
Youth Services Director; I. Stein, Office for the Aging Director; B. Slocum,
Office for the Aging; G. Smith, Chair, Youth Services Board; W. Skinner,
Public Information; M. Vonderweidt, Recreation Partnership; M. Dolan, Social
Services Commissioner; C. Nocera, Red Cross; J. Johnson, Youth Services;
T. Albert, Youth Services; N. Zook, Youth Services
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.
Changes to Agenda
A budget adjustment from the Office for the Aging was added to the agenda for information only.
Chair's Report
Ms. Robertson did not have a report.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Robertson requested and the Committee agreed to defer
action on the September 3rd minutes to the next meeting to allow more time
for Committee members to read them.
Social Services Department
Resolution
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mrs. Schuler,
to submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.
Ms. Zahler and Ms. Dolan provided a brief explanation of the resolution.
The Primary School Support Program is a family support program that focuses
on educational success. A liaison helps families and their children
transition from Head Start into primary school. There is a lot of enthusiasm
for the program with the schools and families. Ms. Zook noted that
in 2002 the program has helped approximately 60 families and has served 116
children. Ms. Robertson asked that the resolution reflect Ms. Zook's
comment.
A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution:
Ayes - 4; Noes - 0; Excused - 1 (Proto). RESOLUTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION NO.___ - AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF LOCAL FUNDS AND CONTRACTUAL
AUTHORITY FOR THE PRIMARY SCHOOL FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM FROM THE YOUTH SERVICES
DEPARTMENT TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
FOR THE LATTER
WHEREAS, Tompkins Community Action, Inc. operates the
Primary School Support Program for the purpose of increasing client children’s
success in the Groton and Dryden School Districts’ early elementary grades,
and
WHEREAS, the Primary School Support Program serves low-income
families with children entering kindergarten through second grade, providing
supports for family stability and bringing parents and educators together
to foster parental involvement with their children’s education; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Family & Children’s
Services has approved the application of the Department of Social Services
for the Primary School Support Program to be categorized as a COPS (Community
Optional Preventive Services) program, qualifying it for Federal and enhanced
State reimbursement as a Preventive Services Program of the local Department
of Social Services, and
WHEREAS, the county has provided 100% local funding for
this program through the Youth Services Department’s budget since 1999, and
WHEREAS, transferring local funding and contractual authority
for this program from the Youth Services Department to the Department of
Social Services will allow for the program to be continued at a reduced net
local cost, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health & Human
Services and Budget & Capital Committees, That the Department of Social
Services is authorized to enter into a contract worth $20,248, covering Tompkins
Community Action’s Primary School Support Program during the 4th quarter
of 2003,
RESOLVED, further, That the Youth Services Department
shall redirect $4,040 of the local funds in its 2003 budget for the Primary
School Support Program to re-pay Social Services for the local cost of the
program in the 4th quarter,
RESOLVED, further, That the Director of Finance is authorized
to make the following adjustments to the Social Services 2003 budget:
2003 Appropriation: 6070.54400 Purchase
of Services $20,248
2003 Revenue: 6070.41894
Social Services Charges $ 4,040
6070.44670 Federal Reimbursement
$ 8,707
6070.43670 State Reimbursement
$ 7,501
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * * * *
Explanation: This resolution reflects the continuing efforts of the
Youth Services Department and the Department of Social Services to utilize
Preventive Services funding, the COPS designation and donated private funds
when available, to maintain the community’s service delivery system at the
least cost to the county.
This resolution authorizes the transfer of the Primary School Support Program
to the Department of Social Services & authorizes DSS to contract for
this program at a gross annual cost of $80,989. We are asking that
this change become effective beginning October 1, 2003. The resolution
also authorizes an interdepartmental transfer of $4,040 for the last quarter
of 2003, from existing Youth Services Department funds for the local share
of this agreement, with the anticipation that such interdepartmental transfers
will continue as long as both agencies desire to continue to support this
successful program and as long as sufficient funds are available. The
total amount of local dollars needed to effect this change on an annual basis
is $16,158 rather than the $55,426 ($35,426 one-time/$20,000 target money)
that was budgeted for the program by the Youth Services Department for 2003.
The Youth Services Department and the Department of Social Services have
agreed that the YSD will continue to provide program monitoring for this
program and that the two departments will continue to cooperate in all ways
that are needed to insure its success.
Budget Adjustments
At this time, the Committee briefly reviewed the budget adjustments submitted for information only.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m. The Committee
continued its discussions on departmental budgets.