HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 22, 2004 11:30 A.M.
SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Robertson, Chair; N. Schuler; T. Todd; M. Koplinka-Loehr; B. Blanchard (arrived at 12.20 p.m.)
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator; K.
Schlather, Social Services; T. Mank, Planning Department; E. Marx, Deputy
County Administrator/Commissioner of Planning; N. Zahler, Youth Services
Director; K. Bennett, Youth Services; J. Kippola, Administration; W. Skinner,
Public Information; C. Covert, Clerk of the Legislature
Called to Order
Ms. Robertson called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
Changes to Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
Department of Social Services
Position Request – Caseworker, Child Protective Services
Ms. Robertson questioned why the form indicates that the
program is not mandated when the description throughout the form describes
the programs as being mandated. Ms. Schlather said that a certain amount
of contact with clients is mandated and a certain level of reporting is also
required. Mr. Whicher clarified that the program is mandated but the
specific position is not. Ms. Robertson requested and the Committee
agreed that the form should be revised to indicate the program is mandated
prior to being presented to the Budget and Capital Committee.
In further discussion, it was noted that children generally
stay under the supervision of this casework for about a year, in both foster
care and non-foster care cases; Family Treatment Court may be longer.
Most children return home, though some are adopted. Caseloads in Child
Protective Services have gone up 23% in the last four years, while the staffing
has gone down.
It was MOVED by Ms. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted
by voice vote by members present, to approve the request to fill the vacancy
of Caseworker as corrected above.
Monthly Reports
At this time, the Committee reviewed the monthly reports
distributed with the agenda. Ms. Schuler commented on the increase
in enrollment for the dental management program and asked how many dentists
are currently in the program. Ms. Schlather was unable to answer
the question; however, Ms. Robertson said she would ask for an updated report
at a future Committee meeting. It was also suggested the staff working
in the adolescent unit attend a meeting in the future as well and give a
presentation.
Planning Department
Update - Census Data
Mr. Marx and Mr. Mank distributed copies of charts outlining
census data with and without the student population. In 2000, 27,200
county residents said they were “attending college,” which included part-
and full-time students. The information was broken down by municipality
and included information such as household income, poverty levels, and mortgage
and rent averages. The general theme identified in the charts is that
Tompkins County is fairly similar to other surrounding counties when the
student population is removed from the data. Some of the commuting
factors are slightly higher than adjoining counties. One difference
is the median household income level is significantly higher than surrounding
counties but is at New York State's level. The poverty status is lower
for families, but is significantly lower for individuals as compared to other
counties and the State. Without students in the calculation, Tompkins
Still has a lower owner-occupied housing rate than adjacent counties, but
our rate is close to the U.S. average. In summary, Tompkins County's
rents, cost of housing, and income levels are higher. Mr. Marx noted
that the data for the other counties includes students in the numbers presented.
Review and discussion continued concerning the information
broken down by municipality. It was noted that the U.S. definition
of “family” is any related individuals living together; domestic partners
and same-sex partners are not included as “families.” Mr. Mank said
this data will be available on the web and soon there will also be an interactive
map for people to access various statistical information and relationships.
Ms. Robertson asked that the Planning Department make a report to the full
legislature when the department’s analysis and reports are ready.
Ms. Blanchard arrived at this time.
County Administrator's Report
Mr. Whicher updated the Committee on the Mental Health
Commissioner search. Following discussions with the Personnel Commissioner,
it was felt that the process for the search to fill the position should be
reopened. He spoke with the Mental Health Services Board and they also
agreed with reopening the search process. Mr. Whicher distributed copies
of a memorandum and other related information regarding the search and the
search team, and said he will be contacting previously appointed members
to verify their interest in continuing. He will then begin to move
forward, expecting the process to take about three to four months.
Mr. Whicher followed up on the investigation and review
of privatizing mental health services, and said he is no longer pursuing
this as he feels there was not enough gain to sacrifice quality of service.
To inform staff, he will put something about this in a future issue of County
Corridors.
Report from the Committee Chair
Update on AdvanceRx
Ms. Robertson asked for an update and a status report
on the contract with AdvanceRx. Ms. Kippola said Tompkins County's
contract will model Rockland County's and she hopes to receive a copy for
review in the next couple of days. Ms. Robertson asked whether AdvanceRx
is offering Canadian prescriptions, but Ms. Kippola had not yet checked.
Ms. Robertson clarified that AdvanceRx will not be paying for the distribution
of the discount cards; Nassau County was a "test" county and AdvanceRx was
willing to pay for their card distribution, but not for other counties.
Betty Falcao of the Health Planning Council is looking for grants to cover
the cost of distributing the cards and marketing the program.
Discussion followed concerning the distribution of the
cards. It is important that this information and the cards get to the
people who need the discount the most. Assistance and efforts through
the grocery stores, The Ithaca Journal, TCAT bus signs, county departments,
and the colleges, will be pursued as well as other avenues such as landlords
and trailer park owners. However, the earlier idea of mailing the cards
to county residents will not work, as our database has property owners but
not renters, and there was concern that people will think it is “junk mail”
and throw them away. Ms. Kippola noted that each card has a number
on it so that prescription usage reports can be provided by AdvanceRx.
Ms. Robertson announced the October 13th Committee meeting
will be canceled. The next regular meeting is October 27th and she
hopes a resolution endorsing this program will be on the agenda for consideration.
With approval of the full Legislature, the program could begin in November.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Todd,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the minutes of the August
26, 2004, and September 7, 2004 meetings as corrected.
Youth Services
ICSD Student Life and Culture Survey
Ms. Bennett, Planner, provided a powerpoint presentation
concerning the highlights and results of the 2003 Student Life and Culture
Survey. The survey was given to 2,620 Ithaca City School District students
in grades 6-12 in March 2003, in a collaborative effort between the Community
Drug Task Force and the Ithaca City School District (which includes about
half the students in the county). Included in the survey were questions
concerning student activities, substance use, experiences with school climate
and safety, and students’ perceptions of what their peers are doing.
The last survey was conducted in 1999. The Task Force will use these
results to guide a local social norms marketing campaign. Tactics for
improving the social climate issues are better orientation for students coming
into the high school, smaller home rooms, and having more adults in the corridors
during the change of classes. The group is planning to shift its emphasis
toward alcohol use, based on the results of the survey.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr was excused at 12:53 p.m.
Ms. Zahler distributed copies of the Ithaca Parent and
Teen paper now available. She also announced that the Municipal Officials
Association met last night and unanimously adopted a resolution asking the
County to continue its support for the Recreation Partnership.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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