HUMAN SERVICES

MARCH 18, 2009

 

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

R. Truax, K. Kruger, B. Reynolds, W. Dibble, D. Burdick

 

Others Present

K. Toot, V. Fegley, M. Moore, L. Ballengee, J. Margeson, C. Crandall, T. Miner, D. Fanton,

T. O’ Grady

 

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of February 18, 2009 were approved with motions from Legislators Dibble and Reynolds.  Motions carried.

 

Office for the Aging

The department’s monthly report was distributed.   The committee was also informed of a stimulus payment of $250 that will be given to those on social security.  This payment will be included in the social security check and should happen in May of this year.

 

 A resolution was requested to finalize revenues and appropriations from State and Federal grants for LTCOP, HIICAP and NY Connects accounts totaling 62,456.00.  Legislator Kruger moved to accept these grant monies.  Legislator Dibble second and the motions carried. 

Ways and Means

 

The Allegany County Office for the Aging Senior Forum 2009 will be held on April 17, 2009 at Genesee Valley Central School.   Committee members are invited to attend.

 

Health Department

Ms. Ballengee updated the committee on the progress of the sale of the department’s home care agencies.   Our Certified Home Health Agency will be closing at Midnight on March 31st (with a 60 day closure plan to follow) and our Licensed Home Care Services Agency will open at 12:01am on April 1.  The State will be here on March 30 for a site inspection.   We have approximately $300,000 outstanding in accounts receivables.   We will receive .75 cents on the dollar for these receivables.

 

The Health Department requests a resolution transferring $300 within its Family Planning accounts.  This transfer is being requested to cover the cost of a heavy-duty shredder that was purchased.  Legislators Reynolds and Dibble moved on the request.  Motions carried.  Resolution

 

It appears that the WIC office will remain at its current location.  The landlord would like to renew the lease agreement.

 

It was reported that Ms. Ballengee and Rich Reynolds met with BOCES Staff with the State Education Department on a phone line to discuss financial issues in the Children’s Programs.  There are delays in rates being set by the State, due to information not being supplied to the State by BOCES, making it necessary for the County to hold monies waiting for these rates.    The State was very clear on what they expected BOCES to do.  The cost is approximately $19000 for services provided to a child in this program.  It is being proposed to have the school districts incur a 15% cost of these services forcing them to think about the financial piece of the programs.   After further discussion, Legislator Dibble asked that a resolution be drafted to take to inter county that these programs should be under the State Education Department not the Department of Health.

 

Community Services

The Community Services Board at their February meeting approved the downsizing of this board to nine members.    The CSB pasted a resolution requesting that the County Legislature authorize this action.  All current members will resign, and then nine new members will be submitted for approval.  This will effective on May 19, 2009.  Legislators Reynolds and Dibble moved on the request.  Motions carried.

 

Social Services

The Department’s monthly report was provided noting Family Health Plus numbers down and Medicaid numbers up.

 

Ms. Fegley requested approval to fill a Support Investigator position due to a retirement, and any vacancies that may occur by filling the position.  The position is in the child support unit and has responsibility for 625 child support cases.  Legislators Reynolds and Burdick moved to approve filling the position with Legislator Kruger opposing.   Motions carried.  Ways and Means

 

Marcia Moore, Supervisor Foster Care, Adoption and PINS Prevention spoke to the committee on the service her unit provides.   There is a great need for more foster parents.  A lot of money is spent sending children away.  There is also a need for someone to take teenagers.       A lot of trainings are attended and provided in these programs.

 

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Claypool