Human Services

Meeting Minutes

December 1, 2010

 

** NOT APPROVED **


Committee Members Attending

Doug Burdick, Don Cady, Kevin LaForge, Fred Sinclair, and Curt Crandall.

 

Absent

Dan Russo

 

Also Attending

 Mike Healy, Theodore Hopkins, Dwight Fanton, David Pullen, Pat Schmelzer, Kim Toot, Lori Ballengee, John Margeson, Mitch Alger, Brenda Riehle, Tom Miner, Ellen Ruckle, Teri Ross, and Linda Wilcox.

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:08am by Chairman Doug Burdick.

 

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the November 3, 2010 meeting were approved by motions from Fred Sinclair and Kevin LaForge.  Motions carried.

 

Social Services

Pat Schmelzer handed out the monthly report to the Human Services Committee to review.  There has been a reduction in case loads from Sept. to October.  She noted all offices are very busy and may be behind in processing some cases.  There were 81 children in department custody and they currently have 67.

 

She added there may be a surge in the number of recipients they serve due to the end of unemployment benefits for some residents in Allegany County.  We may see an increase over the next year.

 

Office for the Aging

Kim Toot requested to transfer funds between accounts within her budget to cover costs through December 31, 2010.  A motion was made by Fred Sinclair and seconded by Kevin LaForge to approve the transfers requested by Kim Toot.  Motion carried. Refer to Ways and Means.

                                                            

Kim reported there is a waiting list of 100 residents wanting homecare.  These are people requesting non-medical assistance such as personal care aids etc.  Office for the Aging contracts with such agencies as Jan & Bev’s and Southern Tier Home Health Services Inc. to provide these services to seniors that require this type of help.  Kim noted she also has a waiting list for care giver respite.

 

Kim passed out her monthly report for the Human Services Committee to review. 

 

Kim reported all appointments for insurance counseling are filled until the end of the year.  Office for the Aging is doing the best they can to fulfill everyone’s requests for information on Medicare.  Office for the Aging also offers Medicare Basics Classes the third Friday of every month. 

 

Doug Burdick asked Kim if the Office for the Aging van had been repaired that was damaged in a recent accident.  Kim indicated she was waiting for parts to come in so repairs could be completed. 

 

Health Department

Lori Ballengee passed out an up-to-date Health Department organizational chart to members of the Human Services Committee for their review.

 

Lori made a request to the committee to approve the preschool SEIT contracts with Cattaraugus Allegany B.O.C.E.S.  Fred Sinclair made a motion to approve the renewal of the preschool SEIT contracts with Cattaraugus Allegany B.O.C.E.S.  Don Cady seconded that motion.

Motion carried. Refer to Ways and Means.

 

Lori asked for approval to accept a donation made to the Cancer Services program from Highland Healthcare.  A motion was made by Don Cady to accept the donation to the Cancer Services program by Highland Healthcare.  This motion was seconded by Fred Sinclair.  Motion carried.  Refer to Ways and Means.

 

Lori Ballengee reported to the Human Services Committee the State Department of Early Intervention is mandating the Health Department create two Health Services assistants and a Early Intervention Program Director the Health Department currently has Linda Wilcox who does the service coordination and the administration of the Early Intervention program.  The Health Services assistants will function in this capacity a minimum of 20 hours per week.  The service coordinator is billable at $14.75 a unit.  A unit is equal to fifteen minutes.  This can generate revenue to pay for the Service Coordinator.  A motion was made by Curt Crandall and seconded by Fred Sinclair to refer this request to create to the Personnel Committee so that the Health Department can be in compliance with the state mandate.  Motion carried.  Refer to Personnel Committee

 

 

                                                Lori requested to fill an MRCO (Medical Records Computer Operator) position that will be vacant before the end of the year due to retirement.  The position of Senior Account Clerk Typist will be vacant before the end of the year due to retirement but this position will not be filled.   The MRCO currently does billing for the flu and immunization programs.  There is currently no eligibility list available for the MRCO position.  A test will need to be given to create a new eligibility list.  A motion was made to fill the MRCO position by Don Cady and seconded by Fred Sinclair.  Motion carried.  Refer to Ways and Means

 

A motion was made by Fred Sinclair and seconded by Kevin LaForge to go into Executive Session to discuss the past and previous employment of an individual.  Motion Carried at 10:40am.  A motion was made to come out of Executive session by Kevin LaForge at 11:02am and seconded by Fred Sinclair.  Motion Carried.

 

With no further business to come before the board a motion was made by Fred Sinclair and seconded by Kevin LaForge to adjourn the meeting at 11:04. Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Norris