HUMAN SERVICES

February 3, 2010

** NOT APPROVED **

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Members Attending

D. Burdick, D. Cady, K. LaForge, F. Sinclair, D. Russo

Others Attending

K. Toot, P. Schmelzer, V. Grant, L. Ballengee, T. Hull, E. Ruckle, T. Ross, D. Fanton, J. Margeson

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of January 20, 2010 were approved with motions from Legislators Russo and Sinclair. Motions carried.

Office for the Aging

This office requests a resolution to accept an increase in funding totaling $5570.00 from the 09-10 Federal HIICAP grant that is used for health insurance counseling and information. The money will be used to purchase equipment as well as increase funding in supplies, telephone, postage, etc. There is no county match in funding. Legislator Russo moved to accept these funds, with Legislator Cady seconding. Motions carried. Ways and Means

Ms. Toot provided the committee with a 2009 report summary. She stated that due to the change in the Human Services meeting date, her office will not be able to provide the prior months report as usual. (January’s in March, etc).

The committee was reminded of the upcoming Legislative Lunch on Friday, February 19, 2010.

The department will be applying for a Federally Funded grant called RSVP. Application is due in April.

Social Services

Commissioner Schmelzer also reports that she will be unable to provide the department’s monthly report information as in the past.

In reference to the Citizen Address of the last meeting regarding the firewood section of the HEAP Program, the department has worked with this individual as well as the State, and hopefully the problem has been resolved. The remainder of Mr. Dale’s fuel supply was changed to coal. In this particular case the wood vendor returned the remainder of the monies paid for this particular delivery. Due to the circumstances of this case, it was not referred on for further investigation. It should be noted that this is a State wide problem.

Vicky Grant gave an overview of a new program, Family Assessment Response (FAR). This is an alternative to the traditional child protection investigative response. As this was a pilot program, and the Department of Social Services is involved in the pilot, funding was available to get the program started, as well as free training being provided. Some cases cannot be investigated through this program by NYS Law. An advantage of the program is to involve families in assessing strengths & needs and participating in services and supports that address family needs. They can be part of a solution that is long term. The workers feel more productive, can provide needed services in the homes quicker, and reduce placement rates. It is felt that this program will become mandatory in the future.

Health Department

Ms. Ballengee asked the committee for approval to renew a contract with Cattaraugus County whereby Allegany County agrees to provide Elevated Blood Lead Investigation services to Cattaraugus County. Allegany County has the equipment to provide the testing. The testing is done when reports of elevated blood lead levels are received, and is done on the environment of the child involved, ex. Home, daycare, etc. This contract provides revenue to Allegany County, with our Sanitarian providing his expertise in investigating the case. It was asked if the department worked with any Towns through community development grants. There is a level of liability to the County if involved in outside investigations, therefore they are unable to provide this service outside of reports received from the State. Legislators Sinclair and LaForge moved to renew the contract, and the motions carried. Resolution

Other Business

Chairman Burdick provided committee members with Community Services annual report for 2008 for their information and encouraged everyone to attend the tour of the agency which will occur in April.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before this committee, the meeting was adjourned with motions from Legislators Russo and LaForge. Motions carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Claypool