HUMAN SERVICES
JANUARY 20, 2010
** NOT APPROVED **
Members Attending
D. Burdick, D. Cady, K.
LaForge, F. Sinclair
Other Attending
K. Toot, P. Schmelzer, R.
Anderson, L. Ballengee, T. Hull, L. Hennessy
C. Crandall, D. Fanton, M.
Healy, B. Riehle, T. Ross, E. Ruckle
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of December 16,
2009 were approved with motions from Legislators LaForge and Sinclair. Motions carried.
Chairman’s Request
Human Services meetings will now be
held on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. It is also requested that the Department’s
submit their agendas to Alice Alsworth at least one week prior to the meeting.
Community Services
Dr. Anderson attended this
meeting to introduce himself to the newest legislators. He also invited them to take a tour of the
agencies involved under Community Services sometime in April. The legislators were open to this, and Dr.
Anderson will notify them of a date.
Citizen Address
Mr. Ronald Dale of Little
Genesee spoke to the committee on what he considers a misuse of the firewood
section of the HEAP program. There are
vendors on the list that are not delivering or do not have wood. When it was suggested that the Department of
Social Services conduct an investigation into the firewood section of HEAP, he
was told that there was nothing they could do.
Ms. Schmelzer explained the reason for this was that certification of
these vendors was taken from the Department by the State who now oversees this. The Department passes on any complaint to the
State, but have no control over when or how they
investigate problems. Mr. Dale
provided a list of suggestions he felt would help individuals receiving
firewood. The committee and DSS will
review the materials provided by Mr. Dale and further discuss at their next
meeting.
Office for the Aging
The Office for the Aging is
sponsoring its annual Legislative Lunch on Friday, February 19, 2010 at the
American Legion Hall in
Ms. Toot requested committee
approval to fill the Friendship Luncheon Center Manager position due to a
resignation. This is a part time
position of two days per week. The
position is funded through the Older American Act Federal funds, contributions,
and a county match of $936.00.
Legislator Sinclair made the motion to approve filling the
position. Legislator LaForge second and
the motion carried. Ways and Means
The department’s monthly
report was provided. It was noted that
November and December were the most challenging months due to Medicare Part D
and HEAP enrollments. A question was
raised regarding the nutrition program.
Ms Toot stated that they have a nutritionist on staff
who oversees the program. They also work
with Cooperative Extension.
Social Services
The Department’s monthly
report was provided and briefly reviewed.
The Department had two
retirements last month. There are also
three Social Welfare Examiner positions open, one of which they will be leaving
vacant until the Fall.
Ms. Schmelzer requested
approval to fill a Community Services Worker position. This position became vacant due to a promotion. The worker does coding, and processes
payment lines for Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Preventive, Adult
Services and Medical/Homecare. It is
funded at approximately 75% through State and Federal monies. Legislators Sinclair and Cady made the
appropriate motions. These motions
carried. Ways and Means
A request to fill an Account
Clerk Typist position due to promotions was requested. This position does clerical work in Child
Support unit. It is funded at 83% by
State and Federal monies. Legislator
Sinclair moved to fill the position, with Legislator Cady seconding. Motions carried. Ways
and Means
A request to fill a Job Trak Supervisor position in the Employment Unit was
made. This position works with clients
on a mobile work crew doing community service activities. The Supervisor works with community sponsors
and supervises a mobile work crew. In
the past there were three Job Trak Supervisors, and
now only employ one. Funds were
encumbered from last year’s budget for the purchase of a van. The individuals involved in this program
are those that require supervision due to disabilities or mental health issues,
etc. It was asked how many people are
involved on a given day. Ms. Schmelzer
stated that from January to September there were sixty-four; an additional
eighteen to twenty in Public Works, and thirteen assigned to all
departments. Legislators Sinclair and
LaForge made the appropriate motions and the motions carried. Ways
and Means
Executive Session
Legislators Sinclair and
Crandall moved to hold executive session to discuss the past and previous
employment history of an individual in the Health Department. Motions carried.
Motions to come out of
executive session were made by Legislator Sinclair and LaForge. Legislator Sinclair made the motion to
abolish the Office Manager position in the Health Department with Legislator
LaForge seconding. As the Office
Manager was in attendance, she was given the opportunity to defend this
position. After lengthy discussion, the
committee was called for a vote with Legislator Sinclair voting to abolish the
position, and Legislators LaForge, Cady, and Burdick voting no. The motions were defeated.
A request to fill a Public
Health Educator position was requested. Legislators
Sinclair and LaForge moved to approve this request, and motions carried. Ways
and Means
Also a request to create and
fill a Public Health Technician position was made. As the position has to be created, it must
go to Personnel Committee, then brought back to Human
Services for approval to fill.
Legislator Sinclair moved to create the position. Legislator LaForge second and the motion
carried.
Other Business
As Ronald Truax is no longer a Legislator and therefore not eligible
to serve as a Legislative representative on the Board of Health, Chairman
Crandall has recommended that
Adjournment
There being no further
business to come before this committee, Legislators Cady and LaForge moved to
adjourn. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Claypool