HUMAN SERVICES

May 5, 2010

** NOT APPROVED **

---

Members attending:

D. Burdick, F. Sinclair, K. LaForge

Also attending:

K. Toot, R. Anderson, J. Mulholland, V. Grant, D. Horan, L. Ballengee, T. Hull, C. Crandall,

B. Riehle, M. Healy, J. Margeson, M. Alger

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burdick at 10:07 am.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of April 7, 2010 were approved with motions from Legislator Sinclair and Legislator LaForge. Motions carried.

Social Services

The Department’s monthly report was presented. It was noted that there were over 900 applications requested for the HEAP Program. This is most likely due to a second eligibility completed this year. It was asked if the agency tracked their new cases and their closed cases. The reply was that they do.

Ms. Grant updated the committee on department work. The Temporary Assistance Unit is now involved in online food stamp applications. The second job trac crew has been started and has been operating for approximately a week. Family Assessment Response program has been operating since March 1, 2010, with six cases, and is going very well. The families and workers involved are excited about the program. There have been trainings given one of which was in foster care. It was also mentioned that May is Foster Parent Recognition month and on May 17 there is a dinner to honor foster parents. Food stamps are accepted at the Farmers Markets and this seems to be working well.

Office for the Aging

This office requests approval to purchase two mini vans from the State bid list for $17,867 each. It was originally requested to go out to bid locally for these vehicles. In speaking to Public Works it was discovered that there were vehicles on State bid that would meet the agencies needs. There is money in the vehicle purchase capital fund to purchase the vans. Legislators Sinclair and LaForge moved to approve the purchase with referral to Ways and Means. Motions carried.

The department’s monthly report was distributed. It was noted that there were 1148 applications to date for HEAP for those sixty (60) and disabled.

Ms. Toot was asked how State budget cuts would affect her agency. The governor’s proposes elimination of the congregate service initiative. This is a small grant and the agency at this time is not spending any money related to this. There are proposed reductions in Meals and Home Care. They are continuing these programs at the same level, but will start waiting lists if cuts occur.

On May 20 the OFA and Rural Health Network will be holding a forum that discusses the new healthcare reform bill. An individual from AARP will be attending. Two sessions will be held that day with the first from 1:30 to 3:30 at Allegany Arc Training Facility, and the next from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Genesee Valley Central School Auditorium.

Community Services

Dr. Anderson and Mr. Mulholland attended this meeting to provide operating and financial information on the services provided in Community Services. Financial spreadsheets were provided for the years 2007 thru 2010. This agency has not increased the county’s contribution in a number of years. The only mandates there are is having a Director of Community Services; and that the constituents receive service. The Community Services agencies in Allegany County have privatized with success. A question arose regarding what seems to be an increase of non residents who come to Allegany County for services and are staying here. It was explained that this has always been a concern heard and every time this was looked into this was not the case. Out of county and in county show up at the same rate. About fourteen years ago it was resolved that if an individual did not complete treatment they could not stay in the county. Over the last eight years the agency has been diligent in people going back if they do not stay in treatment. Other county’s pay for their residents who come here. At some point Allegany County will pick up the case.

Other Business

Chairman of the Board of Legislators, Curtis Crandall, asks for committee approval in preparing a resolution stating this county’s non support of pending legislation that would preclude counties from billing insurance companies for any autism spectrum disorder services, and would force taxpayers to pay for most of the services provided. Legislators Sinclair and LaForge made the appropriate motions, and these motions carried.

In another matter the Governor’s budget proposes to alter the Medicaid cap agreement by giving the NYS Commissioner of Health the authority to force local social service districts to pay in full for any federal disallowances under certain circumstances. Chairman Crandall asks for committee support of a resolution against the change in the Medicaid cap agreement. Legislators Sinclair and LaForge moved to support such resolution, and the motions carried.

The Planning, and Economic Development Committee have been investigating public health issues associated with the production of gas from the Marcellus Shale deposits beneath Allegany County.

One particular concern is the disposal of tailings and waste streams being buried in landfills with the leachate from those landfills going to local municipal sewage treatment plants for treatment and discharge. Also of concern is the local health department mandated involvement to respond to water quality complaints without funding. Legislator Sinclair, Chair of the Planning, and Economic Development Committee will be forwarding this information to the Board of Health for their comments and or recommendations on the issues regarding radioactivity of the waste and cuttings from the Marcellus Shale.

The Community Services Board is requesting that Calvin L. Schierer, MD of Houghton be appointed to fill a vacancy for the remainder of a four year term expiring December 31, 2011. Legislator Sinclair moved on the request, with Legislator LaForge seconding. Motions carried. Resolution.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:08 am

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Claypool