HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING August 27, 2018
Members Present: J. Hopkins, J. Burdick, G. Barnes, D. Decker, S. Havey, P. Stockin, C. Crandall (Absent: D. Root)
Others Present: L. Ballengee, B. Budinger, C. Clark, P. Curran, W. Dibble, K. Dirlam, V. Grant, K. Graves, D. Healy, C. Jones, C. Knapp, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, M. Washer
Media Present: C. Potter – Wellsville Daily Reporter
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Human Services Committee Chair Judith Hopkins at 12:18 p.m. Alfred State Contract
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to approve a 3-year agreement with Alfred State College to use space in their Health Center for the Reproductive Health Clinic in Alfred and Wellsville. Not only does the space meet all legal requirements, it is exactly the population we need to serve. Alfred State College is donating the space in both locations which is resulting in a significant savings of $15,000+ to the Family Planning/Reproductive Health Budget, and it will also allow greater access to the targeted population for this program. This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the County Administrator and the County Attorney. Ms. Ballengee thanked the committee for their flexibility to hold a special meeting, stating she believed it would originally just be an addendum to the current contact; however, Alfred State decided to draft a new contract that needs to follow the proper process for approval. Legislator Burdick asked if these clinics only serve college students. Ms. Ballengee stated, no, both college students and the general public are welcome. Committee Chair Hopkins asked what publicity will be done for the new clinic site. Ms. Ballengee stated they have already reached out to their existing clients, and once the contract receives Board approval, she will send out a press release. Legislator Barnes asked what services are offered at these clinics. Ms. Ballengee stated they offer family planning and reproductive services such as PAP smears, contraception (emergency included), STD testing, pregnancy tests, and they also provide a lot of education. Legislator Barnes asked what percentage of clientele that needs these services actually use them. Ms. Ballengee stated it can be difficult to determine who might need service and anyone can go see a physician so they don’t have to go to the clinic; however, they are now running one clinic per week compared to the one per month when they first started the program. Legislator Havey stated the clientele that frequently uses these clinics are more than likely not to have a physician in place, so without the clinics, these individuals would be going without medical care altogether. Ms. Ballengee agreed and noted that they also serve high school students who may prefer the confidentiality offered as they are not required to notify their parents. Ms. Ballengee thanked Alfred State for their generosity, noting that they recently lost Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) fund, and they more than likely would have had to close the Wellsville clinic if it hadn’t been for Alfred State donating the site. Legislator Decker noted what a great program it is. Committee Chair Hopkins recognized Alfred State College President Dr. Skip Sullivan who attended the meeting and asked if he has any comments to add. Dr. Sullivan stated he is not ready at this time to comment on the contract; however, they are delighted to partner with Allegany County. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Prepare Resolution (to come off the floor at the August 27 Board meeting)
Good of the Order
Casey Jones from Celebrate Recovery addressed concerns he has regarding the Trauma Informed Care Resolution that is being considered at the August 27 Board meeting, stating he does not see where they included agencies outside the government to be included on trauma informed care training. Committee Chair Hopkins stated the resolution states that it encourages all officers, agencies, and employees of Allegany County, the State of New York, and private for profit as well as non-profit organizations in the County to become informed about the impact of traumatic childhood experiences. Ms. Hopkins added the legislature is not allowed to mandate, they can only encourage. Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant added that the Resolution also states the information be provided to the general public.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m. following a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan Washer
Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Members Present: J. Hopkins, J. Burdick, G. Barnes, D. Decker, S. Havey, P. Stockin, C. Crandall (Absent: D. Root)
Others Present: L. Ballengee, B. Budinger, C. Clark, P. Curran, W. Dibble, K. Dirlam, V. Grant, K. Graves, D. Healy, C. Jones, C. Knapp, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, M. Washer
Media Present: C. Potter – Wellsville Daily Reporter
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Human Services Committee Chair Judith Hopkins at 12:18 p.m. Alfred State Contract
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to approve a 3-year agreement with Alfred State College to use space in their Health Center for the Reproductive Health Clinic in Alfred and Wellsville. Not only does the space meet all legal requirements, it is exactly the population we need to serve. Alfred State College is donating the space in both locations which is resulting in a significant savings of $15,000+ to the Family Planning/Reproductive Health Budget, and it will also allow greater access to the targeted population for this program. This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the County Administrator and the County Attorney. Ms. Ballengee thanked the committee for their flexibility to hold a special meeting, stating she believed it would originally just be an addendum to the current contact; however, Alfred State decided to draft a new contract that needs to follow the proper process for approval. Legislator Burdick asked if these clinics only serve college students. Ms. Ballengee stated, no, both college students and the general public are welcome. Committee Chair Hopkins asked what publicity will be done for the new clinic site. Ms. Ballengee stated they have already reached out to their existing clients, and once the contract receives Board approval, she will send out a press release. Legislator Barnes asked what services are offered at these clinics. Ms. Ballengee stated they offer family planning and reproductive services such as PAP smears, contraception (emergency included), STD testing, pregnancy tests, and they also provide a lot of education. Legislator Barnes asked what percentage of clientele that needs these services actually use them. Ms. Ballengee stated it can be difficult to determine who might need service and anyone can go see a physician so they don’t have to go to the clinic; however, they are now running one clinic per week compared to the one per month when they first started the program. Legislator Havey stated the clientele that frequently uses these clinics are more than likely not to have a physician in place, so without the clinics, these individuals would be going without medical care altogether. Ms. Ballengee agreed and noted that they also serve high school students who may prefer the confidentiality offered as they are not required to notify their parents. Ms. Ballengee thanked Alfred State for their generosity, noting that they recently lost Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) fund, and they more than likely would have had to close the Wellsville clinic if it hadn’t been for Alfred State donating the site. Legislator Decker noted what a great program it is. Committee Chair Hopkins recognized Alfred State College President Dr. Skip Sullivan who attended the meeting and asked if he has any comments to add. Dr. Sullivan stated he is not ready at this time to comment on the contract; however, they are delighted to partner with Allegany County. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Prepare Resolution (to come off the floor at the August 27 Board meeting)
Good of the Order
Casey Jones from Celebrate Recovery addressed concerns he has regarding the Trauma Informed Care Resolution that is being considered at the August 27 Board meeting, stating he does not see where they included agencies outside the government to be included on trauma informed care training. Committee Chair Hopkins stated the resolution states that it encourages all officers, agencies, and employees of Allegany County, the State of New York, and private for profit as well as non-profit organizations in the County to become informed about the impact of traumatic childhood experiences. Ms. Hopkins added the legislature is not allowed to mandate, they can only encourage. Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant added that the Resolution also states the information be provided to the general public.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m. following a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan Washer
Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board