HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
January 3, 2019
Members Present: J. Hopkins, J. Burdick, G. Barnes, D.
Decker, S. Havey, D, Root, P. Stockin, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, T. Boyde, P. Curran, W.
Dibble, J. DiPasquale, D. Fanton, M. Gasdik, V. Grant, K. Graves, D. Healy, C.
Jones, C. Knapp, B. Perkins, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Human
Services Committee Chair Judith Hopkins at 2:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator
Decker, and carried to approve the minutes of December 5, 2018.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee attended the meeting
and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Environmental Health
Ms. Ballengee reported that through November they had three
rabid animals: one fox, one bobcat, and one bat.
Vaccines
Ms. Ballengee stated that their immunization numbers are
down and it is due to the fact that pharmacies now allow walk-ins and will
administer vaccinations to those ages 11 and older. Legislator Decker stated in
talking with pharmacists, he found out that the opening and closing of pharmacies
is based a lot on front door traffic, and companies are including flu shots
administered as part of that; therefore, we’re going to see a lot of promotion
for people to go to their local pharmacy to receive theirs. Committee Chair
Hopkins asked if they still have flu shots available to give. Ms. Ballengee
stated, yes, and encouraged everyone to receive one as the flu is ramping up
and will only get worse before it gets better.
Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) Program
Ms. Ballengee stated that WIC remains over 70 percent for
breastfeeding initiative rates, and as of November 2018, the value of WIC
checks was over $1 million.
Coroner/Medical
Examiner
Ms. Ballengee stated that the increase in autopsies and
decrease in consultations has resulted in the significant increase shown in
Olean General Hospital costs, noting that she is always reminding the coroners
of the availability of consultations.
OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Office for the Aging Director Madeleine Gasdik attended the
meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Alzheimer’s Respite
Ms. Gasdik stated that there is a strong need for
Alzheimer’s Respite, noting they are in the fourth year of their five-year grant
and hope to be renewed so they can continue to offer the much needed service.
Aging Mastery Program
Ms. Gasdik stated they closed out their first Aging Mastery
Program with 17 graduates and are looking to hold another in the Fillmore or
Cuba area.
Approval of Elderwood at Hornell, LLC Contract
Ms. Gasdik requested a resolution to enter into a contract
with Elderwood at Hornell, LLC for skilled nursing respite care. The daily rate
for a 24-hour stay will be $325 for a private room, and $265 for a semi-private
room. Ms. Gasdik noted there is no increase in costs from the 2018 contract.
Legislator Graves asked if any of these costs are covered by a grant. Ms.
Gasdik stated that Alzheimer’s Respite is covered by a grant. This request was
approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Stockin,
and carried. Prepare Resolution
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant attended the
meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Grant
stated their numbers held steady over the last month; however, their end of
year monthly numbers shows a significant increase in CPS cases.
Foster Youth Event
Committee Chair Hopkins stated the recent foster care youth
event was an excellent event to attend and very nice to see the youth together
and having fun.
Nursing Home Event
Ms. Grant stated the party recently held at Highland Nursing
Home also went very well.
Trauma Informed Care
Ms. Grant stated she recently graduated from the Advanced
Collaborative Trauma Informed Care Coalition in Western New York where she was
also asked to present, adding that they are very excited that our Board of
Legislators passed the Trauma Informed Care legislation. Committee Chair
Hopkins noted that it was originally a topic at the roundtable that was
referred to Human Services and has since gone through to Resolution and is now
producing great things.
Shop-With-A-Cop
Legislator Havey indicated that we may have seen our last
Shop-With-A-Cop and thanked Ms. Grant for all of her help and support over the
last number of years. Ms. Grant stated it has been her as well as her staff’s
pleasure to help.
Contract Approval
Ms. Grant requested permission to renew the following
contracts:
- ACASA Contract
- ACCORD Non-Residential DV Services Contract
- ACCORD Women’s Chances Program Contract
- Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth Turnabout
Contract
- Catholic Charities Multisystemic Therapy Contract
- Contract with Cindy Dodge
- Hillside Children’s Center One Family Contract
- Contract with Landlord for Homeless Apartments
- Jan & Bev’s Home Care, Inc. Contract
- Contract with James Hunter D/B/A
- Catholic Charities of Steuben County Kinship Contract
- LabCorp Paternity Testing Contract
- Legal Assistance of Western NY Contract
- Contract with Lynn O’Connell
- Contract with Pamela Duttweiler
- Parent Education Program (Child Advocacy Center) Contract
- Parent Education Program (Families First) Contract
- Parent Education Program (Families Together) Contract
- Southern Tier Traveling Teacher (Intensive Case
Management) Contract
- Southern Tier Traveling Teacher (NY Works) Contract
- Southern Tier Traveling Teacher (Welfare to Work) Contract
- Willcare, Inc. Contract
County Attorney Carissa Knapp stated that the
inter-departmental contracts with Employment & Training and the Sheriff’s
Office will not be approved at this time due to changes being made, and they
will come back at a later date for a resolution. Legislator Graves asked if the
contracts being requested are included in the 2019 Budget and have been
reviewed by the County Attorney, and Attorney Knapp stated, yes. This request
was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator
Decker, and carried.
Request to Fill
Temporary Senior Caseworker
Ms. Grant requested to fill one full-time temporary Senior Caseworker
(AFSCME, Grade 17, Step: Base – Step 7) and all subsequent positions including
hiring form the outside. Ms. Grant stated they have an employee out on medical
leave until May 2019, and they cannot go that long without the position filled.
This position is responsible for ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of
children and families. The annual salary of this position is estimated between
$40,612 and $50,990 with benefits estimated at 48 percent. This position is
funded 35.57 percent with County funds, 21.89 percent with State funds, and
42.54 percent with Federal funds. This request was approved on a motion made by
Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Refer to Ways and
Means
Allegany County Association for the Blind and Visually
Handicapped, Inc. Contract
A motion was made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by
Legislator Burdick, and carried to prepare a resolution approving the Allegany
County Association for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Inc. contract for
2019 for the sum of $8,000 to cover administration expenses of the Agency
expected to provide such service, training, or aid. Prepare Resolution
Attorney/Client
Session
A motion was made by Legislator Havey, seconded by
Legislator Decker, and carried to enter into attorney/client session at 2:50
p.m. Immediately following discussion at 2:55 p.m., a motion was made by
Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried to end the
attorney/client session and return to the regular meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:56 p.m. following a motion made by
Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan Washer
Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
