March 6, 2019
Members Present: J. Hopkins, J. Burdick, G. Barnes, S. Havey, D, Root, P. Stockin (Absent: D. Decker)
Others Present: L. Ballengee, T. Boyde, W. Dibble, J. DiPasquale, K. Francisco, M. Gasdik, V. Grant, K. Graves, B. Harris, D. Healy, C. Jones, C. Knapp, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Human Services Committee Chair Judith Hopkins at 2:58 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried to approve the minutes of February 6, 2019. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Public Health Director Lori Ballengee attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Department Highlights Ms. Ballengee stated they had their first rabid horse who they believe was bitten by either a bat or raccoon. Ms. Ballengee noted that the coroner’s numbers are drastically lower for the month of January compared to this time last year. Women’s Health Initiative Committee Chair Hopkins thanked Ms. Ballengee and her staff for organizing the Women’s Health Initiative events. Ms. Ballengee stated they have had three events so far that brought in over 500 attendees, adding that the three upcoming health screenings are full with a waiting list of 55. Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic Ms. Ballengee announced a free rabies vaccination clinic that will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Friendship Fire Department. This clinic is for New York State residents only, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged by calling 585-268-9250 and selecting option 1 or option 4. Acceptance and Appropriation of Community Bank, NA Donation Ms. Ballengee requested permission to accept and appropriate a donation in the amount of $100 from Community Bank, NA for the purpose of purchasing Healthy Lifestyle items for a WIC (Women’s Infants and Children) participant drawing during the month of March 2019 which is National Nutrition month. The funds should be appropriated as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A4190.408 (WIC – General Supplies) $100
Revenue: Amount: A4190.2705.00 (WIC – Gifts & Donations) $100
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Alfred State College Student Internship/Shadow Program Agreement
Ms. Ballengee requested a resolution approving the agreement with Alfred State College to allow their students to shadow and/or complete an internship for their curriculum studies. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Positive Direction and Associates Agreement
Ms. Ballengee requested a resolution approving the contract and ratifying Chairman Crandall’s signature with Positive Direction and Associates to provide two speaking engagements on Heroin/Opioid Use/Addiction using Women’s Health Initiative funding. This activity has been approved by the State Department of Health, and due to time constraints, Mr. Crandall signed the contract so payment could be made in a timely manner. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Women’s Behavioral Health Services Agreement
Ms. Ballengee requested a resolution approving the contract and ratifying Chairman Crandall’s signature with Women’s Behavioral Health Service to provide one speaking engagement on Postpartum Depression using Women’s Health Initiative funding. This activity has been approved by the State Department of Health, and due to time constraints, Mr. Crandall signed the contract so payment could be made in a timely manner. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. Prepare Resolution
OFFICE FOR THE AGING Office for the Aging Director Madeleine Gasdik attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms. Gasdik stated they have begun instituting their new policy for Meals-on-Wheels. They have had ten cancellations in meals so far, and the majority is due to clients not wanting to restrain their dogs. Ms. Gasdik indicated she has offered their client’s several options such as holding the dog, holding it by the collar, or meeting the driver at the door; however, clients are taking a stance that Ms. Gasdik is discriminating against animals and cancelling their meals.
SOCIAL SERVICES Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
Office Highlights Ms. Grant briefly highlighted an internal crisis response team (CRT) that her staff had instituted for clientele who come in showing signs of distress and/or mental health issues with their application process.
Ms. Grant thanked Ms. Ballengee and her staff for the collaboration with the Health Department and being able to receive ACEs data through the Women's Health Initiative.
Recognition Ms. Grant read the following email to the committee that her staff received from Michael Cahill, Adult Services Specialist II, Bureau of Adult Services that recognizes the County for their annual plan write-up:
"Hello Julie and Angela,
Your annual plan write-up is brilliant once again this year. I wanted to share highlights with Alan. Allegany issued the "5 Things You Should Know Before You Are Given Power of Attorney" rack cards to banks, lawyers, and other agencies that serve the elderly. BTW, Art Mason cited this achievement in his keynote at AATI 2018.
It was heartening to read how your interventions protected vulnerable adults at risk of financial exploitation. In a largely rural district, APS identified 20 cases with concerns related to financial exploitation. Staff referred 6 (30%) of these to law enforcement; 2 (10%) to a forensic accountant; 2 (10%) to Lifespan for education about scams; 2 (10%) to assisted living…
Using Family Group Decision Making (FGDM), the county successfully allowed an adult to stay in her own apartment for as long as possible by assisting neighbors and friends to coordinate her care; by accessing formal home care resources; and eventually by communicating the end of the informal network’s ability to assist the adult. In addition, FGDM staff gathered information that allowed for an exhaustive search for additional relatives and resources to help the adult.
Thank you for everything you’re doing for the vulnerable adult population.
Regards,
Michael Cahill Adult Services Specialist II
Bureau of Adult Services"
Request to Fill Senior Caseworker Positions Ms. Grant requested permission to fill (2) full-time Senior Caseworker positions (AFSCME, Grade 17, Step: Base – Step 7) and all subsequent positions including hiring from the outside. These positions are responsible for ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of children and families. The annual salary per position is estimated between $40,612 and $50,990 with benefits estimated at 48 percent. These positions are 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 Stockin, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Request to Fill Social Welfare Examiner Position Ms. Grant requested permission to fill one full-time Social Welfare Examiner position (AFSCME, Grade 11, Step: Base – Step 7) and all subsequent positions including hiring from the outside. This position is responsible for interviewing clients and determining eligibility for benefits. The annual salary of this position is estimated between $33,858 and $41,152 with benefits estimated at 48 percent. This position is funded 38 percent with County funds, 10 percent with State funds, and 52 percent with Federal funds. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried. Refer to Ways and Means
Request to Create and Fill Full-Time Senior Caseworker Position
Ms. Grant requested permission to create and fill one full-time Senior Caseworker (AFSCME, Grade 17, Step: Base – Step 7) position. This will be an upgrade from a Preventative Caseworker position in order to better meet current Child Protective needs. 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 $50,5990 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. Legislator Graves asked if the additional $1,000 is in the Budget, and Ms. Grant stated, yes, it is well absorbed in the 2019 Budget. Legislator Harris asked what the difference is between a Caseworker and Preventative Caseworker. Ms. Grant indicated that a Preventative Caseworker can assist with parenting and other issues that may be going on in the home. A Senior Caseworker is strictly child protective services, and a Preventative Caseworker is not able to take on that workload. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution to create the position and refer to Ways and Means to fill
Request to Create and Fill Part-Time Senior Caseworker Position Ms. Grant requested permission to create and fill one part-time Senior Caseworker (AFSCME, Grade 17, Step: Base – Step 7) position. This will allow for greater ability for coverage and reduction of stress during high volume periods of vacations and leaves of absence. 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 $50,5990 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. Prepare Resolution to create the position and refer to Ways and Means to fill
Attorney/Client Session A motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Root, and carried to enter into an attorney/client session at 3:22 p.m. Immediately following discussion at 3:54 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 3:55 p.m. following a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan Washer
Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
