Approved 5/17/04
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
May 3, 2004
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Andy Schor, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: John Nevin
Others Present: John Neilsen, Jared Cypher, Randy Marwede, Sharon Granger and Suzanne Eman-Jaehnig
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 19, 2004 Minutes
The Minutes were approved as amended. Absent: Comms. Nevin and Dedden
Additions to the Agenda: None
(Comm. Dedden arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Limited Public Comment
Mr. Marwede addressed the Committee regarding the Lake County Board of Commissioners Resolution. This Resolution is contained in the agenda under item 4b. Mr. Marwede explained that the proposal would increase the VA Hospital Drug Co-Pay from $7.00 to $15.00 and it would also implement an annual fee of $250.00. In response to Comm. Dedden, he stated Priority 8 veterans are currently not being treated. But, if they were to be treated, they would be charged the $250.00 fee. Mr. Marwede further stated that many of the ideas in the Lake County Resolution are not new ideas. The VA wants to ensure that disabled veterans receive medical care.
Chairperson Hertel thanked Mr. Marwede for providing this information to the Committee.
Ms. Granger informed the Committee that the 2-1-1 System (System) would provide a link to those in need of health and human services. Communities throughout the nation have implemented the System with the appropriate community-based providers of social, medical, health and human services. An information and referral system does not currently exist in the greater Lansing area.
The Capital Area United Way is coordinating efforts to establish a comprehensive information and referral system. This system would be available to all tri-county residents. The Capital Area United Way and the Volunteer Center are providing $66,350 in-kind funding the first year and are committed to continuing this support for this long-term project.
Ms. Granger stated the System would ultimately provide information and referrals 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The System would provide high quality information to residents. This project started in the late 1990's. Senators Bush and Dole lead the legislation for the creation of the System.
Ms. Granger explained the advantages of a Centralized Information and Referral number for the Capital Area. The System could help take the burden off organizations which receive a large number of people contacting them for help. Currently, there is a consensus that there is a lack of coordinated and comprehensive information which is available to the residents of Lansing. Trained System specialists would provide residents with more accurate and comprehensive information.
A 'snapshot' of resident needs could be provided from the System. Statistics can be kept on the kind of services callers are requesting. This information could be used by organizations such as governmental entities, policy makers and non-profits for informed community planning and fund distribution.
Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated key partners in the effort are the Capital Area United Way, the Volunteer Center of Mid-Michigan and the Listening Ear. Organizations and individuals that have been involved to date include: The Salvation Army, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Community Mental Health, Lansing State Journal, Ingham County Family Independence Agency and Ingham County Judge George Economy.
Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties currently have this System. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated a community- agency based 2-1-1 task force has been developed to address the implementation of the System in the tri-county area. This task force has been meeting for 1.5 years to try to encourage tri-county cooperation. Ingham County has been very receptive.
The System must be implemented for one year before it actually receives the 2-1-1 designation. However, it will actually take approximately two years to complete the 2-1-1 accreditation process. Until then, the System will use an 800 number. This number would be available to residents from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Twenty-hour service will hopefully be implemented after six to nine months.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant inquired as to the total cost of the System and its time line. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated the total project cost is $103,000. Start up funds will be approximately $40,000. In-kind services and funding will also be available. The funding search has been extended to Clinton and Eaton Counties. Those Counties have resolutions requesting support of the System before them. Two years is a reasonable estimate for the implementation of the 2-1-1 system.
Ms. Eman-Jaehnig further stated the program will be evaluated as it goes along and the Capital Area United Way has committed to run, support and to maintain the 2-1-1 System. In response to Comm. Dedden, Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated the 800 number has not been implemented in this County at this time. This program will begin September 1, 2004. Comm. Schor asked if the community would have access to the System's database. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated they would have access to all the information on the System's website at www.intouchweb.org.
Comm. Schor expressed his concern that Eaton and Clinton Counties may not support the System. He asked that this Committee be updated regarding the progress with those two counties. In response to Comm. Schor, Ms. Granger stated that, in time, Delta and Meridian Townships will be asked to support and be included in the System. Ingham County's level of support should decrease over time because other funding sources will be available to the System. Ms. Eman-Jaehnig stated the System would request Ingham County funding for the first few years of the program. Ingham's level of funding will never increase.
The Committee continued their discussion of this item. Comm. Schor stated when this item is brought before this Committee again, he will pay close attention to who else is providing funding for the System. He will also want to know how many "hits" the System receives per County.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INGHAM COUNTY TO CONTRACT WITH THE CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY FOR THE CAPITAL AREA HUMAN SERVICES CONNECTION/CAPITAL AREA 2-1-1 PROJECT AND AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE TRI-COUNTY AGING CHARTER AGREEMENT.
In response to Comm. Dedden, Comm. Schor explained this Resolution will enable the Tri-County Aging Consortium to obtain additional funding to provide or contract to provide services to the eligible disabled population. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated this Resolution will help to create a registry of home-care workers. This is a pilot program and will become State-wide in the future. Chairperson Hertel further explained the help would not include medical services, it will provide living assistance such as shopping and chores.
Comm. Dedden stated she would check with other agencies regarding the funding of this pilot program to ensure that funds will not be shifted from an existing program to fund this new program. Mr. Neilsen stated he does not believe funds will be shifted from one program to another.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2005 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS.
Comm. Dedden distributed copies of her proposed amendment to this Resolution to the Committee. Her proposal is:
Item 3a - add the following list of "Specific efforts identified in the 2004 priority statement":
Re-establishment of the Southeast Neighborhood Network Center in South Lansing.
Comm. Dedden explained that she is not seeking funding, she just wants to specify the Southeast Neighborhood Network Center (Center) as a 2005 priority. This is one of five centers that are operated through the collaborative efforts of the MSU Extension and the County Health Department. The Center has been out of operation since September 30, 2003, when the County ended its contract with NYPPP and the site which had been used is no longer available. Since then, the collaboration has been working to develop new partnerships and to try to gain access through these partnerships to find a new location for the Center.
Chairperson Hertel stated the other four items under Item 3a in the Priority list seem like large items. If this Committee adds other items, this list will become very long. Comm. Dedden explained that she only wants to highlight this issue.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the Allen Neighborhood Network Center needs a new facility. Comm. Dedden explained that partnerships would help with this effort.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she understands Comm. Dedden's position. She just wonders if this is the appropriate place to address her issue. She further expressed her concern that priorities could become pet projects for some Commissioners. This was discussed further by the Committee.
Comm. Dedden stated this would be an ongoing County budget request. Chairperson Hertel stated he would be happy to support Comm. Dedden's proposed amendment, but he does not think it belongs in the budget process.
Mr. Neilsen explained the Centers provide help to provide County services to the community. This is the appropriate time to address this issue. He stated he does not object to adding the priority to the Priority list. Comm. Schor suggested that "ensuring the success of Neighborhood Network Centers" could be added to another category. This language would also include the re-establishment language. The five Centers would be brought up to the same level.
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE COMM. DEDDEN'S AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD ADD THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT UNDER ITEM 3A OF THE PRIORITY LIST: CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK CENTERS, INCLUDING RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK CENTER IN SOUTH LANSING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
Chairperson Hertel proposed an amendment to the Priority Statement which would add "Study and increase the County's role in lead awareness.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO ADD: STUDY AND INCREASE THE COUNTY'S ROLE IN LEAD AWARENESS TO THE 2005 PRIORITY STATEMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO ADD THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE TO THE PRIORITY STATEMENT: ASSIST WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MICHIGAN AVENUE CORRIDOR.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant explained this matter received Community Agency funding from the County last year. Comm. Dedden asked if this language should be placed in the Community Agency process. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant explained that Community Agencies are a number one priority, the Corridor issue is not a number one priority. It is a general priority. She further explained that she promised the Economic Development Board that she would address this issue.
Mr. Neilsen stated Comm. Weatherwax-Grant's proposal could be placed within the long-term priorities under "fostering economic well being" as a separate category. Comm. Dedden stated Economic Development falls under the purview of the County Services Committee. Mr. Neilsen agreed that this issue would be appropriate for the County Services Committee. He further stated he could advise Mr. Ambrose and Comm. Swope that this issue was discussed in this Committee and that it was determined it would be proper to address the issue at a County Services' meeting.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant withdrew her motion to amend the Resolution based on the understanding that it would be addressed by the County Services Committee.
Main Motion: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Nevin
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Chairperson Hertel informed the Committee that the Health Department is still working on Ingham County Advantage program. The roll out of this program has not been officially scheduled. Mr. Neilsen stated he did not have any additional information to add to this announcement. Chairperson Hertel stated he would pass this information along to the appropriate parties.
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff