Amended 11/7/05
HUMAN SERVICES
October 17, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Victor Celentino, Lisa Dedden, Dianne Holman, Mike Severino and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Dean Sienko, Chuck Grey, Laura Peterson, Melanie Mack, Chris Chingman, Nancy Chesney and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:01 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the October 3, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 3 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Severino
Additions to the Agenda
4. Resolution Supporting the Campaign to End Aids (C2EA)
(Comm. Severino arrived at 7:03 p.m.)
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Chingman, Health Department, spoke in support of County nurses. The number of nurses has decreased in various County Health Department sites. These changes cause concern to the staff that is affected by the reduction in the number of nurses. She further stated that it appears that staffing reductions are only made in the area of nursing. Health Department nurses wonder if staff reductions were considered in other areas of the Department. Ms. Chingman further explained that collaborative efforts are needed to address the nursing concerns.
Ms. Chesney, Adult Health Clinic, stated the County’s nursing staff is concerned that they will not be able to meet the needs of the County residents with a reduced nursing staff. The union worked very hard a few years ago to increase a half-time nursing position to a full-time position. Nurses save the County money. Ms. Chesney distributed information to the Committee which further details the needs for an adequate nursing staff. The County needs to look to other areas for staff reductions.
Chuck Grey, Clinic Assistant, stated the County nurses are not happy due to the many changes which have occurred in the Health Department. Many of the changes were made without sufficient forethought to the consequences of the changes. Mr. Grey stated the County has always provided quality care which is second to none. That quality of care will suffer as a result of the reductions. Many nurses work over-time to compensate for the decrease in staff. The moral of the nurses has also diminished over the past year. Mr. Grey explained that the nurses will continue to work with the County and to support appropriate changes.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Human Services Committee – Resolution Honoring Lloyd D. Fett
2. Health Department
b. Resolution to Authorize a Master Agreement with Lansing Community College
c. Resolution to Adjust the Status of a Position
d. Resolution to Authorize a Refugee Assistance Program Contract with the Michigan Department of Human Services
e. Resolution to Authorize a Year Three Medical Reserve Corps Grant and Subcontract
4. Resolution Supporting the Campaign to End Aids (C2EA)
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Health Department
g. Resolution to Authorize Staffing Changes in the Adult Health, Sparrow and St. Lawrence Community Health Centers
Chairperson Hertel stated this Resolution was referred back to this Committee from the October 11, 2005 Board of Commissioners meeting. This request had not been submitted to the Health Center Board for review prior to being submitted to the Board. This review is a normal part of the process. Chairperson Hertel then stated staff wants to work with the Community Health Center Board to develop reasonable recommendations.
Chairperson Hertel suggested this item be referred to the Community Health Center Board before this Committee takes action on the Resolution.
Mr. Fournier distributed information to the Committee for their review. He explained that staffing changes are being made to assist the Health Department in using its employees appropriately. Mr. Fournier referred to the “Current vs. Recommended Clinical Support Staff per 1.0 FTE Provider at Three ICHD Community Health Centers.” This information illustrates St. Lawrence is the only Provider, of the three, which would have a decrease in Support Staff, 2.68 to 2.42.
The opposite side of the same sheet contains “Current vs. Recommended Staffing at Three ICHD Community Health Centers.” This information illustrates the current and recommended number of nurses to assistants at the three Health Centers. The Current Adult Health nurse staff would be reduced by 1.0 FTE and the assistants would be reduced by 1.0 FTE. The Current Sparrow nursing level would change from 3.25 FTE’s to 2.75 FTE’s. Nursing staff at St. Lawrence would change from 3.0 FTE’s to 2.50 FTE’s. Assistants at the same location would remain at the same 2.10 FTE level.
Comm. Celentino stated the information demonstrates a shift in personnel. Mr. Fournier stated that is the goal of the Health Department. The point is to improve services to patients and to use staff effectively. Comm. Severino asked how the County’s numbers compare to other Federally Qualified Health Centers. Mr. Fournier stated the County employs significantly more staff than most other Centers.
Comm. Severino asked if the Department considered consolidating any of the Health Center sites. Mr. Fournier stated the Department is reviewing the idea of consolidating sites. He further explained that the issue of quality of care is very important to the Department. The Department’s goal is to better align resources to meet the concerns of the County residents.
Comm. Holman asked how the Department measures productivity at the three sites. Mr. Fournier stated the Department measures encounters, the number of people served on a daily basis. The Department is comparing itself to other Federally Qualified Health Centers.
After further discussion, Chairperson Hertel stated the union has agreed to work with staff on this matter.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO REFER THIS MATTER TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER BOARD FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
Chairperson Grebner stated the Board of Commissioners’ job is to effectively manage the County through its managers. The County’s goal is not to provide jobs, but to provide high quality services to its residents. He then stated the County does try to work with employees and to respond to current concerns of the employees. He hopes that the Board is on the same page regarding respecting employee rights. This issue should be worked out between the union and County staff.
Mr. Bragg stated the Health Department’s quality services exist largely due to management and the commitment of the Board of Commissioners. Nurses and staff make the health clinics work. It is the job of management and the Board to determine how to best meet the needs of the community.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Hertel stated the Committee concurs that the goal in this matter is to meet the needs of the residents. A proposal is needed which meets the needs of all involved.
a. Resolution to Authorize a 2005-2006 Federal Abstinence Grant Program
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A 2005-2006 FEDERAL ABSTINENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked if there is a General Fund contribution in regard to this Grant Program. Mr. Bragg explained that administrative costs have not been allocated to this Program. Administrative costs may equate to 15% of the total cost.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
f. Resolution to Amend the FY 2004-2005 4C Agreement with a the State of Michigan Department of Human Services to Extend the Agreement Through the First Quarter of FY 2005-2006
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FY 2004-2005 4C AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EXTEND THE AGREEMENT THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF FY 2005-2006.
Comm. Holman asked if the 4C Agreement has a stable trend. Mr. Bragg stated the Agreement has been stable for many years. The basic 4C Agreement has been in existence for more than 30 years. Mr. Bragg further explained the Department of Human Services will issue an RFP for the remainder of the 2005/06 FY.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Information Update: Laura Petersen, Ingham County Advantage Program
Ms. Petersen distributed copies of “Outreach Team Summary – October 17, 2005” to the Committee. She then stated when she was last before this Committee, she received good ideas to focus on regarding the Program. The Program has limited marketing avenues. She will update this Committee in a few months on her continued efforts regarding the CH Ventures agreement.
Chairperson Hertel thanked Ms. Petersen for considering this Committee’s concerns. In response to Comm. Weatherwax-Grant, Ms. Petersen stated the Program has conducted some outreach efforts to businesses. CH Ventures will arrange to develop and to oversee a marketing plan. Some of the funds involved in this agreement will be used to purchase bulletin board advertisements. The goal of obtaining 500 Program participants was made clear to CH Ventures. If this goal is not reached, the contract would not be renewed.
Comm. Severino stated he was very pleased with the information distributed to the Committee. Relationships with out-County contracts are very valuable. The enrollments go far beyond what is included in the Summary.
Chairperson Hertel stated he also was very pleased with Ms. Petersen’s efforts to increase Program enrollment.
4. Resolution Supporting the Campaign to End Aids (C2EA)
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant expressed her concern that the fifth WHEREAS in the Resolution refers to a “worldwide” effort. She further stated she would contact Comm. DeLeon regarding her concern prior to the next Board meeting.
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 4.
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SEVERINO, TO TABLE THIS MATTER UNTIL THIS COMMITTEE’S NEXT MEETING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Public Comment
Ms. Chesney stated she supported Mr. Bragg’s statements under agenda item 2g. The employees’ first priority is also the care of the residents.
Announcement
Chairperson Hertel stated this Committee’s October 31 meeting has been rescheduled to November 7 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff