Approved 3/17/08
HUMAN SERVICES
February 25, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Andy Schor, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Curtis Hertel, Tim Soule, Mike Severino, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Matthew Myers, Dr. Sienko, Bob Sheehan, Lori Brasic, Barb Monroe, Shirin Timms, Paule Nguelet, Laura Peterson and Melany Mack
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Schor at 7:04 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 4, 2008 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 4 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:
Page 2, third paragraph, first sentence: “The Capital Area District Library Board has voted to place a Millage on the ballot in August 2008.
Page 4, second paragraph, first sentence: “Board Chairperson Thomas stated he thinks the savings may be eaten up by the technology costs.”
Additions to the Agenda
1. Ingham County Women’s Foundation, Ingham County Access to Services Study – this item will be rescheduled in the near future.
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
2. Health Department
a. Resolution to Authorize a Contract for Urban Redevelopment Through Resident Engagement and Mobilization
b. Resolution to Amend the Contract with PTD Technology
3. Human Services Committee – Resolution Honoring Karen Benson
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Presentation – Ingham County Health Department Office for Young Children
Ms. Peters distributed informational folders to the Committee. The folders contained data on the Office’s services.
Ms. Monroe provided a power-point presentation on the Office for Young Children. The presentation included information on the history of the OYC, its mission, services and child care resources and referrals. Ms. Brasic assumed the presentation at this time. She reviewed the information pertaining to the satisfaction surveys. The survey revealed that 99% of child care referral customers who returned satisfaction surveys indicated the services provided were good or very good. Also, 98% of the respondents would recommend the services to other people. The presentation included information regarding the OYC’s community partnerships, programs and funding and the OYC’s future vision. This information was included in the folder.
Chairperson Schor asked if the County’s general fund monies fund programs for other counties through the Ingham County Health Department. Ms. Peters stated she would look into this matter and provide the information to this Committee. Chairperson Schor stated he would be concerned if Ingham County is creating large programs in other counties without the counties’ contributing financially. Ms. Peters explained that any fee for service programs that are offered outside of this County are paid for by the users. Comm. Dougan echoed Chairperson Schor’s concern.
Comm. Severino commended the Health Department for their presentation. He then asked if the Department’s employees’ morale has improved. Ms. Peters stated the Department has worked very hard to engage staff in committees, work groups and training sessions. Employees are also asked to provide feedback regarding the OYC’s priorities. Overall, things are much better. Comm. Severino stated the OYC is a valuable resource and it’s great to hear of the improvements.
Board Chairperson Thomas asked Ms. Peters to describe what programs should be funded through the general fund and to balance that against enhanced programs. Ms. Peters stated the Department tries to focus general fund dollars on services which help a specific unfunded need in the community. Organizations pay for enhanced services.
2. Health Department
c. Resolution to Authorize Contracts for Ingham Health Plan Outreach and Enrollment
MOVED BY COMM. SEVERINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HERTEL, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CONTRACTS FOR INGHAM HEALTH PLAN OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT.
Dr. Sienko stated the Ingham Health Plan increased its funding for outreach and enrollment for FY 2008 to $120,000. This is a funding increase of $45,000. The Resolution details where the funds will be spent.
Ms. Mack explained the Department is going the extra distance to ensure that all people enrolled in the Plan benefit from its services. Some people sign up for the Plan but do not use the Plan’s services.
Comm. Dougan asked if the Department receives information which indicates what the agencies should receive. He stated he wants to be sure the agencies meet some type of parameter. Ms. Mack stated a review of the numbers cannot provide this information. Chairperson Schor asked the Department to provide a breakdown of the results of the allocations. He then stated he believes this is an effective program.
Dr. Sienko explained that some of the agencies have different missions. This difference is one explanation for the different numbers. Ms. Mack stated she will provide this Committee with a list of the communities that receive the funding.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Commissioner Thomas – Request from Refugee Development Center
Ms. Timms, Refugee Development Center (Center), explained the Center provides services to people who cannot return to their home countries for safety reasons. Lansing resettles 400 to 600 refugees annually. The large number creates a huge demand for the English language. If refugees cannot learn English, they have a difficult time obtaining employment. Ms. Timms stated it is incredibly hard to keep up with the interpreting needs of the refugees.
St. Vincent Catholic Charities has asked the Center to begin taking over their vocation English as a Second Language class. The Center agreed to take over the class and it will seek funding for this program. Once funding is secured, St. Vincent Catholic Charities will refer new refugee arrivals to the Center. Ms. Timms stated refugees cannot meet their basic needs if they do not speak English.
Ms. Timms introduced Paule Nguelet to the Committee. She stated Ms. Nguelet came to the United States from the Congo three years ago. Ms. Nguelet stated she speaks eleven languages, but mainly French. She came to the U.S. because her country was at war. She also explained that it was hard for her to obtain employment here without speaking English.
Comm. Hertel thanked the Center for all their efforts on behalf of the refugees.
MOVED BY COMM. HERTEL, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO FUND THE REFUGEE DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT BETWEEN $6,175 AND $8,000. STAFF WILL DETERMINE THE EXACT AMOUNT.
The Committee consented to a FRIENDLY AMENDMENT to approve $8,000.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Comm. Severino asked if the Center counsels refugees about repaying their plan tickets to the United States. Ms. Timms stated refugees are counseled about this issue. She also stated there is a big push to teach refugees about credit and the power of their signatures.
Comm. Hertel asked when the language class will start. Ms. Timms stated the Center hopes to start the classes in June 2008.
Chairperson Schor stated Ingham County is on the record for supporting refugee services. He also stated he generally doesn’t like to take community agency requests out of the normal process. In this case, the closing of Glass House resulted in available money. He further stated he wants the Center to understand that this is one time funding due to extenuating circumstances. The Center will be placed on the Community Agency list and it will receive notice about the Community Agency process. Chairperson Schor highly recommended that the Center respond to the notices from the County about this process.
Ms. Timms thanked the Committee and stated the Center is extremely grateful for this Committee’s support.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Controller’s Office – Information – Discussion Concerning the Sale of the Community Mental Health Property to Include the Property West of Community Mental Health
Mr. Myers informed the Committee that a map of the CMH property is located at the end of the conference table. He explained that CMH inquired into the purchase of the CMH building and the property directly west of the building. The Board of Commissioners referred this inquiry to the Building Authority. The Authority requested the building and the property to be appraised. The appraisal is completed. Mr. Myers stated the Authority reviewed the appraisals and then recommended the County sell the CMH facility and the property it sits on to CMH. He further stated the Authority is unsure about selling the property to the west of the building at this time. The property may be a good location for the new 911 Center.
The County Services Committee approved the Authority’s recommendation.
Mr. Sheehan will obtain a bond attorney to secure financing for the purchase. Once the financing has been secured, the Board will entertain a resolution for the purchase.
Mr. Sheehan stated CMH appreciates the Authority’s rapid response to their request.
Chairperson Schor concurred with the sale of the building but not the property west of the building. Comm. Dougan concurred with the sale of the building. He further stated the land west of the building should not be sold for any purpose before CMH has been notified that the property is for sale. Mr. Myers stated he believes that is the sense of the Authority. CMH will be contacted if the County decides to sell the property. This issue will be addressed in the resolution.
The Committee consented to moving forward on this matter.
Comm. Hertel suggested CMH bid out for the bond counsel to obtain the best rate.
Comm. Bahar-Cook thanked Mr. Sheehan in advance for the advice he will provide on the Continuum of Care facility. Mr. Sheehan stated he believes the meeting will go smoothly.
6. Board Referral – Letter from the State Department of Human Services Notifying of Approval of the 2007-08 Annual Plan and Budget for Child Care Fund Expenditures
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Comm. Bahar-Cook stated Mr. Paparella received information about additional funding opportunities. She thanked Mr. Myers for his efforts on this matter.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff