Committee on Family, Health and Human Services Minutes
February 14, 2006
Committee Members in attendance: Judy Myers, Chair, Thomas Abinanti, Lois Bronz, William Burton, Ursula LaMotte, Martin Rogowsky, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and William Ryan, Chairman of the Board.
In Attendance: CEO: Andrew Neuman, Kevin Ryan, Donna Greene; BOL: Louise Gantress, Barbara Dodds, Betsy DeSoye, Bob Boland; Corrections: Tony Czarnecki; DSS: Commissioner Kevin Mahon, Nancy Travers, Jewru Bandeh; Guests: Tara from News 12, Gail Baxter, Brenda Crump, Betsy Tomic
Items Discussed: Agenda item #1: Agreement with WCHCC; Commissioner Mahon’s response to Legislator Stewart-Cousin’s report; approval of minutes.
Minutes
Legislator Myers called the meeting to order at 2:13.
Tony Czarnecki from the Department of Corrections, representing Commissioner Pozzi, spoke to the Committee about agenda item #1, Agreement with WCHCC. The Budget and Appropriations Committee voted this item out on February 13, 2006. Several questions were asked regarding the funding involved.
The jail will be purchasing an x ray machine to keep on the premises. The county feels this is safer and more cost effective than having two guards take an inmate to Westchester Medical Center for x-rays and evaluations. There is always a nurse or nurse practitioner at the county jail.
Legislator LaMotte asked for a breakdown of the $500,000 requested.
Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked to see an organizational chart for the Department of Corrections.
Moved by Legislator Burton and seconded by Legislator Rogowsky agreement with the WCHCC passed 7-0.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Kevin Mahon, 1st Deputy Nancy Travers, and Deputy Commissioner Jewru Bandeh spoke to the Committee in response to Legislator Stewart-Cousin’s report: Beyond Policy & Protocol.
Commissioner Mahon stated that with such a large department and 1200 employees, they cannot always be successful in everything they do. He promised to continue to respond to departmental errors as quickly as possible and he will always be open to suggestions for improvements.
He stated that the Department of Social Services meets all of the CWLA’s required standards.
The Committee requested to be notified when the organizational structure of the department changes by receiving new organizational charts. Commissioner Mahon agreed to provide the Committee with all staff changes. Legislator Abinanti requested a detailed breakdown of lower management to fully understand how the department is run.
Commissioner Mahon informed the Committee that all of the child care payments are up to date.
The Committee inquired about the educational requirements to become a caseworker for DSS. Deputy Commissioner Travers explained that a bachelor’s degree is required to take the civil service test. The eligibility standards are set by the state. The caseworkers, supervisors, and managers are not required to be licensed social workers.
The commissioner informed the Committee about a workload study the department is doing to determine the most efficient way to distribute cases to workers. The results of the study will be available in the Fall.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding caseworkers having to be escorted by registered security guards when going on home visits to customers. Commissioner Mahon stated that this is done for the safety of the worker. Previously two workers would go on one visit together. This was preventing the workers from being able to handle their caseloads and keep up with their case notes.
Legislator Abinanti questioned whether security guards might be trained as an extra set of eyes and ears for the caseworkers.
The Committee inquired about the mentoring program for caseworkers. Commissioner Mahon explained that most of the newly hired caseworkers are going through the mentoring process during training. They are assigned to an experienced caseworker. New hires that have experience working in another jurisdiction are not receiving the mentoring training because there are not enough mentors at this time. The department is trying to put as many of the new hires and existing caseworkers through the mentoring program as possible.
Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked to see all of the new hires, including those with experience, have the mentoring training, due to different policies and protocols between various jurisdictions.
The Committee asked why DSS has not filled the 23 positions that were added to the 2006 budget. It was explained by the commissioner that 2 people have been hired, 8 more will be hired in 3 weeks, and the rest will be hired by the end of March. The delay is due to the Spanish speaking civil service list being exhausted. They are now hiring provisionally, until the test can be given again and a new list is created. DSS feels this is a problem, because if the workers they hire now do not pass the test at the top of the list, they will have to be let go, and DSS will have to train new people again. DSS has asked the state to do continuous testing, but they have not been able to do so as of yet.
Legislator Myers asked if there was anything the Committee could do to intercede.
Commissioner Mahon stated that the frequency of the testing is up to the State Civil Service Department, so the Committee would need to influence them.
The Committee asked for a summary from DSS to make a proposal to be added to the state legislative package regarding the tests.
The Committee asked when the program manuals for caseworkers would be updated and complete. Commissioner Mahon explained that while the contractor is a little behind schedule, DSS has asked them to do everything they can to get them done by May. They believe the manuals will be ready on time. They meet monthly with the CWLA to review drafts of each section of the manuals to ensure that they will not need to be redone.
Commissioner Mahon informed the Committee that a customer service survey is being conducted to see how satisfied DSS customers are. The survey will be delivered to the department in May, and then results will be compiled. Depending on the results, changes to the department’s customer service will be made.
Commissioner Mahon stated that DSS continues to implement new and updated training to all caseworkers. They are currently developing new training on conducting interviews and investigations.
Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked that the Committee be given a list of all of the training programs that are conducted, and include whether or not the training is required or just optional for the workers.
Legislator Myers asked that the Department send a representative to the Committee meetings monthly to provide updates on the department’s progress and issues.
Legislator Ryan stated that a second meeting is needed with the commissioner to respond to areas of the report that were not addressed at this meeting.
Commissioner Mahon attested to his experience, dedication, and capabilities to handle and run the department. He stated that morale is low in child welfare after last year’s incidents. He is now having quarterly meetings personally with the workers in child welfare.
The Committee asked that DSS have responses to their requests throughout the meeting in two weeks time.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Burton the committed accepted Legislator Stewart-Cousin’s report as a document of the Committee 6-0.
Legislator Ryan stated that the Committee should inquire as to how many recommendations in the report have already been addressed.
Moved by Legislator LaMotte and seconded by Legislator Burton the minutes from January 24th (as amended), and February 7th, 2006 passed 6-0.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator LaMotte the Committee on Families, Health, and Human Services was adjourned at 4:31 p.m.
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