Committee on Family, Health and Human Services Minutes
March 14, 2006
Committee Members in attendance: Judy Myers, Chair, William Burton, Clinton Young, Ursula LaMotte, and Martin Rogowsky.
In Attendance: CEO: Bill Randolph BOL: Louise Gantress, Betsy DeSoye Guests: Laurie Nikolski, The Journal News, and Jean Bello, White Plains Times.
Items Discussed: Next steps regarding the Department of Social Services, and creating subcommittees.
Minutes
Chairwoman Myers called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
Moved by Legislator Burton and seconded by Legislator LaMotte the minutes from March 7th, 2006 passed 4-0.
The Committee discussed the importance of the Dual Track Legislation, and what the Committee can do to help gain the Governor’s approval. The Committee will ask the State Legislature if they are going to try to push the legislation again.
The Committee talked about the possible role of a child services advocate and how we could begin a child services advocacy office. Research must be done to find out if any other Counties have an office like this. Chairwoman Myers informed the Committee that Legislator Stewart-Cousins would like to work on the issue of adding the child services advocate, as well as a possible training center for DSS employees.
Legislator Young told the Committee that he thinks the Board of Legislators should hire a private, outside consultant to perform an assessment of DSS strictly for the Committee and the Board. A lengthy conversation ensued regarding hiring a consultant, and Chairwoman Myers asked Legislator LaMotte, in her capacity as a Board Member of a NYC child welfare agency, to find out if there are management consultants for a social service structure.
Chairwoman Myers discussed the communication system the State uses for CPS called Connections. The Chairwoman has heard strong criticism from DSS regarding this system, and there is great concern over the lack of communication between counties and states when a family in the system moves. The Chairwoman will further research the Connections system and possible alternatives.
Moved by Legislator Rogowsky and seconded by Legislator Burton the Committee on Families, Health and Human Services adjourned at 1:32 p.m.
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