Committee on Family, Health and Human Services Minutes
May 23, 2006
Committee Members in attendance: Judy Myers, Chair, William Burton, Clinton Young, Ursula LaMotte, Martin Rogowsky, Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Thomas Abinanti.
In Attendance: BOL: Louise Gantress, Christina Gilliberti.
Items Discussed: Discussion of Agenda items 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 16.
Minutes
Chairwoman Myers called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m.
Moved by Legislator Young and seconded by Legislator Burton the minutes from May 9th, 2006 passed 6-0.
The Committee briefly discussed the Child Care Council scholarship proposal to be presented on June 6th, 2006. There were some concerns regarding illegal immigrants being able to receive the scholarship. Legislator Abinanti would like the Committee to ask the Child Care Council to ask the families of the children who were in child care and suddenly dropped out, why they were no longer using child care services. A discussion ensued regarding employers providing child care for their employees. The Committee would like to look into providing child care for County employees, as well as, what other employers in the County provide for their workers.
Moved by Legislator Young and seconded by Legislator Burton, agenda item #4, Woodfield Cottage Secure Detention Facility, was received and filed with a vote of 6-0.
The Committee discussed agenda item #5, Child Fatality Report, and the issues DSS is facing in terms of Child Protective Services. Chairwoman Myers informed the Committee that there is a lack of communication between the counties in the State, mostly due to the computer system the State Department of Social Services is using. The Committee would like to send a letter to the State asking for improvements to the computer system and better communication between counties in order to prevent future incidents concerning Westchester’s children.
Moved by Legislator Young and seconded by Legislator LaMotte, agenda item #5, Child Fatality Report, was received and filed with a vote of 6-0.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Burton, agenda item # 7, Diesel Exhaust, was received and filed with a vote of 6-0.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, agenda item # 10, Medicaid Reform, was received and filed with a vote of 7-0.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Young, agenda item #11, Leake and Watts Contract Extension, was received and filed with a vote of 7-0.
The Committee discussed agenda item #12, Health Department Functions, and agreed to keep it on the agenda for a future discussion with the Commissioner of the Health Department, Dr. Joshua Lipsman.
The Committee also agreed to keep agenda item #13, Highway Safety Activities, on the agenda for a future discussion with the Director of Stop DWI, Thomas Meier.
A brief discussion ensued regarding agenda item #3, White Plains Homeless Shelter. The Committee has not received a response from the City of White Plains due to a pending lawsuit between the White Plains BID and the County. The Committee asked Legislator Rogowsky to inquire as to why the Board is not notified of County lawsuits.
Moved by Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, agenda item #16, Court Decision, was received and filed with a vote of 7-0.
Moved by Legislator Rogowsky and seconded by Legislator Abinanti the Committee on Families, Health and Human Services adjourned at 1:13 p.m.
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