Chairman Roy S. Dimond has called a meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee for 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in the Legislative Chambers, County Office Building, 64 Broadway, Fonda, New York.  

In conjunction with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order, this meeting will also be held electronically via teleconference on April 20, 2021 at 6:01 pm.  Members of the public may participate in the meeting by attending or by calling 1-312-757-3121, Access Code 456-944-325. Minutes of the hearing will be transcribed and later posted on the Montgomery County website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us. 

1.  DISCUSSION

 A. Privilege of Committee Chair, Committee Members & Legislators to discuss items of interest, etc., regarding departments governed by this Committee 

2.  RESOLUTION FOR BERKSHIRE FARM CENTER AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH (ENHANCED STEPPING STONES) AGREEMENT (JD DIVERSION) (SOCIAL SERVICES)

3.  RESOLUTION TO AMEND 2021 BUDGET – TRANSFER TO CAPITAL PROJECT FUND (SOCIAL SERVICES)

4.  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN LABORATORY SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS (SOCIAL SERVICES)

5.  RESOLUTION FOR BERKSHIRE FARM CENTER AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH (STEPPING STONES) AGREEMENT - (PINS) (SOCIAL SERVICES)

6.  RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2021 BUDGET AND ESTABLISHING A PART-TIME TEMPORARY ATTORNEY (SOCIAL SERVICES)

7.  OTHER

RESOLUTION NO. 89 of 2021 DATED: April 27, 2021 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 395 of the Social Services Law, the Commissioner of Social Services of Montgomery County Department of Social Services is charged with the responsibility for the administration of all child welfare in the County of Montgomery; and

WHEREAS, Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth offers an intensive home and community-based JD Diversion program called Enhanced Stepping Stones; and

WHEREAS, the Enhanced Stepping Stones program reduces admissions to detention thus reducing the County’s detention costs; and

WHEREAS, the Enhanced Stepping Stones increases family preservation and reduces risk of out-of-home placements as well as reduces the risk for future contact with the juvenile justice system and prevents return to placement.

RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature, after review and approval by the County Attorney, hereby authorizes and directs the County Executive to sign, and execute prospective contract documents entered into between the County and Berkshire Farm Center (Enhanced Stepping Stones) for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 not to exceed $97,667.00.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Duchessi was absent. (4/27/2021)

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II. Justification:

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RESOLUTION NO. 90 of 2021 DATED: April 27, 2021 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services had appropriated funds in the Property Rent/Lease/Rep (A-18-4-6010-00-4421) budget line for use on the former Recorder Building located at 1 Venner Rd, Amsterdam, NY 12010; and

WHEREAS, the Department was unable to expend the entire appropriated amount before year end due to the job bidding process; and

WHEREAS, due to an oversight a Capital Project Fund was not created for the 2021 Operating Budget.

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2021 Operating Budget as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Duchessi was absent. (4/27/2021)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

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IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 91 of 2021 DATED: April 27, 2021 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp) provides comprehensive genetic testing services; and

WHEREAS, the Montgomery County Child Support Unit desires to contract with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings to provide such testing; and

WHEREAS, the agreement is a five year term from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2026 for $47.00 per DNA test battery.

RESOLVED, that the County Executive, upon review and approval of the County Attorney, is authorized to execute the agreement with LabCorp for parentage testing services for the contract period of 5 years in the amount of $47.00 per test battery.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Duchessi was absent. (4/27/2021)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

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IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 92 of 2021 DATED: April 27, 2021 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 395 of the Social Services Law, the Commissioner of Social Services of Montgomery County Department of Social Services is charged with the responsibility for the administration of all child welfare in the County of Montgomery; and

WHEREAS, Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth offers an intensive prevention program, Stepping Stones, that reduces the need to place youth in detention or out-of-home placements; and

WHEREAS, the Stepping Stones prevention program reduces admissions to detention as well as reduces the number of detention care days, thus reducing the County’s detention costs; and

WHEREAS, the Stepping Stones prevention program also reduces the number of Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions being filed in addition to reducing the number of PINS being placed out-of-home.

RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature, after review and approval by the County Attorney, hereby authorizes and directs the County Executive to sign, and execute prospective contract documents entered into between the County and Berkshire Farm Center (Stepping Stones) for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 not to exceed $181,869.00.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Duchessi was absent. (4/27/2021)

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II. Justification:

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IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 93 of 2021 DATED: April 27, 2021 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services currently requires assistance with prosecuting abuse and neglect cases in family court as well as mentoring and training the newly hired MCDSS full-time attorney; and

WHEREAS, the funds required would need to be appropriated to cover the cost of salary and a one-time flat fee for litigation for a Part-Time Temporary Attorney; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Montgomery County Legislature hereby authorizes and directs the County Treasurer to amend the 2021 Operating Budget as follows:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(8). Legislator Duchessi was absent. (4/27/2021)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact: