Chair Maria Kowalczyk has called a meeting of the Health & Human Services Committee for 6:03 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in the Legislative Chambers, Montgomery County Office Bldg, 64 Broadway, Fonda, NY.

Minutes of the meeting will be later posted on the Montgomery County website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us

Items on the agenda, at this time, are as follows:

1. (DISCUSSION)

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

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH THE BONADIO GROUP (SOCIAL SERVICES)

3. RESOLUTION INCREASING PETTY CASH ACCOUNT AMOUNT (SOCIAL SERVICES)

4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH IPH (INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP FOR THE HOMELESS) (SOCIAL SERVICES)

5. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN APPROVED CHILD CARE FACILITIES AGREEMENTS FOR 2024-2025 (SOCIAL SERVICES)

6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF FULTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES FOR WARMING STATION (SOCIAL SERVICES)

7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SIGN AGREEMENT WITH NORTHWOODS CONSULTING PARTNERS, INC FOR TRAVERSE SOFTWARE (SOCIAL SERVICES)

8. RESOLUTION AMENDING 2024 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE COUNTY'S CENTRAL MAIL SERVICE - (YOUTH & VETERANS SERVICES)

9. OTHER

RESOLUTION NO. 99 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services is in the process of restructuring to increase efficiencies and improve workflow; and

WHEREAS, the Department has appropriated funds for professional services in the 2024 Operating Budget; and

WHEREAS, the Department solicited proposals for professional consulting services from qualified firms to assist in this restructuring process; and

WHEREAS, the Bonadio Group was the only proposal that was received; and

WHEREAS, the Bonadio Group will provide a full agency review of internal controls and efficiency related to the analysis of current operations and workflow initiatives within DSS.

RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Legislature hereby authorizes and directs, upon review and approval of the County Attorney, the County Executive to sign an agreement with the Bonadio Group for professional consulting services for the term of May 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 at a cost not to exceed $170,000.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 100 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, pursuant to County Law 371 a petty cash fund was previously established in the Department of Social Services for $500.00; and

WHEREAS, the money in the Department’s petty cash account is used for various circumstances such as for our caseworkers who may need to purchase emergency food, cleaning supplies, pay for parking, after hours postage, etc.; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner believes it would be beneficial to increase said account to $1,000.00 due to a relocation of staff to our new building at 1 Venner Road in Amsterdam; and

WHEREAS, the Department would keep $500.00 in our Fonda location and $500.00 in our Amsterdam location; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to County Law 371 this petty cash fund shall continue from year to year until it is abolished.

RESOLVED, the Montgomery County Legislature hereby increases the petty cash account amount to $1,000.00; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer is authorized and directed to transfer an additional $500.00 from the cash account to the petty cash account for the purposes of increasing the petty cash account amount for the Department of Social Services.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 101 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services in accordance with Social Services Law Title 18 NYCRR 352.8, must provide emergency assistance to eligible homeless persons; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Regulation 18 NYCRR 304 (Code Blue) requires counties to authorize payment to emergency shelters providing such care; and

WHEREAS, the Department has previously contracted with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH), a qualified non-profit organization who operates Danielle’s House, which provides 8 seasonal emergency shelter beds between the months of November and April; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT 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 an agreement with IPH for Code Blue services for the term of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 at an amount not to exceed $185,000. 

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 102 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Health & Human Services is charged with the responsibility for the administration of all child welfare services in Montgomery County pursuant to Section 395 et seq. of Social Services Law; and

WHEREAS, New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requires counties to enter into agreements with state approved child care facilities that provide services to our foster care and/or behavioral children in Montgomery County; and

WHEREAS, these facilities and their per diem rates are regulated by OCFS; and be it

RESOLVED, the facilities that Montgomery County utilizes are as follows:

• Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth
• Cayuga Home for Children dba Cayuga Centers
• The Charlton School
• Children’s Home of Jefferson County
• Children’s Home of Kingston
• Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie
• Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference
• Community Maternity Services
• Elmcrest Children’s Center
• Hillside Children’s Center
• The House of the Good Shepherd
• LaSalle School
• Lincoln Hall
• Mountain Lake Children’s Residence
• Northeast Parent & Child Society
• Parson’s Child & Family Center
• St. Anne’s Institute
• St. Catherine’s Center for Children
• Vanderheyden Hall
• The William George Agency for Children’s Services, Inc.

FURTHER 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 for a term of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 entered into between the County and OCFS-approved agencies providing services to county children in need of foster care and/or behavioral service.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

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IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 103 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, regulation 18 NYCRR 304.2 was adopted to ensure that social services districts have a comprehensive plan for addressing homelessness that reflects coordination of locally available services; and

WHEREAS, per 18 NYCRR 304.1, a Code Blue alert must be called when temperatures are expected to fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill for at least two consecutive hours, for which the decision must be declared by 5:00 PM each day and remain in effect until the temperature rises above 32 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill, but at least until 7:00 AM the next morning; and

WHEREAS, to follow the OTDA regulations and coordinate with local agencies, the Department of Social Services is desirous of continuing our contract with Catholic Charities for the operation of their warming station from November through April; and

WHEREAS, the warming station has a capacity of 10 beds and provides a warm place to sleep, free laundry facilities, showers, essential hygiene items, and case management services to the vulnerable homeless population; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT 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 an agreement with Catholic Charities for the warming station for the term of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 not to exceed $197,000.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

I. Nature of Request:

II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact:

RESOLUTION NO. 104 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services has increasing demands to complete and maintain more detailed case records using multiple data entry requirements; and

WHEREAS, for continuity of services it is recommended that the Department continues to contract with Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc. for their user friendly, mobile option software; and

WHEREAS, the Department has utilized Northwoods’ proprietary software, Traverse, for the last three years for document management to store and share case information allowing caseworkers to reallocate their time to better serve our families and children.

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 a three-year Software as a Service agreement with Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc. for their proprietary software, Traverse, for the term of April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2027 not to exceed $344,400.

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

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II. Justification:

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RESOLUTION NO. 105 of 2024 DATED: March 26, 2024 RECOMMENDATION:

WHEREAS, the 2024 Operating Budget designated $50,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle for Veterans' transportation, and

WHEREAS, the 2024 Operating Budget also designates $15,000 for the purchase of a used vehicle for the County's Central Mail Service, and 

WHEREAS, the purchase price of the new vehicle for Veterans' transportation was lower than originally quoted leaving a balance of $8574, and

WHEREAS, transferring the unused balance from the Veterans Motor Vehicle Equipment line to the Central Mail Service Motor Vehicle Equipment line will allow for the purchase of a better used vehicle for the County's Central Mail Service.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2024 Operating Budget as follows:

TRANFER FROM:

TRANSFER TO:

RESOLUTION VOTE, passed with Aye(9). (3/26/2024)

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II. Justification:

III. Legislative Impact:

IV. Financial Impact: