HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-09 Block Grant Minutes
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONER’S
Human Services Administrator’s Office David S. Keller, Board Chairman
Human Services Building John T. Flannery, Vice President
425 Franklin Farm Lane Robert Ziobrowski, Secretary
Chambersburg, PA 17202
www.franklincountypa.gov
Hearing Impaired Number: (717) 264-8474
Human Services Administrator
Telephone: (717) 261-3893 Stacie M. Horvath
FAX: (717) 261-0999 smhorvath@franklincountypa.g ov
Franklin County Human Services Block Grant Meeting
Minutes
Date: Thursday, April 9th, 2020
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: *Google Hangouts Meet*
Attendance:
Voting Committee Members Staff Staff Staff
Carey Freeman Stacie Horvath Jessica Brangaccio Traci Kline
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Human Services Tuscarora Managed Aging
Advocate Specialist Administrator Care Alliance (TMCA)
Michael Straley Julie Dovey Stacy Rowe Erin Nye
Drug & Alcohol Fiscal MH/IDD/EI
Fulton County
Advocate Specialist
Family Partnership
Thomas Reardon Stacey Brookens Glenda Helman Christy Briggs
Housing/Homelessness MH/IDD/EI Grants
Fiscal
Community Advocate
Michelle Sedgwick James Eagler Lori Young
Early Intervention Drug and Alcohol Intellectual &
Advocate Specialist Developmental
Disabilities
Amy Hicks Marisa Shields Stacy Yurko
Employment/Training/Education Grants Information & Referral/
Community Advocate 211 & Training
Coordinator
Ann Spottswood Sheri Morgan Payton Mummert
Health & Wellness Mental Health Franklin County
Community Advocate Association Ombudsman
Arlene Wiseth Cori Seilhamer Sharyn Overcash
Aging Advocate Specialist Mental Health Human Services
Administrative Assistant
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Acronyms
C&Y = Children and Youth HSDF = Human Services Development Fund
D&A = Drug and Alcohol HUD = Housing and Urban Development
ESG =Emergency Solutions Grant I&R = Information and Referral
HCP =Healthy Communities Partnership MH/IDD/EI = Mental Health/Intellectual &
HS = Human Services SCCAP = South Central Community Action
HSBG = Human Services Block Grant TMCA = Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance
Meeting Documents/Sent Out:
4/9/2020 Meeting Agenda
Meeting minutes from the last meeting, January 24, 2020
Fiscal Report
I. Welcome to All
Stacie Horvath welcomed everyone to the meeting.
II. Introductions
Everyone introduced themselves.
III. Re-allocations of Block Grant Fiscal Year 18/19 Unspent Monies - Vote needed
Stacy Rowe reviewed the Fiscal Report
The first slide of the report is a recap of Fiscal Year 18/19 Routine Revenue Projects that has
been approved to date.
o Indicates change: The January 24, 2020 allocating of $42,000 from the Community
Connections Project to the Department of Aging for Personal Care Services.
o As a reminder, these funds need to be fully expended by June 30, 2020.
The second slide indicates where we are to date and with everything related to COVID-19.
o The following is a list of each individual projects to determine the status and if they are
able to move forward and if reallocations are needed.
1. Community Connections Project
Not able to move forward this fiscal year. The proposal is to reallocate the remaining
balance of $41,997.
2. April’s Training Day
This needed to be canceled due to COVID-19. The remaining balance is $5,208 to
reallocate
3. Aging Services/Grandparents Partnership Program
With the closure of daycares and schools closing, due to COVID-19, this project is
currently on hold. The spending amount has been approximately $4,000. Not able to
spend the additional $4,000. Recommending to reallocate this amount.
4. Data Warehouse Contract to create the work around to be added to the Warehouse
Have not been able to secure a contract with Avanco. This will not occur this fiscal
year. Recommending to reallocate the $7,000.
5. Recovery Outreach and Support/Leah’s Legacy Bags
With the current COVID-19 and when able to distribute more bags the anticipation is to
reallocate $3,500 this fiscal year for this project.
*The total reallocation amount for the projects is $61,705.
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o The recommendation is to allocate $35,000 to Aging for additional Personal Care Services.
The Aging Program has been running a deficit this year. The $35,000 would directly offset
the need for County General Fund and would also serve an additional ninety (90)
individuals estimated. Traci Kline commented that the Personal Care Services and
requests have continued to rise. Aging is receiving, approximately, fifty- five (55) average
referrals per month. Compared to one (1) year ago, there were approximately twenty-five
(25) to thirty-five (35) referrals per month.
o The reallocation of $26,705 to the Drug & Alcohol Program for Outpatient Treatment
Services would serve, approximately, an additional fifty-six (56) individuals.
Christy Briggs said the DUI money is a backup in case they go over. The Drug and
Alcohol Department is seeing a large increase in Outpatient Services and also, the need for
Vivitrol this year.
o Stacy Rowe commented, that being this close to the end of the fiscal year, the challenge is
finding services in areas the monies can be allocated to and can be definitely spent by
6/30/2020.
o Stacie Horvath said that this money is not current money. This money needs to be spent so
we can start fresh with the current monies.
The Aging Department and the Drug and Alcohol Department stood out the most for
needing the monies and to be able to use it quickly by 6/30/2020.
o Traci Kline added a very important fact. Recently, the Aging Department had a meeting
with the Commissioners regarding, potentially created a waiting list for services based on
the Fiscal Year 18/19 referrals increase in Personal Care Services. This helps to illustrate
the growth and requests concerning the Personal Care Program. This service is for Senior
Citizens of which they are eligible for. There will not be a waiting list issued.
Vote Needed for Redistribution of FY 18/19 Retained Revenue
*$35,000 Aging Personal Care Services/Approximately ninety (90) individuals will be
served.
*$26,705 Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Treatment/Approximately fifty-six (56)
individuals will be served.
- Michael Straley – Voted “yes”
- Arlene Wiseth – Voted “yes”
- Thomas Reardon – Voted “yes”
- Carey Freeman – Voted “yes”
- Michelle Sedgewick – Voted “yes”
- Amy Hicks – Voted “yes”
- Ann Spottswood – Voted “yes”
IV. Block Grant Fiscal Year 19/20 Overview Discussion
Stacy Rowe commented that things are rapidly changing.
The following information is where we are to date.
o The most recent numbers that were put together was in January 2020. At that time, the
projection was to have $90,417 available to carry-over into Fiscal Year 20/21. Since then,
Stacy Rowe has learned that Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities has an additional
$100,000 available on top of the $16,000. Also anticipating that Mental Health has some
additional unspent monies related to COVID-19 and changes in business services,
o Stacy Rowe is thinking that when all is said and done, it will either be very close to the five
percent (5%) cap or potentially over.
o A recent phone conversation with the State, very casually indicating, may be accepting
waivers, this year, to allow counties to carry-over more than the five percent (5%). Stacy
Rowe isn’t sure if that would be an option and how that would work out if that would be an
option.
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o Conversation between Stacy Rowe and Christy Briggs/The Drug and Alcohol Program is
taking out of reserves. One thing they can look at is restoring their reserves, if needed with
Fiscal Year 19/20 funds. Potentially, they will need an estimated amount of $133,000 for
Outpatient Services. Stacy Rowe suggested, we should fund those needs instead of
requesting waivers, secure funds over the five percent (5%).
o Mental Health: The current status of the program. (Cori Seilhamer)
Most of the services for Mental Health are still moving forward. Most of the work is
done over the phone. The Day Program, is not able to open up the Clubhouse. They
are doing some creative programming to keep individuals in touch. As far as
activities and trainings, they have been canceled and will not utilize the funds.
There are some providers that are short staffed which caused some budget
fluctuation. There has been no slowdown of services or closure of programs due to
COVID-19.
o Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The current status of the program. (Lori
Young)
The State mandated the closure of all Day Programs. This closure has freed up
some money.
Some of the providers use In-Home Services. They are finding there are some
families who are resistant to having someone come into their home during the
COVID-19 Crisis. The providers will continue to check on the families to make sure
everything is going well and making sure they don’t need anything. This is
happening on a weekly basis. The Family Aid and Respite are not happening, at the
family’s request.
All of the providers have developed an Emergency Management Plan, specifically
for the COVID-19 Virus. Many are using their Day Programs in case they would
need to quarantine or isolate. They made it more like a home environment for
individuals. They are also sharing personal protective equipment amongst
themselves. Providers are doing a very good job during this COVID-19 Crisis.
o Homeless Assistance Program/211/Information & Referral and Training Days for Block
Grant. (Stacy Yurko)
Training Days: There has been a discussion about Training Days with possibly
going to a one (1) time per year instead of two (2) times per year. This would
possibly change the funding availability.
Housing: Currently, they are running as normal. Expected, come May, if the
moratoriums have been lifted, eviction prevention will be a key need in the
community. They are trying to come up with a plan that may be something that
funding will be affected, going forward.
o Grants Department ( Glenda Helman)
They have heard from the DCED that they are allowing an extension of the ESG
(Emergency Solutions Grant) Fiscal Year 2018 Grant through September 1, 2020.
Any funds, at which are not expended in the 2018 year, due to the COVID-19 may
ask to look at funding that is available and how it can be moved into categories that
would better assist COVID-19 needs with so many individuals being out of work.
Being able to assist them with rental assistance may be needed. Shelter options, as
a result of waiting for testing options or because they have been tested positive for
COVID-19 and need to be self-quarantined and not have a place to reside. HUD
(Housing and Urban Development) has sent waivers to have enlighten some of the
restrictions in the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) in regards to Rapid Rehousing
and the amount of funding needed to keep, at least, forty percent (40%) of funding
in ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) and Rapid Rehousing but cannot keep this
money for shelter operations which for over the last few years has not been a
priority. SCCAP (South Central Community Action Programs) is looking at their
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2019 funding to be able to provide assistance. Currently, with the Dollar for Dollar
match, they are being more lenient if this is an issue.
Rent Reasonableness issue = Rents do not have to be below Fair Market Rent, but
must fall within the rent reasonableness category and they need to do the Rent
Reasonableness Worksheet to be included with the documentation.
The Community Development Block Grant Funding has released some additional
guide lines for COVID-19 that could affect some of 2018 and 2019 CDVG dollars
that would help with needs for the community for COVID-19.
Arzac money will be coming. There will be applications that will need to be
completed for this money. DCED has not received this application.
Stacy Rowe/The only additional information she has is on the last slide of the presentation. This
is a summary of the information talked about at the last Human Services Block Grant Meeting
(1/24/2020). Planning for Fiscal Year 19/20 Retained Revenue. Stacy Rowe added two (2)
suggestions from the last meeting, which was Transportation for Senior Citizens and Respite
Care for Mental Health and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.
Cori Seilhamer made a suggestion to Glenda Helman regarding grant money for the providers
who are working on the front lines to make sure their clients stay healthy and safe. Glenda
asked Cori to send her suggestions so she can look into resources.
V. Human Services Departments Overview
VI. County and Community Concerns/The County Furlough
The Commissioners recently held a meeting regarding the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
within the County.
The County is looking at ways to cut back. There was an agreement voted upon for a twenty-five
percent reduction of the workforce for Franklin County employees.
As Human Services, there are fifty-five (55) individuals affected which will be furloughed.
This decision is due to not knowing what is going to happen with the virus and how long this will
last.
Businesses, which includes Counties, have been affected by this virus with a great loss of
revenue.
The County buildings are shut down to the public, to slow traffic, but will continue to operate as
needed. There are skeletal crews working from each department . There are many individuals
that will continue working at their worksite and there will be many individuals working
remotely.
If there is an employee who is not furloughing and would contract the virus or an employee who
has a family member they need to leave work for to take care of that has contracted the virus,
then the second wave of individuals who are furloughed need to step in and step up and
continue working.
There are several other counties who are doing the same.
Franklin County will continue paying medical insurance for ninety (90) days. There will be a
small portion the employee will need to pay.
The furlough will start Thursday, April 16, 2020.
Each departments review:
o Traci Kline (Aging)
To maintain meal delivery for home bound senior citizen’s is one of the biggest
concerns for the Aging Department. This involves approximately 168 to 170
individuals in the community. The delivery is six (6) meals per week. There are five
(5) frozen meals and one (1) hot meal.
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Aging is working with the Central PA Food Bank. They are providing an extra bag
of food every two (2) weeks. This should last the Seniors a while. This will,
hopefully, keep them from having to go to the grocery stores.
Aging has been working with several volunteer groups. The community has really
stepped up in wanting to help.
The Aging staff are helping to coordinate meals.
Aging has several back up plans in case the providers need to cut back with
services.
Aging is still receiving continued information referral requests for in home services.
The referrals for these services have maintained the same.
Several individuals have been calling in asking to continue services.
Speaking with the Chambersburg Hospital, within the next few weeks, Aging will see
an increase in referrals.
The Aging staff is cut by 42%.
Aging is preparing to make sure everything is covered. All Protective Services staff
are still on duty.
o Payton Mummert (State Certified Ombudsman)
Payton reported, currently, everything has been extremely quiet with the nursing
homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities. There has not been any
reported cases of COVID-19 within these facilities. Payton has checked the
Administrator of the facilities and they do not have much to say regarding any type
of problems. All nursing home staff are required to have their temperature read at
the beginning of their shift and at the end of their shift. If the individual would have
an elevated temperature, they are instructed to go home.
o James Eagler (Drug & Alcohol)
James continues to work on site.
The Administrative Officer is in the office 2-3 days per week.
The remainder of the Case Managers are working remotely.
DDAP (Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs) and SAMHSA (Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has relaxed Telehealth when it
comes to Case Management. Also, for treatment for Outpatient and Inpatient
providers.
All Outpatient providers are still operating. Many individuals are using Telehealth
and there are also individuals on site.
The majority of Inpatient providers are still accepting clients.
DDAP (Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs) is currently working on an
Alcohol Litigation Program to assist with the closure of State Liquor Stores. This
program is for individuals who are not accepting or are not ready for treatment.
DDAP should have something that is finalized and out to the SCA’s, Outpatient
providers along with some of the Healthcare providers of what the protocol looks
like for individuals.
The department continues with assessments at the Franklin County Jail.
The facilities have plenty of availability.
Naloxone is still available through the pharmacies to individuals who have Medical
Assistance or private insurance. The Drug and Alcohol Department still has plenty
of the Naloxone available.
o Erin Nye (MH/IDD/EI)
All departments are accepting referrals.
At this time, there has only been one (1) facility to shut down completely. The rest
of the providers are using Telehealth or are trying to come up with ways to provide
services for individuals.
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There are only one (1) or two (2) individuals in the office at all times. The rest of
the staff has been working remotely. Approximately fifty percent (50%) of the staff
will be on the furlough list.
o Cori Seilhamer (Mental Health)
Both Co-responders are currently active. They are stationed in the Police
Department. They are making phone calls to follow up with individuals and are still
receiving referrals from the Police Department.
Crisis, at this time, has not seen an increase. The do have a plan in place and are
ready to go for any upcoming situations.
Early Intervention – Services are flowing as much as they can. They are providing
Telehealth Services. They are still accepting referrals.
o Jessica Brangaccio (Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance)
Telehealth Expansion has been happening across the State. TMCA has not seen a
drop like everyone has been saying. Providers are being exceptionally creative with
how they are reaching out to their consumers.
Currently, TMCA is reviewing service plans for an alternative payment
arrangement for, at least, sixteen (16) different providers. There are four (4)
individuals working on the payment arrangement. Three (3) from TMCA and one
(1) from PerformCare. The providers will be notified of approval by Friday with
their first payment expected on April 15, 2020 to help keep coverage going.
TMCA is looking at different plans for some of their reinvestment money. They are
trying to help with some Personal Protective equipment. They may try to partner
with a community agency that has access to the equipment.
All of the TMCA staff are working off site.
Starting on the first day of the furlough, there will be a limited crew.
The Human Services Data Warehouse is going to be impacted by COVID-19. There
will not be anything new coming in. TMCA will be trying to keep it as maintenance
free as possible during this time.
There is someone updating their website daily/every other day. They are keeping a
current list of resources available on the website for individuals to access. Some of
Wellspans clinicians are willing to put together some tips and tools for consumers
and individuals to access to help them with social isolation and any kind of increase
with symtoms.
All of the PerformCare staff are working remotely. TMCA is receiving daily
provider updates.
o Justin Slep (Veteran Affairs)
As of now, with the furlough, the Veteran Affairs Department will be impacted.
With a department of four (4) employees they will be dropping fifty percent, down to
two (2). It will not impact them with filing or representing Veteran’s for any claim
related work. They will continue with their jobs, on a daily basis, working remotely.
The Veteran Affairs Department is creating a waiting list for any services that
require in depth one (1) on one (1) meetings.
For the homeless Veteran’s, the department is contacting Stacy Yurko and also
referring them to 211, to the Martinsburg, VA Medical Center or the VA Multi-
Service Center with Danny Thomas.
All VA debts have been suspended. They will receive their regular payments, they
are entitled to, minus the debt. The debt will be put into place at a later time.
Justin is concerned with the Stimulus package for the Veteran’s. Any kind of
increase in income could remove a Veteran from receiving their benefits. Justin is
working on trying to come with a solution to this matter.
The VA has gone to mainly Telehealth or if an individual has a specialized phone
system in their home so they can be connected to an encrypted link that can be sent
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from their doctor. The only challenge is the hearing impaired individuals. If they
do not have specialized phones at home, the department is trying to figure out other
ways of communication, such as sign language through video.
Exams for Disability claims have been canceled by the VA.
VA flags have been delivered for Memorial Day.
VII. Next Scheduled Meeting:
To Be Determined
Meeting Adjourned
I.
II.
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