Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-27 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, August 27, 2019, with the following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. The minutes of the August 20, 2019 and August 22, 2019 meetings were reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, August 29, 2019. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller asked Ms. Gray to explain board action item #9, Project Modification to PCCD. Ms. Gray explained that we are filing to PCCD to modify the Intensive Reentry Case Management Program budget to combine the costs for recovery houses and security deposits. This is a formality to more effectively track the costs. She continued that PCCD requires us to formally submit the request to them. Commissioner Thomas asked for more explanation of item #6, report for Drug & Alcohol. Christy Briggs, Human Services Fiscal Specialist, explained some of the savings that will be carried over into 2020. Commissioner Thomas asked for more information on item #2 Children & Youth Needs Based Plan and Budget. Doug Amsley, Children & Youth Administrator, explained the State requires us to look at 1.5 and 2.5 years in advance. This needs based budget request covers July 2020 - June 2021. Mr. Amsley explained some of the changes to the budget, including in Title IVE that was changed by the Trump administration such that the federal government will not pay for placement after 14 days. He continued that 44% of the children are indigent so they are in the Title IVE program. This will create $468,000 additional costs to the County. Mr. Amsley explained that they are taking money away from group homes and residential homes and putting toward prevention services. He added 10 additional staff this year and he will ask for two supervisory staff. State law now requires more caseworkers and supervisors. He continued that caseload numbers have increased and they added 24 hour services that were state driven. There was an increase of 74% in three years because of the recent Child Protective Service Law changes but we are back to 8-10% increase each year. Mr. Amsley said that half of the kids in placement have mental health issues and lack the treatment needed, which led to safety concerns. He did provide some good news to the Board that the State reimbursed the county for 2017-2018 overage upon appeal. The following items were approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday, August 29, 2019. The Board reviewed Adult Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Grant-In-Aid Continuing Program Application to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for the State Offender Supervision Fund Agreement services for fiscal year 2019-2020. This program is to help fund Adult Probation salaries. The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Needs Based Plan and Budget for Children and Youth and Juvenile Probation, for FY2019-2020 Implementation plan and the FY2020-2021 needs based plan. This report shows all expenditures and revenues requested for these periods. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to ratify the Stormwater Facilities Maintenance and Monitoring Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Borough of Chambersburg to accompany the Land Development plan for the Elks/Kaye parking lot. This agreement is required by the Borough of Chambersburg. The Board reviewed Drug and Alcohol matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the report for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol (DDAP) for a total amount of $1,710,063.00, detailing how each funding stream was used and reimbursements given to each provider for services rendered. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, and members of the STAR (Special Thanks and Recognition Committee) were present to award the Employee of the Month to Mr. Jordan Herman. Mr. Herman has been employed with Franklin County since 2018. He currently serves as a Forensic Case Manager for the Re-entry Service Center. The selection for the August 2019 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were a total of nine nominations. The STAR nomination form asks what recent event or occurrence made you select Jordan and the answers stated: the County. I think it is important to recognize that even new employees can be extraordinary. He has responsibilities in three different programs: Case Assisted Re- Entry (CARE) Program, Intensive Reentry Case Management (IRCM), and Operation REACH. The CARE program began in January 2019 as a reinvention of the Jail Diversion Program. CARE requires more assessments during the intake process as well as developing a treatment plan for each client, as well as monthly updates. Jordan meets with each participant weekly. In January and February, there were an astonishing 21 referrals for this new program. Setting up interviews and intakes alone is a full time job, but that is not all Jordan does. Jordan coordinates mental health and counseling appointments, goes to those appointments with the client, makes referrals for other Transit, and Social Security Disability. He documents all of his actions and keeps both an electronic and a paper file on each person. He is also responsible for the bi-weekly treatment team meetings which he provides an agenda and minutes for each time. This is a full time job by itself, but that is not all he does! Under the IRCM Program, Jordan has a caseload of up to 9 people at one time. The IRCM program provides housing, food, household items, and furniture to those who need it. Jordan has gone above and beyond expectations helping these individuals. He has delivered furniture and clothing, taken people grocery shopping, and made surprise home visits to investigate landlord issues. He has received calls for help from clients reporting they needed a ride to work is also a case manager for Operation REACH. He interviews every jail inmate identified as a veteran. He has initial contact and completes intakes as needed. To date, he has interviewed 60 inmates and referred the ones who need services to the REACH program. Most case managers would be overwhelmed with a caseload of 25 people with serious mental health issues who have complex needs. Jordan handles that many people under the CARE Program, another 9 cases under the IRCM Program, and also handles all the incarcerated veterans who could benefit from Operation REACH. What makes Jordan stand out is his ability to work with individuals with serious mental health issues and, frankly, people who do not want to talk to him. One example is a man who did not want to complete all the assessments needed for the CARE Program intake. Jordan worked him through the process even though it was clear the man did not want disrespect to change the respectful way he treated this person. This man made a point to come in to the office in person to check in rather than just check in with a phone call. Continued on page 2 March 1st. After lunch, we received a CARE referral for a jail inmate who was set to be released on Sunday, March 3rd. Jordan made it a priority to go to the jail immediately to do the intake paperwork and set up appointments for the person so that once released she had all her mental health needs in place. He could have easily said she needed to come see him once she was released, but he removed that barrier by going to her where she was, at a time convenient for her, not him. Jordan is dedicated, competent, and caring. He is willing to help a person over and over again because he understands that has the special ability to connect with the most difficult individuals. I spoke to a female participant who want to talk about. Mr. Herman is willing to listen to me without judging me. I feel like he so they feel they matter is one of the best things we can ever do for others. Jordan does this for each and every person he serves. This makes him a special type of person and have not gone unnoticed by his peers. The nomination form describes him as hard working; understanding and patient and willing to go above and beyond expectations to help someone in need. We are grateful to Mr. Jordan Herman as he exudes a high standard of customer service, excellence, and respect to the employees and residents of Franklin County. Mr. Herman said that even though there are three different programs with different needs a lot of them are similar so it makes his job easier. Chairman Keller said that Jordan is newer to the county but he came to the county with a lot of experience and knowledge and he is putting that to good use. He knows that a lot of the that he is carrying on his fam Commissioner Thomas said that he noticed that when Doug Amsley was talking about root problems with Children & Youth clients that Jordan was nodding his head, since he sees these clients later in life. Mr. Herman responded that if you speak to the general public a lot of questions are why even help these people. As difficult as it is, if he helps one, he sees the good that builds needs of these people. All it takes is that one instance that helps them to see that they can sustain and live their lives. This is what keeps him going. Commissioner Thomas said that mental health is way misunderstood. He continued that we have to get smarter and offering the appropriate care is the hardest part but they are not always open to the help. Obviously he is doing a great job. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that Mr. Herman seems to have a lot of compassion and empathy for these folks. He thanked him for his service. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ Robert L. Thomas ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski