Social Services

Board of Commissioners Meeting
April 23, 2003


Archived Minutes

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:    

Diane Neighbors, Dot Dobbins, Ernest Freudenthal

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:    

Caroline Chamberlain, Pam McEwen, Shirley Stephens, Donna Martin, Abdelghani Barre, Meryl Taylor, Julius Witherspoon, Karlene Polk, Renee Pratt, Gary Bock, Ann Carney

GUESTS PRESENT:    

Terry Hirsch, Marty Reeder and David Haney, Metro Data and Telecommunications Office

The Metropolitan Social Services Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, April 23, 2003. Chair Diane Neighbors called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. The minutes for the meeting held on March 26, 2003, were approved as submitted.

Director’s Report
Ms. Chamberlain reported she and Ms. McEwen attended the appeal hearing for the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Cristi Scott, Metro Legal, represented us. We received a letter, dated April 17, that we won the appeal and would be reimbursed for the months of October and November 2002.

Ms. Chamberlain and Jackie Page (of our Disability Information Office) attended the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Ms. Page would like to do more training around disability issues.

Ms. Chamberlain attended an exploratory meeting, which she chaired, with several partners in the Senior Service arena, to prepare for the Council on Aging Advisory Committee’s initial meeting. Commissioner Dobbins and Donna Martin, from our Adult Day Care Program, also attended.

A graduation ceremony was held on April 16 for our Black Belt participants, Pam McEwen, Pam Sylakowski and Demitria Norman; Ms. Chamberlain attended the graduation. Assignments have been made and Ms. Norman will be the coordinator for Social Services and Ms. McEwen and Ms. Sylakowski will work with other Metro Departments.

Ms. Chamberlain has participated in various activities including: attending the last MMI supervisory training needed for graduation, reviewing the open range policies in preparation for the June evaluations of upper level staff, meeting with most program managers regarding their specific programs and issues, attending the Richland Village-Caring for Children Retreat, holding new employee orientation for 3 new employees, and working on the Social Services Block Grants for the Homemaker and Adult Day Care Programs.

Our budget meeting with the Mayor is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 5:00 p.m. at the Ben West Library, second floor large conference room. Ms. Chamberlain has talked with Ms. Berry and she will be attending.

Ms. Berry met with the Administrative Staff on Monday; information was shared about their specific programs.

Financial Report
Ms. McEwen reported the Department continues to operate well within the budget. All budget adjustments have been posted with two exceptions: funding for health insurance and reimbursements for two months from USDA. With regard to the 4 percent fund, we have looked at all the balances, especially the computer and communication equipment. Activities from this account will be presented next month. The Knowles Home renovations should be underway soon, with only $5,000 being spent to date. Payments in the amount of $11,679 were made out of the Camilla Caldwell Fund in lieu of Family Services grants.

Ms. McEwen explained this is the time of year where we submit our state grants. She presented an overview of our requests and the amount of local funds needed for each grant. All local funds have already been included in the budget proposed for FY 2004.

Social Services Block Grant Applications

Homemaker Program
Adult Day Services

Ms. Stephens asked the Board to approve the continuation of the Social Services Block Grant for Homemaker Services. This grant will provide 11,136 units of service to 116 customers per month and will help to prevent institutional placement for clients served. A motion made by Mr. Freudenthal, seconded by Ms. Dobbins, to approve this grant application and the contract when it is received, passed by a unanimous vote.

Ms. Martin presented the Adult Day Care Services grant and thanked both Gary Bock and Caroline Chamberlain for their help in putting this grant together. This is a continuation grant to provide 8,230 units of service to 42 customers per month that will help make clients be as self sufficient as possible and prevent institutional placement. This program was started in 1972 and was one of the first two Adult Day Care Centers in the state. Services provided include transportation to and from the center, health monitoring, nutritious meals, counseling, and social activities. A motion was made by Ms. Dobbins, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to approve this grant application as well as the contract once it is received. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote.

Refugee Services Grant Application
Targeted Assistance Grant Application
Mr. Barre presented the Refugee Services Grant, which is a continuation of the grant we have had for the last 9 years. We are estimating this grant to be around $375,500 but we may see an increase or decrease, depending on the number of refugees we receive. Services this grant will provide include employment services and the knowledge and skills to maintain stable and self-sustaining households. A motion made by Mr. Fruendenthal, seconded by Ms. Dobbins, to approve this grant application and the contract when it is received, was passed unanimously.

Ms. Taylor presented the Targeted Assistance grant, a continuation grant that will provide services beyond the traditional needs. We will continue to focus on refugees who are more difficult to serve, including single mothers and the disabled/seriously ill. We will help locate employment for those who are able and for those who are unemployable due to physical or mental conditions, we will assist them in obtaining benefits and housing that will allow them the greatest independence possible. English as a second language will also be targeted. A motion was made by Ms. Dobbins, seconded by Mr. Freudenthal, to approve this grant application as well as the contract. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Richland Village Community Services
Mr. Witherspoon reported the T-Cap Academy was recently completed and positive feedback was received. They have received requests to expand the program.

Corliss Nelson recently attended training, Parenting With Love and Limits, which qualifies him to facilitate parenting groups.

Mr. Witherspoon reported a Power Point has been developed giving details of their community and summer camp programs. This has already been presented to three of the five schools they serve and will be shown to the remaining two schools before the end of the school year.

A Retreat for Richland Village staff and specific staff from Caring for Children was held on April 15. Mr. Witherspoon explained they were able to identify program similarities and partnerships, dispel rumors and develop future plans.

A brochure outlining the Richland Village Summer Camp was presented and Mr. Witherspoon reviewed highlights of the program.

Mr. Witherspoon shared he was recently Principal For A Day at Dalewood Middle School. Dr. Garcia hosted a luncheon at the Vanderbilt Stadium Club for those who participated and Mr. Witherspoon attended.

Family Services Update
As discussed in previous Board meetings, there has been an increase in the demand for family services grants and a contingency plan was presented to handle this high demand. Ms. Polk presented a chart that demonstrates vividly the increase in calls we are receiving. The contingency plan was implemented in January and at the end of March, we were slightly below budget. We continue to serve everyone we would have served as well as applicants that Metro Action was unable to serve. It was noted some clients received assistance out of the Camilla Caldwell Fund. We have requested an increase for family services grants in our 2004 budget.

Other
There being no further business before the Board, Chair Neighbors adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m.