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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-03-17 adj404 March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 17, 1986, at 2:45 P.M., in Meeting Room 7, Second Floor, County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia; said meeting being adjourned from March 12, 1986. PRESENT: Mr. F. R. Bowie, Mrs. Patricia H. Cooke, Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher (arrived at 3:47 P.M.), J. T. Henley, Jr., C. Timothy Lindstrom and Peter T. Way. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert W. Tucker, Jr. County Executive, Guy B. Agnor, Jr., and Deputy County Executive, Agenda Item No. 1. Mrs. Cooke. The meeting was called to order at 2:45 P.M. by the Vice-Chairman, Agenda Item No. 2. Budget Work Session, 1986-87 County Budget. Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE). Requested $22,406; Reco~m~ended $22 406 Present was Ms. Debbie Cobb, Director. · ' Mr. Tucker described the services that the Shelter provides, and added that it trains and coordinates 180 volunteers. Albemarle residents who were admitted to the Shelter num- bered 87 in the fiscal year 1984-85, which is a 25 percent increase over the previous year, and accounted for 24 percent of the Shelter's total admissions. The shelter is requesting a 5.6 percent increase over last year's appropriation. Mr. Tucker discussed the local share formula, and said that the Program Review Committee and the County Executive's Office recom- mend full funding for the Shelter. All localities in Planning District Ten contributed funding last year accounting for and 11 percent increase in the revenues. Residents from areas whose allocation is exhausted before the end of the fiscal year are charged fees, as are residents from non-contributing localities. The amount recommended for appropriation to the Shelter is $22,406, which is a 5.71 percent increase. Mrs. Cooke asked Mrs. Cobb if she would like to speak to the Board, since there were no questions from Board members. Ms. Cobb thanked the County Executive's Office and the Program Review Committee for recommending full funding for next year. She told the Board that the Shelter is searching for a new house because the current house is deteriorating and also because the location is not as safe as it could be for residents who come there. The faci- lity has been identified, and private funding will be sought. She handed out a brochure that describes the Shelter's activities. She mentioned that the Shelter is very proud of its Outreach Program, and it has been very successful in Albemarle County. She introduced Ms. Nina Ravo, who is the Shelter's Outreach worker. Mrs. Cooke asked where the private donations come from, and Mrs. Cobb answered that they come from fund raising, grant applications to private foundations and from spontaneous contributions. Mrs. Cooke then wanted to know if some people pay a fee for the services the Shelter provides. Mrs. Cobb replied that the Shelter collects approximately $200 a year in client fees. Ms. Ravo said that she has increased the county office hours from eight hours a month to 16 hours a month, and has made 88 individual contacts with key community figures who make referrals to the organization. She has also developed another home for Albemarle residents when the Shelter is full. From January until May of this year two students will be working in Albemarle County which will increase visibility by 200 percent in the County. They will spend five hours a week every week until May. She said puppet shows have been done in some of the elementary schools and day care centers and there have been presentations about non-violent problem solving done at the two County high schools. Individualized training programs have been done for the Department of Social Services and the Albemarle County Police Department, specifically on how to make referrals to the Shelter and how to work with bat- tered men and women. A ten part seminar series was done in the community and was open to Albemarle County staff and was well attended by County staff persons. Ms. Ravo said puppet shows have now been scheduled in all of the Albemarle County elementary schools, and in the summer the Shelter receives a lot of requests for puppet shows from day care centers. She added that community and civic groups also make requests for speaking engagements. Mr. Bowie thanked the Shelter's representatives for supplying the information that had been requested last year. Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA). Requested $26,848; Recommended $18 564. Present was Mr. Gordon Walker, Executive Director. ' Mr. Tucker gave a rundown on services provided by JABA. He said that JABA serves persons over the age of 60, especially those with social or economic needs and those elderly individuals at risk of institutionalization. JABA has served, through the first quarter of this fiscal year, 2,112 elderly County residents, and next year it projects to serve 2,396 elderly people in the County. This year $26,848 is requested by JABA, and it is approxi- mately a 135 percent increase. He said that the Program Review Committee and the County Executive's Office recommend that JABA be funded at $18,564 which represents a 62 percent increase over last year's appropriation level. He told the Board the reasons behind the Committee and the staff's recommendation and also described why JABA is asking for the increase. Mrs. Cooke asked if JABA had already coordinated its housing program with AHIP and Mr Tucker replied, "yes." ' ' Mr. Bowie asked if the $5,000 that was budgeted for the Home Safety Repair Program was used only for materials. Mr. Tucker answered, "yes." Mr. Tucker added that JABA has been working with AHIP, but AHIP is primarily doing the work. There have been some occasions when March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) 405 AHIP was too busy to get to a repair and it had to be done by someone else. However, this does not happen very often. Mrs. Cooke asked Mr. Gordon Walker to address the Board, and he said that if the equa- tion by which the County budget process is measured as successful is dollars saved, then the proposed County budget has succeeded. He said, however, if human values and ethics are applied, then the County budget should be judged ineffective and a failure for many persons. He said the challenge for Albemarle County is to shape policy to meet the reality of an aging society. It should involve providing opportunity for the well-elderly to contribute to the vitality of the community while at the same time committing the necessary resources to help the poor and disadvantaged. He said this should be done not only for the elderly but also for the large number of family care givers. He stated that the challenge is not met by asking those people needing care to wait for another year. He pointed out that these people have no choice but to wait, but some of them are living in unsafe housing, having an inade- quate diet, and without essential health care. He reminded the Board that JABA is not asking the County to meet this challenge alone, nor is it suggesting that the County pick up the full tab left by the Federal government. He said that during the past two years JABA has lost close to $62,000 in federal funding. Because of this, five staff positions have been eliminated, increasing the work of the remaining staff and reducing services to everyone but the home bound. He added that these cuts came at the same time that the demand was increas- ing. He said that this year's request represents only a small fraction of what was cut and what is needed. JABA is grateful for the recommended increase in home delivered meals, but he said the needs of the poor and frail cannot be met by one nutritious meal a day. The County is currently in a financial position to offer hope and encouragement to those who require assistance with life sustaining activities. Mr. Walker stated that the County government is being asked to do what it has the capacity to do, and that is to help the poor, frail and elderly live the remaining years of their lives with dignity in their own homes. He said that money spent now is a cost savings, because of the Home Safety Repair Program, which can possibly prevent many years of expensive nursing home care. Adult Day Care can defer and may eliminate unnecessary institutionalization. He told the Board that it has before it today an opportunity to show that it and the community care, are concerned and are committed to helping less fortunate persons. Mr. Walker handed out a fact sheet on the Home Safety Repair Program, and answered Mr. Bowie's question, by saying that some money was spent on labor in addition to materials, when AHIP was unavailable to provide labor to do the work. A slide presentation on the Home Safety Repair Program was shown and described. The Program provides mostly for the installation of bathroom safety equipment, and 110 homes have been provided with this since the program started. This Program, though, also provides for other safety measures such as building steps, adhesive in the bottom of bathtubs, marking stove dials, as well as help with medication. Another service that the program provides, especially for people who live alone, is to have all of the medical information that a rescue squad might need marked with a symbol that is recognized by the rescue squads and kept in the house for emergencies. Mr. Walker told the Board that JABA is thankful for the recommended $5,000 for materi- als, and JABA has made efforts to raise money from the private sector to use volunteers for this program and to use AHIP. However, AHIP was unable to handle any of the 26 referrals that were made to it. AHIP does not work on trailers and rental housing, and is usually too busy to deal with the sorts of things that JABA needs for it to do. If United Way approves JABA's application, some funding would be available January 1, 1987, but Mr. Walker reminded the Board that United Way does not like taking on large programs. He said he is trying to emphasize the importance of the full $11,000 request from the County in order to keep the program going. Mr. Way asked if'the $5,000 that was funded to JABA last year was used only for one-half of the year because it was totally expended? Mr. Walker responded that JABA did not receive the money until July 1, and it has been trying to spread that money out as much as possible. The money will be totally spent as of the end of April. Mr. Way stated that he believes in the Home Safety Repair Program, and believes the key to it is that it keeps people in their own homes for a longer length of time at a relatively small amount of money. He said that at the final budget approval, he will move for an increase in this funding. Adult Day Care Program. Requested $22,050; Recommended -0-. Mr. Tucker discussed the Adult Day Care Program. He said the program operates three days a week for four hours a day and serves only Charlottesville residents, however the Task Force is requesting County and City funding to expand this program into an Adult Day Care Program open five days a week, eight to nine hours a day, to serve County and City residents. He commented on the services this program provides and the staff needed to handle the expan- sion, and mentioned that the County's Parks and Recreation Department has been requested by the Task Force to provide a part-time aide to assist in some of the recreational activities. Mr. Tucker pointed out to the Board this request was listed as a new program under Parks and Recreation's request. He reminded the Board, however, that it was not recommended and no action has been taken to fund it. The new program would cost $3,000. Mr. Tucker said that the total amount requested is $22,050, which encompasses approximately 15 percent of the total budget. The Program Review Committee is recommending the Adult Day Care Program at a $16,000 level of funding, with $1,000 of that money being designated as an incentive toward transportation for the more rural populations who would benefit from this service. Mr. Tucker added that the County Executive's Office is not recommending funding of the program primarily due to the uncertainty of what effect Federal budget cuts may have on social programs and the County's concern of establishing a new program, and then possibly having to cut or reduce it next year. Board members had no questions, so Mr. Walker addressed the Board. He said that many persons, from many organizations, have been working diligently to get a full-time Adult Day 4O6 March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) Care Program established in this community. He said that JABA has been asked to be the administrative sponsor of the program, but because of Federal cut-backs, there is a need to come to the local government and ask for its contribution. He handed out a fact sheet on the Day Care Program which supplemented Mr. Tucker's presentation. He said there are a lot of people living to old age in a physically deteriorating condition, and living longer on a fixed or diminishing income at a time when health Care expenses are increasing. He stated that a Center is more cost efficient than sending a worker to one home, and the County can better spend its money for home care services to persons of more intense needs. The program also helps keep family care givers on the job or allows them to seek employment. This contributes to local economy, and reduces the potential burnout of family care givers. With regard to County funding, he stated that this is not a new program, but is a part-time pilot program which has been in existence for one and one-half years and has been funded primarily with City Community Development Block Grant money~, money from JABA and the Red Cross. He pointed out that now County residents are not eligible for the program, because in order to serve them, the program needs County money. Mr. Walker also told the Board that the size of the County contribution could shrink in future years if licensure is gained, because there is a good chance that Medicaid might provide funding to the low income indigent, and State funding can possibly be obtained through Social Service departments. He said that the fact sheet that he gave to the Board also has budget information in regard to the program. He gave Mr. Tucker some petitions from people in the Esmont and North Garden areas, who, Mr. Walker said, will never be able to appreciate day care without County funding. Mr. Way again stated that when the full budget is presented to the Board, it will be his intention to move that this program be included, and he will do it for a number of reasons. He is aware that there have been people throughout the community who have been working hard for a long time o~ establishing such a program. There already is a program, but unfortu- nately, no County residents can participate. According to surveys, there are approximately 396 Albemarle residents who would be eligible for this type of program, and he feels that it will benefit the County because these people have to have someone with them at all times, and it is usually a family member. This would provide family members the opportunity to seek employment within the community and would increase the number of people served, because many people could be sent to this program, while others needing home care could be served at home. Mr. Way added that there would be a tremendous amount of savings in preventing institution- alization. The County does very little, if anything, for therapeutic recreation for adults, and he thinks the County has an obligation to do this. Mr. Way's final point was that he agreed with Mr. Walker that this will probably leverage additional funds. He feels that it is important for the County to participate in this program and hopes that the Board will follow the recommendation of the Committee. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). was Ms. Lida Pritchett, Director. Requested $5,000; Recommended $5,000. Present Mr. Tucker discussed the RSVP program and its services. He stated that volunteers are persons 60 years of age or older. There are 350 volunteers enrolled in the program, with 82 percent who actively contributed 53,781 hours in the fiscal year 1984-85. There is $5,000 requested, and it will be used to supplement underbudgeted areas. Mr. Tucker then gave the reasons why the Program Review Committee and the County Executive's staff is recommending funding for RSVP. Since there were no questions from the Board for Mr. Tucker, Ms. Pritchett, Director of RSVP, spoke to the Board and thanked the County Executive's Staff for their support. She said that the RSVP program uses volunteerism as a mechanism to improve the quality of life for those persons over 60 years of age. It serves as a liaison between retired citizens and community agencies throughout the region. She pointed out that of the 350 volunteers who are enrolled, 22 percent of them are County residents. If the hours of service volunteered were broken down by County residents, they would have donated $11,831.82. She added that several volunteers could earn far more than the $5.00 per hour figure used for calculations. She gave further statistics on the volunteers, and said that 48 percent of the volunteers were minorities. Ms. Pritchett mentioned that these volunteers are placed in over 100 organiza- tions including the Albemarle County's public schools, Social Services Department, Historical Society, etc. She also discussed several special programs that exist within RSVP. She added that because there will be a 50 percent increase in the number of people over the age of 65 between now and the year 2020, RSVP is needed and growing. Financing, however, has been frozen for six years on the federal level, and now it is beginning to be cut, so local support is extremely important. She said that if the $5,000 is allocated from the County, it will be used for volunteer travel, recognition, supplies, postage, printing and training related expenses. Mr. Bowie requested information, sometime in the future, on which social service agen- cies use RSVP's services and to what extent. Ms. Pritchett answered that she had already given the staff the names of the agencies that use RSVP's services, but it was not broken down by hours. Monticello Community Action Agency (MACAA). Requested $56,812; Recommended $19,135. Present was Mr. Ken Ackerman, Executive Director. Mr. Tucker presented MACAA's budget request to the Board, and gave a description of the program. He said that in fiscal year 1984-85, MACAA served 860 County residents, and the agency projects that it will continue to serve a constant number of County residents. However, if the County supports the "Education for Life" program, 160 additional County resi- dents could be served. MACAA's total request is for $56,812 and is a 208 percent increase. The Program Review Committee and the County Executive are recommending $19,135, which will be used for continued operation of M~CAA's existing programs. In addition, MACAA is also requesting $37,676 to establish the Education for Life Program in the County schools, which is a new program aimed at providing support to disadvantaged children and youth and their families in achieving success in the classroom and higher education attairnnent. The Commit- March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) ~(Paqe 4) 407 tee does not recommend funding this new program at this time, and Mr. Tucker gave the Committee's reasons behind its recommendation. (Mr. Henley left the meeting at 3:40 p.m.) Mr. Ken Ackerman said he appreciated Mr. Agnor's support of the agency and the Board's support in the past. He mentioned that the basic request of $19,135 is to match the state funding under the community services block grant. He said that next year looks stable with that funding. He warned the Board, though, that the following year does not look as good. When next year's budget is done, some basic services may be threatened in terms the Federal grant funding. He pointed out one community service block grant that is currently being funded at $250,000, and is projected for 1987 to be cut to $180,000. He briefly highlighted the Education for Life Project, and said that his agency is the second agency in Virginia to develop a program called "Project Discovery." This program is to help teenagers in the early school years lOok at the prospect of higher education after public school. He said that in Roanoke, where this program was being conducted last year, 32 students graduated from the Roanoke Project and 23 went on to college. He said the other nine students who did not go to college either went into a training program, or the military, with plans to go into college later, or they went to work with plans to go to college later. When this budget request was submitted to the County, MACAA was unaware of any funding to support this program beyond the local funds. The General Assembly has now approved funding Project Discovery for seven areas in Virginia, and Charlottesville is one of them. This means that the Agency stands to gain approximately $30,000 to promote Project Discovery in the areas that are served. That money, however, is requiring a 50 percent match. The part of the budget that is tied to Project Discovery is $20,000, and he asked the Board to consider half of this amount. He said that with $10,000, a twelve month Project Discovery could be developed for 88 students in the County for next year. He 'said that in Charlottesville, the students who have gone through the workshops have gone back into the school system and improved their achievement, and it has a big effect on the family when there are brothers and sisters involved. There is an advisory council that oversees this program, and it is made.up of the City School Superintendent and representatives from the Admissions Office of the University of Virginia, the Admissions Office of Piedmont Virginia College, and the guidance staffs. He said that any amount that the Board will appropriate that will match the State funding will help County students, even if only half of the $10,000 is funded. The program could then at least run for one-half a year. He said the other part of the funding request is for a follow-through program of Head Start. There are two Head Start Centers in Albemarle County, and this year a staff person has been hired to work with those families to encourage parents to continue working and continue an interest in the children as they leave Head Start and other pre- school activities. He pointed out that there is a waiting list in Charlottesville for families who want this service. He said that at a recent meeting 100 low income parents came to support their children. Mr. Way asked if Project Discovery includes the Education for Life Program as well as the Head Start Program, and Mr. Ackerman answered, "yes." (Mr. Henley returned at 3:46 p.m. Mr. Fisher arrived at 3:47 p.m. but did not take the Chair.) Emergency Medical Services Council (EMS). Present was Ms. Brenda Barbour, Coordinator. Requested $9,586; Recommended $5,500. Mr. Tucker made his presentation to the Board on the Emergency Medical Services Council. The budget request for this year is $9,586 which is a 41 percent increase over last year's appropriation. The Program Review Committee and the County Executive's staff do not recom- mend funding at the requested level, and Mr. Tucker gave the reasons behind this recom- mendation. Mr. Fisher asked what programs are offered to the general public. Mr. Tucker answered that the first aid program is offered to teachers, and CPR has been offered to the general public. He said that there may be other programs that the representative of EMS could discuss. Mr. Way asked if the Program Review Committee and the County Executive are recommending the same amount of funding? Mr. Tucker responded,"yes." Mr. Bowie said it appears to him that information that was requested last year is still not included with this year's request. Mr. Tucker replied that many of the things requested have not been spoken to, however, the Committee felt, after talking to some of the rescue squad captains that are served by EMS, that it was a good program, and the captains were satisfied with some of the things that the director had been doing. For that reason, the Committee recommended funding the rent portion of the request. Mr. Fisher asked if there was something included in the funding for this year that was in addition to the rent. Mr. Tucker replied "yes", and it will be brought up later. Ms. Barbour next spoke to the Board and responded to Mr. Fisher's question as to the programs that are available to the public. She said one of the primary programs of EMS informs the lay public as to what to look for when someone is having a heart attack. Another program teaches individuals what type of information is needed when placing calls to rescue squads. She stated that she also promotes the rescue squads and disseminates information to the squads that she receives when doing presentations to the public. EMS is also in a data collection process, and Ms. Barbour feels that she was able to give better figures this year than in past years. She said EMS did receive a computer grant, and she is in the beginning stages of getting the computer in operation. She is the only staff person and works with a board of 30 volunteers. Ms. Barbour added that, for the past two years, she has been trying to get the program to the point where it should have been five or six years ago. She said that rescue squads are now aware of EMS and are calling when they need a program, equipment loans or a resource person. Since July, Ms. Barbour said EMS has generated $23,100 to two of the County's rescue squads in a 50/50 matching fund basis to go toward needed equipment. This was done through a grant process, and one grant generated $21,500 to one squad. She 408 March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) (Page 5) said this would not have been possible if it had not been for the EMS Council. Ms. Barbour next referred to the fact that a needs assessment was not done in the last year. She said the reason for this was that Price Waterhouse did a full evaluation of all emergency medical service systems in Virginia. She said that Price Waterhouse found that there was a lack of understanding for the role of EMS, and a lack of management regarding the certification information of individuals. She is currently feeding into the computer all of the personnel data on every rescue squad person in Planning District Ten. There was also a feeling that there was a lack of workable disaster plans at the various agency levels. The Council has been working with rescue squads on mass casualty incidents planning and training. Price Waterhouse found that the majority of EMS dispatchers are not trained in emergency medical dispatch. The Council is, at this time, working with the 911 Dispatch Center in trying to get a designated emergency medical services dispatcher. Ms. Barbour next addressed the concern of leveraging of funds. She said the state division of EMS requires that all councils within the State have at least 25 percent of their budgets come from the localities or other funding sources. She mentioned that the Council does not fit into the Comprehensive Plan of Albemarle County, but she said that all of the programs have minority participants, and there are programs for handicapped individuals and senior citizens. She next discussed the local share formula and said that 21 percent of all of the rescue personnel in Planning District Ten are from Albemarle County, and 34 percent of participants who attend EMS programs are from Albemarle County. She said the primary func- tion of EMS should be for rescue squads, but she is hearing from squad leaders that more public information and education is needed. She stated that the EMS Council is responsible for coordinating day-to-day EMS activities and for informing the public of the vital role that EMS plays in the quality of life and to educate the public to become a part of the EMS system. She said there are 15 components listed in the Board's budget packet. In assessing program fees, Ms. Barbour said that the only cost involved for the programs would be her time. She said that she has broken down the hours, and it works out to be approximately $20 an hour. However, if a professional were brought in to do a program, the cost would be from $35 to $75 an hour. She added that most of the programs have a minimal cost to the participant or no cost at all. She mentioned that the three hour, first aid course that was given to the teachers last year was of no cost to the County. She thanked the Board members for their time, and said she hoped she had clarified some of the questions and concerns that they had. She introduced Ms. Ann Davis, a volunteer with the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad, and a Board member of the EMS Council. Ms. Davis said that her Board feels that the EMS Council has done a fine job for the rescue squads. She said the Council provides a liaison between the squads and the State Emergency Medical Services Office that the squads could never achieve on their own. She mentioned that Ms. Barbour gives a great deal of assistance in grant writing, and Ms. Davis's squad is the recipient of a $21,500 matching grant from the State for purchasing a four wheel drive vehicle. She added that other agencies in Planning District Ten have received some expensive advanced life support equipment for cardiac calls, which was done through fhe EMS Council on a group grant. She does not believe that this would have been possible without the EMS Council. Ms. Davis told the Board that last year approximately 40 volunteers at the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad gave more than 44,000 man hours to the community just in manning the building and answering the calls. She emphasized that the Council provides equipment, materials, and other things that the squads could never afford on their own. She said that the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad offers its support to the EMS Council, and she asked the Board to assist with the funding. Health Department. Prindle, Director. Requested $420,725; Recom~ended $383,640. Present was Dr. Richard Mr. Tucker explained the services of the Health Department to the Board, which are available to everyone in the County, although emphasis is placed on low income persons. The Health Department is requesting $420,725 which is a 14 percent increase. Full funding is recommended by the Program Review Committee, but the County Executive's Office is recom- mending only a four percent increase, which is more in line with what the City is funding and also more in line with the cost of living that has been given to a lot of other agencies. Mr. Fisher said that it looks as though the County's and the City's percentages of increase are growing. He asked if this is in direct relation to population. Mr. TUcker answered, "yes." He understands that the local share is broken down basically due to popula- tion. Mr. Fisher commented that it looks as though the percentage of the total is going up in every jurisdiction except for Fluvanna County. In reply to Mr. Fisher's comment, Mr. Agnor explained that he believes it is a product of the total costs going up, and he does not think the ratio of the population has changed for a number of years. Mr. Tucker agreed with Mr. Agnor and said this is basicallY true if the 1980 census data is used. Dr. Prindle spoke to the Board next, and he mentioned that the budget requests always come in October, and that is before there is any idea what the State funding will be. He said that is the reason for the 14 percent increase, and he admits that it is out of line with reality. Adjustments have been made since that time, and it is found now that less of a request needs to be made to the County. He mentioned, however, that revenues are decreasing, and the Health Department is now in the position where the revenues are not meeting projec- tions. He suspects it will be worse next year. He also pointed out that medical costs are increasing faster than those costs in other fields. Dr. Prindle referred to Senate Document Number Ten which he said may be put into action, and would relate to part-time and hourly wage personnel. He said that, in their shortage of personnel, Health Departments throughout the state have been employing people under temporary rules, and then keeping them employed for long periods of time. At this time, Dr. Prindle changed his request to $391,019, which he said would be the same percentage increase that the Health Department will be receiving from the City. Dr. Prindle explained that the State makes allocations to Community Health Services, which is the March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) (Page 6) organization that the Health Department is a part of, and that group divides it for the five regional offices. Mr. Fisher asked if there are still people in the Health Department who are on the County's payroll. Dr. Prindle answered that there is one County person in the Health Depart- ment, but he said that this does not show in this budget. He said this position is fully funded from Federal funds. United Way Child Care Scholarship Program. Requested $13,796; Recon~ended -0-. Present were Mr. Leroy Hamlett from United Way, and Mr. Ron Gentry, member of the program's Child Care Committee. Mr. Tucker gave a description of the United Way Child Care Scholarship Program for the Board. He said that 22 children from Albemarle County were awarded scholarships under this Program last year, and at least 14 of these children came from homes where public assistance had formerly been received. There are 15 County children who remain on the waiting list, with three of these children having been on the list since March of 1985. The funding request this year is for $13,796 and represents eight and one-half percent of the total budget, but Mr. Tucker called attention to the fact that this program has never been funded by the County. The Program Review Committee recommends full funding for the Scholarship Program, but the County Executive's Office is continuing with its recommendation not to fund this program because the County's Social Services Department does provide some child care funding for people who are on public assistance and are in need of child care services while they are looking for work. He explained the difference between the County's program and the Scholarship Program. Mr. Fisher asked under what circumstances a single parent who qualifies for support .through social Services is eligible for day care. Mr. Tucker explained that the parent is eligible for day care through the Social Services Department until employment is obtained. Mr. Fisher was confused as to why a parent who was home needed child care, and after employ- ment was found, the child care was cut off. Mr. Tucker explained that the United Way Scholar ship Program provides for this gap 'between obtaining a job and then earning enough money to be able to pay for child care, and the County's program does not provide for as much assis- tance. Mr. Fisher said it sounds to him as though the County's program would help a person find a job but not keep it, and what is being proposed with the Scholarship Program is more of an inducement for a parent to put the child in a day care center and remain employed. Mr. Tucker agreed that certainly from the standpoint of obtaining assistance, which is provided on a sliding scale, the Scholarship Program is probably better. The next presentation on the Scholarship Program was made by Mr. Leroy Hamlett, and he said that the program is in its eleventh year. He stated that not only are there scholar- ships for day care centers, but also for day care homes. The Scholarship Program basically takes over where the County's Program leaves off, and until people have employment, they will not qualify for the scholarship. This is a floating scholarship, based on the family income and the number of children in the family. He said that United Way has been very supportive of the program, and has given an average of 10 percent every year to it. But, there are more children in the region who need child care than United Way can provide for, and that is why jurisdictions have been contacted. At the end of 1985, there were 20 County children on the waiting list. Mr. Hamlett said the waiting lists vary a great deal, and in January of 1986 obligations for the first half of the year have already been made. Anyone who does not have a scholarship at this time will have to wa-it for a review in July or for someone to drop off the scholarship list. At this time, there are ten County children on the scholarship list. He pointed out that there has been a decrease from 20 children to ten, but he said that the . · ' that there will be an increase between now and June. He said what is needed is~', likelihood is · · · d ..................= ~11T%1'1]~110~1~' ~'~'% ~$ Unz'ted Way_ scholarshzps, because there are chzldren zn need of uare an day ~re centers and day care homes with space available, but there are no funds to help these children. He said that the Scholarship Program is receiving some aid from another jurisdiction, and that all of the jurisdictions need to take a hard look at this problem during the next few years. Mr. Hamlett said the program will be looking at other sources of funding, but there is an immediate concern. He gave an example of one County child receivin( a scholarship at the full amount of $28 a week and said it would amount to approximately $1,400 or $1,500 for the entire year, and all ten children, fully funded, would be in the range of $15,000. He would like to see the County begin to assist in some minor amount. He introduced Mr. Ron Gentry, a member of the program's Child Care Committee, and said he would like to address the Board. Mrs. Cooke asked if the County children, who are on the waiting list, are in day care centers waiting for assistance. Mr. Hamlett replied that when the Center has the funds, it will underwrite the child temporarily until the scholarship stage is reached. If not, the child is waiting in limbo. The Albemarle County children, who are on the waiting list, are not in any program at all at this time. Mrs. Cooke pointed out that Mr. Hamlett, in his presentation, said that there were spaces ava:ilable in day care centers and day care homes. Yet, earlier in the week, the Boar~ was told that the area was in dire need of providers of day care in the County and were aske~ to appropriate money to help certify providers. She said she is confused and would like to-- know what the situation really is. Mr. Hamlett said he could only answer for his Board, and i! he currently knows of four slots that are available. Mr. Gentry spoke about some of the more practical issues of day care. He said he is a local businessman and is a life long resident of Albemarle County. He stated that it repre- sents a lost opportunity when a child cannot get care because of lack of funds. He said the scholarship will allow a parent to maintain employment, and the child will get the good experience of quality day care. He pointed out that if a taxpayer can be added to the rolls~ that money will come back, and he believes this will offset the County's cost of providing the assistance for the family. He added that the family will also feel more self esteem. Most importantly, however, is the impact of the educational experience at a preschool level for the child. He said statistics show that a typical child who has gone through a day care 410 March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) (Page 7) or a preschool educational experience is less prone to deliquency in later years and is more likely to graduate from high school, and complete a college education. He would like to assume that these children who grow up here will come back and live and work in Albemarle County. He thinks the community has a duty to provide that opportunity for the children who will be making up the future of this County. He also mentioned the problem of latch key children, and said that frequently the husband's and wife's salaries are both needed, which leaves older children trying to supervise smaller children. He thinks day care helps to fill that gap and will make a parent more productive in the work place. He asked the Board's consideration and asked Mr. Agnor to reconsider his earlier recommendation not to fund this program. He said he had noticed that there were several other agencies that were recommended for funding, and he does not think that some of these are as worthy as the future of the County's children. Mrs. Cooke asked if there is any effort by the Scholarship Agency to contact industries to support day care for parents who are employed by their companies. Mr. Gentry answered that the University of Virginia is active in supporting day care centers and makes contri- butions for such services. Mr. Hamlett added that the University has set up its own day care center. He said there is some difficulty with this, because this program is attuned t~ the needs of the hospital's personnel such as medical doctors, registered nurses, etc., rather than caring for children of workers of lower income. He said that one child is currently receiving a scholarship at the hospital. Mr. Bowie inquired if any businesses are contributing to the Scholarship Program. Mr. Hamlet replied, "no." He said that for the last three years, representatives of the Scholar- ship Program have contacted businesses with several approaches. One approach would be for the business to set up its own day care center. Another would be for the business to buy a slot at another day care center. He said these contacts, however, have been unsuccessful. Mrs. Cooke mentioned that industries also support United Way, so they may feel that their contributions are already being made. Mr. Fisher asked if all parents living in the house have to be working, whether it is one or two, and will the incomes have to be below a certain limit based on the number of people in the family. Mr. Hamlet answered Mr~ Fisher by saying, "yes." He went on to describe the procedure of awarding the scholarships. Mr. Fisher then asked if the parent or parents stop working or if the income goes beyond a certain level, is the child no longer eligible for a scholarship. Mr. Hamlett answered that Mr. Fisher is correct. Mr. Fisher said it seems to him that the average scholarship is smaller than $30 per week. He wondered if this is because of partial scholarships. Mr. Hamlett answered that the averages vary because a child may not stay the whole time, and another may replace him in the program. This would mean that two children would be reflected in the total, but not in the scholarship amount. Mr. Way commented that he supported this program last year and is inclined to do it again this year to some degree. He is bothered, however, by the statement that Mr. Gentry made concerning surveys indicating that children who are in day care centers have a better opportunity to succeed educationally than children who are not. Mr. Gentry responded that the survey he is referring to tracked children from 1962 until they were 26 years old. It showed that children who were a part of day care or preschool experience had a better chance of successfully completing school and going on to higher education. The study, though, did not explain the difference between day care and preschool. Mr. Way stated that it scares him that people are being told that it is better to have their children reared by other people rather than rearing them themselves. Mr. Gentry answered that if a family does not need day care, then it is not critical. But in situations when this extra income is needed and the parent cannot leave the child unattended, the only option is day care. Another comment was made that none of the children are placed in day care centers that are not licensed or certified. Youth Service Center. Carpenter, Director. Requested $8,738; Recommended -0-. Present was Mr. Roy Mr. Tucker next presented the Youth Service Center's budget request to the Board. He described the services of the Center, but he said that Albemarle County youths have not been served since July 1, 1984, when the County funding was terminated. If funded by the City and County, the Center plans to serve 13 youths in Project Soar and 125 in Rent-A-Teen from each jurisdiction. The request is for $8,738, which is 14.4 percent of the Center's budget. The Program Review Committee and the County Executive do not recommend funding of the Youth Service Center at this time. The Committee, however, would have considered recommending funding for Project Soar if it had been possible to break it out from the Center's other services in hopes that Outreach Counseling could draw down the State funding that is available through Project Soar. Mrs. Cooke said this is the third or fourth time this agency has requested funds from this Board. At each budget session, she has asked that the Center present documentations and data that is needed for funding to be considered. She said that when the next budget session comes around the data to support the request is still not given to the Board. She will not support the request in any way, because the Board is continually ignored in its requests to this agency. Mr. Roy Carpenter, Director of the Youth Service Center, commented that he had just become Director of the Center in June and cannot respond to past criticisms. He said that due to an extensive lobbying effort on the Association's part, the State Legislature has been convinced to give the Center additional funding, which will mean a 14 percent increase from the State this year and an eight percent increase from the State next year. This means that the Center's budget request to the County can be cut from $8,738 to $7,800. He said that this funding presents a good match that would improve direct and indirect services to the County. March 17, 1986 (Afternoon-Adjourned Meeting) (Page 8) Mr. Way asked for comments on the statement that was made pertaining to how outreach counseling could draw down funds from the State. A gentleman answered Mr. Way by saying that because approximately half of the resources of the Service Center are direct outreach coun- seling services, if $7,800 is drawing down a $31,000 budget, approximately half of that would be outreach counseling services. He said, therefore, that an $8,000 appropriation would yield approximately $16,000 of outreach counseling services. Mrs. Cooke asked how many youths have been served in the past year in Project Soar. She said it seemed to her that these statistics would be easy for the Center to keep. Mr. Carpenter replied that the Center has these statistics, and they have been provided to the Board. He said the plan for next year is to serve 13 youths from the County and 13 youths from the City in the Project Soar Program. Last year approximately 30 City youths were served in the Project Soar Program and 125 in the Rent-A-Teen Program. He went on to say that the State mandates the Center to provide coordination/community organization planning type programs, but localities want the Center to do direct services, so Project Soar was developed to meet this need. There are two components in the Youth Service Program and one in indirect services and community organization. The other component is direct services such as counseling and Rent-A-Teen. Mrs. Cooke asked if the youths served in Project Soar are dropouts. Mr. Carpenter answered, "no." He said these children are at risk of dropping out of school, and are middle school age children. Mrs. Cooke then wanted to know how much success could be attributed to Project Soar. Mr. Carpenter reported that of the approximately 39 to 40 students that have been counseled up to this point, only two have dropped out of school. He explained that this is a long term program, however, and the only way to measure the success of this program is to see if these children graduate when their class graduates in three years. He mentioned, though, that the children's attendance and grades do improve. Mrs. Cooke asked when the Program started, and Mr. Carpenter said it started in 1979. Mrs. Cooke asked if the Center had any statistics as to what had happened over the four year period. Mr. Carpenter replied that Project Soar only started two years ago, but in terms of the Rent-A-Teen Program, statistics are available. He said that the Center is in the process of doing extensive evaluation of Project Soar. He said the State has mandated it and the City has requested it. Emergency Medical Com~unications. Requested $239; Recommended $239. Mr. Agnor called the Board's attention to an item entitled Emergency Medical Communi- cations, and stated that this is the cost of a maintenance contract for the radio system of the rescue squads. He said it is listed as a separate line item, and Albemarle County's share is $239. Albemarle pays Fluvanna County because Fluvanna actually does the maintenance on this system. Mr. Fisher said he wanted to make sure that the money for the radio system maintenance is kept in the budget. He said that is the way that rescue squads communicate with each other, and the fee for this maintenance is small. Agenda Item No. 3. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Board and Public. Mr. Agnor told Board members that Totier Creek Reservoir has a waterline break under- neath the Reservoir. He said this is the second time this has happened in the last few years. The Reservoir will have to be drained and the pipe repaired. He said that people will not be able to fish there for approximately two weeks. He mentioned also that the fish often don't go downstream with the draining process, and some of the fish remain on the bottom of the lake. The Fish and Game Commission works with the Rivanna people to get the draining done and to save as many fish as possible. This will not affect the supply of water to the Town of Scottsville, because an adequate stream will provide ample water directly to the treatment process. Mr. Way questioned why the pipe breaks so easily. Mr. Agnor replied that it is a force main pipe that pumps from the Reservoir to the treatment facility, and the pressure occasion- ally breaks it. It often comes from the settling and adjustment of the ground. Agenda Item No. 4. Adjourn. At 5:00 P.M., Mr. Fisher offered motion to adjourn to March 18, 1986, at 4:00 P.M. Mr. Bowie seconded the motion. Roll was called and the motion carried with the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Bowie, Mrs. Cooke, Messrs. Fisher, Henley, Lindstrom and Way. None. C~A~TN