1986-03-17 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
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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
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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