Board of Commissioners Meeting February 28, 2007
Board Members Present: Leonard Bradley, Glenn Carter, Dot Dobbins, Jose Gonzalez, and Linda Mattson
Board Members Absent: Gwen Harris and Barbara Toms
Legal Advisor: Kathryn Evans
Chair Lady Mattson called the meeting to order.
Motion: Approval of January 24th meeting minutes
Made by: Commissioner Carter
Seconded: Commissioner Dobbins
Passed Unanimously
Executive Director’s Report: Gerri Robinson
Mrs. Robinson noted the following:
- COA Peer Review Schedules are located in the board packets. COA breakfast with the board members is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6th. Currently a total of four Commissioners are able to attend.
- Introduced new systems coordinator, Jessica Campbell. Jessica comes to MSS from GNRC with an extensive background with the SAM’s system, GNRC’s nutrition data base.
Finance Report – Pam McEwen
- Most programs are well under budget with the exception of the nutrition program which is slightly over budget. Issues regarding over budgeted items have been identified and corrective actions have been taken. The sales of liquid supplements are offset by revenue, so expenditures will be a little over budget. Food preparation services have currently seen a decrease in expenditures.
- Pam responded to Commissioner Mattson’s question regarding the Homemaker program and why it is under budget. The primary reason for programs being under budget is due to salaries. The Homemaker unit had several vacant positions for a short time which leads to additional funds being available. The Homemaker unit is actually generating more revenue than we anticipated, approximately $16,000 more than anticipated.
Report On Contracts
- An Invitation to Bid (ITB) for burial vaults was issued. ITB6009MA is the first ITB on the new and improved e-procurement system. The invitation closes on March 5, 2007. All future contracts will be going through this same process.
- In response to Commissioner Harris’ question last meeting regarding the submission of MAXIMUS’ report, Mrs. Robinson stated that Don Dotson, Office of Internal Audits reported that his office would receive the report by the end of the week. An exact date for release of the report to the Commission was not provided.
Old Business – MSS Contract with GNRC FY 07/08
- Mrs. Robinson reminded the Commissioners of an email sent after her meeting with Ernestine Bowers, Executive Director of GNRC. Ms Bowers’s agenda was the intent of MSS to contract with GNRC for FY07/08. This meeting precipitated Ms. Robinson’s request for approval to contract with GNRC for the up coming fiscal year.
- Commissioner Mattson felt approval to contract was included in the Budget approved in January 2007.
- Commissioner Bradley asked if the Commission could commit to contract contingent upon council providing requested funds. Ms. Robinson responded in the affirmative.
- Mrs. Robinson requested a formal vote for approval to move forward and requested a motion be made to the effect.
Motion: Motion was made that we approve the contract for next year, FY07/08
and
that the Executive Director of Metro Social Service inform GNRC of our
action in writing.
Made by: Commissioner Bradley
Seconded: Commissioner Dobbins
Passed unanimously
Request to Pursue Medicaid Waiver – Gerri Robinson
- Mrs. Robinson began the discussion by stating that GNRC is very pleased with our service and they have requested that MSS apply to become a waiver provider. Commissioners were directed to a copy of the waiver in their packets
- Lee Stewart provided the following information:
- 100 people are currently enrolled in Davidson County and the pressure is on the system to enroll as many people as quickly as possible
- 3,700 slots are available state wide this year and they are filled on a first come first serve basis;
- Individuals eligible are those that would ordinarily be eligible for a nursing home, but they choose to receive services in their home. The state has asked the federal government for a waiver of certain rules so that the money that would ordinarily have been spent on the person in the nursing home can be used in community based services.
- In order to qualify to be enrolled in the Medicaid Waiver Program one must be frail, have limited mobility and have some kind of safety plan.
- To MSS this means that the Nutrition part of it would be another funding source for the needs of the people in Nashville and we could also reduce the waiting list for Homemakers if we wanted to refer clients to the Medicaid Waiver program.
- Mrs. Robinson restated the department’s firm commitment to work in the 10 council districts with the highest rate of poverty. One thing we need to be very careful of is when we have a waiver program such as this, those persons most in need seem not to get service.
- Commissioner Carter asked if the potential recipients have to apply for this service, or are referrals made for them. Lee Stewart stated that the potential enrollee is either referred to the AAAD or they call themselves. It is a single point of entry system; all enrollees go through the area agency in their region. There are a total of 3 case management agencies.
- Commissioner Carter asked how we will get the word out to potential enrollees. Lee Stewart stated that MSS would first contact customers on a current waiting list and we could also provide information at different health fairs.
- Mrs. Robinson stated that one way to limit access to a program is to say that the individual in need of that service must make that call and must be able to navigate that bureaucracy. We are going to be the advocate for the seniors and part of Lee Stewart’s responsibility is to get the word out.
- Commissioner Gonzalez asked if the capacity is there. Demitria Norman stated that the Nutrition program does have the capacity to serve a Medicaid Waiver.
- Commissioner Bradley asked if there were other agencies within Davidson County that would be providing the same services. Lee Stewart stated that there are only two Nutrition providers under the waiver within Davidson County.
- Commissioner Bradley stated that if we get into this and discovered there are other agencies capable and willing to provide the others service, could we pass up the offer? Mrs. Robinson stated that would involve negotiations. However, keep in mind the data that has been provided to you. MSS is basically the only provider for very low income seniors. Commissioner Bradley felt it was a good idea for Nutrition services.
- Mrs. Robinson stated that our application would be for Nutrition and Homemaker Services.
Motion: Motion was made that we pursue the Medicaid Waiver Program.
Made by: Commissioner Dobbins
Seconded: Commissioner Carter
Passed unanimously
- Commissioner Bradley noted that January 07 services to the Homeless were three times greater than services in 06. Commissioner Bradley wondered how much of that increase was due to the harsh January and how much may have been due to the visibility of the program.
- Demitria Norman stated that the increase could be due to both of those reasons. However, most people know we are here.
- Commissioner Bradley asks if direct services provided by our staff and referrals from other agencies made up the 176 total for January. Demitria Norman stated that the 176 is for MSS and they are current cases.
- Metro Social Services will have the Board Retreat on May 12th, location to be determined.
Motion: Motion was made to adjourn meeting and Commissioners will remain
to have the COA Site Visit Tutorial.
Made by: Commissioner Bradley
Seconded: Commissioner Dobbins
Passed unanimously