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HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION <br />MINUTES <br />FEBRUARY 15, 1999 <br />1 these areas. Therefore, the NHCAC is discussing the idea of submitting its quarterly <br />2 reviews of site visits and its semi - annual and annual summaries, which are public <br />3 record, to the Board of Commissioners. In addition, the NHCAC will propose to the <br />4 Board of Commissioners that these reports be posted on the World -Wide Web, where <br />5 these public records will be more accessible. In Durham County this is being done and <br />6 there have been significant improvements in nursing facilities. <br />7 <br />8 Mr. Marvin Block, representative of the Advisory Board on Aging, reported on <br />9 expansion of the senior centers in the near future. The attendance at the Galleria in <br />10 Chapel Hill has outgrown that facility. A temporary location is being sought until a new <br />11 senior center can be built. He also reported that there are renovations going on in some <br />12 of the other senior centers in Orange County. <br />13 <br />14 Mr. Block also stated that dental care for the elderly has been greatly neglected in our <br />15 community, as well as availability of long -term care facilities. <br />16 <br />17 Sue Russell of the Orange County Partnership for Young Children spoke about the <br />18 long waiting list for families who can't afford to pay for childcare. She described a recent <br />19 meeting of the Partnership for Young Children and elected officials, including a state <br />20 senator, a state representative, mayors and county commissioners. The Partnership <br />21 was able to show them that the need for childcare crosses over many different job <br />22 categories, including employees of the state, local municipalities, and employees of the <br />23 county. Ms. Russell stated that some families wait over a year to receive childcare <br />24 assistance. Often by the time assistance is offered to them they have relocated <br />25 because they cannot maintain their residence or job. The living situation becomes more <br />26 and more stressful as they try to juggle needs for work and childcare. Ms. Russell said <br />27 that paying for childcare is a good investment because it is more than returned in taxes. <br />28 <br />29 Marvin Block commented on the Blue Ribbon Committee appointed by the Lieutenant <br />30 Governor to look into the effectiveness of the Medicaid Program, which is not as <br />31 successful as the Legislature thought.it would be. There are many patients who are <br />32 being refused medical services because of low fees and other problems. <br />33 <br />34 Orange County Commissioner Barry Jacobs introduced himself and said that he will <br />35 be the liaison from the Board of County Commissioners this year on HSAC. He said <br />36 that he may not attend every meeting but will be available for consultation and input. <br />37 <br />38 Commissioner Jacobs commented on the childcare issue, saying this issue is high on <br />39 the Commissioners' list of priorities and will be discussed this evening when they meet <br />40 to finalize their goals for the year. They will also discuss the senior centers issue, i.e., <br />41 providing adequate and equal senior centers in both the northern and southern parts of <br />42 the county. <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />2of5 <br />H:WIY DOCSWSACWIINUTES \021598.DOC; Last printed 3/12/98 3:23 PM <br />