MEMBERS: Paul J. Noto (Co-Chair), Lois Bronz (Co-Chair), Amy Paulin.

STAFF: Dolores Heredia

GUEST(S): Steven Friedman (DSS), Marian Kucerak (DSS), Ted Salem (DSS)

The meeting commenced at 11:10 AM. Leg. Noto asked Commissioner Friedman to discuss two reports issued by the Task Force on Families. The first report is "Kids Can’t Wait" an in-depth review of child support collection written with the aim of improving and enhancing the support collection system. Commissioner Friedman first noted that certain practices are no longer applied in the Department; for example, the Department eliminated its in-service training. A recommendation of the Task Force report was the hiring of additional staff and the development of an intensive training program for current staff to effectively implement the new federal and state changes. Commissioner Friedman stated he is looking into opening up the Department to relationships with outside agencies, changing the examination procedure to add additional employees as well as giving different titles to aid with affirmative employment. Commissioner Freedman noted that a handful of titles makes it hard for the Department to do anything for affirmative action and they are looking at alternative titles outside the manager series. Commissioner Friedman noted that this was the "macro" idea. Mrs. Paulin asked what where the "micro" or "specifics". Commissioner Friedman noted that the specifics are that there have been significant increases in collection; that there are new people reporting to others in the organization who are no longer wedded to the old ways; the instructions are to figure out the better ways to make this work. Leg. Noto stated that his concern is whether Commissioner Friedman is

interested in being a full time DSS Commissioner and, if not, whether the changes implemented will have to be changed later. Commissioner Friedman noted that he is not interested in the position, and he believes the changes he is suggesting will be the same concerns to any other candidate.

Next Mrs. Paulin addressed a different topic of uninsured children and child support. Mrs. Paulin discussed a paper which she recently read which suggested that States link the outreach of child support with Child Health Plus. Mrs. Paulin stated that it was a good idea. Assistant Deputy Commissioner Kucerak stated that a number of years ago they wanted to do an outreach but they into a barrier. The courts were unwilling, because of the volume of the case load, to entertain cases based solely on "medical coverage for children". Leg. Noto stated that in his experience as an attorney this can be included but it must be requested. Mrs. Paulin stated that maybe this can be a step that can be dealt with administratively as well. The Task Force agreed that this will be a new topic which needs to be discussed.

Next Leg. Noto discussed the report on child sex abuse cases and the Task Force meeting with Judy Berger of the D.A.’s office. Leg. Noto stated that one of the issues that came up during this meeting was the Task Force’s recommendation that Child Protective Services have a team that is exclusively trained which can develop instincts and expertise to work on abuse cases. He noted that the counter argument to this is "burn out". Leg. Noto asked the guests whether it is possible to move in that direction. Mr. Salem stated that he is resistant to specialization, however, he does believe that there should be more communication/collaboration. He stated that they have focused an enormous amount of attention on monitoring case records to make sure that the staff is not overlooking anything. He believes they have to go back to the next level which is a more service oriented

child analysis. Leg. Noto inquired whether the follow-up has improved. Mr. Salem stated that he is not sure that the situation has improved dramatically. Mrs. Paulin asked how to fix it and Leg. Bronz stated that in the conversation of how to make an independent Coordinator they did not know whether it is a staff or protocol system. Commissioner Friedman agreed that an independent Coordinator was needed. Leg. Noto recapped a portion of the discussion with Judy Berger and stated that a computer system that will allow accessibility to all of the child sex abuse cases should be in place. He stated that the Task Force has instructed Ms. Berger to speak with the County’s Computer Programmer Mr. Jackniss. Leg. Noto inquired whether bringing all the parties together will help. Commissioner Friedman stated that he believes the first step is that leadership must commit to the fact that this was the original intention and that it will solve those problems that no single department can fix. Leg. Noto stated he believes Ms. Berger is the right person and there is an agenda in place (which came out of the report). Mrs. Paulin restated that some children are "falling through the cracks" and this needs to be corrected. Also, Mrs. Paulin noted that at the "treatment" stage level families were not fulfilling their obligations and that a child can then be revictimized. Mr. Salem stated that this is a small percentage of the cases. Leg. Noto inquired how often do they communicate with the D.A.’s office and the County Attorney’s Office. Mr. Salem stated that it was an ongoing communication especially whenever there is a hot case. Ted had noted that the coordinator was only in a position of 5-15%. Mrs. Paulin noted that another concern brought by Ms. Berger is that the County Attorney’s office was not aggressive enough in filing petitions. Mr. Salem stated that his staff is frustrated as well about what it takes to get a case through. Leg. Noto inquired whether he had made this concern known to Alan Scheinkman he stated, no. Commissioner Friedman stated that the repeated failure to pay child support is a crime and a criminal proceeding should get started.

Further discussion ensued and the Task Force agreed to continue to address this topic. The Task Force thanked the guests.

Next the Task Force discussed the minutes of February 11, 1998 and February 23, 1998. Leg. Noto move to approve, seconded by Leg. Bronz. Leg. Bronz moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Noto. All in favor [3-0]. The meeting ended at 12:30 PM.