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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board minutes 112515MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 23, 2015 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: November 23, 2015 at the Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, Chair; Ann Wilkerson, Vice-Chair; Claire Millar; Earl McKee; and Pat Garavaglia. GUEST: None. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Denise Shaffer, Assistant Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; and Micah Guindon, Management Analyst. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, called the meeting to order at 4:05pm. Lindsey Shewmaker introduced Micah Guindon, the newly hired Management Analyst who will be serving as the joint informatics analyst, working to coordinate data across all human services departments. Ms. Guindon stated that she will be working on a data inventory and then working on cross-departmental projects using this joint data. II. Board Comments Tamara Dempsey-Tanner noted that she and Ann Wilkerson attended the Social Services Institute and the agency won an award for LIEAP outreach. Ms. Dempsey-Tanner also noted that there was a nice event around the Grand Reopening of the Orange County Job Link Center and new chartering. Earl McKee asked for information about the agency’s relationship with Cardinal Innovations. Nancy Coston noted that there has been some good, collaborative work on cases with DSS staff but there are also gaps that are challenging. Mr. McKee noted he has some concerns about the system and some of the business practices and how that may be impacting the ability of clients to get services. He asked that if DSS has any issues to keep him informed. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes None. V. Action Items On a motion by Pat Garavaglia, the Board approved the minutes of October 19, 2015. Claire Millar seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 23, 2015 2 VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Holiday Program Update Sharron Hinton updated the Board on the progress of holiday program planning. Staff went to Toys R Us today to spend donated funds from Toys for Tots. Toys are currently being collected and sorted in the atrium before being set out. The Toy Chest is scheduled for December 19th and 20th. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be collecting toys at the December 6th men’s basketball game verses Davidson at 6:00pm. Toys will also be collected at three women’s basketball games. There will be a Toy Chest planning meeting tomorrow to discuss the actual set- up and location of the Toy Chest. The Share Your Holiday sponsorship program is under way and all the children and adults are currently sponsored. Staff have requested that gifts come in on December 12th and 13th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Since there are two other events on the 12th, volunteers are needed to assist with staffing the events. She asked that Board Members email Serena McPherson if they are interested in volunteering. Pat Garavaglia asked whether any assistance was needed to put collection boxes in the community. Ms. Hinton responded that there are a few students helping with the collection boxes. 2. Energy Programs Lindsey Shewmaker informed the Board that the energy programs are getting ready to start and applications have begun arriving. Temporary staff will assist with taking and processing applications. 3. Food and Nutrition Services Changes and BOCC Meeting Nancy Coston and Lindsey Shewmaker updated the Board on the changes in Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) related to work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Beginning January 1, 2016 Orange County will no longer be under a waiver exempting ABAWDs from meeting work requirements to get ongoing FNS benefits. Staff who work in the different employment programs are working on efforts to locate and develop work activities that will help impacted clients meet the 20 hour per week average needed to retain benefits. 4. Hillsborough Commons Expansion Update Nancy Coston updated the Board on the expansion of Hillsborough Commons into the old Dollar Tree space. The county has not yet received the certificate of occupancy but most of the building work is completed. The café is not yet completed and the furniture is not in place but the space will be used for work programming and the Toy Chest in December. Ann Wilkerson asked when the certificate of occupancy is anticipated. Ms. Coston responded that it should be any time and the Board can tour the facility after the meeting adjourns. 5. Director’s Report The APP Holiday program is at Southern Human Services on December 10, 2015 at 6:00pm. The Annual Report and Work Plan for the Social Services Board is due to the Board of County MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES November 23, 2015 3 Commissioners on December 18, 2015. The Board generally works with staff to set a few goals for the upcoming year. The group agreed that Child Care, NC FAST Expansion, and ABAWD Work Requirements and Employment Services should be included. 6. Closed Session Tamara Dempsey-Tanner moved to executive session pursuant to General Statute § 143- 318.11(a)(6). Claire Millar seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VII. Announcements The next regular meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 2015 at the Hillsborough Commons, 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina at 12:00pm. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:11pm. Pat Garavaglia seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston Director Tamara Dempsey-Tanner Chair