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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board minutes 011819MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 18, 2019 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON FRIDAY: January 18, 2019 at the Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, Ann Wilkerson, Susie Enoch and Pat Garavaglia. GUEST: Mark Marcoplos, Orange County Commissioner. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Jamezetta Bedford STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; and Crystal Mitchell, Human Services Manager. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, called the meeting to order at 10:08 am. II. Board Comments None. III. Public Comments None. IV. Agenda Changes Add update on holiday program. V. Action Items On a motion by Pat Garavaglia, the Board approved the minutes of December 15, 2018. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Holiday Program Sharron Hinton thanked the Board for their help and support during the holiday program. Approximately 1,000 parents came through the Toy Chest and selected toys for about 2,500 children. The Toy Storm event with UNC athletics was successful and brought in additional toys and funds for the program. There are some toys left over but all books, pajamas, and food are gone. The leftover toys will be given out to foster children and others throughout the year. Ann Wilkerson asked whether volunteer participation was good. Ms. Hinton responded that there were many volunteers which was very helpful. 2. Budget Kick-off Nancy Coston explained to the Board that staff are currently working on developing the agency MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 18, 2019 2 budget and plan to present the proposed budget at the next meeting. Most budget issues will focus on child welfare changes and impacts. Staff are planning to request a new Social Worker I position to assist with meeting some of the increased policy and procedural expectations. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner asked whether there were any budget-related issues regarding Medicaid Transformation. Ms. Coston noted that Medicaid Transformation is part of the work session with the Board of County Commissioners and more information will be provided then. A group of directors are working on client messaging as more information becomes available. Mark Marcoplos asked whether Medicaid Transformation was the first step toward privatization. Ms. Coston responded that it is managed care and private companies have bid, although there are attempts to make this different than mental health. Providers are looking at including social determinants of health as part of the package of services offered in the bidding process for the Managed Care Organizations. The first phase is scheduled to go live in November of 2019. Ms. Coston also noted there are new federal guidelines about the bidding of federal funds for certain services. This may mean that the county will need to bid attorney services and in-home aide providers. There are some significant issues and concerns with changing a child welfare attorney, particularly with all the changes happening in child welfare. Non-profit applications for county funds will still be presented to the DSS Board in February or March. Some of these agencies contract for services with DSS currently and staff will provide information on how those relationships are working. 3. Federal Shutdown Impacts Nancy Coston presented an overview of anticipated federal shutdown impacts. Some programs are not affected by the shutdown and some are, depending on which programs had already been authorized and funded. Programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are impacted including Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Programs in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) along with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), some immigration programs, and some juvenile justice programs are also impacted at the federal level. Lindsey Shewmaker discussed the impact of the federal shutdown on Food and Nutrition in more detail. FNS funds pay for about 30 staff, TANF funds about 30 staff. Pat Garavaglia asked whether staff would be working without pay. Ms. Coston responded that the State has money through February to pay for staffing costs. Mark Marcoplos asked whether something in writing could be sent to the BOCC and mentioned there are social justice funds available. 4. Director’s Report The Regional Work Force Board meeting was at Orange County DSS yesterday and two former participants spoke which was very impactful. VII. Announcements Tamara Dempsey-Tanner moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 am. Susie Enoch seconded the motion. The MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 18, 2019 3 motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by: Nancy Coston DSS Director Tamara Dempsey-Tanner Chair