HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board minutes 031819MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
March 18, 2019
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THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: March 18, 2019 at the
Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, Ann Wilkerson,
Jamezetta Bedford, and Pat Garavaglia.
GUEST: None.
BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS ABSENT: Susie Enoch
STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; Crystal Mitchell,
Human Services Manager
I. Call to Order and Introductions
DSS Chair, Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, called the meeting to order at 4:08 pm.
II. Board Comments
Pat Garavaglia asked about the County food drive and how it was going. Nancy Coston reported DSS
was doing fine in meeting the needs of clients coming into the agency requesting food assistance.
III. Public Comments
None.
IV. Agenda Changes
NCFAST (P4-Child Welfare) was added as the first agenda item. Discussion about the date for the April
Board Meeting was also added to the agenda.
V. Action Items
On a motion by Pat Garavaglia, the Board appr oved the minutes of February 2019. Ann Wilkerson
seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent.
VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision
1. NCFAST - Child Welfare
Nancy Coston shared a bill has been filed in the General Assembly that would plac e a pause on
putting more counties into NCFAST for Child Welfare and also take counties out of NCFAST who
just went live with Intake and Assessment. The impact on Orange County as an expanded pilot
county for child welfare is unclear at this time. Ms. Coston explained this bill is on the agenda for
the Health and Human Services committee tomorrow morning for further discussion. Crystal
Mitchell shared in general Orange County child welfare staff like using NCFAST and are not
experiencing significant issues in Intake and Assessment. Ther e are known design issues with
ongoing functionality. Ms. Mitchell informed the Board Orange County attended a demo of new
ongoing functionality last week at NCFAST. This functionality is to be released on April 15th and
OCDSS liked the new functionality shown. Nancy Coston shared state fiscal impact if the system
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
March 18, 2019
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was suspended or paused. Board members asked to be kept abreast of the developments of this
bill.
2. April 2019 Board Meeting
Nancy Coston informed the Board she will be out of town at a Racial Equity training on the regularly
scheduled Board meeting date in April. The Board was asked if they would like to hold the meeting
without Ms. Coston present or reschedule the meeting. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner made a motion to
move the meeting to April 29, 2019. Pat Garavaglia seconded the motion.
3. Outside Agency Information and Discussion
Board members shared they have individually read all outside agency applications and made notes.
The Board provided feedback on the new formatting of the applications this year. There was voiced
concern about the brevity of the applications. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner remarked in some
applications she was unable to ascertain what the outside agency is offering, why, and who the
identified client is. Pat Garavaglia remarked in the future if more than 10% of an applicant’s budget
is reflected in the “other’ category there should be a requirement for a description of what this
entails. Sharron Hinton provided the Board with an overview of some programs while Crystal
Mitchell provided an overview of Exchange Club. Each board member was given an opportunity to
ask questions and discuss the applications amongst themselves. All scoring sheets were submitted.
4. Director’s Report
Nancy Coston reminded the Board the Orange County Board of County Commissioners Work
Session for DSS is scheduled for April 4, 2019. There were no further reports for this month.
VII. Announcements
Pat Garavaglia moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:55 pm . Jamezetta Bedford seconded the motion. The
motion was carried without dissent.
Submitted by:
Nancy Coston
DSS Director
Tamara Dempsey-Tanner
Chair