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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSS Board Minutes 042114MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES April 21, 2014 1 THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MET ON MONDAY: April 21, 2014 at the Hillsborough Commons, Hillsborough, North Carolina. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Garavaglia, Chair; Claire Millar; Tamara Dempsey-Tanner; and Arthrell Sanders. GUEST: Jamica Ashley; Pamela Smith; and Cheryl Young, Assistant County Manager. BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MEMBER ABSENT: Earl McKee. STAFF PRESENT: Nancy Coston, Director; Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager; Sharron Hinton, Human Services Manager; Rebecca Rapoza, Management Analyst; Caraina Garris, Social Worker II; Kysha Thompson, Social Worker II; and Joyce Lee, Business Officer. I. Call to Order and Introductions DSS Chair, Pat Garavaglia, called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. II. Board Comments Pat Garavaglia passed out information related to two different fundraisers. She explained there is no pressure to participate. III. Public Comments Pamela Smith introduced herself and explained that Pat Garavaglia had been speaking to her about possibly serving on the Board. She explained that she is a nurse and had been in the area a while. She wanted to observe before making a decision. IV. Agenda Changes Pat Garavgalia added a closed session at the end of the meeting. V. Action Items On a motion by Arthrell Sanders the Board approved the Minutes of March 24, 2014. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. VI. Items for Discussion and/or Decision 1. Overview of Workforce Investment Act Sharron Hinton presented an overview of the Building Futures Program funded by the Workforce Investment Act. In July of 2013 cases were transferred to the agency from the previous contractor. There are currently 109 youth participating in the program. The program works with youth ages 16- 21 who meet eligibility criteria. Ms. Hinton explained there were some challenges with start-up. Program staff had to be hired initially and all the active and follow-up participants had to be contacted. The files were not in order and eligibility had to be verified for program participants. There were some geographical eligibility concerns. Staff ensured that program files were up-to-date before beginning work. Staff had to MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES April 21, 2014 2 learn to manage in the database management system NCWORKS. Four participants received non- accredited GEDs under the previous contractor and staff had to work with those participants to resolve these problems. Participants engage in community service activities, workshops, and other development activities. They also receive supportive services including uniforms, professional work attire, eye glasses, comprehensive guidance and counseling. Several participants are graduating this year and others are currently working. The program is currently recruiting new participants for the program. Claire Millar asked whether there are incentives for business to hire participants. Ms. Hinton responded that the agency pays the salaries of the participants. There are currently participants at Hargraves Community Center, Orange County Asset Management, Orange County IT, Orange County Parks and Recreation, and a child care center among others. Nancy Coston added the employment part is just starting. Ms. Hinton noted the summer youth employment component will be starting soon. Pat Garavaglia asked whether transportation was an issue. Caraina Garris responded that transportation is a challenge but staff work with the participants to try to get them to their location. Ms. Coston added that staff are planning to have more of these kinds of informational sessions at meetings so Board Members can learn about programs and services. 2. ACA and NC FAST Lindsey Shewmaker gave an update on NC FAST and ACA progress. Staff have continued to work to get cases processed in NC FAST. Although Food and Nutrition Services is and has been going well, Medicaid is continuing to present challenges. County staff are working with the state to identify priority items to fix and/or enhance. Ms. Shewmaker added the agency continues to focus efforts on working with providers and pharmacies to prevent any clients from being harmed by the system transition. Cheryl Young added that staff had done a great job managing the implementation of NC FAST and the county was appreciative of their efforts. 3. Update on Budget and Staffing Issues Nancy Coston informed the Board that staff were told there were funds remaining in the Social Justice Fund that could be used for child care or other needs. She passed out a draft agenda for an upcoming Board of County Commissioners’ meeting that requests $150,000 from the Social Justice Fund to pay child care subsidy costs for June of 2014. She reminded the Board that this years’ allocation for child care subsidy is over five million dollars. It would probably take over six million dollars to keep a waiting list from forming. Cheryl Young asked how many kids are currently receiving services. Ms. Coston responded that 845 children are currently being served. The average cost of monthly care for the agency is $550 per child. Arthrell Sanders moved the Social Services Board recommend the Board of County Commissioners authorize the DSS Director to utilize existing budgeted funds and $150,000 from the Social Justice Fund for child care expenses in June 2014. Claire Millar seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES April 21, 2014 3 Ms. Coston mentioned the other item that will be on the Board of County Commissioners’ agenda for the May 8th meeting. Current Social Worker II vacancies are frozen and an additional two positions were added to the budget. There is now an agenda going to the Commissioners that will allow the county to keep all seven current staff. Arthrell Sanders moved the Social Services Board recommend the Board of County Commissioners’ fund the current seven Social Worker II positions at DSS in Fiscal Year 2014-2015 and eliminate two vacant positions at DSS effective July 1, 2014. Claire Millar seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. 4. Director’s Report Nancy Coston reported the visit with Dr. Vos went well. The Joint Meeting will be held at 6:00pm at the Southern Human Services. 5. Executive Session Arthrell Sanders moved to executive session pursuant to GS§ 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 Monday, May 19, 2014 at the Hillsborough Commons, 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina at 4:00 pm. Claire Millar moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:54 pm. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner seconded the motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Submitted by Nancy Coston Director Pat Garavaglia Chair